As is usual the symbols { } have been added for clarity!
The Quran never ceases to amaze! That holy Book, which is only about three-fourths the size of the New Testament, would naturally be expected to talk about religious dos and don’ts like any other divinely inspired work. However, some people have become mightily swayed to a higher appreciation of the Quran when they come to find out it also contains special scientific knowledge that was not known before the 20th Century. Why stop there?
The Quran truly never ceases to astound any sincere seeker of truth. A case in point concerns one Saul of Tarsus better known as Paul. Now if I told one that the Quran not only exonerates the man called Paul, who has been maliciously maligned by a lot of religious thinkers, one would probably suggest that that is going to the extremes. Well, surprise, surprise it is NOT!
Of course the smart person would not be expected to swallow ANYTHIHG anyone says ‘hook, line and sinker’ without some measure of testing. That is why the intelligent person uses the Quranic injunction of ‘Bring forth your evidence if you are telling the Truth’! That is a good start due to the fact that there are many deceptions in this world and that ‘monkey see, monkey do’ gives us the notion of people repeating a thing without strong justification for doing so. And what could be stronger than the Quran as a Book of COMPLETE TRUTH?
If a person were to get on the Internet concerning that man Paul, he would find many contributors claiming that Paul was a devil trying to destroy the teachings of Jesus (pbh). In fact there are many Christians and a few Muslims commentators who are happy to point out that Paul was a great deceiver plotting to destroy the teachings of Jesus (pbh). In fact, one
Christian presenter, who joyfully opened up his hatred for Jews in general, likens the Jewish Paul as being an Antichrist.
Now one can present a good point of view about Paul by going through a year by year timeline concerning his ‘Vision’ that he supposedly had on the road to Damascus until his proclaimed death. What I mean by that is to show when, where and to whom he travelled and preached with including who he saw after his encounter with his so-called vision, its purpose and of course his amount of time spent in the Arabian desert of Syria. Next, this so called crafty man must have been in top demonic form to pull the wool over the eyes of the original Disciples and the holy man called Barnabas not to mention the other strong supporters of the followers of Jesus who were called the Presbyters.
However, we don’t need to go down that route because we have the completely 100% pure Word of ALLAH with us – the Glorious Quran! Only one verse (ayah) sums up the Pauline Controversy and another verse gives credence to listening to the Prophet (pbh) for guidance and wisdom.
Amazingly as it may seem, when utilizing the Quran in this way is like shinning a bright beacon in a darkened room. Things tend to become clearer when guided by ALLAH’s Book and using common sense rather than falling back on German philosophers of the 19th Century who dedicated themselves to nitpick the New Testament to death as a form of ‘educated’ sport.
Here is the verse from the Quran and a saying from Muhammad (pbh) that should make things clear.
And indeed WE gave the Children of Israel {including their last prophet Jesus} the understanding of the Scripture and its Laws and the Prophethood; and provided them with the good things and preferred them to the rest of mankind.
And gave them CLEAR PROOFS in matters. AND THEY DIFFERED NOT UNTIL KNOWLEDGE CAME TO THEM, THROUGH INSOLENT ENVY AMONG THEMSELVES {IN BIZZARE COMPETITIONS WITH EACH OTHER}. Verily your LORD will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that which they used to differ. Q (45: 16-17)
It can be easily demonstrated that certain people have taken, for example, one verse from the New Testament and mishandled it in such a way as to cancel out other verses which could have been of help in explaining that one problematic verse. For example, the verse that explains that ‘not one jot of the law shall pass away until the Day of Resurrection’ does NOT mean that cemented Old Testament rules could not be altered to some degree. WE have proof of this in the Quran such that:
I have come confirming that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah) and TO MAKE LAWFUL TO YOU PART OF WHAT WAS FORBIDDEN TO YOU, and I have come to you with PROOF from your LORD. So fear ALLAH and OBEY me. Q (3: 50)
If a good example can be given showing how one verse or concept can be misconstrued from the New Testament, how might whole concepts be so maligned as to bring about the destruction of the original teachings of Jesus (pbh)? In the main, Gnostic/Sufi junk can lead people down pathways of error thus creating, as it were, falsehoods upon falsehoods propped up by false doctrines. And these false doctrines create, as it were, false loyalties and a tendency for others to worship other than ALLAH.
We can see this in the past transformations of religion as well as the present for Muhammad (pbh) declared that this Islamic Ummah would follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and in the same way.
So we have the history of the Shia, for example, to peer at though while not maintaining as gross of ridiculousness as some of the so-called Christian sects of the past, still maintain some positions of sharing GOD’s PROVIDENCE upon certain so-called holy men based on genetics. This despite the fact of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbh) warning that it would happen and that no Arab is greater than a non-Arab and no non-Arab is greater than an Arab except in terms of piety.
As to a hadith stated by Muhammad (pbh):
Abu Hurairah said, “I heard the Prophet of ALLAH saying”; ‘What I have forbidden you, stay away from. What I have ordered you to do, do as much of it as you can. Verily, the people BEFORE YOU were destroyed {taken off the pure Way} only because of their EXCESSIVE QUESTIONING AND THEN THEIR DISAGREEING WITH THEIR PROPHETS {by corrupting the truth}. (Bukhari and Muslim).
The important thing to remember is that it was ONLY AFTER KNOWLEDGE HAD BEEN GRANTED TO THEM and then they eventually split up and made differences due to their INSOLENT ENVEY OF ONE ANOTHER.
Knowledge was transferred or the explanations of things came about after Jesus (pbh) reappeared to the Disciples after the crucifixion event such that certain mysteries were opened up to them.
And he said unto them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me.
Then he opened their understanding that they might understand the scriptures {better}. Luke (24: 44-45)
The Disciples also had those close companions under them who were dispersed throughout the kingdom and into other parts such as what is known as Syria today.
The individuals who we are concerned with are those who were the direct and indirect contributors to the ‘Word’ known as the New Testament today. These people were called the Presbyters and their so-called works, the Gospel of John, the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Johannine Epistles, the writings of Paul and Revelations of Saint John, etc., have been included in the New Testament. The problem here is twofold:
- We cannot be certain that these documents are like the original in intent and purpose. That is, it is most likely that somethings were added and that some things were taken away to make ‘slight’ alterations to clarify certain points. For example, in Acts (2: 22-23) it is stated:
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 midst of you, as you yourselves also know.
Him (Jesus) being delivered {up} by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of GOD {to endure insults and beatings and scorn by the Roman soldiers even though he was a righteous man and a righteous king to return to collect the chosen for Paradise} you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Acts (2: 22-23)
Now I will repeat this sentiment but I will alter the meaning slightly by taking out Roman complicity and strengthen a definite Jewish complicity in an act that was needed to implement certain held beliefs held to be authentic starting from the middle of the second century or about 148 AD:
Him (Jesus) being delivered {up} by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of GOD, you {JEWS} have taken and by shameful means and with your own consent have TRIED TO CRUCIFY AND SLAY HIM!
The first meaning found in the current Bible of today has Jesus (pbh) being physically being crucified and killed while the Roman authorities are not mentioned. The altered verse which does not now represent Christian philosophy has the Jews trying to punish him as a false prophet (with crucifixion) and killing him and {almost} giving the impression that they succeeded! The word is ALMOST!
- The above listed writings found in the New Testament all contain various statements which are Gnostic in conception. In other words, they show points that are somewhat difficult to understand, some a lot more than others, which will be central for any contention that will arise. So what we have now is the dissemination of knowledge to be used for instructional purposes. However, one must look at the medium through which this knowledge is being spread. That is, one must take a look at the culture by which this knowledge was to be disseminated. It spread throughout a mostly PAGAN ROMAN EMPIRE which had its own ‘gnostic’ influences as to what might be called ‘mythological philosophies’.
To continue with the dissemination of the true knowledge: Once this true knowledge was put forth by those who were responsible to put it forth, Paul and the Presbyters, the cat was now let out of the bag and this so-called knowledge could be manipulated into such devious and outlandish ways based on wild conjectures and compromised thoughts (mingling truth with myths).
Indeed we have the New Testament warnings of this same occurrence given by Paul, and the Presbyters John, Timothy, Glaucus (the secretary of Peter who wrote the Epistles of Peter) and others such that:
Dire warnings were given concerning falsehoods that were to be spread and that were being already spreading concerning the true teachings of the prophet Jesus (pbh). Such falsehoods were not in the nature of denying the existence of a Jesus but in the nature of creating a mythological Jesus.
And it was ONLY AFTER KNOWLEDGE CAME TO THEM…
So, historically knowledge was dispensed amongst the peoples in a controlled manner after Jesus (pbh) left the Earth for a few years until it became ‘known’ for the TRUTH to be spread out in the Roman Empire but with the condition being well understood that TO THE JEWS FIRST!
If after some time, if the Jews were rejecting this ‘gift’, then according to the big three in Jerusalem, Peter, John and James, through the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, knowledge was to be opened up to those who would accept it, meaning of course ‘other than the Jews’.
In looking at the timeframe of these things, one must not fall into the trap of thinking that the verse in the Quran (45: 16-17) was talking about instant change. On the contrary, groups have to form, build their powerbase and develop their own so-called fictional theories and compete with their rival groups. This takes time.
THEY DIFFEERED WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH INSOLENT ENVY…
The various claims as to Jesus’ nature, what he supposedly said on the cross and the various stories of what was supposed to be taking place on the cross being propped up by ridiculous gnostic-type theories clearly shown in 1 John (2: 18-27) concerning members of a certain ideology who were of the approved sect but then broke off to develop their own deceitful ways. And because John the Presbyter’s writings are from around 90 or so AD, we can ascertain the problems spoken of in the Quran (45: 16-17) had their roots within 15 or 20 years of 90 AD giving us a date of around 75-70 AD or roughly 5 to 0 years after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem which would be very highly convenient for the safety of the polluters of the teachings of Jesus or, as one wills, a few years after Paul’s execution. It is a lot easier to bring up heresies when the ‘headwaters’, the jewel of the Way, no longer exits. In other words, those who personally knew Jesus were NOT around any longer and the villains had more of a free hand to operate!
Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that {an} antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
They {these little antichrists} went out from us but they were NOT {really} of us; for IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US: but they went out, that they might be made {known to you} manifest that they were NOT all of us. 1 John (2: 18-19)
Now that is only part of the story. The other part concerns what the Prophet (pbh) said as to the downfall of former peoples’ religion and that is the ‘excessive questioning’ of those delivering the truth. It is only logical to assume that Paul and the Presbyters would face many assorted questions from some individuals concerning the hub-bub that surrounded Jesus the son of Mary (pbh). Why?
Look at the way he was born, the charmed life he led, the mystifying miracles he performed and the manner of his non-death and being raised up with body and soul into the heavens and his ability to dodge death by altering his appearance!!!
Hopefully one can see how that could affect some like a ‘deft’ magic show in today’s world or how enthralled and hypnotic the audience became during the magic shows put on by Pharaoh of Egypt as related in the Quran.
Excessive questioning might make some things clearer but with a mischievous and half-baked mind, other non-related items need a ‘creative filling in of the blanks to make things clearer in their minds. Such inventiveness (creative filling in the blanks) is strictly forbidden in Islam as it tends to perpetuate myths and legends instead of truth.*
*There is a big difference between good conjectures versus manufacturing lies. While good, sound conjecture based on the scriptural evidence leaves scripture intact, manufactured lies tend to create new versions of truth that don’t exist! So therefore, they are lies with NO solid foundations but must create other lies to back up the first lie to make the whole thing believable.
One can now imagine that the excessive questioning by some of the ‘students’ of Paul and the Presbyters led to the eventual destruction of many of the teachings and Sunnah of the Way brought by Jesus the son of Mary (pbh).
And when we get to the early parts of the second century, we find a mixed bag of gnostic-type teachings that was to spread MASSIVE CONFUSION amongst the centers of ‘Christian learning’. The next crime committed came when the centers of learning shrunk to be taken over by Rome and its dominate philosopher-theologian-types, including Justin Martyer etc.
It is from Rome, the soon to be center of Christian thought and doctrine making, that the teachings of Jesus (pbh) were to be upended eventually and STRANGE doctrines were to enter in from the doors of falsehood under the guise of truth.
And it was the famous Presbyter John, who in his book called Revelations, which doesn’t make much sense to most people, predicted that those man-made doctrines would influence many nations.
These doctrines could be known as ‘doctrines of Shirk’ or disbelief by raising up a human being as Jesus was to a level of being a God. It influenced nations, kings and many of their peoples to have an abhorrent dislike of Islam. Which can easily be historically documented.
Hence, the rejection of Islam, the phobia of Islam, the many false writings about Islam down through the ages and, of course, the many Crusades against Islam. That is what many were taught and to many it appealed to them but to some that appeal has been proven false!!!
John the Presbyter declares that this ‘WHORE’ to be raised up and sitting in a seat of power would be a CITY that would spread filth among the worldly kingdoms.
And the woman was arrayed in PURPLE and SCARLET color and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of ABOMINATIONS and FILTHINESS of her fornication {mixing truth with pagan philosophy}.
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF WHORES AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. (17: 4-5)
For GOD has put IN THEIR HEARTS TO FULFIL HIS WILL, and to agree {coalesce} and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the Words of GOD shall be fulfilled.
And the woman {Mother of WHORES} which you saw is that GREAT CITY which rules over the kings {CHAMPIONS} of the Earth {Dunya}. Rev. (17: 17-18)
Basically, it is NOT talking about a named religion but it is talking about a Philosophy generated by doctrines of Satan. Hence, the ‘WHORE’ who sits on a throne to ‘pollute’ the minds of men into performing SHIRK and to create acts of ‘worshiping’ this WHIORE as if it had Divine validity which of course it doesn’t.
Anyway the purpose of this article was to show one verse in the Glorious Quran and how, through an understanding from the Prophet (pbh), one can utilize this verse to clarify the truth. The truth that it was NOT one man (Paul) who perverted the teachings of Jesus but it was those who pestered the ‘teachers’ (the Presbyters) of this Way by asking unnecessary questions and who then broke away from the TRUE WAY to create fantastic divisions built on nothing but straw and fool’s gold!
This understanding coordinates very well with Quran (45: 16-17) in showing how, through a space of a few decades compounded through a few centuries, TRUTH became altered into a monstrous, perversion of lies and deceit!
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also, from amongst your own selves, shall men arise, speaking perverse things, in order to draw away disciples after them. Acts (20: 29-30)
Now the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits and DOCTRINES of DEVILS;
Speaking lies in HYPOCRACY; having their conscience seared with a hot iron {to create certain falsehoods and to have a following after them}. 1Timothy (4: 1-2)
For first of all, when you come together in the church {assembly room}, I hear that there are divisions among you: and I partly believe it.
For there must be HERESIES among you, that they which are approved {versus the hypocrites} may be made manifest among you. 1 Cor. (11: 18-19)
Then said Jesus unto the Disciples, “It is impossible but that offenses will come: but WOE UNTO him through whom {these lies and falsehoods} they come. Luke (17: 1)
WOE unto the world because of {certain} offences for it must needs be done that offenses come; but WOE to that man by whom the offense comes. Matthew (18: 7)
And the woman was arrayed in PURPLE and SCARLET color and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of ABOMINATIONS and FILTHINESS of her fornication {mixing truth with pagan philosophy}.
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF WHORES AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. {The POLLUTER OF TRUTH} Rev. (17: 4-5)
For GOD has put IN THEIR HEARTS TO FULFIL HIS WILL*, and to agree {coalesce} and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the Words of GOD shall be fulfilled.
And the woman {Mother of WHORES} which you saw is that GREAT CITY which rules over the kings {CHAMPIONS} of the Earth {Dunya}. Rev. (17: 17-18)
*One can review Paul’s 2 Thessalonians (2: 1-12) with verses 11 and 12 being of similar content as the Quran as to those whom ALLAH blinds and keeps blind as to the ‘Right Way’.