PREAMBLE

By LTC Daniel Marvin USASF (ret)

This series of columns, devoted to a study of ISLAM, the religion of the Muslims, will attempt to bring you, using the KORAN itself as the primary source, the basic doctrine of ISLAM as set forth by Muhammad. It will permit you to know and understand for yourself if the religion of ISLAM has a doctrinal base of grace, peace, self denial and humility that you would want to prosper as it now does with great momentum in this nation or should be viewed with suspicion as a religious system with a doctrine that is intolerant of other religions, particularly that of all Jews and Christians.

The book, THE KORAN © 1994, published by Everyman of London and Vermont as an English translation for Arabic, is used by some academic institutions as their reference for religious instruction in Islam. It will be the sole source of quotes in these columns, unless otherwise specified. I believe it is very possible that few who live as a Muslim in a democracy with Islam as their religion have a complete understanding of the significance of the Koran's doctrine as it specifically relates to the treatment of Jews and Christians. My knowledge of THE KORAN is drawn from a cover-to-cover reading of that book. I urge you to follow this series so that you may be familiar with THE KORAN and have the knowledge to judge for yourself.

It would be ideal if the reader were to have available to him or her THE KORAN published in a language he or she reads and readily understands. There are many translations in the book stores and on line or available in your local library on a first come, first serve basis.

The Koran is divided into 114 chapters, called suras. Each sura is subdivided into verses and the verses are numbered only in the beginning of groups of ten verses. Thus, if you were wanting to look at sura 10:14, you would turn to sura 10 and go to the fourth unnumbered verse after the one marked ten and you would be there.

We will now review Allan Jones’ Foreword and Introduction to 2001 edition of THE KORAN published by Everyman Press. Allan Jones is a Fellow at Pembroke College, Oxford where he has taught Arabic and Islamic Studies since 1957.

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FOREWORD

In his Foreword Alan Jones describes THE KORAN as the "sacred book of Islam." He continues, "For Muslims it is the word of God revealed in Arabic by the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad and thence to mankind. For [the Muslims]" he writes, "Muhammad is the last of the prophets and thus the Koran is the final expression of God's message to mankind. Non-Muslims are unlikely to share this view, but they too will recognize that the Koran is one of the most important and influential books known to mankind and that its influence is continuing to increase with the spread of Islam." The reader should be aware that Islam is the fastest growing religion in this nation, with a million practicing Muslims at this writing. "On that basis alone," Jones goes on to write, "the Koran is worthy of study..." If we are to understand any religion we would have to acquaint ourselves with the written underpinnings of their faith, lest we misjudge them - one way or the other.

INTRODUCTION

In his Introduction remarks, Alan Jones tells us "Muhammad is believed to have been born about 570 AD," going on to write, "At the time of Muhammad's birth, his home town of Mecca was the most prominent of the settlements in the Hijaz." "Very little is known of the first forty years of Muhammad's life," he relates, "Tradition has it that he was born into a respected rather than a rich family, that his father died before he was born and his mother passed away when he was six..." After her death the orphan Muhammad was looked after by his grandfather and uncle.

Muslim tradition (there were no records maintained then as we have now to rely on) has it that Muhammad was engaged in trade and travel to Syria before and after he married a rich widow named Khadija in 595 who bore him three children, only one of which, his daughter Fatima, was to survive him.

Alan Jones tells us that in the year 610 Muhammad was "convinced that he had been visited by the archangel Gabriel and ordered to preach God's message to the Arabs." A brief time later a similar experience and another revelation convinced Muhammad that he was a messenger of God, and his actions were based on that apparently unswerving conviction. He first preached in private to family and friends and in 613, he went public. "The response of the majority of the Meccans was hostile and was to remain so," Jones stated. After the death of his wife and uncle in 618, the Meccans situation worsened and Muhammad began to consider relocating the whole of the new community of Muslims. In 1621 he was received as a wise man who would be an "arbiter" between the two opposing and often clashing factions of the Aws and the Khazraj (Arab tribes). In 1622 Muhammad joined the 200+ members of his recently founded Islam religion in their new home.

Most of the Aws and Khazraj converted to Islam. The Jews, except for two or three who converted to Islam, disdainfully rejected Muhammad's claim to being a prophet. After intercepting and capturing a Meccan caravan at Nakhla and winning a pitched battle that saw his force of 300 Muslims triumph over a Meccan force of 1,000 at Badr, Muhammad succeeded in securing the consent of the two tribal chiefs "for the expulsion of the Jewish tribe from Medina." His leading a "large group of followers" in a confrontational pilgrimage to Mecca in 628 was a masterstroke by Muhammad, ending with a truce that granted to the Muslims the right for the next year's pilgrimage. Within a year he had led his people against Khaybar, taking it by force and driving out the Jews.

During the ensuing years and until his death, he led his people in fierce combat against

those tribes who would not negotiate allegiance to Muhammad, whose "basic condition was always that they should become Muslims." Jones concludes his portrayal of Muhammad by telling the reader, "As far as the Arabian Peninsula was concerned he had achieved his goal of bringing the Arabs within the fold of Islam."

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CHAPTER ONE

In this chapter, the written record of Muhammad’s oral teachings begins with the Islamic prayer, its petitions roughly equivalent to the Christian Lord’s prayer. It is recited several times in each of the five daily prayers and on many other occasions. In it Muhammad extols God as the compassionate, merciful and gracious Lord of the worlds. He recognizes God as the only One to be worshipped by Muslims and asks that God guide his people "on the straight path."

CHAPTER TWO

Muhammad, in a powerful statement, makes it crystal clear that there will be no doubting of THE KORAN, stating unequivocally, "It is a guidance to the God-fearing, who believe in the unseen, who observe prayer, and out of what [the Muslims] have bestowed on them, expend for God." All infidels (non Muslims) are told that "severe chastisement" awaits those who do not believe. In Muhammad’s judgment all Jews and Christians were infidels. He tells of God as an all powerful being, citing the fact "He it is who created you for all that is on Earth..." declaring without reservation that "He knoweth all things."

Speaking of the infidels, Muhammad relates in this chapter, "And when a Book had come to them from God, confirming that which they had received already – although they had before prayed for victory over those who believed not – yet when that Koran came to them, of which they had knowledge, they did not recognize it. The curse of God on the Infidels!"

Muhammad, giving credit to his Muslim people and not to God, tells the infidels "And remember when we rescued you from the people of Pharaoh, who had laid on you a cruel chastisement." He goes on to ask them to remember "And when we parted the sea for you, and saved you, and drowned the people of Pharaoh, while ye were looking on: and when we were in treaty with Moses forty nights: then during his absence took ye a calf and acted wickedly: yet after this we forgave you, that ye might be grateful:..." He also tells the infidels that it was the Muslims who "gave Moses the [KORAN] and the illumination in order to [be their] guidance."

In this Chapter, the 81st verse, Muhammad again tells of the Muslims giving Moses "the Book" [the KORAN], going on to say that the Muslims "raised up apostles after him; and to Jesus, son of Mary, gave we clear proofs of his mission, and strengthened him by the Holy Spirit." Muhammad actually considered the Archangel Gabriel to be the "Holy Spirit."

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Muhammad, wanting his people to recognize one God and to disregard the Trinity that Christians believe to be Biblical doctrine, tells his people, "They [the infidels] say ‘Become Jews or Christians that ye may have the true guidance.’ [You] Say: Nay! The religion of Abraham, the sound in faith, and not one of those who join gods with God!

"Say ye: ‘We believe in God, and that which hath been sent down to us, and that which hath been sent down to Abraham and Ismael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes: and that which hath been given to Moses and to Jesus, and that which was given to the prophets from their Lord. No difference do we make between any of them: and to God are we [Muslims] resigned.’

"If therefore they believe even as we believe, then they have the true guidance; but if they turn back, then do they cut themselves off from you: and God will suffice to protect thee against them, for He is the Hearer and the Knower.

"Islam is the Baptism of God, and who is better to baptise then God? And Him do we serve."

Muhammad, in a defiant and stern tone, went on to tell his people, "They who conceal aught [anything] we have sent down, either of clear proof or of guidance, after what we have clearly shewn to men in the Book, God shall curse them, and they who curse shall curse them.

"But as for those who turn to me, and amend and make known the truth, even unto them will I turn me, for I am He who Turneth, the Merciful." Muhammad appears to place himself as the intermediary between God and the Muslims.

"Verily, they who are infidels [Jews and Christians] and die infidels, - these! upon them shall be the malison [curse] of God and of angels and of all men: Under it [the curse] shall they remain for ever: their torment shall not be lightened, and God will not even look upon them!"

Muhammad speaks of their diet, "Oh ye [Muslims] who believe! eat of the good things with which we have supplied you, and give God thanks if ye are His worshippers. But that which dieth of itself, and blood, and swine’s flesh, and that which any other name than that of God hath been invoked, is forbidden you."

In this chapter Muhammad also teaches principles that relate to fasting, marriage, divorce and the giving and consuming of wealth. He makes it abundantly clear that God, in his words, "sent down with them [the prophets] the Book of Truth [The Koran], that it might decide the disputes of men; and none disputed but those to whom the Book had been given, after the clear tokens had reached them..."

The Koran goes on to tell of Saul’s battle against the mighty forces of Goliath and how they prayed "O our Lord, pour out steadfastness upon us, and set our feet firm, and help us against the infidels." Muhammad goes on to tell how they routed the enemy "by the will of God," and to credit David with slaying the giant Goliath, who was then rewarded by God with a "kingship and wisdom." Muhammad told his people that David was taught by God "according to His will."

He then credits the Muslims with extraordinary power, saying "Some of the apostles we have endowed more highly then others: Those to whom God hath spoken, He hath raised to the loftiest grade, and to Jesus the Son of Mary we gave manifest signs, and we strengthened him with the Holy Spirit." This would tell the reader that Muhammad was not a believer in the Trinity, instead positioning Jesus as an apostle and not the Son of God. Jesus was portrayed as one whom the Muslims would strengthen with the Holy Spirit, and not being with the Holy Spirit a part of the Holy Trinity and God in the flesh.

In verse 285, of Chapter 2, Muhammad says "The apostle believeth in that which hath been sent down from his Lord, as do the faithful also. Every one believeth in God, and His Angels, and His Books, and His Apostles: we make no distinction between any of His Apostles."

This contradicts what Muhammad, in verse 254, stated: "Some of the Apostles we have endowed more highly than others," (see above also) and included Jesus as being one of those Apostles. As we delve into Chapter 19 of The Koran, we will read three other verses that contradict verse 285 of this chapter.

CHAPTER THREE

J. M. Rodwell explains in his notes to the KORAN that Muhammad "supposed Imran or Amran to be the father of the Virgin Mary – Mary and Elizabeth to be sisters; who, with Jesus, John, and Zacharias, make up the family of Imran."

"As for the infidels [meaning Jews and Christians], their wealth, and their children, shall avail them nothing against God. They shall be fuel for the fire [Hell’s lake of fire]."

In verse 17, Muhammad states unequivocally "The true religion with God is Islam: and they to whom the Scriptures had been given..." "If they [unbelievers/infidels] shall dispute with thee," he goes on, "then SAY: I have surrendered myself to God, as have they who follow me."

He goes on to exhort his people, "Let not believers take infidels for their friends rather than believers: whoso shall do this hath nothing to hope from God – unless, indeed, ye fear a fear from them: but God would have you beware of Himself; for to God ye return."

Clarifying his unbelief in the Trinity, Muhammad, in the 40th verse, tells the Muslims, "Remember when the angel said, ‘O Mary! Verily God announceth to thee the Word from Him: His name shall be, Messiah Jesus the son of Mary, illustrious in this world, and in the next, and one of those who have near access to God."

After Muhammad asks the reader of the KORAN to believe that Jesus declared himself and the apostles as being "God’s helpers" and the apostles responded to Jesus as Muslims, he relates how God spoke to Jesus, saying, "O Jesus! verily I will cause thee to die, and will take thee up to myself and deliver thee from those who believe not; and I will place those who follow thee above those who believe not, until the day of resurrection." In his explanatory notes, Allan Jones tells the reader that "Muslims believe that God took the dead body of Jesus to Heaven – for three hours according to some – while the Jews crucified a man who resembled him." He goes on to write, "It would also seem [Chapter 19, Verse 34] that Jesus died a natural death, though it is nowhere said how long he continued in that state. Muslims also believe that Jesus on His return to earth at the end of the world will slay the Antichrist, die, and be raised again."

Again, in Verse 53 of Chapter 3, Muhammad denies the trinity and the virgin birth as he tells the reader: "Verily, Jesus is as Adam in the sight of God. He created Him of dust: He then said to Him, ‘Be’ – and he was."

He goes on, in Verse 60 to say unequivocally "Abraham was neither Jew nor Christian; but he was sound in the faith, a Muslim; and not of those who add gods to God."

Further clarifying the absoluteness of ISLAM, Muhammad tells us that "Whoso desireth any other religion than Islam, that religion shall never be accepted from him, and in the next world he shall be among the lost."

Later in Verse 97, Muhammad talks to his people, saying "Oh, ye believers! fear God as He deserveth to be feared! and die not till ye have become Muslims.

"And hold ye fast by the cord [the Koran] of God, all of you, and break not loose from it; and remember God’s goodness towards you, how that when ye were enemies, He united your hearts, and by His favour ye became brethren..."

"But as for the infidels [Jews and Christians], their wealth, and their children shall avail them nothing against God. They shall be the inmates of the fire [Hell], to abide therein eternally." Surely, Muhammad is telling the reader of the Koran that the Lake of Living Fire (Hell) will be the destination and the place of eternal existence for all Jews and Christians.

I will conclude Chapter 3 in Part 8 of this series. As you read, digest the truth of what the Koran divulges - You be the judge of it all.

Muhammad makes it abundantly clear in verse 114 that Muslims are not to mingle with infidels, instead they are to remain separate. "O ye who have believed! form not intimacies among others than yourselves. They will not fail to corrupt you. They long for your ruin. Hatred hath already shewn itself out of their mouths, but more grievous is what their breasts conceal. The tokens thereof we have already made plain to you, if ye will comprehend."

He goes on to talk of God, saying, "Whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth is God’s! He forgiveth whom He will, and whom He will, chastiseth: for God is Forgiving, Merciful."

Muhammad tells them to fear God, "that ye may prosper. And fear the fire [hell] which is prepared for them that believe not; and obey God and the apostle, that ye may find mercy."

"This Koran," he states, "is a manifesto to man, and a guidance, and a warning to the God-fearing! And be not fainthearted, and be not sorrowful: for ye shall gain the upper hand if ye be believers.

In verse 138 he said, "Muhammad is no more than an apostle; other apostles [Muhammad has stated that Jesus was, like him, an Apostle and no more] have already passed away before him: if he die, therefore, or be slain, will ye turn upon your heels [that is, return to idolatry]? But he who turneth on his heels shall not injure God at all: and God will certainly reward the thankful."

To emphasize the awesome power of God, he tells his people, "For the Kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth is God’s, and God hath power over all things. Verily, in the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth, and in the succession of the night and of the day, are signs for men of understanding heart..."

Muhammad concludes chapter 3 by reaffirming his belief in the ultimate word – the KORAN – and wanting his people to believe in "signs" by saying, "Among the people of the Book [KORAN] are those who believe in God, and in what He hath sent down to you, and in what He hath sent down to them, humbling themselves before God. They barter not the signs of God for a mean price. These! their recompense awaiteth them with their Lord: aye! God is swift to take account. O ye who believe! be patient, and vie in patience, and be firm, and fear God, that it may be well with you.

Edited by Jeanne Calabretta ©LTC Daniel Marvin (USASF Ret’d)  www.expendableelite.com