ABSTRACT
The greater the trouble and
disorder we bring upon the earth, the more unhappiness we cause the earth
against the Will of the Creator. Our individual or collective beliefs and
certainty should not cause quarrel. HE who is ever watching shall give to
everyone, his/her due now, on the last day and in the hereafter.
When everyone on earth regardless
of the differences understands this and leaves fellow human beings unmolested,
the whole humanity shall benefit from the concern and pursuit of this book. That
is, peace, harmony and self-convinced worship of the Almighty God Allah,
Jehovah, Yahweh or any other Name one is familiar to call Him with.
TABLE CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION--------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 2 ANTI-CORRUPTION ---------------------------------------
CHAPTER 3 A GOOD PRESENT, BETTER FUTURE GENERATION--
CHAPTER 4 DEFENCE OF
RELIGION ---------------------------------
CHAPTER 5 THE FACTORY ---------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 6 BIBLE AND QURAN (1)-----------------------------------
FORGIVENESS
---------------------------------------------------------------
HYPOCRISY
------------------------------------------------------------------
JEALOUSY
---------------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 7 BIBLE AND QUR’AN (2)----------------------------------
OBEDIENCE
-----------------------------------------------------------------
REPENTANCE
----------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 8 BIBLE AND QUR’AN (3)------------------------------------
SELF EXAMINATION
--------------------------------------------------------
THANKS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 9 ENDLESS KNOWLEDGE
----------------------------------
RESURRECTION
-------------------------------------------------------------
GOD BEGOT NO ONE
------------------------------------------------------
PROPHET MUHAMMAD:--------------------------------------------------
A MESSENGER OF GOD? ------------------------------------------------
THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND THE SINS OF
THE WORLD---------
EVOLUTION OR CREATION?
--------------------------------------------
MARRIAGE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 10 HOLY BOOKS AND THE MIDDLE EAST --------
ISRAEL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISRAEL’S NEIGHBOURS (MUSLIM)
-----------------------------------
CHRISTIANITY--------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 11 MY HUMBLE OPINIONS -----------------------------
CHAPTER 12 APOLOGY -------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 13 THE WORLD FLAG ------------------------------------
INDEX -----------------------------------------------------------------------
REFERRALS --------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter
1
INTRODUCTION
“All the trouble we have had in this country has
arisen as a result \of mutual suspicion and disrespect of each other’s views”-
General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.
A lot has been said and is still being said, written, recited, acted
out and reacted to by both Christians and Muslims against each other in the
search for and struggle to attain supremacy and recognition. These are also
aimed at discrediting each other’s religious verses, and values and practices.
This book The Bible and
the Qur’an in Conflict? provides a sincere and neutral approach to mirror
the reason for the Creator’s mandate that brought about the messages recorded
in the Bible and the Qur’an. This is to allow religion take its proper place
for the benefit of mankind. It was the
study and follower-ship of the Bible and Qur’an that brought about Christianity
and Islam, respectively.
This book delves into and does a comparative study of both the Bible
and the Qur’an, bringing out striking contextual similarities. Its insights
illuminate and resolve the seeming mutual contradictions revealed by the two
books, showing that the messages were responses to the differences in time
audience, geographical environment, and spiritual environment of mankind to
whom they were and addressed.
It suggests that both books contain what it takes to make this world a
better place and something close to heavenly experience to the honour of the
Creator if we, whether Christians or Muslims, practise Christianity or Islam
out of conviction and leave the others (unmolested) who would one day stand
before their Creator to answer or account for themselves, for their beliefs and
deeds. Physical or outward presentations are far less significant than the
inwardly generated virtues and quality of actions as influenced by the
experience of the divine.
Mankind, especially religions’ adherents, are the ambassadors of the
Creator in this world. They should carry
out His Will, which comprises: love among families, neighbours, states,
counties, countries, continents, and etcetera. These are helped by and better
combined worthy daily prayers and worship, a sublime form of humility in the
presence of the Originator. Regrettably, clutching the Holy Books and claiming
to be repositories of God’s truth, the adherents of both religions perpetrate
the most heinous evils imaginable on earth, creating confusion and anarchy. The
planet, where adherents of
same and different religions should worship in their own ways, study and understand own religious books and
those of other religions, become a theatre of hatred were immorality and other
forms of unprintable evils perpetrated by supposed ambassadors of Christianity
and Islam.
Evils that are not planned and
carried out by those so called pagans and idolaters who do not parade any holy
books like the adherents of the major religions are being carried out by the
supposed ambassadors of God.
The proponents of
both religions should be reminded that the two books and others accept the
judgment day as real. “Then the Kings of the earth and the great
men and the generals and the rich and the strong, and every one, slave and free,
hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains
and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. (Revelation 6: 15-16).
“When the son of man comes in his glory, and all the
angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be
gathered all the nations and he will separate them one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at the
right hand, but the goat at the left. Then the King will say to those at his
right hand, ‘come, o blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:31-34). “Then he will say to those on
his left, depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared
for the devil and his angels”. (Matthew 25:41).
“Our Lord! Thou art He that will gather mankind together against a
Day about which there is no doubt: for
Allah never fails in His promise” (Qur’an 3:9-10). “The day when the trumpet will be sounded,
that day, We shall gather the sinful blear – eyed (with terror)…On that day
shall no intercession avail except for those for whom
permission has been granted by the Most gracious and whose word is acceptable” (Qur’an
20: 102-112).
“A reward for the deeds of their past (life)…The
companions of the Right Hand,-what will be the companions of the Right Hand!
(There will be) among Lote-trees without thorns, Among Talh trees with flowers
( or fruits) piled one above another,- In shade long extended. By water flowing
constantly, And fruits in abundance. The companies of the Left Hand…( They will
be) in the mist of a fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling water…And burning
Hell. (Qur’an 56:24-32,41-94).
“Peace and happiness will then ensue because all
disturbing elements will be forcibly removed from the earth, and will be kept
away from it in the future. To these in the first place belongs the man of
today, for he alone caused the disturbances in creation and here on earth. But
after a certain hour has struck no disturbing one will be able to live on this
earth any longer,…… such will be the kingdom of Peace and Happiness, the
kingdom of God on earth …”( The Grail Message Vol. III Page 16 ).
Christianity agrees that judgment will start from the church. The word
‘start’ indicates continuity of the action extending to other places of belief
in the Creator and even to those who do not believe in Him. This means that
some people in the Church will pass and some will fail the assessment if they
do not earnestly change their way of life in the church.
Christians to think that Muslims
and others should not exist on earth are wrong. Muslims who might think that
everyone on earth should become a Muslim or non-Muslims should not exist and
have a place in the day-to-day activities are equally wrong.
The implication is that different people with different religions are
to strive together to uphold what is truthful, continue to tolerate and respect
one another and adjust their lives daily in harmony with the prescriptions of the holy books. In due course different truth would coalesce
into one complete whole because it is shades of only one truth that emanates
from Him, though it may appear to have different “colours” resulting from
different cultures, perspectives and religious practices.
It would be of great help to humanity if every Christian reads or is
encouraged to read both the Bible and the Qur’an and every Muslim does
same. These books are not just
ornaments, furniture for decoration of book shelves or to be idolised. The
Bible and the Qur’an are not meant for holy people as claimed, but for unholy,
ungodly men and women, to transform them and keep reminding them of the divine warnings
and counsel. If people on earth were already holy, they would have been doing
the Will of the Creator. There would not have been any need for Him to send the
messengers with the messages.
This book in your hands is not intended to replace the Bible and the
Qur’an, though the aim is to help man to really examine the Bible and Qur’an as
the basis of his faith. Men and women are to examine the Bible and the Qur’an
at all times wherever they may be at home, church, offices and business places
and honour the books by conducting their affairs in a way that is consistent
with the books’ precepts. They should live peacefully their neighbours, and
indeed the entire mankind in accordance with the meaning of Islam and Christianity,
both of which embody, emblematise and enjoin peace and love.
It is unfortunate that in countries and regions where such peace-preaching
and peace seeking religions as Islam and Christianity are practised, their
adherents who should be championing and exhibiting peaceful conducts in all
circumstances in our society allow their approach to societal challenges to
compound security agencies’ tasks. Or would religionists be willing to cede the
brand title of ‘religion of peace and
love’ to the police force, the military, the media and non governmental
organisations (NGOs) that often play this peace enforcement role? It is so sad
and shameful that uproars, killings and confusion are not caused by those we
assume do not know God, the idolaters and pagans, but by those that claim
inheritance in the Garden of God (Paradise). Is
it not a mockery of true religion that most crimes like stealing, corruption,
adultery, examination malpractices, killing, blackmail, gossip, fornication,
name it, are very seldom committed by idolaters (pagans) but by believers in
God or readers of God’s holy books? It is amazing to note that presumed
infidels adhere to and obey the instructions of their idols or deities and
maintain peace with their neighbours.
Let us not put our creator to shame by disorganising this earth which
HE gave us as a temporary home. Christians and Muslims should live in line with
the advice of peace, love and tranquillity as contained in the Bible and the
Qur’an to make this earth that was given to man a better place to live in
before we pass onto the much inevitable but often dreaded beyond or hereafter.
So far this earth entrusted to man is characterised by negative tendencies,
lack of peaceful co-existence, blood-shed, burning of churches, mosques, and
dwelling houses, high level of corruption, stealing, robbery of various forms,
deceit, hypocrisy, idolatry, and lack of human dignity among other vices. If it were in the past the Almighty would
have reduced such places to dust as He did to Sodom
and Gomorrah.
Unfortunately in spite of all the principles clearly laid down in the
Bible and the Qur’an, people still refuse to be different from the generations destroyed
in the past. It is now time for all of
us to return to God more sincerely and stop eye and lip service.
Against the background, this book seek, to inspire individuals, groups,
various religious bodies, Christians and Muslims, states, and nations to serve God in sincerity
and truth without laying undue emphasis on the religious ‘tag’ they wear.
Realising that the truth is one, worshippers should approach God truthfully and
sincerely desiring no human praise. Human beings should realise that God is
aware of the existence of all ethnic groups, their Creator that He cares for
them and seeks their development. Worships are acceptable to God in different
ways and tongues for as long as such worships are accompanied by love and good
works.
Since worship covers all actions and
inactions that are pleasing to God and approved by Him the all forms of
greetings that denote a sincere worship from the cultures of different
individuals, groups, races or tribes in acknowledgment of the supremacy of the
Lord are acceptable to HIM. Anyone,
irrespective of whatever belief, creed or religion that does not live with his
fellow men in the way that is pleasing to Him, while recognising the fact that
worship is God’s, and careless about the consequences of sins bubbling in
his/her mind, speeches and actions is considered an unbeliever even though he may
attend church, mosque, synagogue, and temple regularly.
Yes, synagogue, temple, church, mosque are places where of people
worship Allah or Jehovah or Yahweh or God.
It is where they re-examine and refresh their souls and renew their
faith using holy books. Each group in
the church, synagogue, mosque, and temple differs in their approach to the
creator by their different ways of worship.
A group should not nurse ill feelings and have a condemnat0ry attitude
towards another but should study and understand the reason for the other’s mode
and meaning of practices.
An unbeliever however, is not only someone who does not attend these
worship centres, though the writer does not really subscribe to the view that
there is someone who really does not believe in God.
It is one thing
for one to merely say that he does not believe in the existence of God and
another to honestly maintain that stance within him. When faced with difficulty his mind will
quickly focus on God for help. A couple of friends from China told me that they do not
believe in the existence of the Creator.
They believe in their minds and luck.
To them nature brought about the existence of creation, including human
beings on earth.
Such people
should understand that they cannot see the second nature or personality within
their mind but only hear through their minds, which is not visible to the
physical eyes. That is, the Spirit that God breathed into him which operates
within him bringing about his daily activities. They cannot see God!
One asked me directly, “Since you believe in God how does he look like
and have you seen him before?” He beheld
the sky in bewilderment and asked me to show him where He is. I gave my first
explanation this way: that the eyes of humans cannot see what is very close and
talking to us through our minds, how much then God whom we look upward above
when thinking of Him. Since we are aware and are convinced of the voice talking
within and through our minds invisibly it shows that there is Invisibility
above all invisible. That is God!
Water in a glass is so clean and pure to the physical eyes but shows
some degree of tiny particles, et cetera, when viewed with a microscope. It is
no wisdom for one who has not used the equipment to presumptuously discount the
reality and presence of particles in the water.
Therefore, deny
the existence of Him simply because we are not able to see Him with our
physical eyes is no wisdom and maturity.
There is God! Not believing in the existence of the Supernatural, the
Almighty is sorry state of the mind.
Those who go to either the church or the mosque to worship the Creator
should know that regular visits to, or attendance at the worship centres does
not provide automatic passport to heaven;
but, 0f great significance are our uprightness and spiritual and moral
standing. If people who attend churches
heed the injunction of Jesus Christ: “love and pray for your enemy”, there
would be no room for hatred against those who worship in Mosque and so on.
People’s spiritual growth, whether as Christians or as Muslims, should be
allowed to follow the intend of the people concerned. In other words, man should be taught the
right thing in and through any of the ways, and be allowed to follow the
dictates of his heart as to the course of development of his spiritual growth.
Christ advised and warned that man should not judge, especially on who
is qualified or not to enter the kingdom
of God as currently
witnessed by Christians and Muslims against each other. Every man is on a
continuous process daily in cleansing his garments (his heart and ways of
life). Therefore, condemning someone who might tomorrow be the one qualified to
enter His Kingdom, where love, peace, harmony and perpetual worship reign is
wrong because it is not in the context of human satisfaction,
decision and zealousness to determine who or which group will be embraced by
the Lord into His kingdom. Everything is
rested upon the Lord’s final result
depending upon how each stands before Him.
“Those who believe (in the Qur’an), those who follow
the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians, Christians, Magians, and Polytheists,
– Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment: for Allah is witness of
all things (Qur’an 22; 17). “For God
will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or
evil; so each of us shall give account of himself to God. (Ecclesiastes 12:14;
Romans 14:12).
Prophet Muhammad received from the angel of God and recites to the
Arabians, “not to pull down the place of worship of God”. The conditions as of that time saw Islam
fighting against idolaters. The Jews and the Christians maintained their
positions and Prophet Mohammed from the angel’s advice, advised: They
are those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, - (for
no cause) except that they say, “Our Lord is Allah.” Did not Allah check one
set of people by means of another , there surely would have pulled down
monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in
abundant measure”.(Qur’an 22:40). He also enjoined his followers not to
begin hostilities and aggression against others as stated in the Qur’an. “Fight in the way of Allah against those
who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors” Qur’an
2:190-191.
Christians should bear in mind that the Creator accepts anyone who does
His Will regardless of religion. Remember the Roman army officer (centurion)
whom God found worthy and helped through Apostle Peter (Acts 10: 25 - 48). (Thessalonians 4:10-12). “Then
Peter began to speak I now realise how true it is that God does not show
favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is
right” (Acts 8:34).
More significance should be attached to the moral and attitudinal comportment
of the worshipper than the places of worship. It is absolutely meaningless when
we commit all our resources to building places of worship while the people that
will attend the places of worship are morally
bankrupt. Places of worship such as churches and mosques are not the real issues
before God, but their attendants.
Christians are advised to love themselves and others as well,
irrespective of others’ religious beliefs – whether a Muslim, Jew, Hindu and
even the so called pagan as a person who one day might live aright. The same way, it is expected of a Muslim and
others to maintain this attitude with others outside their fold. Let us refresh
our minds with what the Qur’an says here: O ye who believe! When ye go
out in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to anyone who
offers you a salutation: “Thou art none of a Believer!” Even thus were ye
yourself before, till Allah conferred on you His favour! Therefore carefully
investigate. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do”. (Qur’an 4:94).
As said earlier: God, Allah, Jah, Yahweh et cetera, came about as a
result of different languages, which the speaker of each used in addressing
God. “The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on
Him by them, but shun such men as distort His names: for what they do, they
will soon be requited” (Qur’an 7:180.).
It is as saying
“come’ in English. If others say it in
many different languages “come” the meaning remains the same. It does not mean that if some say in another
language, the meaning has changed from ‘come’ to something else. No! It has not. All represent “come” spoken in different
languages.
It is very wrong for someone whose language refers to “come” to
intimidate or kill another who says same in a different one. Therefore, it is much indiscernible when a
Christian, Muslim and other believers intimidate, pull down place of worship or
even kill to please his Creator who has much more power to destroy if He
wants. If He wants someone to do it for
Him, He would not set aside the Last day to judge mankind. Whether
we call Him Almighty Lord, Almighty God, Almighty Allah, and very many more, He
will surely do things His way and judge in accordance with Divine Laws. It is not which name we call Him that is the
main issue but the doing of His Will deep within us.
Let us look at the sky. Can one
indicates or mentions the part, which belongs to the Christians, Muslims,
Hindus or others? Remember this: The Creator does not concern Himself with
these eye and lip services by way of blackmailing, destroying and burning
others’ places of worship and houses as a criteria for entering His
kingdom. What gladdens Him is how
harmonious and peaceful the peoples, whom He created irrespective of
differences in religion live and above all, recognise Him as the Supreme Ruler
from our houses, higher echelons to presidential or governance level.
Any religion including Christianity and Islam) that recognises the
supreme God by whatever name He is addressed or called as its source has found
the way. Religions are not the problem, but religionists. It is on this note that the necessity arose,
to draw attention of the various religionists to recognise the real teaching of
those who brought religions as found in the Bible and the Qur’an. The essence
of these religions was to redirect man’s path back to the Almighty. Living in love and understanding to establish
an imitative way of the heavenly on earth, that is, ‘Theocracy’ in democracy or
whatever name in which such human authority can be called.
Anyone who studies these religious books shall discover that everything
written or recited in them could be summarised into a compound sentence. That
is, “exhibit pure love in actions and reactions towards the creator, fellow
earthmen, animals and environment”.
One may wonder
how the whole volume of the Bible, Qur’an and other religious books are
anchored on the sentence above. It is
simple! It was due to the negligence (love), replaced by hate, that the Ten
Commandments were given.
If a man loves his neighbour like himself, he will not steal his
property; kill him, commit adultery with his wife and covet his property, bear
false witness against him, dishonour his seniors and parents, violate the
Sabbath day, misuse the name of God and so on. He will keep to His will in this
world and in the hereafter or beyond and gain salvation. Study these books
properly and you will find this and the different names He is called. It is
unfortunate that, like children of the same father but different mothers
despise one another simply because they call their father with different names
according to their mothers’ tongue, which the father acknowledges. But
confusion, ignorance, ills and foolhardiness are bound to be the order of the
day if they fail to understand.
Follower of the Bible and Qur’an should examine the books carefully,
practice and teach what the summary of these books is all about: “Exhibit pure
love to the Creator, everyone and things”. When Christianity stresses;
“obedience to the will of God” and Islam say, ‘total submission to the will of
Allah” the meaning is the same. But let
us not go into that height for the purpose of those who had not yet come to
that maturity and understanding as to their oneness. For anyone however, who
had already done so, congratulations!
If moral principles in both books are followed properly, that will
bring about peace, happiness and prosperity to the family and everywhere even
in the face of problems and temptation because as human beings we are bound to
face these. These principles formed up the Will of the Creator for man. To
uphold these and overcome temptation one should apply the power present in the
spoken word through prayers.
Mankind today should thank Allah, God, Tao, Yahweh, Elohim or Lord for
ever since sending His prophets, Jesus, Muhammad and others to warn, guide and
show us the right thing to do and to recognise Him as the Supreme Being. Also,
to those who sincerely for the sake of mankind and the Lord took on the task of
writing them down for this present generation to learn from.
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