Conclusion Four truths come out of this study. (1) Jesus and Muhammad lived different lives. Jesus came with the express purpose to preach the good news of the kingdom, to live a godly life, and to die as a sacrifice for our sins. And this purpose shapes his birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. On the other side, Muhammad lived a life that included raids and wars and collection of war booty and multiple marriages. His death reflects this kind of life. (2) Jesus was destined by God to die for the sins of the world. But Muhammad died of sickness exacerbated by poison. It is unimaginable that Jesus would die from such causes. He healed many with illnesses and even demon possession, in an atmosphere of faith. His mission was to set them free of ailments. (3) Jesus forgave his crucifiers. He prayed for a criminal and promised him that he would be in paradise. Jesus knew where he was going—back to heaven where he originally came from. In contrast, Muhammad asked Allah for forgiveness and mercy for his own soul, begging his deity to raise him up to the highest companions. He also cursed his enemies. Muhammad said: O Allah! Forgive me, and bestow Your Mercy on me, and let me meet the companions. (Bukhari) And Muhammad cursed his enemies yet again: May Allah curse the Jews [and] Christians . . . (Bukhari) Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) Jesus answered [the criminal], I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43) (4) Jesus was raised from the dead, bodily. Muhammad’s body lies still in his grave. Anyone can claim that his soul will go to heaven, for no one can see a disembodied soul. But the earliest Christians said Jesus’ body was raised to life. This fatwa (legal decree) at a Muslim website clarifies a question posed by a Muslim. The Messenger . . . died and was buried in his grave; hence . . . Abu Bakr . . . said: Whoever used to worship Muhammad, Muhammad has died, but whoever used to worship Allah, Allah is alive and will never die. (Source) This page has a further link to an image of the prophet of Islam’s tomb, where Muslims can take an extra pilgrimage. Per contra, the following passage comes from the Gospel of Mark and says that Jesus was raised from the dead, bodily and physically. 1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 Dont be alarmed, he said. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (Mark 16:16:1-8) He has risen. The tomb is empty. Reference: The Tables are adapted from Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson (eds.), The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, pp. 219-223. Harvest House, 2004. Copyright by James Malcolm Arlandson. Articles by James Arlandson Answering Islam Home Page
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 05:49:23 +0000
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