Predestination: Answered

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Ex: Predestination? (Qadr Allah)

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* If such a thing exists, why do Muslims suffer so much?
* Why is Christain the most preferred religion?
* Can you prove the Quran is as pure as the Bible?
* Why the deception in Quran about Jesus on the cross?
* Why should we have to be "thankful to God"?
* Why fast, pray, fast and make journey to Makkah (hajj)?

Question # 6/16/2003.0:12:26 PDST

"I've been studying Islam for a few months and it might be the right religion, but I am not as certain as one should be if they were going to change religions. Could you answer some things for me? I would be so grateful to you."
O.K. Here goes:

· 1. If everything happens by the will of God, why is Christianity number one in the world and not Islam?

· 2. Why do most of the people believe Jesus dies for their sins on the cross?

· 3. Why the deception in the Quran about Jesus death on the cross, and why does the Old Testament say - "he endured pain for us, our sins are gone through him" (Isaiah, 42).

· 4. What about someone who never heard about Islam - like billions have - do they have to go to Hell because they didn't believe in Muhammad?
If "yes", how is this fair?

· 5. Why should we have to obey God? We didn't ask to be created.

* So why do we have to be thankful?
* Why the 5 daily prayers?
* Fasting Ramadhan?
* Charity to the poor?
* Pilgrimage (Hajj)?
* Why so much forced worship?

· 6. God created the universe - just to see who is good and who is bad, and then destroys everything (a teaching of Islam) and then re-creates everything and rewards and punishes everyone. Isn't this a bit farfetched?

· 7. What all those people living in jungles, desert islands and remote places of the world; they live their lives doing whatever they wanted; drinking alcohol, having sex, eating pork - Are they punished? Or Rewarded? Are they judged by Quran & Sunnah? Why? If they are not punished, why would I be punished for not praying 5 times a day, fasting, hajj (pilgrimage)? How is it fair?8. Last question - for you, Mr. Yusuf - How do you know that "Allah lead me to Islam" - millions say, "Jesus lead me to the cross: - and you would say, 'No. But he's just a man. He can't do anything for you. Only God can.' - If this is so, then why does God fool all the people into disbelief and send them to Hell? - "WHY?”

Thank you for your time to help me understand why this kind of teaching you have in Islam.

Thank you for your questions.

Before we begin to provide answers, here are some important points to keep in mind:

As Muslims we cannot lie about anything, especially about our religion.

We have original recorded sources of our religion:
A) The Quran
B) Teachings of Muhammad

All of this is very unique to Islam, and is not available in any other ancient religions.

Next, consider this:

Sometimes "questions" contain misinformation. We must qualify what it is that someone is saying against what they are implying.

If you find the answer to your question makes you say, "I didn't know that" or "This is good" are you ready to worship your God and your Lord without and partners?The most important subject is the worship of Almighty God, without any partners or associates or "gods" besides Almighty God. This is what "Islam" is really all about.

Sometimes "questions" contain misinformation. We must qualify what it is that someone is saying against what they are implyingIf you find the answer to your question makes you say, "I didn't know that" or "This is good" are you ready to worship your God and your Lord without and partners?

The most important subject is the worship of Almighty God, without any partners or associates or "gods" besides Almighty God.

After all, this is what "Islam" is really all about.

NOTE: You said you have been studying Islam for months. Yet there are a number of basic things that you seem to have missed.

Please take the opportunity to visit our site on these subjects:

First, prove to yourself and to others without doubt, there is plenty of evidence for the existence of Allah (God Almighty) using science and common sense.

Proof of the Creation, Allah Almighty, The Quran, etc.: www.ScienceIslam.com

To learn about the basics of Islam in PowerPoint with audio: www.WhatsIslam.com

For information about "Allah" from the Muslim perspective: www.GodAllah.com

The Quran is understood to be from Allah: www.AllahsQuran.com

Comparing Christianity to Islam is easy: www.911bible.com

Muhammad, peace be upon him, has a special place in Islam: www.ProphetOfIslam.com

Answer #03-06-18 5:30PM

Here are your "questions" - and our answers:

1. If everything happens by the will of God, why is Christianity number one in the world and not Islam?

Actually your question implies something that is incorrect.

Muslims comprise about one in four people on earth (25%), according to statistics released by the United States. This is almost the same number attributed to the Christians.

But regardless of the statistics today, we know that throughout history Judaism and Christianity have not been the largest religions on earth.

It was not until in the last few centuries that the Catholics and Orthodox were able to propagate their various forms of Christianity by force at the point of a sword (remember the Crusades, Inquisition, American, Mexican and South American conversions?) or a gun (Turkey, Bosnia, Kosovo, India, Russia). So, let us remember that Christianity has not always been amongst the top number in terms of population.

We can begin with Abraham, peace be upon him. We would all have to agree that the religion of Abraham, peace be upon him, was not popular during his life, as he and his wife were the only ones following it and they had to leave his home land due to persecution for their beliefs. At the time of Moses, peace be upon him, the religion of God for those people (the Jews) was not the most popular, was it?

Pharaoh told everyone that he was God to them. Now we can look to the time of David and Solomon, peace be upon them.

Did you notice that the pagans were outnumbering them when David was a boy and threw the stone at Goliath? And even though Solomon, peace be upon him, had big armies, there is no way that all of the Jews together could have equaled the number of Chinese Buddhists living to the east of them. True?

Then let us come to Jesus, peace be upon him. Did he have the largest number of followers during his lifetime?

Not at all. They were so outnumbered at the garden of Gethsemane that he ordered his companions to put down their swords after they had cut the ear off one of the servants of a priest. True?

Why?

Because they were severely outnumbered. When they were trying to put Jesus, peace be upon him, on the cross were his followers outnumbered and unable to stop them or not?

Actually, Christianity is divided into three distinct major groups, each claiming all the others are false and the adherents of the opposing sects are destined for the Hell Fire. These major groups are:

Orthodox (which is also divided into two major groups;
"Greek" Orthodox and "Eastern" or "Russian" Orthodox);

Catholic and Protestant (which is divided into numerous sects: Anglican; Baptist; Church of Christ; Church of God; Disciples of Christ; Episcopalian; Jehovah's Witness; Methodist; Mormon; Presbyterian; Reformed Church of Latter Day Saints and many more) All of the claiming the others are not correct and they are going to Hell.

Hinduism happens to be one of the largest in the world today, immediately after Islam. So, what would that indicate according to the way you are asking your question? If the Muslims of India (200 million) and the Muslims of Indonesia (400 million +/-) converted to Hindu (I hope they don't), then Hinduism would be the largest religion.

On the other hand, if the Hindus of India (one billion) became Muslims, then Islam would be greater than Christianity by over 50%. What would all of that mean to you or me?

Since when do we consider something being right or wrong just because a lot of people do it?

What we should be concerned over is not how many people are attracted to a belief, but rather whether or not the Almighty Creator Himself, would accept it.

2. Why do most of the people believe Jesus dies for their sins on the cross?

Again, I would call your attention to the above. You are assuming that "most of the people think Jesus died on the cross." But in reality of the six or seven billion people living on earth, only a minority not a majority carry this belief.

Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Taoists, Native Americans, aboriginals of Australia and millions more do not believe any of that.

3. Can you offer anything to prove the Quran is anywhere close to the pure Bible? Like for instance, why the deception in the Quran about Jesus death on the cross, and yet, the Bible clearly says he did. Not just the New Testament - but also in the Old Testament - "he endured pain for us, our sins are gone through him" (Isaiah, 42).

Actual reproduction of King Jams Version of Isaiah 42 (and Deuteronomy 18): http://www.islamnewsroom.com/content/view/382/52/

Remember, I told you in the beginning, we as Muslims, cannot lie, not even to promote our religion or anything else. You have made a mistake.

To begin with, there are 25 verses in Isaiah chapter 42 (click above to see) and NOT ONE OF THEM uses any expression like what you have tried to quote. There is no word "pain" or "endured" or anything like this. Anyone can claim to quote from the Bible, as many preachers often do, but it doesn't mean the Bible will change to support your claims.

Another thing is, you have have quoted the exact chapter of Isaiah (42) that proves Muhammad, peace be upon him, is predicted in the Old Testament. It talks Allah sending His "spirit". This is none other than "Ruh-ul-Qudus" or Holy Spirit - the title used for the Angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic). And it continues to say, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. This could only be Muhammad, peace be upon him.

According to your Bible, Jesus, peace be upon him, said to his followers, "I have come only to the lost sheep of the tribe of Israel." And according to your Bible, it says Jesus, peace be upon him, told of one to come after him who would be the "spirit of truth" and the "advocate" who would make all things known unto you. This clearly means Jesus, peace be upon him, did not make all things known unto his followers.

The prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, clearly brought forth Law not only for his followers (as Moses and Jesus had) but also for all of mankind to follow, whether Jew, Christian, Muslim or fire worshipper.

The same chapter also tells of "Kedar" and again, this could only be Muhammad, peace be upon him. If you know your scripture, you know this is talking about the decendents of Abraham, peace be upon him, in Bakkah (Makkah) from Genesis.

So, your question makes no sense, considering the Bible doesn't say what you have claimed.

For another thing, there are no Jewish scholars who claim to know exactly what any of the Old Testament said - word for word, because they know it no longer exists in the original and has not existed in the original for centuries.

(reference: "Who Wrote the Bible?" by Richard Friedman)

And one more thing, the New Testament scholars are saying essentially the same thing about the Gospel. They don't even know who wrote any of what they have - and what they have is only a few pieces of ancient manuscripts from long after Jesus, peace be upon him, and his disciples were gone.

(reference: "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart Ehram)

Please take some time to learn about your own book before trying to judge another book that you also have never read in the original. This will greatly benefit you in your conclusions and ideas.

In case you do not have access to these and other interesting works about the historical collection of the Bible, please enjoy my own library and books I have placed online for folks who did not know about these works:

(reference: www.911Bible.com - this is a Flash site. For text site: www.IslamCode.com)

Now you refer to the Quran with the term "deception." That is based on what? Let us examine two things and compare for ourselves:

Quran

The word "Quran" means the "recitation of words" from the angel Jibril (Gabriel in English) to Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Does it still exist today? Yes.

Do all Muslims all over the earth agree that there is only one Quran and that it must be in Arabic in order to be the real Quran? Yes.

Have over 10,000,000 (ten million) Muslims memorized it exactly, word for word, line for line, letter for letter and jot for jot? Yes.

Do all Muslims know how to pronounce at least a few of the words and phrases from the original Arabic language? Yes.

Do Muslims know how the words were pronounced and what they meant at the time that the words were revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him? Yes.

In other words, can the Muslims produce their Book in a form, agreeable to the majority of people on earth as being the "Book of the Muslims?" Yes.

All Muslim scholars thoughout all of the history of Islam have memorized the Quran just the same way it is memorized today and in the original Arabic language and - they always agree - regardless of any other differences they may have - the Quran is absolutely the exact revelation in Arabic, as it was when it was received by the prophet, peace be upon him.
(reference: www.AllahsQuran.com & www.Qtafsir.com)

OK Now consider what scholars tell us about the Bible of today

Bible

The word "Bible" comes from Koine Greek "biblios" and it simply means "book."

Does the Bible exist today in a similar form to the Quran? (no)

Is there an original in text? (no)

Is there a consensus amongst the majority of all Christians that the Bible came in English? (no)

Do all Christians use the same Bible? (no)

Can you hear it recited exactly the same in England as you hear it in Russia, or Spain, or South America, or Germany? (no)

Is the Catholic Bible (73 books) exactly like the Protestant Bible (66 books) or the Orthodox Bible (78 books)? (no)

Are there different versions of the Bible in different languages? (yes - many)

Are any two exactly alike? (no)

Have millions of people memorized the Bible? (no)Thousands? (no)

Hundreds? (no)

Even one? (no - which one would be considered the correct one and in which language?)

Do any of the "Bibles" in circulation today claim to be the original words in the original language that was spoken by the prophet that it was revealed to? (no)

Can you rely one hundred per cent on each and every single word and you know how it was pronounced by the one it was revealed to? (no)
(Again reference: www.IslamCode.com and www.911Bible.com)

As regards your expression "endured pain for us" - our prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, told us that all of the prophets that came with this message of worship to only One God, without any partners, did suffer and endured pain in order to bring their people to the salvation of belief in One God, and by the way, Muhammad, peace be upon him, also suffered greatly for this cause.

But the pain endured and suffering experienced by Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus - and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, is still not taking away pain that we may suffer, is it?

We still have pain and suffering in today's world and we have no reason to think it is going to be different for us in the Next Life just because someone else suffered. This in simple terms, just doesn't make any sense. Why would the innocent have to suffer for the guilty and the criminals get rewarded?

So, what would be your point in this line of questioning?

We agree that Jesus, Moses, Abraham and all the prophets, peace be upon them all, did in fact, suffer very much in order for us to know the "Plan of Salvation by Submission and Repentance to Allah in Obedience to Him, in Peace" (Islam).

The Quran tells us, no one will suffer for the deeds of another nor will we carry the burden of each other on the Day of Judgment. Each of us will see any good we have done, even if it is only an atom's weight and each of us will see any evil we have done, even an atom's weight.

4. What about someone who never heard about Islam - like billions have - do they have to go to Hell because they didn't believe in Muhammad? If "yes", how is this fair?

Allah tells us in the Quran that He never punishes a nation until after He has sent a messenger with the clear message of "Worship your Creator and Sustainer alone without partners."

The Quran does not tell us that everyone who didn't believe in Muhammad, peace be upon him, is going to Hell. The Quran tells us that Allah created us in a test, here on earth.

The test is to see (for us to see) who is the best in worship of Allah. The translation more or less, says, "Allah has only created you to worship Him." [Quran 51:56]

He also tells us that, He does not forgive anyone to set up partners with Him in worship, but anything less than that He can forgive. Notice too, in the Quran that Allah gives many examples of people who lived before Muhammad, peace be upon him, that did go to Paradise, because they believed in the current prophet that had been sent to them and obeyed God and their prophet. That is the meaning of "Islam."

A person who never heard of any prophet, yet they believed in God as the Creator, Sustainer of them and the universe and tried to worship Him according to whatever Allah let them know, it would be up to Allah to know what is in their hearts and what is in their minds and He is their ultimate Judge, and this is one of His Attributes or beautiful names, "Al Hakeem" (The Judge).

He also says that He does not punish for what people do not know or what is beyond their control or ability. In other words, He is most Fair. And that also happens to be one of His beautiful Names and Characteristics, "Al-Adil" The Just.

What about your question, if reversed though? Suppose you asked a Christian the same thing about their religion, what would they say?

I have of course, spoken with many preachers and priests and they have all indicated that in Christianity if a person did not acknowledge "Jesus as their savior" they would go to Hell. Is that fair?

Think about it.

5. Why should we have to obey God? We didn't ask to be created, so why do we have to be thankful? Why the 5 daily prayers? Fasting Ramadhan? Charity to the poor? Pilgrimage (Hajj)? Why so much forced worship?

You don't have to. Islam says you have the choice. You are totally free to do as you like. Allah does not force anyone to love Him or serve Him.

There is nothing anywhere in the universe that says you have to do what God wants you to do. There is absolutely no compulsion in religion with Allah.

Allah does not force anyone to thank Him, worship Him, obey Him or even acknowledge Him at all. It is up to the individual. However, there is something called "Divine Justice" and everyone will see, one day, everything that they have done while on this earth.

There will be a Day of Judgment or a Day of Reckoning. That is promised in the Bible and the Quran. Without doubt, everyone will see an atom's weight of good they have done on that Day and every single atom's weight of evil that they have done, will be seen on that Day. None will escape the Judgment of Allah. All of us will be rewarded (or punished) according to our intentions and our actions.

This is a promise from your Lord. Please take some time to read the Old Testament and the Quran. See for yourself, that the biggest sin was in false worship of created Gods.

And then think for yourself and pray to Almighty God, the God of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, and ask Him to guide you to the truth about this subject.

6. God created the universe - just to see who is good and who is bad, and then destroys everything (a teaching of Islam) and then re-creates everything and rewards and punishes everyone. Isn't this a bit farfetchedd?

This is not the teaching of Islam. We do not accept that Allah is trying to see how things are going to happen. He already Knew everything before He created anything.

He put us all here in a test to show us, for us to see, not Him, what we really are and what our attitude really is. On the Day of Judgment, who do you think will be our Judge?

Allah the Almighty One God.

But who will be our prosecuting attorney?

Ourselves.

That is right. We will all be caused to bear witness against ourselves by disclosing what we did while we were here on this earth. And did we offer any appreciation or thanks to Him?

Or did we follow our own vain desires and cause mischief in the earth. Did we take advantage of others?

Did we cheat, lie, steal, hurt, corrupt, murder, pollute while we were here?

Or did we try to make things better and did we do our best?

Only He Knows and we will suddenly all remember on the Day of Judgment, but what will it avail us then?

It will be too late.

7. What all those people living in jungles, desert islands and remote places of the world; they live their lives doing whatever they wanted; drinking alcohol, having sex, eating pork - Are they punished? Or Rewarded? Are they judged by Quran & Sunnah? Why? If they are not punished, why would I be punished for not praying 5 times a day, fasting, hajj (pilgrimage)? How is it fair?

Again, as I have already mentioned above, these things would not be a factor for eternity in Hell. This is only for those who understood the message. And even then, if a person did do these things but then turned to Allah in sincerity and honesty with the commitment to never again do these things, he would be forgiven.

8. Last question - for you, Mr. Yusuf - How do you know that "Allah lead me to Islam" - millions say, "Jesus lead me to the cross: - and you would say, 'No. But he's just a man. He can't do anything for you. Only God can.' - If this is so, then why does God fool all the people into disbelief and send them to Hell? - "WHY?"

Allah does not "fool" people into disbelief and send them to Hell, the way you say. In fact, Allah is so Merciful and so Compassionate that He has given us many ways to salvation and forgiveness. He is the Most Mericful, the Most Compassionate, the Most Forgiving and the Most Fair.

People are astray or lost only because they are refusing to accept Him as the One and Only God and Lord of the universe and as such, they think themselves to be in the position of Lord or something else is Lord besides Him. Sometimes it is out of arrogance and self righteousness or greed and lust, but whatever the reason, it is not Allah's fault at all. He has made this a totally fair opportunity for each and every one of us. It is left up to us to chose for ourselves if we truly want to believe in Him and fulfill His commandments.

But don't take my word for this - You can prove this one for yourself, dear friend.

Just try it. Be sincere, open your heart and your mind, throw out any prejudices and just ask God for His Guidance.

I did it - in July of 1991 while trying to convert a Muslim from Egypt to Christianity - and after three months of me preaching and lecturing to this man, he told me he would accept my religion if it were better than his religion, but I would need proof.

I thought, "Proof? Religion is not about proof. Religion is all about faith."

He said, "In Islam we have both. We have faith and we have proof."

I said something like, "Do you mean to sit there and tell me, as a Muslim, you can prove there is God?"

He replied to the effect, "Do you mean to sit there and tell me, as a Christian preacher - you can't?"

Why not begin there? Prove to yourself once and for all, there really is only One God, Allah and His Revelations are for real. The Bible (original) did come from Him, the Gospel (original) did come from Him - and the Quran (Arabic still with us today) is also from Him too!

Here is the website where nine (9) scientists explored the Quran, learned the Arabic words related to their own areas of expertise and concluded beyone a shadow of doubt, the Quran must be from a Higher Intelligence or God.

www.scienceislam.com

Go ahead. Try it. Don't be afraid. I did it. Thousands of others have done it. Just read. And then think. Read some more. Think some more. Open your mind and let your heart follow.

Be ready for whatever comes. And then pray directly to the God that Jesus prayed to; His Lord and your Lord, His God and your God.

Thousands of people have come to Islam and have said almost exactly these same words: "Allah Guided me to Islam."

I ask Allah to guide all of us. Good luck in your studies and may Allah guide you. Any good is from Allah the mistakes were from me.Salam alaykum - Yusuf Estes, National Muslim Chaplain

www.ShareIslam.com

See also: http://www.islamnewsroom.com/content/view/382/52/

And: www.911Bible.com

And: www.ProphetOfIslam.com

Answers are from Sheik Yusuf Estes, National Muslim chaplain. American born former Christian, student of many excellent scholars, he offers assistance to provide accurate authentic information in easy English to questions about Islam and Muslims.