One of the more common claims made by Muslims is that the current Bible (Torah, Psalms, Prophets and New Testament) has been distorted and changed. In the beginning, it was in its correct form and the word of God, but people destroyed it. Furthermore, it has been explained that the Koran has made the previous writings void and superseded them. That's why they are no longer needed nowadays. After all, the Koran should have the final truth and the correct text format, so why would it be worth reading other writings?

   But is the previous notion correct? Is there any reason to believe it? We look at it in the light of the following examples:

The Koran confirms the Bible's writings as true - or are you claiming the Koran is a lie? If you're a Muslim, it's only natural that you consider the Koran the highest authority in all areas of your life. You look to it for guidance in your life and consider it a guideline. This is self-evident.

    But what does the Koran say about this subject? Does it teach that the writings of the Bible (the Torah, the Psalms, the books of the prophets and the New Testament) have been distorted and changed? Or does it teach the opposite?

   There is no ambiguity about this. The Koran mentions that no one can change the words of God (18:27:… None can change His words… / 6:34,115, 10:63,64), so the claim in today's Islam contradicts these verses of the Koran. In addition, the Koran confirms several times that the previous scriptures are currently guidance and light and that man has gone far astray if he does not believe in the previous scriptures. So, if you are a Muslim but claim the following verses of the Koran as falsehood, you are contradicting your own holy book. You claim the Koran is a lie:

Believers, have faith in God and His apostle, in the Book He has revealed to His apostle, and in the Scriptures He formerly revealed. He that denies God, His angels, His Scriptures, His apostles, and the Last Day has gone far astray. (4:136)

We have revealed the Torah, in which there is guidance and light. By it the prophets who surrendered themselves judged the Jews, and so did the rabbis and the divines, according to God’s Book which had been committed to their keeping and to which they themselves were witnesses…

   After them We sent forth Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Torah already revealed, and gave him the Gospel, in which there is guidance and light, corroborating what was revealed before it in the Torah, a guide and an admonition to the righteous.

   Therefore let those who follow the Gospel judge according to what God has revealed therein. Evil-doers are those that do not base their judgements on God’s revelations. (5:44,46,47)

Say: ‘We believe in God and that which is revealed to us; in what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; to Moses and Jesus and the other prophets by their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them, and to God we have surrendered ourselves.’ (2:136)

Children of Israel!… Have faith in My revelations, which confirm your Scriptures, and do not be the first to deny them. Do not sell My revelations for a paltry price; fear Me. (2:40,41)

Be courteous when you argue with the People of the Book, except with those among them why do evil. Say: ‘We believe in that which is revealed to us and which was revealed to you. Our God and your God is one. To Him we surrender ourselves.’ (29:46)

He has revealed to you the Book with the Truth, confirming the scriptures which preceded it; for He has already revealed the Torah and the Gospel for the guidance of men, and the distinction between right and wrong. Those that deny God’s revelations shall be sternly punished; God is mighty and capable of revenge. (3:3,4)

- See also! 2:4,87-89,91,97,101 / 3:81,84 / 4:47,162 / 5:48, 65-68 / 34:31 / 40:53,54 / 46:30

The following quote points to how weak the Muslims' claim that the Bible has been changed is. They may indeed consider some parts of the Bible as the word of God and incorruptible, but deny other parts because they contradict the rest of the teaching of the Koran. Then they come into conflict with their own holy book, the Koran, because it does not support their views.

   Furthermore, when the general belief in Islam is that Muhammad is the seal of the prophets (33:40), after which no new revelation is given, where does a modern Muslim get his knowledge? How does he know which parts of the Bible have changed and which have not, and which part is God's word and which is not? He should answer to which points the changes were made, who made them and where are the original writings that have been changed? Because before anything can be faked, there must be something original. He should have concrete answers to these questions.

… Deedad sat next to Sjöberg and someone asked him a question:

   - What do you think of yesterday's debate?

   "Yes, by the way, but I had a too tight schedule," Deedad lamented. - Sjöberg had an advantage because I had to speak first.

   - So you admit you lost the debate, someone threw.

   - I didn't say that.

   The Dagen reporter then asked:

   - Yesterday you said that the Bible is not the word of God. Today, you said something along the lines that it is. What do you mean? Which of your statements is true?

   - Well, I meant that part of the Bible is the word of God and part is not…

   Then Abu's hand bounced up. As a former Muslim, he knew what Deedad was aiming for. After getting right to speak, he turned to the professor and said:

   - You just said that the Bible is partly the word of God and partly not. I am a former Muslim. I've got my sins forgiven through faith in Jesus of the Bible. I would like to ask you, how do you know what part of the Bible is the word of God and what is not? Have you received a revelation from God about this?

   The question was awkward for Muslims. Abu knew that according to the Koran, no new divine revelation was promised after Muhammad. If Deedad replied that he had received divine revelation, he would be in conflict with the Koran. If he replied that he had not been notified, he would still be moving on weak ice. Deedad was silent for a couple of minutes and thought. Then he looked at Abu intently and blurted out:

   - The next question. (1)

As stated, the Koran confirms the earlier scriptures (Torah, Psalms, Prophets and New Testament) as true. Therefore, no Muslim should ever again claim that they have been altered and distorted. As a Muslim, if you do this, you are going against the Koran. The Koran does not support the view that the Bible's writings were changed before the time of Muhammad.

    What about the time after Muhammad? Could the changes have happened after that? This idea is impossible because there were hundreds of thousands of copies of Bibles and parts of it scattered around the world, and it had been translated into many different languages even before the time of Muhammad (the New Testament is by far the best-preserved document of antiquity, and no others come close to it. It or parts of it are more than 24,000 manuscript versions survive in Greek and other early versions. ). Someone would have had to gather all these hundreds of thousands of manuscripts together, destroy them, and then completely rewrite the Bible texts in the same way. It is an impossible idea, which is not supported by any historical sources.

    Moreover, if we compare the current text of the Bible with the old manuscripts, there is no essential difference between them. At most, these are minor copying errors, such as small letter changes, which are not relevant to the essential doctrines of the Bible. It has been calculated that the order of magnitude of the differences found in ancient manuscripts is only 0.02 percent, so we can be confident that the Bible we use follows the original writings.

   One proof in favor of the originality of the New Testament is also the quotations from it by the church fathers. Even if no manuscript copies and parts of the New Testament had been preserved, the entire New Testament, with the exception of 11 verses, could still be reconstructed from the quotations that have been preserved from the church fathers 300 years after the time of Jesus. According to research conducted by the British Museum, there are now an estimated 89,000 passages that have been included in the writings of the early church from the New Testament.

    Instead, the Dead Sea scrolls, the oldest of which date back to the third century BC, testify in favor of the writings of the Old Testament. These scrolls, which have been found in all the books of the Old Testament except the book of Esther, are very similar to the ones we have today.

    The following quotations indicate how it is justified to trust that the texts of the Bible have remained the same. There is no reason to believe that the text has changed substantially from the original: 

FC Grant: "It is obvious to the observant reader that... checking has not affected any doctrine of the Christian faith, for the simple reason that not a single one has emerged from among the thousands of ways of reading the manuscripts that requires a revision of the Christian doctrine." (2)

Sir Frederic Kenyon: "The interval between the original writing and the earliest surviving written evidence becomes so small that it has no factual significance, and the final justification for the suspicion that the Bible has substantially changed in its journey has now been removed. The authenticity of the books of the New Testament, that they are genuine and unchanged, can now be deemed completely confirmed." (3)

What about the historical reliability of the Bible? Again and again, archeology and other research has shown the history of the Bible to be correct. Things that were initially known only on the basis of the Bible have been confirmed when material has been found from sources outside the Bible and with the help of archaeology. They show how the writings of the Bible are closely related to the life and conditions of society at that time. (Sometimes Muslims and others try to refute e.g. the writings of the New Testament on the basis that some apocryphal books give a different picture of Jesus than the Gospels. However, they do not take into account that the New Testament descriptions of Jesus' life are earlier than all other descriptions of Jesus' life. The Apocryphal Gospels were usually written 100 to 200 years later than the New Testament writings and have never been commonly known and widely distributed. They are fabled imaginative stories.)

   The well-known archaeologist Nelson Glueck has written (Rivers of the desert, 1959, p. 31) about archeology related to the Bible. He shows how archaeological discoveries confirm the historical reliability of the Bible:

Absolutely and certainly speaking, not a single archaeological finding has ever questioned any passage of the Bible. Tens of archaeological findings that confirm the historical statements of the Bible either in broad outline or in detail have been made. (4)       

The following quotes continue on the same topic. They show how it is justified to trust the historical accuracy of the Bible:

The famous archaeologist William Albright says, “The historical knowledge of the Bible is true in a way that modern Bible critique cannot even imagine. As my research has progressed, it has become clear to me that the Bible is a very reliable historical source. Its narratives are not myths but historical documents that are equally with the truth in the smallest details. The excessive skepticism that the leading historical trend felt towards the Bible has consistently lost its testimony. More and more new discoveries have proved the Bible to be true in countless details and have increased the value of the Bible as a historical source. ” (8)

Keith N. Schoville: “It is important to understand that archaeological excavations have produced a lot of evidence that clearly proves that the Bible is not filled with false information. To this day, none of the historical events of the Bible have been proven false on the basis of this evidence obtained by archaeological research." (6)

AN Sherwin-White, a scholar of the history of the classical period, and who has been considered the foremost expert on Roman law, has also written about the reliability of the Acts of the Apostles (Roman Society and Roman law in the New Testament, Oxford: Oxford university press, 1963, p. 173). He states that attempts to deny its reliability necessarily seem insane. In addition to the Acts of the Apostles, Luke also wrote one of the Gospels, which tells about the same things as the other Gospel texts.

The historical accuracy of the Acts has proven to be amazing. (…) All attempts to deny the fundamental historicity of Acts, even in small details, now seem necessarily preposterous. Scholars of Roman history have long taken it for granted.

2. Misconceptions about God

One of the misconceptions of Muslims was highlighted above, namely the assumption that the Bible has been distorted and changed. They believe that at some point the texts of the Bible were radically changed and that the Koran superseded these earlier writings. Because of this belief, it is difficult for them to accept the message of the gospel.

   A similar false belief with which Muslims reject the gospel message is the notion that Christians are polytheists. They believe that Christians worship three separate gods: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (or Mary). Likewise, they may ask how God can become man, how could God have a Son, or how can God be a trinity since He is one? They are happy to ask such questions, but are not necessarily aware of the overall teaching of the Bible and what Jesus himself has said about himself. We examine this topic in the light of the following points:

• There is only one God

• Teaching of the Old Testament

• Koran's own teaching

• Can God become a man?

• Jesus' teaching of Himself

• Is there idolatry in Islam?

There is only one God. First of all, it is good to emphasize that Christian teaching does include the fact that there is only one God. When Muslims believe that Christians worship three separate Gods, they are thus mistaken. For God is one and there is no other God besides Him. This comes out well, e.g. in the following verses of the Bible.

- ( James 2:19,20) You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

- (Mark 12:28-32) And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

32 And the scribe said to him, Well, Master, you have said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

- (Deut 4:35) To you it was showed, that you might know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

- (Isa 45:5-6) I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded you, though you have not known me:

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

- (Isa 45:21) Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time?  have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.

- (Isa 46:9) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Teaching of the Old Testament. Another good starting point for studying the essence of God is the Old Testament, the writings of which were already ready before the coming of Jesus and the apostles. In addition, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which have been dated to 100-300 BC, showed how these writings have remained similar to modern times. This is a good basis for studying what the earliest writings have mentioned about God.

    But what does the Old Testament teach about God? Will the teaching about the Trinity of God come up in it or not?

   The answer is that this matter appears indirectly in many places already in the first pages of the Old Testament. In the original language of the Old Testament, in Hebrew, there are two names for God. One is the singular form EL and the other is the plural form ELOHIM, which occurs over 2000 times. This masculine plural form ELOHIM occurs e.g. in the following verses of the Bible. It is noteworthy in the verses that although God is used in the plural form, the verb that follows them is nevertheless in the singular.

   The same plural-singular tension also occurs in Genesis 1:26,27, where God uses a plural verb (let us make) and then created man in His own image (singular). In these verses, God could not speak to, for example, the angels, because He created man in His own image, not the angels'. These following texts are an indirect reference to the Trinity of God:

- (Gen 1:1) In the beginning God (Elohim / plural) created the heaven and the earth.

- (Gen 1:26,27) And God (Elohim) said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

- (Exo 20:2,3) I am the LORD your God God (Elohim / plural), which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 You shall have no other gods before me.

Another example of how one can be made up of parts is the word "echad". It occurs e.g. in Deuteronomy 6:4, which tells how God is one. What is noteworthy about this verse is that it does not use the singular form "jachid" which refers to absolute singularity, but instead uses the word "echad" which refers to plurality. It refers to how one can be composed of parts. The same idea is evident in other examples where the word "echad" is used. Ezra 2:64 speaks of the unity of the church, Ezek in 37:17, two wooden sticks are united into one entity, in Genesis 2:24, man and wife become one flesh, and in Numbers 13:24, there is talk of a bunch of grapes, which also consists of many parts:

- (Deuteronomy 6:4) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord ("Shema Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu Adonai Echad ")

The third example is related to the teaching about the Son of God. It already appears in the Old Testament, before Jesus the Messiah was even on earth. These writings were written several centuries before the birth of the Christian church, so the name son of God is not an invention of the followers of Jesus.

    It is generally difficult for Muslims to accept the title Son of God, but it is a spiritual title. (a similar example is that Mahatma Gandhi has been called the father of the Indian nation , even though he is not physically so). Even in the Koran, Jesus is called the Word of God and the Spirit of God, even though he lived as a man on earth (Koran 4:171: ... The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was no more than God's apostle and His Word, which He cast to Mary: a spirit from Him. believe in God and… (4:171).

    In the following verses, the teaching about the son of God, who will be born on earth, becomes clear. He is said to be a mighty God, born of a virgin, whose origin is ancient, from eternal times, and whose place of birth is mentioned as Bethlehem. This really happened with Jesus, because he was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem). In addition, Psalm 110 can be brought up, where David mentions "The Lord said to my lord". David spoke of two masters. Jesus himself explained this point to the Pharisees.

- (Prov 30:4-6) Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him.

6 Add you not to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.

- (Ps 2:1,2,7,12) Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

- (Ps 110:1) The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.

(Jesus' explanation of previous Old Testament verses where David spoke of two Lords, Matt 22:41-46: While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, The son of David. He said to them, How then does David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you on my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither dared any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.)

- (Isa 9:6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

- (Isa 7:14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Immanuel = God with us).

- (Micah 5:2) But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

What about the name Son of God in the New Testament? It is noteworthy that Jesus himself used this designation, so there is a good basis for this name. It's not that some other people invented it after He died, but He Himself used it.

   In addition, Mark's Gospel reveals the cause of Jesus' death. It was because he acknowledged that he was the son of God, the Exalted One. That's why he was sentenced to death for what he said. In the same context, Jesus used the name Son of Man, which appears in the book of Daniel of the Old Testament (Dan 7:13,14: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. This designation also refers to his eternal essence:

- (Luke 1:34,35) Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.

- (Luke 4:41) And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, You are Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

- (John 9:35-41) 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God?

36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

37 And Jesus said to him, You have both seen him, and it is he that talks with you.

38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said to him, Are we blind also?

41 Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.

- (Mark 14:61-64) But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said to him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

62 And Jesus said, I am: and you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and said, What need we any further witnesses?

64 You have heard the blasphemy: what think you? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

- (Matt 27:39-43) And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, You that destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself. If you be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

- (Matt 27:54) Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

- (John 20:30,31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.

The fact that Jesus is the Son of God was also confirmed by the heavenly Father. It appears in connection with the baptism of Jesus and when Jesus was with the disciples on the holy mountain. Twice God uttered the words: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." In his own letter, Peter later tells how he heard these words on the mountain. He also mentioned that it wasn't some sly fable that he had invented himself.

- (Matt 3:13-17) Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and come you to me?

15 And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him:

17 And see a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

- (Mat 17:1-8) And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter, and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear you him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

- (2 Peter 1:16-18) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

The Koran's own teaching. As stated, it is difficult for Muslims to believe in God, who has revealed himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. However, the Koran's own teaching indirectly refers to the triune nature of God. First, the divine essence of Jesus. When the Koran mentions Jesus as the Word and Spirit of God from Him (Koran 4:171: ... The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary, was no more than God's apostle and His Word, which He cast to Mary: a spirit from Him. believe in God and…), this refers to the eternal being of Jesus. It refers to how Jesus is sent from God. Islam's own teachers and the Islamic tradition have also taken a stand on this. In the first of these, the well-known explainer of Islamic doctrine az-Zamakhshari speaks: 

lll:22] Jesus is called the Word of God and a word from Him because he came into being from His word and at His command, without the influence of a father or semen. He is also called the Spirit of God and a spirit from Him because he is spiritual that became into being without any other spiritual influence. (az-Zamakhshari, Kashshaf I:315)

Another significant word by which the Koran describes Jesus is Ruh Allah, the Spirit of God… One of the more weighty comments on this can be found in Muslim traditions, that phrase already quoted above: “He (Jesus) walked in the midst of spirits. We sent him into Mary.”⁽⁷⁾

    What is important here is that it supports the Koran’s revelation of the existence of Jesus before He was physically born on earth. Many commentators on ancient Islamism have come to a very similar conclusion.

    Al-Baidawi, for example, has written: “… possessing a spirit that originated from God, who did not flow into Him the usual ways. It is called spirit because it is the source of life for the dead and the human heart. ” ⁽⁸⁾

    Al-Razi has stated, "He (Jesus) is the Spirit of God because He gives life to the world." ⁽⁹⁾ (10)

Thus, when Islam refers to Jesus as having come from God from heaven, this is consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Jesus himself repeatedly talked about how he came from heaven, that is, he existed before he was born on earth. This is compatible with the Old Testament prophecies mentioned earlier:

- (John 6:38-41) For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father's will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

- (Joh 8:53-59) Are you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?

54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God:

55 Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like to you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews to him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the middle of them, and so passed by.

- (John 16:28-30) I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

29 His disciples said to him, See, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb.

30 Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you: by this we believe that you came forth from God.

- (Joh 17:5) And now, O Father, glorify you me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.

- (Joh 18:36-38) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said to him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.

38 Pilate said to him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I find in him no fault at all.

Another example in the Koran is the name Holy Spirit, which according to the Koran influenced e.g. In the life of Jesus. Thus, the Koran speaks of the Holy Spirit, God's own Spirit, in the same way as the Bible. The Koran mentions that the Holy Spirit came from heaven from God, i.e. the same as happened at the baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:16,17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him: And see a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.) In addition, the verses of the Koran reveal the personality of the Holy Spirit, because He strengthened Jesus and because about the Holy Spirit is told how he sent, led and brought glad tidings to those who submitted (16:102). Such characteristics are only possible for a person:

To Moses We gave the Scriptures and after him We sent other apostles. We gave Jesus the son of Mary veritable signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit... (2:87)

Of these messengers We have exalted some above others. To some God spoke directly; others He raised to a lofty status. We gave Jesus the son of Mary veritable signs, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit... (2:253)

God will say: 'Jesus, son of Mary, remember the favour I have bestowed on you and on your mother: how I strengthened you with the Holy spirit that you preached to men in your cradle and in the prime of manhood; how I instructed you in the Book and in wisdom, in the Torah and in the Gospel; how by My leave you fashioned from clay the likeness of a bird and breathed into it that, by My leave, it became a living bird; how, by My leave, you healed the blind man and the leper, and by My leave restored the dead to life; how I protected you from the Israelites when you had come to them with clear signs: when those of them who disbelieved declared: "This is but plain sorcery" (5:110)

Say: 'The Holy Spirit brought it down from your Lord in truth to reassure the faithful, and to give guidance and good news to those that surrender themselves.' (16:102) 

…God has inscribed the Faith in their very hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit of His own…(58:22).

On that night the angels and the Spirit by their Lord's leave come down with each decree. (97:4)

Can God become a man? Can God become a man ? As stated, it is difficult for Muslims to believe that God can have a Holy Spirit or a Son. This despite the fact that the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Koran and Jesus' existence before his birth on earth and that he was sinless (only God can be sinless. Jesus himself could say, John 8:46: "Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?”). Muslims do not take into account that we cannot determine what God should be like. God is not a created being and exactly like man.

    A similar conundrum for Muslims is the question of whether God can become human. However, if God is omnipotent, he can also take human form. It is not impossible for him. Even Muslims generally accept that God's eternal Word came as a book, the Koran (However, such a doctrine of the Koran's eternity contradicts the Islamic doctrine that only God is eternal and uncreated. Muslims then have two eternal beings: Allah and the Koran. Doesn't this invalidate that Islam the doctrine that there is only one indivisible God? It is known that in the early days of Islam this doctrine was not accepted and other Muslims were even sentenced to death for it, but now the situation is the opposite). So why wouldn't it be possible to accept that the eternal Word of God became a man, Jesus. Even the Koran has recognized Jesus as the word of God. This teaching, i.e. how the word of God, Jesus Christ, became a man, is manifested in e.g. in the following Bible verses:

- (John 1:1-3,14) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

- (Phil 2:5-11) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

9 Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

- (1 John 4:1-3) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

- (2 John 1:7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

It is interesting that the Koran also refers to how God can be both in heaven and on earth. He can concentrate His essence in one place even on earth, although He is the highest and is in heaven. This manifested e.g. in the situation when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush. So when God appeared to Moses, did He cease to be God in heaven? This was unlikely to happen. The example shows that God can be temporarily on earth, as he was in Jesus for approx. 33 years: 

Relate to them the story of Moses in the Book; surely he was a chosen man and was

a Messenger, a Prophet. We called him from the right side of Mount Tur and

honored him to come closer for exclusive conversation. (19:51,52)

Have you heard the story of Moses? When he saw a fire, he said to his family: "Wait! I saw a fire. I may be able to bring some fire or find someone beside the fire to guide us towards the right direction. When he reached there, he was called: "O Moses! In fact, I am your Lord! … It is Me, Allah; there is none worthy of worship except Me, so worship Me and establish Salah for My remembrance. (20:9-14)

Jesus' teaching of Himself. When Muslims reject the divinity of Jesus, they can use such verses from e.g. John's Gospel as "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28) or "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do..." (John 5:19). With these they reject Jesus and his high position. However, they do not consider the whole. They take verses out of context and ignore other verses of the same Gospel that clearly bring out the divinity of Jesus, such as the very first verse "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1) and many similar verses, of which the following are a few:

- (John 5:22-24) For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:

23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.  He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.

- (John 14:7-11) If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from now on you know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffises us.

9 Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?

10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

- ( John 20:27,28) Then said he to Thomas, Reach here your finger, and behold my hands; and reach here your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said to him, My LORD and my God.

- (John 20:30,31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.

The general view and teaching in Islam is also that Paul infiltrated the church, distorted the authentic Christian faith and made Jesus divine and the Son of God. This is a very popular view in Islamic circles.

   However, this is an absurd idea. How could the other apostles not have opposed Paul's new teaching or what did Paul himself benefit from it? For before his conversion, Paul was a rising star among the Pharisees. He had a good and respected position, but after turning to Jesus, he lost his high position, had to experience constant persecution and finally martyrdom at the end of his life. The following Paul's own words tell about the persecutions and difficulties he faced among his own people and among the Gentiles:

- (2 Cor 11:24-30) Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26 In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brothers;

27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28 Beside those things that are without, that which comes on me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern my infirmities.

The concept of Jesus' deity is therefore not Paul's invention, nor is it the teaching of any other disciple. Instead, it all started with Jesus' own words about himself. He repeatedly spoke about himself in such a way that everyone understood that his words differed from the usual words of religious scholars. He spoke as one who has power, and not like scribes. The question, of course, is whether Jesus was speaking truth or falsehood. However, Jesus' balanced, humble nature and fulfilled prophecies suggest that his words are very likely true.

- (Luke 10:21,22) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in your sight.

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

- (Mark 8:38) Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

- (John 4:13,14) Jesus answered and said to her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

- (John 5:24) Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (John 6:35) And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.

- (John 8:12-14) Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, You bore record of yourself; your record is not true.

14 Jesus answered and said to them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know from where I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell from where I come, and where I go.

- (John 8:23,24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

- (John 8:28-30) Then said Jesus to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.

29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him..

- (John 8:45,46) And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?

- (John 10:9,10) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

- (John 7:45,46) Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, Why have you not brought him?

46 The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man.

- (Matt 7:28,29) And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Is there idolatry in Islam? When the Muslims don't believe that the so-called the doctrine of the Trinity is correct and that Jesus cannot be the Son of God, then it is noteworthy that in Islam itself there is idolatry. It is something that many sincere Muslims deny, but the Fifth Pillar of Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca, contains several aspects of idolatry. It is about features that were already characteristic of the ancient religion of the Arabs before the time of Islam and Muhammad. They have come as such to modern Islam. Connections with past idolatry and current pilgrimage practice include, for example, things appearing in the list.

• The destination of the pilgrimage is Mecca. This custom was by no means created by Muhammad, but idolaters and Arabs already used to make pilgrimages to the same city on the Arabian Peninsula before Muhammad.

• Circumventing the temple several times was idolatry of the past. When today Muslims circle the Kaaba seven times, this was part of ancient idolatry and pilgrimage: even then people circled the temple and paid respect to it. Islam's own tradition says that all current rituals such as the pilgrimage to Mecca, Ramadan, circling the Kaaba, kissing the black stone, running between Saf and Marwa, stoning Satan and drinking from the Zamzam fountain are of pagan origin. 

People of Quraish took as their god a god named Hubal, who stood on the edge of the well inside the temple of the Kaaba Temple. They also worshiped Isaf and Na'ila next to Zamzam, the place where they sacrificed...

   Arabs adopted, in addition to Kaaba, taghuts or temples that they respected. These were temples they revered like the Kaaba and had their own doorkeepers and caretakers. The Arabs gave them offerings as they did to the Kaaba and circled around them as they did around the Kaaba. They also slaughtered animals close to these places. (11)

• The idolaters of Mecca called themselves Hanifs

• Sacrifice of animals, walking to Mount Arafat and visiting the hills of Safa and Marwa were part of past idolatry

• Kissing or touching the black stone. One thing in common between the former idolatry and the current pilgrimage to Mecca is the kissing and touching of the black stone in the Kaaba temple. The Arabs used to kiss this stone and worship it as a stone god long before the days of Muhammad. The black stone was the most revered object of the ancient temple and the central object of polytheistic worship. Bedouins worshiped it and other stones long before the time of Muhammad and Islam. Thus, it is strange that Muslims now kiss a stone that was once used for idolatry. How can you act like this as a Muslim if the black stone was the central object of ancient idolatry? Why do you continue the old tradition of idolatry?

  The following quotation tells more about the ancient idolatry of the Arabs, which involved the worship of the black stone of the Kaaba. In addition, the quote tells about three goddesses (Allat, al-Uzza  and  Manat), whose worship Muhammad accepted for a short time while trying to reach an agreement with the Meccans (the so-called satanic verses. So when people in Islam do not believe that Jesus could be the Son of God, it is contradictory that However, at some point Muhammad was inclined to support the so-called daughters of Allah. It was a brief misstep, but it probably happened because it is referred to in so many early Islamic sources.)

Before Islam, the Arabs worshipped numerous gods, and their religion probably resembled the belief of the earlier Semite nations. (…) The Most important actively worshipped divinities were goddesses Allat, al-Uzza, and Manat who were probably regarded as the daughters of Allah, even though the pre-Islamic world of gods had not arranged itself into a clear pantheon.

 (…) In addition to commonly worshipped gods, each tribe seems to have had their own divinities. The god of Mecca was possibly a less well known (moon) god Hubal who according to tradition was worshipped in the temple of Kaaba before the birth of Islam.

   In addition to actual gods, holy stones, springs, and trees were worshipped. Worshipping of stones has been very typical for pre-Islamic Bedouins, also the Greek sources have mentioned this. The stones may have been formed naturally or be roughly outlined. The Bedouins worshipped both solid stones and stones they carried with them. The black stone of Kaaba was also worshipped already in the pre-Islamic period. (12)

What about Islamic worship and the direction of prayer? Today, Muslims direct their prayers towards Mecca and may even have compasses purchased for this purpose. They allow them to accurately check the direction of the prayer so that it is directed towards Mecca. The Koran, for example, tells about the subject. in verses 2:142-151. They mention how the direction of prayer was changed in this direction during Muhammad's time.

   However, the question is, why do you, as a Muslim, direct you prayer to a past idolatry place or make a pilgrimage there and perform the same steps of worship that the ancient idolaters performed? Isn't there an obvious contradiction here? How can you present yourself as a servant of one God if you follow the same idolatrous habits that the past idolaters did? 

3. Is the Koran reliable?

If you read the Koran and the Bible side by side, you will soon notice that the same people and events appear in the Koran as in the Bible. However, the stories of the Bible contained in the Koran are modified, different from the stories of the Bible. Furthermore, where the Bible's narratives are logical, clear and have a precise beginning and end, the Koran's descriptions are incomplete. The stories in the Koran are in a non-chronological order, they start in the middle of the story so that there is no clear beginning and end, and it is not clear from the stories in which historical context the words were uttered. Because of this, if one wants to understand the Koran, one must turn to historical commentaries to find out when and at what point things happened. The Bible, on the other hand, is much easier to understand, and there is no need for explanatory works.

    What about the historicity of the Koran and the Bible? There is a huge amount of evidence for the historicity of the Bible. Things that were initially known only in the pages of the Bible have been confirmed over and over again through some archeological discovery or other non-biblical source. Therefore, it is justified to consider the Bible historically reliable. On the other hand, the historical reliability of the Koran is on a weaker basis. The reason for this is simple. When the Koran is based almost entirely on the authority of Muhammad, how could a person who lived 600 (or more than 2,000) years later give accurate historical information about events that he himself has not seen or experienced? Everyone understands that such information cannot be reliable. In addition, when reading the Koran, it becomes clear very soon that its narratives do not contain the same information based on eyewitness descriptions as in the Bible. It is understandable, because Muhammad lived in a different era and in a different region than where the stories in the Bible have come true. This is a poor basis for the reliability of the Koranic narrations.

   In the following, more problems related to the reliability of the Koran will be raised. It is natural that Muslims consider the Koran as their holy book because it and Muhammad's life is the foundation of Islam, but is the Koran worth trusting and is it really God's revelation? We will consider that next.

• The ahistoricity of the Koran: Jesus was not crucified

• The Koran denies that Jesus is the Son of God

• The Koran denies that God can have children

• A different paradise of the Koran

• Has Muhammad been prophesied in the Bible?

• Attitude towards the sick

• Changes related to the history of the Koran

• Muhammad himself doubted the revelations he received

• Content of the Koran: Muhammad's special privileges and influences from other sources

• Problems related to the compilation of the Koran

• The Koran confirms that the Koran has changed

• Abrogating certain verses of the Koran

The ahistoricity of the Koran: Jesus Was Not Crucified. As for Jesus, He is mentioned several times in the Koran. The Koran tells about his virgin birth, miracles, sinlessness, that he was a prophet and that he was taken to heaven. However, the Koran's picture of Jesus is that he was a Muslim, a prophet of Islam, and not a Son of God or a Savior who bore our sins.

   However, this begs the question, where did Christianity come from if Jesus was a Muslim? There must be some decent explanation for the birth of the Christian faith, but the Koran cannot give an answer to this. Better is the historical explanation that the Bible shows, that is, that Jesus was truly understood as the Son of God and the Savior through whom sins can be forgiven. These are exactly the things the Koran forbids.

    The Koran also forbids the crucifixion of Jesus. This is evident from the following passage in the Koran, which Muslims repeatedly use to reject the teaching of the Bible. They believe that someone else was nailed to the cross instead of Jesus, or that Jesus just fainted and survived the crucifixion.

They did not believe but spoke terrible lies about Mary and said: "We killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of God" - but they did not crucify him. It just seemed that way to them. Those who argue about Jesus do not know for sure, they have no knowledge of him, they only guess, they did not kill him. (4:156,157)

As for the death of Jesus on the cross, it is the best proven historical fact than anything else in the Bible. The four gospels and the letters of the apostles refer to it repeatedly. The apostolic fathers who lived at the end of the first century and the beginning of the second century refer to it. Furthermore, non-Christian, Jewish and Roman sources refer to it, so it is certainly a historical fact. There is still a consensus in the academic world, including among liberal theologians, that Jesus died as a result of crucifixion, so practically all non-Muslim scholars confirm that Jesus' crucifixion took place. Here are some quotes from historical sources from the first century:

Historian Josephus: "Jesus lived in those times. (...) Many Jews and Greeks followed him. He was Christ. Provoked by our influential men Pilate, however, condemned him to death on the cross. However, those who had loved him before continued to be faithful to him."

Cornelius Tacitus: "The name had been given them according to a certain Christ, whom procurator Pontius Pilate condemned and nailed onto the cross in the reign of Tiberius."

Thallus, a Samaritan by birth, also referred to Jesus in his book as early as in 52 A.D. He thought that the darkness at the time of Jesus' crucifixion was the result of a solar eclipse.

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 43, a) mentions that Jesus was crucified on Easter.

Below are more quotes from the Bible. The verses refer to the crucifixion of Jesus and how the apostles preached about it. They certainly wouldn't have preached about it if it wasn't a historical fact. Even the hostile opponents knew the same. Everyone knew about it:

- (John 19:30-35) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) sought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32 Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs:

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately came there out blood and water.

35 And he that saw it bore record, and his record is true: and he knows that he said true, that you might believe.

- (Luke 23:32-33) And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

- (Acts 2:22-25) You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.

25 For David speaks concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:"

- (1 Cor 1:18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God.

- (1 Cor 1:23-24) But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;

24 But to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

- (Phil 3:18,19) For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

When Muslims deny the crucifixion of Jesus, they can explain that someone else was crucified instead of Jesus or that he did not actually die on the cross. This latter explanation has been used by e.g. well-known defenders of Islam Ahmat Deedat and Shabir Ally.

   However, these explanations are a rewriting of history for which no proper evidence has been found. Muslims use them because they trust a single passage in the Koran, written centuries later, rather than clear historical facts. Furthermore, the idea that Jesus did not die as a result of the crucifixion is impossible. The reason for this is the painful flogging before the crucifixion, that no one is known to have survived the crucifixion, and that the Roman soldiers ensured Jesus' death and punctured his side so that blood and water flowed from Him. Medical experts have considered it clear that the person who was in this condition is dead.

    It is also worth considering that Jesus predicted his own violent death several times (Matthew 16:21, 20:28, John 10:9-11, 17-19). Similarly, it is worth considering the prophecies of the Bible, which foretold the violent death of the Messiah, which would nevertheless bring forgiveness to people. Among others, Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12 are such prophecies (in the verses of Zechariah, it is worth considering that God, the Lord, speaks in the first person: “and they shall look on me whom they have pierced”. The same first-person form is evident in the original language, Hebrew):

Prophecy:

- (Isa 53:4-12); Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Fulfillment:

- (Matt 27:31) And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

- (John 19:18) Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.

Prophecy:

- (Zec 12:1,2,10) The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, said the LORD, which stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.

2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling to all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

12 And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look on me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Fulfillment:

- (John 19:34-37) But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately came there out blood and water.

35 And he that saw it bore record, and his record is true: and he knows that he said true, that you might believe.

36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37 And again another scripture said, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

The Koran denies that Jesus is the Son of God . As for the revelation that Muhammad received, Muslims believe that Allah dictated the Koran through the angel Gabriel to Muhammad (2:97,98), who in turn transmitted it orally to his scribes. This is a common view in Islam.

    However, the relevant question is why the revelation received by Muhammad is completely different from the revelation of the Bible. If it is the angel Gabriel sent by God, the revelation should agree with the Bible. However, there is a clear difference between the Gabriel of the Bible and the being that appeared to Muhammad. One example of this is that in the Bible, the angel Gabriel recognizes Jesus as the Son of the Most High, that is, the Son of God, but the same thing is forbidden in the Koran. The following passages from the Koran and the Bible show the conflict between these two views:

Koran

O Prophet tell the Christians: "If the Compassionate (Allah) had a son, I would be the first to worship him." (43:81)

O People of the Book! Do not transgress the limits of your religion. Speak nothing but the Truth about Allah. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger of Allah and His Word "Be" which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit from Him which took the shapeof a child in her womb. So believe in Allah and His Messengers and do not say: "Trinity"." Stop saying that, it is better for you. Allah is only One Deity. He is far above from the need of having a son! To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and in the Earth. Allah Alone is sufficient for protection. (4:171)

Such was Jesus the son of Mary, and this is the True statement about him concerning which they are in doubt. It is not befitting to the majesty of Allah that He Himself should beget a son! He is far above this; for when He decrees a matter He need only say: "Be" and it is. (19:34,35)

Bible

- (Luke 1:26-35) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in to her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God.

31 And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.

- ( 1 John 2:21-23,26) I have not written to you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.

23 Whoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

26 These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you.

The Koran denies that God can have children. Another example. According to the "angel Gabriel" who appeared to Muhammad, God does not take children for Himself. It is considered impossible. However, the clear teaching of the Bible is that every person can become a child of God when he welcomes Jesus Christ into his life (John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name). Jesus himself also spoke about it several times, e.g. while teaching about prayer.

   This is exactly the problem many Muslims have when they pray. When they pray, they do not know God as their Father, and try to approach him as if from behind a great chasm; a gap that prevents them from praying with confidence. In the same way, their prayers often contain the pointless speaking that Jesus warned against. They can recite Arabic sentences in a precise pattern, a language most Muslims do not even understand. The following passages from the Koran and the Bible indicate the difference between these two different revelations. Muslims claim Jesus' words as a lie:

Koran

Those who say: "The Compassionate (God) has begotten a son," certainly preach such a monstrous falsehood,that the very Heavens might crack, the earth might cleave asunder and the mountains might crumble to pieces - at their ascribing a son to the Compassionate (God), It is not befitting to the Compassionate (God) that He should beget a son. (19:88-92)

Bible

- (Matt 6:5-9) And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.

7 But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not you therefore like to them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name.

- (Matt 7:11) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

- (Rom 8:15) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

- (Rev 21:5-8) And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

A Different Paradise of the Koran. The third example is related to paradise. According to Muhammad's revelation, heaven is above all a place where those things that are now abstained from, i.e. virgins and wine, become permissible. There are round-breasted young girls, people getting married and having sex. Muhammad's own speeches, which have been recorded, suggest the same. (Many Muslim fighters and suicide bombers believe that they experience exactly these things after crossing the border. However, the clear teaching of the Bible, which emerges from e.g. the above verse Rev 21:8, is that murderers remain outside of heaven. They go to hell. Of course, even a murderer can be forgiven, if he turns to God, confessing his sin and accepts Jesus' work of atonement).

    Instead, the New Testament teaching about paradise is that it is a place where earthly things are forgotten. Then there will be no more sickness, hunger, suffering, sin, and also no marital intercourse as Jesus said. All kinds of inadequacies and troubles have then disappeared. There are two different descriptions of life behind the border:

Koran

As for the righteous, they shall be lodged in peace together amidst gardens and fountains, arrayed in rich silks and fine brocade. Yes, and We shall wed them to dark-eyed houris (44:51-54)

They shall recline on couches lined with thick brocade… Therein are bashful virgins whom neither man nor jinnee will have touched before… Virgins as fair as corals and rubies. (55:54-58)

On that day the heirs of Paradise will be busy with their joys. Together with their spouses, they shall recline in shady groves upon soft couches. They shall have fruits therein, and all that they desire. (36:55-57)

They shall recline on couches ranged in rows. To dark-eyed houris We shall wed them. (52:20)

As for the righteous, they shall surely triumph. Theirs shall be gardens and vineyards, and high-bosomed maidens for companions: a truly overflowing cup. (78:31-34)

The righteous will surely dwell in bliss. Reclining upon soft couches they will gaze around them: and in their faces you shall mark the glow of joy. They shall be given a pure wine to drink, securely sealed, whose very dregs are musk (for this let all men emulously strive). (83:22-26)

Ali reported that Allah's Apostle said: “There is a market in Paradise where there is no buying or selling, but there are men and women. When a man wants someone beautiful, he can have sex with her. ” Tirmizi confirmed this. (Al Hadis, Book 4, Chapter 42, No. 36.)

Abu Sayeed reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "Every man will have two wives in Paradise, and over each wife seventy veils through which one can see the core of his legs." This was confirmed by Tirmizi. (Al Hadis, Book 4, Chapter 42, No. 23, 652.)

Anas reported that the Prophet said: "In Paradise, men will be given such and such power for sexual intercourse." When asked if we would be capable of such a thing, he replied that he would be given the strength of a hundred men. Tirmidhi narrated this. (Mishkat al-Masabih vol. 3, page 1200.)

Abu Sayeed reported that the Messenger of Allah said: 'When a believer wishes for a child in Paradise, her state of pregnancy and the birth and growth of the child will happen in an hour if she so desires.' Ibn Majah confirmed this.” (Al Hadis, Book 4, Chapter 42, No. 23, 652.)

Bible

- (Matt 22:29-30) Jesus answered and said to them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

- (Rev 21:3-8) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Has Muhammad been prophesied in the Bible ? Fourth example. Muslims believe that the coming of Muhammad is prophesied in the Bible. They think, for example, on the basis of Koranic passages 61:6 and 7:157, that Jesus would have spoken and prophesied about Muhammad. They also think that Jesus' words about the second Advocate (John 14:16, 16:7) were about Muhammad, whose coming Jesus predicted. They believe that the word "parakletos"/defender in John's Gospel originally meant "periklytos"/praised, one of Muhammad's names, but that later, during Muhammad's time, it was changed to another.

    Another scripture that Muslims use to prove that Muhammad was prophesied is the following scripture in Deuteronomy:

- (Deut 18:15,18,19) The LORD your God will raise up to you a Prophet from the middle of you, of your brothers, like to me; to him you shall listen;

18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brothers, like to you, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.

 19 And it shall come to pass, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

As for the previous notion, however, it is ill-founded. First of all, the old manuscripts prove that the Bible survived in its current form, so the ideas of intentional changes in the verses of the Gospel of John can be dismissed. All the old manuscripts that have been found - from the time before Muhammad and after him - have always been in the present form.

   Secondly, in the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit whom he would send from the Father from heaven, not about some another man (John 15:26: But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me). This prophecy does not fit Muhammad, but refers to the day of Pentecost when God's Holy Spirit was poured out on earth:

- (Acts 2:1-4) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Thirdly, the Gospel of John tells us that the Holy Spirit is with the disciples forever and that he glorifies Jesus Christ. It is certainly impossible to say these things about Muhammad, who was born 500 years after Jesus, who lived for 62 years (62 years is not the same as forever) and who also belittled Jesus' position:

- (John 14:16-17,26) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

- (John 16:13-14) However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it to you.

What about the prophecy in Deuteronomy? It is not a prophecy about Muhammad either, because the prophet of the prophecy should come from among the Jews. This fact does not apply to Muhammad.

    Instead, Jesus was seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy. The people understood that He was the prophet prophesied by Moses. He himself could refer to the fact that Moses and other prophets had written and prophesied about Him:

- ( John 1:45,46) Philip finds Nathanael, and said to him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

46 And Nathanael said to him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see.

- ( John 6:14,15) Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

- ( John 7:37-43) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.

38 He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

42 Has not the scripture said, That Christ comes of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

43 So there was a division among the people because of him.

- ( Acts 3:22-26) For Moses truly said to the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brothers, like to me; him shall you hear in all things whatever he shall say to you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 To you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

- (Acts 17:1-4) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.

4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

- (Rom 1:1-3) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

2 (Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

- (John 5:39-47) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

41 I receive not honor from men.

42 But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you.

43 I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.

44 How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust.

46 For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?

- (Luke 24:25-27) Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself..

Attitude towards the sick. Fifth example. The Koran tells how the Muslims' Allah despises the deaf and dumb (8:22,23): For the worst animals in the sight of Allah are those deaf and dumb people who do not use common sense. Had Allah perceived any virtue in them He would have indeed endowed them with hearing. Had he made them (those without virtue) hear, they would have turned away and refused to listen.

   On the other hand, if Jesus was the perfect image of the heavenly Father when he was on earth (Col 1:14,15 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God...), then it is known from the Bible that he pitied the sick and healed them. This different attitude of Jesus towards the sick is very clear from the following examples. The Koran also tells how Jesus healed the sick when he was on earth:

- (Luke 14:12-15) Then said he also to him that bade him, When you make a dinner or a supper, call not your friends, nor your brothers, neither your kinsmen, nor your rich neighbors; lest they also bid you again, and a recompense be made you.

13 But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 And you shall be blessed; for they cannot recompense you: for you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

- (Matt 14:14) And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

- (Mark 7:31-37) And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came to the sea of Galilee, through the middle of the coasts of Decapolis.

32 And they bring to him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand on him.

33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plain.

36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He has done all things well: he makes both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

- (Matt 11:1-6) And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed there to teach and to preach in their cities.

2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said to him, Are you he that should come, or do we look for another?

4 Jesus answered and said to them, Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see:

5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

6 And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me.

- (Matt 15:29-31) And Jesus departed from there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

30 And great multitudes came to him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

31 So that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Changes related to the history of the Koran. There are numerous examples of how the revelation Muhammad received from an angel deviates from the Bible. One area is the changes related to the writing of history. This includes the following examples where the Koran has told historical events in a different way than the Bible and general historiography:

• Noah's contemporaries spoke in Koran 71:21-23 about their gods (...And they say: By no means leave your gods, nor leave Wadd, nor Suwa; nor Yaghus, and Yauq and Nasr... "), which were actually the Arabian gods of Muhammad's time.

• In the Koran, it is said that one of Noah's sons drowned in the flood (11:42,43). According to Genesis, all of Noah's sons were on the ark and were saved. (Genesis 6:10 and 10:1: And three sons were born to Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth... This is the account of the family of Noah's sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. They had sons after the flood.)

• Haman is called Pharaoh's eunuch in the Koran (28:6,38 and 40:36), although according to the book of Esther he was a Persian eunuch in the service of King Ahasuerus and lived only in the 5th century (Esther 3:1), which means centuries later.

• In the Koran, it is said that the pharaoh's wife took Moses under her care (28:8,9). The Bible talks about Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:5-10: ... And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.)

• Koranic passage 12:41 mentions that crucifixion was already in use during the time of Joseph, although this practice came into use more than a millennium later in Persia.

• According to the Koran, the golden calf was made by a Samaritan (20:87,88), according to the Bible it was Aaron (Exodus 32). It is known about the Samaritans that they came to the Holy Land only centuries later, i.e. in connection with the Babylonian exile.

• Mary's genealogy in the Koran mentions that she was the sister of Aaron (19:27,28) and the daughter of Amram (3:35,36 and 66:12). In reality, she should have lived centuries earlier and been Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses.

Muhammad himself doubted the revelations he received. As is known, the authority of the Koran is based on Muhammad. He received his message from a spirit being mentioned in the Koran as Gabriel. This spirit being dictated to Muhammad the revelations that others wrote down. Without the revelations Muhammad received from a spirit being, the faith of Islam would not even exist.

  As for the identity of the spirit being, it was certainly not the same as the Gabriel mentioned in the Bible, as already stated earlier. The angel of the Bible cannot bring messages in which he cancels the announcement about Jesus Christ that he gave centuries earlier (Luke 1:26-38). The message should agree with the previous announcement , but it doesn't. Based on the teaching of the Bible, it was a lying angel or Satan, if the following teachings of Paul are taken into account. It is easy for Satan to imitate God's angels because he himself has been one in the past:

- (Gal 1:8,9) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel to you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

- (Col 2:18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

- (2 Cor 11:13-15) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

A peculiar feature of the revelations received by Muhammad is that he himself also doubted their origin and feared that he was mad. He thought his apparitions came from the devil and believed he was possessed by an evil spirit. This is recorded in the Koran and Islam's own sources. For example, Muhammad's biography (Al Halabi, 1 volume, page 227) tells how Muhammad's wife Khadidzha asked Muhammad after encountering this spirit being: "What has happened to you?" Muhammad replied: "I saw the devil and was possessed by a djinn [evil spirit]. He himself admitted it.

   The following passages of the Koran relate to the subject and tell about Muhammad's doubts about the revelations he received. The creature that appeared to Muhammad had to convince Muhammad that he was not crazy and that he should believe in the revelations he received.

If you are in doubt regarding what We have revealed to you, ask those who have been reading the Book before you. In fact, the truth has indeed come to you from your Lord: therefore, do not be of those who doubt, and do not join those who deny the revelations of Allah; otherwise you will become one of the losers. (10:94,95)

Nun. By the pen and what they write. By the grace of your Lord you are not a Madman, and you shall have a never ending reward. You are of the highest noble character. Soon you will see - as they will see - which of you is afflicted with madness. Surely it is your Lord Who knows those who have strayed from His Way, as He knows best those who are rightly guided. So do not yield to the unbelievers. They desire you to compromise a little, so they too would compromise. (68:1-9)

Therefore, O Prophet, keep up your mission of admonition. By the grace of your Lord you are neither a soothsayer nor a madman. Do they say: "He is but a poet! We are waiting for some misfortune to befall him. (52:29,30)

The state of Muhammad when he received revelations is told in Islam's own sources (Sahih Bukhar, Al Hadis , Ibn Hisham: Biography of Prophet Muhammad [Sirat Rasul Allah]. ..). According to them, he often suffered pain when apparitions came, beads of sweat fell from his forehead even though it was a cold day , his face turned red, he nodded his head and his followers did the same.

   By all accounts, receiving revelations was not an easy experience for Muhammad. This was already evident with Muhammad's first revelation, which he received in the cave of Hira. In the hadith of Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated in Muhammad's own words how "the angel grabbed me strongly and squeezed so hard that I could not bear it". Such activity of a spirit being indicates that it was not an angel sent by God.

    The following quote tells more about Muhammad's encounter with the spirit, how he suffered pain and was about to commit suicide. He feared he was possessed by the devil:

At first, Muhammad was remarkably uneasy about his supernatural encounter with the spirit. He "suffered much pain and his face turned ashen" (13). He wondered if he was possessed by the devil, and even contemplated suicide:

I will go to the top of the mountain and throw myself down so that I would die and thus get peace. So I went ahead but when I was halfway up the mountain, I heard a voice from heaven saying, “O Muhammad. You are an apostle of God and I am Gabriel.” I raised my head to the skies to see (who was talking) and behold, it was Gabriel in the form of a man – a man whose legs spread beyond the horizon. And he said, ”O Muhammad. You are an apostle of God and I am Gabriel.” (14)

Muhammad returned to Khadidzha in great distress. According to Aisha, “Then the Apostle of Allah returned with it (the revelation). His heart beat fast, (and) the muscles between his shoulders and neck trembled, until he came to Khadidza (his wife) and said: 'O Khadidza, what ails me? I was afraid that something bad would happen to me.' Then he told Khadidza everything that had happened" (15), and told her his original fears: "Woe is me, I am either a poet or possessed." (16) "By poet he meant in this context a person who saw ecstatic and possibly demonic visions. (17)

Content of the Koran: Muhammad's special privileges and influences from other sources. Regarding the origin of the Koran, Muslims believe that the original Koran was in heaven, from where it was sent down and transmitted to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. The view of the heavenly origin of the Koran is evident from the following verses of the Koran:

Allah makes to pass away and establishes what He pleases, and with Him is the basis of the Book. (13:39)

We have revealed the Koran with the Truth, and with the Truth it has come down. We have sent you forth only to proclaim good news and to give warning. We have divided the Koran into sections that you may recite it to the people with deliberation. We have imparted it by gradual revelation. Say, ‘It is for you to believe in it or to deny it… (17:105-107)

A good question is that if the Koran is from heaven and has always been there, why is its message not universal, but many passages of the Koran relate to Muhammad's own life and special privileges. He got e.g. the declaration that it is permissible for him to marry his adopted son's wife (33:37-38) or keep more wives than other men (other Muslim men are allowed to keep up to four wives, but Muhammad was allowed more wives "before other believers" 33:50). Likewise, he received reports of disputes with Meccans, Jews, Christians, or other groups. He didn't get them all at once, but as events became relevant in his life. Revelations concerning himself and other current affairs were included as part of the Koran.

    A good question is why the book that was in heaven forever focuses on the affairs of Muhammad's wives, his special rights over others, or the controversies of that time. You would think that the Koranic revelation would focus on more important and universal matters if it is an eternal book from heaven.

   Another relevant question is why the Koran was not sent to Muhammad all at once or centuries before, if it was always ready in heaven. The same was asked by Muhammad's contemporaries, and the question is well justified (The unbelievers ask, ‘Why was the Koran not revealed to him entire in a single revelation?’ We have revealed it thus that We may strengthen your faith. We have imparted it to you by gradual revelation 25:32). After all, Allah could have sent the Koran much earlier.

    What about the rest of the Koran? It has been observed that the Koran has many influences from other sources. A she-camel becoming a prophet and seven men and their animals sleeping in a cave for 309 years are Arabic legends. Jesus talking in the cradle and bringing the clay birds to life come from the fake Gnostic gospels, not the Bible. The descriptions of the pleasures and maidens of paradise are similar to those in Persian fables. Some accounts come from the Jewish Talmud or Targums. Among other things, the legendary descriptions attached to King Solomon (27:15-45) come from the Targum of Esther, which is an apocryphal book of Esther in the Bible.

   However, the most important source is the Bible. It is estimated that 2/3 of the content of the Koran is of biblical origin. However, these are not direct quotations, but episodes in which familiar persons and events from the Bible appear. In addition, the stories in the Koran are slightly different from the Bible, and they do not have the same feeling of eyewitness description as the stories in the Bible. This is understandable because the Koran was completed centuries later after the events and Muhammad was not an eyewitness to the events himself.

   The following passages of the Koran are related to the subject. Muhammad's contemporaries understood that Muhammad was presenting ancient and old stories. They had already heard or read about them before:

The unbelievers say: ‘This is but a forgery of his own invention, in which others have helped him.’ Unjust is what they say and false. And they say: ‘Fables of the ancients he has written: they are dictated to him morning and evening,’ (25:4,5)

Whenever Our revelations are recited to them, they say: ‘We have heard them. If we wished, we could say the like. They are but fables of the ancients.‘ (8:31)

This we have been promised before, we and our forefathers. It is but a fable of the ancients.‘ (23:83)

Problems related to the compilation of the Koran. In the Islamic faith, one of the most important things is the immutability of the Koran. Muslims believe that the older writings, i.e. the writings of the Old and New Testaments, have been changed, but the Koran has remained in its original form. Furthermore, they believe that the original Koran is in heaven and that Muhammad received it gradually through revelations from the angel Gabriel.

    However, there are many details related to the creation and compilation of the Koran that question previous views. One of these is the question of which passages originally belonged to the Koran. The following problems were associated with its compilation, which have been written about, e.g. In Sahih Bukhari Volume 6. Muslims consider Bukhari's hadiths to be the most reliable.

• The first problem is that many of Muhammad's revelations had survived only in oral, not written, form. They were based on people's memory, but it is possible to make a mistake because even the current Koran has hundreds of pages. It was for this reason that Umar, the future second caliph (reigned 634-644), suggested to Abu Bakr, the first caliph (632-634), to compile the Koran. Several reciters of the Koran had been killed in the fighting and it was feared that a large part of the Koran would be lost. Along with the dead persons, a part of the Koran might have already been lost.

• Another problem is that some verses were remembered only by one person. Sahih Bukhari tells of at least two verses that only one person remembered (Bukhari 6.61.509, 6.61.511). Bukhari further reports that some verses were lost until a person was found who remembered them (6.61.510). In addition, Muhammad himself forgot verses from the Koran. It is said that someone else recited verses from the Koran that Muhammad himself had forgotten (Bukhari 6.61.558).

   Further in Bukhari's collection, it is told how the most famous reciter of the Koran, Ubay ibn Ka'b, was sure that some verses of the Koran had been omitted (Bukhari 6.61.527), because Ubay himself had heard the verses in question from Muhammad. Sahih Muslim, the second most reliable hadith collection in Islam, on the other hand, says that an entire sura has been lost from the Koran and that one verse was lost around the time of Muhammad's death (5.2286). The examples show that it is not justified to persist in the claim that the text of the Koran has been preserved in its original form and unchanged.

• The third problem is that the lengths of the Korans varied. The current Koran has 114 chapters and was compiled mainly under the direction of Zaid ibn Thabit. However, the Koran of Ubay ibn Ka'b, the best reciter of the Koran, is known to have had 116 chapters, two more than Zaid's version. On the other hand, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, whom Muhammad considered to be the best scholar of the Koran, had only 111 chapters in the Koran.

• The fourth problem is that there were several different versions and shorter fragments of the Koran after Muhammad's death. There was no clear consensus on which parts should be included in the Koran and which should not. Because of this, the third caliph Uthman (reigned 644-656) ordered the collection and burning of various versions or shorter fragments of the Koran so that only one official version remained (Bukhari 6.61.510). Many of Muhammad's loyal followers, such as Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, who was considered the best scholar of the Koran, opposed Uthman's move because they wanted to preserve the texts in their possession.

• The fifth problem is that in the 6th century, vowel markings were not yet known in the Arabic language, but the Koran was written with consonants. Vowel markings only came into use in the 7th century. The problem was that a single consonant-based word could have several different readings, all of which were grammatically possible. This makes it impossible to determine what the original verbatim form of the Koranic text was.

• In modern times, Shi'ism has remained silent on the possibility of falsification of the Koran, but this was a common view in early Shi'ism. Before the 9th century, several Shiite writers accused Koranic compilers of deliberate forgery. This example shows how there has been controversy over the correct content of the Koran from an early age.

The Koran confirms that the Koran has changed. In Islam, the immutability of the Koran is considered one of the most important doctrines. Muslims believe that only the Koran has survived in its original form, exactly as it was given to the Prophet Muhammad, but other holy books have undergone changes.

   However, the Koran itself confirms that the Koran has changed. A few verses of the Koran tell us how Allah wipes out a verse, replaces it with another, or allows a verse to be forgotten. Thus, the Muslim belief in the immutability of the Koran contradicts the Koran itself:

If We abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten, We will replace it by a better one or one similar. Did you not know that God has power over all things. (2:106)

God abrogates and confirms what He pleases. His is the Decree Eternal. (13:39)

When We change one verse for another (God knows best what He reveals), they say: ‘You are an impostor.’ Most of them have no knowledge. (16:101)

Islamic tradition also speaks of the so-called  satanic verses. The matter will not be discussed in depth here, but this misstep of Muhammad has been referred to by such pious Muslims as Ibn Ishag, Ibn Sa'd and Tabari, as well as by the later Koranic commentator Zamakhshari (1047-1143). It is very hard to believe that they would have reported the incident if they had not believed it to be genuine.

   Crucially, early Islamic sources admit that Koranic verse 53:19,20 was altered. Originally the verses are believed to have been in the form “Have you seen Allat and al-Uzza and Manat, the third? "These are sublime beings and their intercession can be hoped for." These verses of the Koran, which Muhammad received and later changed, advocated conversion to idols. This is how Muhammad won the Meccans over. The following verses of the Koran are believed to relate to the same theme:

With little they were able to entice you away from what we have announced to you and to fabricate something else about us. Then they would have accepted you as their friend. Had We not strengthened you, you would almost have bowed to them a little." (17:73,74)

Even before, when we have sent a messenger or a prophet, Satan has gotten his own desires threaded into the holiday of his desires, but God wipes out what Satan has gotten mixed up in them, and then He confirms His own signs. God is Knowing, Wise. (22:52)

Abrogating certain verses of the Koran, the so-called the doctrine of abrogation is one part of Islam. It is not that the wording of the verses has been changed, but the doctrine has been changed. A verse that used to be valid no longer is. For example, the so-called the sword verse (9:5) is believed to have replaced the verse that mentions that “There is no compulsion in religion”. Most movements of orthodox Islam believe in this doctrine, where the later verses of the Medinan period have replaced the more conciliatory verses of the Meccan period.

    However, this doctrine is not consistent. Why did the teaching received by the same person, Muhammad, change as he gained more power? Moreover, it is impossible for a person who is reading the Koran for the first time and who has not been taught the subject, to know which parts of the Koran are valid and which are not.

4. Was Muhammad a prophet of God?

As for Muhammad's status as a prophet, of course Muslims believe in it. Otherwise they would not be Muslims.

    Instead, as far as the prophet is concerned from a Christian perspective, Muhammad could not be a prophet. He may have been a prophet of Islam, but he cannot be considered a prophet from the point of view of the Bible. There are several reasons for this, which we will explore next.

He rejected Jesus Christ . The first criterion is, of course, that Muhammad rejected Jesus Christ as the Bible presents him. Muhammad denied the divinity of Jesus, that he was the Son of God, that he bore our sins on the cross, and that eternal life can be obtained through him. Muhammad denied the most essential aspects of Jesus' identity and the mission he performed on earth, so in this sense he cannot be considered a biblical or God-sent prophet. Instead, in the light of the Bible, Muhammad is a false prophet influenced by the spirit of the antichrist, and about which Jesus himself and the apostles warned:

- (Matt 7:15,16) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

- (Matt 24:11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

- (1 John 4:1-3) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know you the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

- (1 John 2:22,23) Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.

23 Whoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

- (2 John 1:7-9) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have worked, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whoever transgresses, and stays not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that stays in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.

- (2 Peter 2:1-3) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.

According to the Bible, Muhammad was not among the saved. When Muhammad rejected Jesus Christ as the Bible presents him, he also rejected Jesus' atoning work on the cross. However, in the light of the Bible, such a person rejects eternal life. The word about the cross is madness for those who will perish, so in the light of the biblical texts, Muhammad was not among the saved, but he will perish. It is worth remembering that these verses were written several centuries before the time of Muhammad:

- (1 Cor 1:17,18) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God..

- (Phil 3:18,19) For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Muhammad persecuted the followers of Jesus. One of the reasons why Muhammad cannot be a prophet of God in the biblical sense is that he persecuted the followers of Jesus as did thousands of Muslims after him. That is, if Jesus was perfectly good and sinless and spoke the truth (Joh 8:45,46: 45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not. Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?) , why did Muhammad oppose Jesus and why do modern Muslims oppose Jesus and what did he teach? This is an obvious contradiction. It is quite common that a convert from Islam to Jesus Christ can lose his job, his inheritance rights, be kicked out of his home or even be killed. Thousands have been killed because Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, modeled it.

    However, it is worth considering Jesus' own words, which he uttered hundreds of years before Muhammad. He predicted that people will persecute those who take his words seriously. This prophecy has been fulfilled especially among Muslims, because they reject the message of the gospel, following the example of Muhammad. Here are Jesus' own words on the subject:

- (Matt 5:11,12) Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

- (John 15:20,21) Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

- (John 16:1-4) These things have I spoken to you, that you should not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service.

3 And these things will they do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

- (Acts 9:3-6) 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?

5 And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will you have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.

Muhammad's teaching is the opposite of Jesus'. If we look at Jesus' teachings, he mentioned, for example, that "Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:52). Similarly, it is common knowledge that he taught us to love even our enemies. This is one of the most difficult things to do, but we are called in this direction. Jesus Christ himself did it and in the end he gave his life for the sins of people, even if they were his enemies (Romans 5:6,8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly... But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.) Similarly, eleven of the first twelve apostles had to give their lives at the hands of their enemies because they proclaimed the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Jesus' teaching about loving one's enemies is evident in the following verses:

- (Matt 5:44-48) But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if you salute your brothers only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

What about Muhammad's teaching? He has two kinds of teaching from this area. On the one hand, Muhammad conveyed some good teaching, but since the sword verse (9:5) and other later verses calling for violence supersede verses to the contrary, they are more important according to the general understanding of Islam. When many Muslims in the West talk about Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance, they are thus contradicting Muhammad. The real and original Islam is rather represented by Isis, Boko Haram, Al-Quida and other similar organizations that take the Koran and Islamic heritage seriously. A similar line is represented by imams who shout curses at America, Israel, Christians and the entire Western world in mosques. They believe that such hatred pleases Allah. They use many verses of the Koran that call for jihad.

   (At this point, some may bring up the crusades and other injustices done in the name of God. However, this is completely against the teachings of Jesus. Moreover, it took more than 1000 years before the first crusade took place by the apostate church. It is quite a long time, but in Islam the same thing happened at the command of Muhammad already in his time. On the other hand, the Crusades were a response to the Muslim attacks, when they had already conquered 2/3 of the Christian world. In that sense, their background is easy to understand.)

    It is also worth considering the spread of Islam. The Christian faith spread through the preaching of the word, when the disciples preached the forgiveness of sins and healed the sick, but Islam has always spread with the help of the sword. It didn't spread because people fell in love with Muhammad's message, but the sword was used to spread Islam, as it spreads today in the same way.

   A good example is the Meccans during Muhammad's time. They would not have become Muslims unless forced to do so, but when Muhammad sent a large enough army against them, they finally became Muslims. Among other things, the following passages of the Koran are related to the topic, i.e. the use of the sword in spreading Islam. Also included is Ayatollah Khomeini's statement regarding the same issue. The question is, if Muhammad is a prophet of God, why is his teaching completely opposite to what Jesus taught. Either of them is wrong. Both cannot be right:

Fighting has been made obligatory for you, much to your dislike… (2:216)

O believers, fight in the path of Allah without fear of death and bear in mind that Allah hears and knows everything. (2:244)

Let it beknown that only those people should fight in the cause of Allah who are willing to exchange the life of this world for the Hereafter; and whoever fights for the cause of Allah, whether he dies or is victorious, will soon be granted a mighty reward. (4:74)

The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to create mischief in the land is death or crucifixion or the cutting off their hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land ... (5:33)

How many towns have We destroyed for their sins? Our scourge took them all of a sudden at night or while they were taking their afternoon rest (7:4)

Then your Lord revealed His will to the angels: "I am with you, give courage to the believers. I will cast panic into the hearts of the unbelievers, therefore, smite their necks and beat every joint of their bodies." This is because they defied Allah and His Messenger. Whoever defies Allah and His Messenger should know that Allah is strict in retribution (8:12,13)

When the forbidden months are over, then fight the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, besiege them, and lie in ambush for them in every stratagem of war, but if they repent, establish Salah and pay Zakah, then let them go their way: surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (9:5)

O Prophet! Make Jihad against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be firm against them. Hell shall be their home; and it is the worst of all homes. (9:73)

"If you are killed, you will go to paradise. And even if you kill, you'll still get to paradise. This is the logic of Islam!” (Ayatollah Khomeini).

Muhammad did not utter prophecies that came true and miracles did not happen through him. When it comes to Muhammad's status as a prophet, it is quite questionable to consider him as a prophet because he had no prophecies related to the future that came true and no miracles happened through him (Koran 29:50, 28:48,49) which was characteristic of many prophets of the Bible. This does not mean that the function of prophecy is only to predict the future or that miracles are the main thing. On the contrary, true prophecy is mainly for "edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1 Cor 14:3), and miracles are not necessary either. However, Muhammad had none of this. If he was the seal of the prophets (Koran 33:40) and the most important of the prophets, it is remarkable that these things happened through other persons appearing in the Bible. Below are examples from the New Testament and the life of Jesus:

- (John 4:48) Then said Jesus to him, Except you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.

- (John 20:30,31) And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.

- (Acts 6:8) 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

- (Acts 11:27,28) And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 

- (Acts 14:3) Long time therefore stayed they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

- (Acts 15:12) Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles by them.

- (Acts 19:11,12) And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

- (Acts 21:8-11) And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came to Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and stayed with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And when he was come to us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus said the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that ownes this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

- (Rom 12:6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

- (Rom 15:18,19) For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

The Fruit of Muhammad's Life. One criterion that can be used to distinguish a false prophet from a true one is the spirituality of his life, or lack thereof. Jesus taught that false prophets can be known by their fruits. If you are a Muslim, surely you cannot disagree with this teaching of Jesus. Moreover, the same criterion should also apply to Muhammad, whom Muslims consider the most important of the prophets. He should be the most spiritual, humble, loving and best example of the prophets if he is the seal of the prophets and the most important of them. The meaning of the fruit is discussed e.g. in the following Bible verses:

- (Matt 7:15-20) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Why by their fruits you shall know them.

- (Gal 5:22,23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

- (Eph 5:9) For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

Indeed, if Muhammad is the seal of the prophets (33:40) and the most important of the prophets, his life should be exemplary and above others, especially if his mission has been more important than that of anyone else on earth.

   Here, however, we encounter a contradiction. Muhammad's life cannot be said to have been exemplary. It becomes clear from the following things. Most of them are recorded either in hadiths or in the biography of Muhammad edited by Ibn Hisham ( Ibn Hisham: Biography of the Prophet Muhammad [Sirat Rasul Allah]) . It is considered the most authoritative of the biographies of Muhammad . In the preface to his book, Ibn Hisham mentions that he did not even bring up all the issues because they were too shameful or distressing: " I have left out such things that are shameful to discuss, matters that might distress some people, and such narrations that [my teachers ] cannot be considered reliable.” However, what he and what the hadiths bring out give such a picture of Muhammad's life that he cannot be considered a good example for others:

He killed several of his opponents and those who mocked him. This is completely contrary to the words of Jesus, where he taught to love even our enemies. Jesus also taught that if we love only those who love us, there is nothing miraculous about it. Muhammad did the opposite. (Matt 5:44-48): But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same? And if you salute your brothers only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

    Muhammad's actions are not much different from dictators either. He acted as Stalin and dictators have acted when they kill their opponents. There is not much difference here, as the following examples show:

The Messenger of God also ordered to kill Abdallah ibn Khatali, who had also been a Muslim. The Messenger of God had sent him to collect the alms tax with an Ansar...

    Ibn Khatal had two slave girls, Fartana and one other. They used to sing mocking songs about the Messenger of God. God's messenger ordered to kill them too.

  Likewise, he ordered to kill al-Huwairith ibn Nuqaidh, who had harassed him in Makkah... The Messenger of God also ordered to kill Miquas ibn Subaba, because he had killed an Ansar in revenge for his accidentally died brother and because he returned as a polytheist to the Quraysh tribe.

    He also ordered the killing of Sara, a female maula of Abdalmuttalib's clan, and Ikrima ibn Abi Jahl. Sara had been one of those who had teased the Messenger of God in Mecca. (Ibn Hisham: Profeetta Muhammadin elämäkerta / Biography of the Prophet Muhammad, p. 390)

Ibn Habanm Sahih vol.14 p. 529 Muhammad said: I swear by him in whose hand is my soul that I have not come to you except to slaughter.

Ikrima narrated: Ali burned some, and the news of this reached Ibn Abbas, who said: If I had been in this place, I would not have burned them, as the Prophet said: "Do not punish anyone with the punishment of Allah", without doubt I would have killed them, for the Prophet said: If anyone changes his religion of Islam, kill him" (Sahit Bukhari 9:84:57)

I have been sent with me the shortest turns of phrase with the broadest meanings and I have been made victorious through terror, and while I slept, the keys to the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand. (Bukhari 4:52:220).

Musnad. vol. 2 p. 50 The Prophet said: I have been sent towards the Day of Judgment with a sword, and my livelihood is in the shadow of my spear, humiliation and subjugation be the portion of those who disobey me.

A man came to Muhammad and asked, "Tell me, what deed is equal to holy war?" He replied, "I can't find such an act." (Bukhari 4:44.)

Whenever Allah's Apostle attacked someone, he did so at dawn. If he heard the call to prayer, he would delay the battle, and if he did not hear the call to prayer, he would attack as soon as dawn broke. (Bukhari 4:193.)

Muhammad said: “I have been made victorious by terror cast into the hearts of the infidels” (Bukhari 4:220)

Allah's apostle sent us to complete the mission and said, "If you find this and that person, burn them both in the fire." As we were leaving, Allah's apostle said, "I have commanded you to burn this and that person in the fire, and it is none other than Allah who punishes with fire, so that if you find them, kill them." (Bukhari 4:259)

Sarma bin al-Akwa said: An unfaithful spy came to the Prophet while he was on his way. The spy sat among the Prophet's companions, began a conversation, and then went away. The Prophet said to [his companions], "Kill him." So they killed him. (Bukhari 4:286.)

He urged his followers to lie so they could kill their opponents.

   Revelation tells us, however, that liars and murderers will not get into the kingdom of God: Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie. (Rev 22:14,15).

Eventually he returned to Medina and harassed the Muslim women there with his love poems. The Messenger of God asked: "Who will take care of Ibn al-Ashraf for me?" Muhammad ibn Maslama replied: "I will do it, Messenger of God, I will kill him." "Do so if you can," said the Messenger of God.

    Muhammad ibn Maslama went away. For three days he neither ate nor drank anything but what he needed. When the emissary of God heard about this, he asked Muhammad ibn Maslama: "Why have you given up eating and drinking?" Muhammad ibn Maslama replied: "Messenger of God, I Promised something to you and I do not know whether I can do it!" The Messenger of God replied: "At least you must try!" Muhammad ibn Maslama further said: "Messenger of God, we must at least lie!" "Say what you want," replied God's messenger, "you are given the permission to do so!"

    Then Muhammad ibn Maslama agreed to kill Ka'bi with a few men. These were Abu Na'ila Silkan ibn Salama, Abbad ibn Bishr, al-Harith ibn Aus and Abu Abs ibn Jabr. (Ibn Hisham: Profeetta Muhammadin elämäkerta / (Ibn Hisham: Biography of the Prophet Muhammad, p. 250)

He cursed people and prayed for God to turn against them.

   This goes against what Paul taught and how he lived, for example. He wrote: … being reviled, we bless…(1 Cor 4:12) and: Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:14,21).

   Peter also taught the same as Paul: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it (1 Peter 3:9-11).

The Messenger of God stayed in Tabuk for twenty days and then returned to Medina.

    Along the way, there was a place in the Mushaqqaq riverbed where water seeped from a rock for the needs of a couple of horsemen. Before the Muslims came there, the Messenger of God said: "If anyone reaches that riverbed before us, he must not drink a drop until we have come."

    A group of pretenders got there before him. They drank all the water, and when the Messenger of God came there, there was no more water in the rock. The Messenger of God said: "Did I not forbid them to drink from it until I came!" He cursed them and prayed to God against them. (Ibn Hisham: Profeetta Muhammadin elämäkerta / Biography of the Prophet Muhammad, p. 425)

He pillaged caravans and sold people. He used the money he got to buy horses and weapons.

   Paul wrote: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs (Eph 4:28).

   The Bible also teaches that thieves will not inherit the kingdom of God: Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9.10).

After this, the Messenger of God heard that Abu Sufya ibn Harb was coming from Syria with a large caravan of Quraysh. The caravan had a lot of Quraysh property and their merchandise with it and could be accompanied by three or forty Quraysh.

    The Messenger of God called the Muslims to him and said: “The caravan of Quraish is prosperous. Let's go against it; perhaps God will give it to us as a prey.” The Muslims responded to his call, some eagerly, others reluctantly, for they did not believe that the Messenger of God would go to war.

 …The Messenger of God shared the loot from the Quraysh- tribe, and their women and children with the Muslims. On that day he declared the shares of the cavalrymen and set aside a fifth of the booty… Then the Messenger of God, led by Sa'd ibn Zaid, sent the prisoners of Quraiza to Najd to be sold. Sa'd bought horses and weapons with the money he received. (Ibn Hisham: Profeetta Muhammadin elämäkerta / Biography of the Prophet Muhammad, p. 209, 324)

He bribed people to convert to Muslims. 9:60 of the Koran refers to this: In fact the sadaqat (Zakah) collection is for the poor, the helpless, those employed to administer the funds, those whose hearts need to be won over to the truth…

The emissary of God gave a share of the loot to people whose hearts needed to be bent to Islam. He made them and through them their peoples favourable. He gave up to a hundred camels to some people of Mecca, such as Abu Sufyan, and to others he gave less. (Ibn Hisham: Profeetta Muhammadin elämäkerta / Biography of the Prophet Muhammad, p. 413)

He married 9-year-old Aisha. Muhammad himself was about 52 years old at the time. In general, such a relationship is considered pedophilia in Western countries.

Ursa said: The Prophet asked Abu Bakr for Aisha's hand to marry her. Abu Bakr said: "But I am your brother." The Prophet said, “You are my brother in the religion of Allah and in His Book, but Aisha is legal to me for marriage.” (Bukhari Part 7, Book 62, No. 18.)

Aisha said the Prophet married her when she was six years old, and when she was nine years old, the Prophet carried out his marriage and she [Aisha] stayed with him for nine years [until the death of Muhammad]. (Bukhari Part 7, Book 62, No. 64.) [Aisha was thus eighteen years old when Muhammad died. He lived to be sixty-five years old.]

The Hadith also tells how Muhammad taught women to breastfeed adult men. Sahih Muslim talks about a couple of such cases. The same things can be found elsewhere (Salim Muslim 8: 3427, 3428 / Imam Malik's Muwattai, Book 30, No. 30.1.8; Book 30, No. 30.2.12; Book 30, No. 30.2.13; Book 30, No. 30.2. 14):

Aisha narrated that Sahla bint Suhail came to the Apostle of Allah and said, “Messenger of Allah, I see in the face of Abu Hudhaifa [signs of disgust] when Salim [ally] arrives at our house,” to which the Apostle of Allah replied, “Breastfeed him.” She said, "How can I breastfeed him when she is an adult man?" The Apostle of Allah smiled and said, “I know that he is a young man.” (Sahih Muslim 8: 3424)

Aisha said that Salim, Abu Hudhaifan’s free slave, lived with him and his family in their house. She [Suhail's daughter] came to the Apostle of Allah and said, "Salim has attained the age of a man as men reach, and he understands what they understand, and he enters the house freely." However, I find that something is biting the heart of Abu Hudhaifa, which is why the Apostle of Allah said to him, “Breastfeed him and you will not be illegal to him, and what Abu Hudhaifa feels in his heart will disappear.” She went away and said, “I breastfed him and what was in the heart of Abu Hadhaifa was gone.” (Sahih Muslim 8: 3425).

The next interview tells us more about the life of Muhammad:

Hadith advises women to breastfeed men. What do Muslim scholars say about this?

- This is a good example of what I just said. When I publicized the Islamic notion that women must "breastfeed" strange men in order to be with them, which contradicts their other scriptures, the clergy attacked me. Why? Because they don't have an answer. It is much easier for them to turn the matter around and slander me, instead of looking at their own texts.

Why should women do this?

- Because Muhammad said so. Who created such a practice? Mohammed. Why? Who knows. The texts say that he laughed after telling the women to breastfeed the men. Perhaps he was joking, trying to find out how far people considered him a prophet. Upon hearing it, the writers of the Hadith wrote it down, preserving it for later generations. What purpose does this serve? It can be asked about many things that Muhammad said. What is the purpose of drinking camel urine? What is the meaning of banning music? What is the reason for cursing dogs? What is the purpose of the commandment that people should only eat with their right hand and never with their left? What is the purpose of the command to lick all the fingers after eating? Simply put: the totalitarian way of Sharia law seeks to brainwash Muslims and turn them into automatons that never question their religion. That is, in the words of the Koran: "Do not ask questions that may turn out to be harmful."

According to the original Islamic documents, what kind of person was Muhammad?

- This is a very embarrassing topic for me to talk about. I do it only out of love for Muslims - even though I know it's painful for them to hear. But healing begins with pain and suffering. In short, according to Islamic scriptures, Muhammad was a pervert. He used to suck the tongues of young boys and girls. He dressed in women's clothes and had "visions" in that state. He had at least 66 "wives". Allah apparently gave him "special visions" allowing him to have sex with his daughter-in-law Zainab and allowing him more wives than for other Muslims. He kept talking about sex and was possessed by it - his first question to the "talking donkey" was whether it liked sex. Muhammad had sex with a dead woman. I stress again that I myself did not invent these notions, but they appear in Islam's own books. Many people who do not know Arabic do not know about these things because they have never been translated. According to the Koran (33:37), Allah gave Muhammad the right to marry his daughter-in-law, whom he lusted after. A few verses later (33:50) Allah gave Muhammad permission to make love with any woman who "offered" herself to him. This privilege was only allowed to Muhammad. These "visions" that gave him these sexual desires were often repeated. (18)

He received revelations that guaranteed the fulfillment of his desires. Chapter 33 of the Koran deals with a couple of such cases. In one of them, Allah gave him permission to marry his adopted son's wife, Zainab. He had met his daughter-in-law almost naked and it aroused his desire. Even in the Arab culture of that time, such an act, marrying a daughter-in-law, was generally considered wrong. In the light of the Bible, Muhammad committed adultery because he took another man's wife (Hebr 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.)

   Furthermore, Muhammad acted against his own instructions. He had decreed that it is permissible to kill another Muslim only for three reasons. One of them is that, while married, he commits adultery. Muhammad himself was guilty of this (Allah's apostle said: The blood of a Muslim, who professes that there is no right to worship anyone but Allah and that I am his apostle must only be shed in three cases: if one murders in revenge, if one commits adultery while married, and if one converts from Islam and leaves Muslims (Sahih Bukhari 9:83:17).

   Another passage in the 33rd chapter of the Koran tells how Allah gave Muhammad permission to take more wives than other Muslim men, who were only allowed to have four wives. As a result, Muhammad had more wives than any other Muslim man. According to traditions Muhammad's young wife Aisha once said in a bitterly sarcastic tone: "God is in a hurry to fulfill your wishes!" The statement is considered to be related to when Muhammad was given a revelation and a permission to take more wives. Aisha felt that Muhammad received suitable revelations to justify his actions. In another passage, Aisha is also reported to have said: "I have not seen any woman suffer as much as the believing women" (Bukhari, vol. 7, book 77, no. 5825). What makes the statement significant is that Aisha was Muhammad's favorite wife.

O Prophet, remember when you said to the one (Zaid, Prophet's adopted son) whom Allah as well as you had favored: "Keep your wife in wedlock and fear Allah." You sought to hide in your heart what Allah intended to reveal; you were afraid of the people whereas it would have been more appropriate to fear Allah. So when Zaid divorced his wife, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there remains no hindrance for the believers to wed the wives of their adopted sons if they divorced them. And Allah’s Command had to be carried out. There can be no blame attached to the Prophet for doing what is sanctioned for him by Allah. Such has been the way of Allah with those who have gone before; and the decrees of Allah are preordained. Those who are charged with the mission of conveying the message of Allah are to fear Him, they are supposed to fear none but Allah; for Allah is sufficient to settle their account. Muhammad is not the father of any of your men (he is not going to leave any male heirs). He is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. Allah has the knowledge of all things. (33:37-40)

O Prophet! We have made lawful to you the wives to whom you have given their dowers; and those ladies whom your right hands possess (from the prisoners of war) whom Allah has assigned to you; and the daughters of your paternal uncles and aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles and aunts, who have migrated with you; and the believing woman who gave herself to the Prophet if the Prophet desires to marry her - this permission is only for you and not for the other believers; We know what restrictions We have imposed on the other believers concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess. We have granted you this privilege as an exception so that no blame may be attached to you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (33:50)

He praised himself and was proud.

   Paul wrote (Phil 2:3): Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. The Bible also says (James 4:6) that "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble".

Al Hadis, vol 4. pg 323 Narrated by Abbas. “The holy prophet rose to the pulpit and asked his hearers: Who am I? They replied: You are the Messenger of Allah. To which Muhammad replied: I am Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdullah Muttalib. Allah created his creation and made me the best of them. He divided them into two groups and put me in the best of the two. Then he divided them into tribes and made my tribe the best. Then he divided them into families and put me in the best family. As a family member, I am the best of them and my family is the best family.

Sahih Muslim. Book 004, No. 1062,1063,1066 and 1067. As reported by Abu Huraira: The Messenger of Allah said: I have been given superiority over other prophets in six venerable things (respect): I have been given the words, though they are short, so understandable and versatile; I have been helped with terror in the hearts of adversaries, loot has been made legal to me, the earth has been made clean and a place of worship for me, I have been sent to all people, and the chain of prophets has been locked in me.

What can be said about the above? If Jesus' teaching that false prophets can be known by their fruits is used as a basis, Muhammad could not be a prophet sent by God. His life is the complete opposite of Jesus' life.

   What about Paul's life? Muslims don't really respect Paul, but his life was exemplary in many ways. Paul was an example of sacrificial love, which is the opposite of Muhammad's life:

References to the life of Apostle Paul

- (2 Cor 12:14-15) Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

- (2 Cor 2:3-4) And I wrote this same to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly to you.

- (Rom 9:1-3) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh

- (2 Tim 3:10-11) But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

- (Phil 3:17) Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample.

5. How to get sins forsgiven?

As for damnation and heaven, Muslims also believe in them. They believe that these places exist and that before them there is a judgment day when God will judge people's actions. Then, on the judgment day, the books will be opened, everyone's deeds will be weighed and some will go to heaven, others will perish. This is a description that is very similar to the description of the last judgment in the Book of Revelation:

- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

A good question, however, is how we can get our sins forgiven. How can we be sure of God's approval and that we will not be lost? We will try to find an answer to this in the following lines:

Can Muhammad act as an intermediary? If you are a Muslim, you have certainly thought about the possibility that Muhammad could act as a mediator in the last judgment. Many Muslims have thought that Muhammad, the last of the prophets and the seal of the prophets, will then pray for the Muslims and so the doors of heaven will be opened for them as a result of this prayer.

   But how could Muhammad act as an intermediary for others? When he himself was very sinful and the Koran shows that he committed sins, how could such a person help us? How could he act as a mediator for others or be of help to us before the court of God, since his life was not much different from others?

   If we look at the Koran in the light of the following verses, we can see his shortcomings and sinfulness. In light of this, how could he help us? In addition to verses from the Koran, Muhammad's own words about how he did not know how he would be judged are included:

Give glory to your Lord and seek His pardon. He is ever disposed to mercy. (110:3)

We have given you a glorious victory, so that God may forgive you your past and future sins, and perfect His goodness to you; that He may guide you to a straight path. (48:1,2)

…Implore Him to forgive your sins and to forgive the true believers, men and women. (47:19)

Muhammad said: "By Allah, even though I am Allah's Apostle, I still do not know what Allah will do to me" (Bukhari 9:87:131)

Can a person save himself by his actions? Muslims have the idea that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will put their good deeds on one scale and their evil deeds on the other. If the scale tilts to the side of good deeds, a person has a chance to enter paradise. Otherwise, he will go to hell.Also, they think that with their good deeds they can erase their bad deeds. These notions are based on the following verses of the Koran: 

Then only those whose weight of good deeds is heavy, will attain salvation. As for those whose weight of good deeds is light, they will be the ones who have lost their souls to live in hell forever. (23:102,103)

Establish Salah ( prayers) at the two ends of the day and in the early part of the night. Indeed virtues remove evils. This is a reminder for the mindful. (11:114)

What's the problem with actions if you trust them? They do not bring anyone assurance of salvation. There was no certainty for Muhammad, nor for anyone else who puts his hope in himself. It is also pointless to imagine that a person could make up for his bad deeds with some good deeds. It won't work because we are so flawed.

    Also, where do you draw the line between good and bad deeds? How perfect does a person have to be to gain God's approval? Does he have to be completely sinless, or is it enough that he occasionally does good deeds? Or where should the line be drawn? This is where problems are encountered if a person tries to solve the matter by himself.

    The problem with many religious people is their self-righteousness. They look to themselves and try to be worthy before God, but they don't realize that they are looking at everything by man's standards, not God's. According to the Bible, we are so lacking in ourselves that we do not meet His measure:

- (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

- (Rom 3:9) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin

- (Gal 3:22) But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

- (John 7:19) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law?...

However, there is a solution to the above problem, i.e. our inadequacy. It is that God has already done for us what we cannot do ourselves. He has done everything for us so that we don't have to try to gain his approval ourselves. In the light of the following paragraphs, we will try to explain this matter and how it happened:

God sent Jesus. First, the Bible shows that God sent Jesus here to save us. The initiator was and is therefore God himself, and the motive is his love for people, because he does not want anyone to drown, i.e. go to Hell. He wanted our salvation and therefore sent Jesus. This is the starting point for anyone to be able to get in touch with him:

- (John 3:16-17) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

- (1 John 4:9-10) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

- (Luke 19:10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Sins were laid upon him . Another thing has to do with the fact that sins were put and thrown on Jesus. When he himself lived a sinless (John 8:46 etc.) and perfect life, God could act like this. So sins and bad deeds did not remain in the scale of deeds as we might think, but Jesus took them upon himself. He became a substitute for us so that we no longer have to bear our sins ourselves:

- (Isa 53:5-12) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opens not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

- (1 John 3:5) And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

- (John 1:29) The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

Salvation as a gift. When God has already done everything for us in Jesus Christ, it is clear that we can receive salvation in only one way: as a gift and by grace. Salvation does not depend on ourselves and our goodness, as we may often think, but it is grace and a gift. It can be received immediately. If that's why you personally want to be saved, it doesn't require your actions or your lack of merit, but you can receive everything as a gift, right away:

- (Eph 2:8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

- (Rom 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- (Luke 14:17) And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

- (Rev 21:6) And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

- (Rev 22:17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Your attitude towards Jesus. When it has already been established that Jesus has filled the gap between us and God and has become our mediator (Heb 9:15: And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new testament, that ... they which are called might receive the promise of Eternal inheritance.), it is good understand that also only through Him can we be saved. Only by turning to Him and through Him can we receive forgiveness of sins because He has done everything for us. Therefore, turn to Him, and you too will receive God's grace and forgiveness: 

- (John 5:40) And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (John 8:23-24) And he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins.

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (Acts 4:11-12) This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

- (Acts 10:43) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

- (Acts 13:38) Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins

On the other hand, if you reject Jesus, you also reject God's forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. You will then have to pay for your sins yourself and will have to atone for your sentence in eternal damnation. This is because you have turned your back on the only chance to be saved and enter God's paradise. Therefore, do not turn your back on your only hope of salvation:

My friend, if you are damned, it is not because of your sins but because you have not received mercy, which God offers to you through Jesus. That is why it is fair. If you reject Jesus, what can God do? Then, you dismiss your only hope of salvation. (19)

The prayer of salvation. Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven by Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen. 

REFERENCES:

1. Asko Kariluoto: Abu-Ali, Jerusalemista maan ääriin, p. 69

2. F.C. Grant: An introduction to the revised standard version of the New testament (1946), p. 42 - Cit. from "Raamatun juuret", F.F. Bruce, p. 266.

3. F.G. Kenyon: The Bible and archaeology (1940), p. 228 - Cit.from "Raamatun juuret", F.F.Bruce, p. 266.

4. Nelson Glueck: Rivers of the desert, 1959, p. 31

5. Thoralf Gilbrant: Ennustukset toteutuvat (Tidens Tegn 2), p. 64,65

6. Nelson Glueck: Rivers of the desert, 1959, p. 31

7.  W. Goldsack: Christ in Islam, Lontoo, CLS Intia, 1905

8. G. Mylrea ja Abd-Masih: The Holy Spirit in the Koran and Bible, CLS Intia, 1910. p. 34-35

9.  W. Goldsack: Christ in Islam, Lontoo, CLS Intia, 1905

10. Ishak Ibrahim: Islamin mahti (Black Gold & Holy War), p. 94

11. Ibn Hisham: Biography of Prophet Muhammad (Sirat Rasul Allah), p. 19

12. Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila: Johdatus Koraaniin, p. 28

13. Ibn Sa’d, vol. l. 489

14. Ibn Ishaq, 106

15. Bukhari, vol. 6, book 65, no. 4953

16. Ibn Ishaq, 106

17. Robert Spencer: Totuus Muhammedista (The Truth About Muhammad), p. 56,57

18. The interview of Father Zakarias / Hannu Haukka, IRR-TV; Robert Spencer, FrontPage Magazine 6/2009

19. Oswald J. Smith: Maa johon kaipaan, p. 89

More on this topic

Read how there are numerous remnants of pre-Islamic idolatry in the modern Islam. Most of them are connected with the pilgrimage to Mecca

From what source were the revelations Muhammad received? Were they from God or not? Why can’t the fruit of Muhammad’s life be considered good?

Muslims believe in the reliability of the Koran, but there have been several versions of the Koran, a few passages have changed, and it contradicts the Bible

Jesus Christ in the Koran and Islam. The high position and deity of Jesus is revealed in numerous passages in the Koran

Muslims’ objections to the Christian faith, such as the reliability of the Bible, the deity of Jesus, and the death of the cross. Why are Muslims wrong?