It’s time to turn the tables against Muhammadans by employing their own objection against the Holy Bible to their own sources, to show them how their texts fail to live up to their own standards and criteria.
In this post I will take the assertion that the Holy Bible slanders God’s prophets and messengers by accusing them of heinous sins, and apply it to both the Quran and ahadith to show that this precisely what Muhammad did.
JOSEPH
The Muslim scripture falsely accuses Joseph of having adulterous inclinations and of wanting to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife:
For she desired him (hammat bihi); and he would have taken her (wahamma biha), but that he saw the proof of his Lord. So was it, that We might turn away from him evil and abomination; he was one of Our devoted servants. S. 12:24 Arberry
Here’s how the two Jalals interpreted this text:
And she certainly desired him she sought sexual intercourse with him and he would have desired her too he would have sought the same had it not been that he saw the proof of his Lord Ibn ‘Abbās said ‘Jacob was made to appear before him and he struck his Joseph’s breast whereupon his sexual desire withdrew from his body through his fingernails the response to lawlā ‘had it not been’ has been omitted understood to be la-jāma‘ahā ‘he would have lain with her’. So it was that We made him see the proof that We might ward off from him evil betrayal and lewdness the act of fornication. Truly he was of Our devoted servants in terms of obedience mukhlisīn a variant reading has mukhlasīn in other words ‘chosen/purified servants’. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=12&tAyahNo=24&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2; bold emphasis mine)
This is nothing other than a wicked lie since God’s true Word, the Holy Bible, refutes this charge of Joseph having lust for a married woman. As the following Christian source explains:
RESPONSE: Attributing the Holy Scriptures to the atheism and fornication of the prophets, as well as similar accusations, is mere slander. The prophets were free of blasphemy or lies when communicating the messages of God; they were infallible and did not convey imperfections or discrepancies. The Book of God declares that the Holy Spirit inspired the words and actions of the prophets; yet, it does not deny their humanity or the fact that they themselves were subject to errors, negligence, and forgetfulness in their ordinary daily affairs.
As evidence for the fallacy of these accusations, such prophets as Enoch, Elijah, Joseph the righteous, Daniel, and others are mentioned in the Bible, without any sin being attributed to them; yet, the Koran attributes to Joseph a sin which he did not commit. We read in Sura Joseph 12:24: “…She desired him; and he would have taken her….” In this verse in Arabic, the word hamma (“determined”) is used; it describes a person who is resolved to achieve that which he intends. In the Koranic account, the wife of Potiphar passionately desires Joseph and is determined to consummate a sexual relationship with him – and likewise he with her. However, Genesis 39:9 states that when his mistress asked him to have sex with her, Joseph answered, “…How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Considering these verses from the Koran and the Bible, which book is it that attributes sin to Joseph? The Koran says that Joseph not only desired the woman, but that he also was determined to fulfill his intention. From the Gospel, we know that anyone who lustfully desires a woman in his heart is guilty of adultery (Matthew 5:28). (The True Guidance [Light of Life, Villach, Austria, 1st English edition 1991], Part One. The Infallibility of Revelation and the Sins of the Prophets, p. 8)
ABRAHAM
The Islamic traditions even lies about Abraham, depicting him as a doubtful, dishonest, deceitful idolater. I quote at length from The True Guidance:
The Sins of Abraham, According to the Koran
The Koran ascribes sins such as idolatry, doubting, deceit, and divination to Abraham:
1. Idolatry: It is recorded in the Koran Sura Cattle 6:77, that Abraham called the moon his god: “When he saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This my Lord; this is greater!’ But when it set he said, ‘If my Lord does not guide me I shall surely be of the people gone astray.’” In verse 78 of that same sura, we read: “When he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord; this is greater!’”
If Abraham had said this in faith, that would have been either polytheism or a lie. Muslim scholars assert that this occurred prior to his full knowledge of God. They also question how long it was between this incident and his prophethood, for prophethood is unimaginable prior to the full grasp of the knowledge of God. They have yet another excuse: “Abraham said this by way of assumption, to show contrast: if the planets were gods as was claimed, then God would be changeable, and this is false.” But the Koranic statement conclusively exposes Abraham’s idolatry.
2. Doubting: The Koran states that Abraham questioned the might of God. It is written in Sura The Cow 2:263: “And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how Thou wilt give life to the dead.’ He said, ‘Why, dost thou not believe?” ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but that my heart may be at rest.’”
Muslim scholars say that it is blasphemy to question the might of God. Confirming the doubt of Abraham is the tradition that says: “We are entitled to doubt more than Abraham.”
3. Deceit: It is written in the Koran that Abraham lied. The exegetes say: “When Abraham destroyed the idols, Nimrod the tyrant and the notables of his people summoned him and asked: ‘Did you do that to our gods, Abraham?’ He answered: ‘No, but their elder did it; ask them if they can speak!’” On the authority of Abu Huraira, related by al-Bukhari and Muslim, the messenger of God said: “Abraham did not lie except thrice: two of them on the nature of God (when he said, ‘I am indeed sick,’ and ‘Their elder did it’) and his claim that Sarah was his sister, when the tyrant wanted to approach her” (The commentary of al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Ibn Kathir on The Rangers Sura 37:39).
4. Divination: Sura The Rangers 37:86 reads as follows: “And he cast a glance at the stars, and he said, ‘Surely I am sick.’”
Ibn Abbas records:
Abraham’s people used to practice astrology, so he dealt with them in accordance to their customs and observances. He did not want them to think that he was mocking them. It was his desire to convince them that idol worship was futile. Because they were to have a feast and an assembly the next day, they entered to worship their idols, offered their sacrifices, and presented their food prior to leaving for their festival. They claimed to have received blessings on the food, and they left to eat it as soon as they departed from their celebration. They said to Abraham: “Would you not like to come out with us to participate in our feast?” He consulted the stars and said, “I am indeed sick (smitten by a plague).” They used to keep as far away as possible from a victim of plague.
Muslim scholars declare” “Consulting stars is forbidden, and his claim to be sick was a lie” (al-Razi’s commentary on Surah The Rangers 37:86).
These quotations from the Koran show that Abraham worshiped the planets, questioned the might of God, lied several times, and consulted the stars. The people of the Book (Jews and Christians) do not accept any of these accusations, except that he lied twice out of fear. They call Abraham the Father of the faithful, and his faith is cited as a model worthy of emulation. He firmly believed in God and obeyed Him. The objector should have first removed the sins of Abraham from his Koran and traditions, before slandering the Holy Scriptures. (Ibid., pp. 27-29)
To confirm the accuracy of the references, I will quote the verses in question and the respective hadiths and/or commentaries along with them, if need be.
Q. 6:74-83
And when Abraham said to his father Azar, ‘Takest thou idols for gods? I see thee, and thy people, in manifest error.’ So We were showing Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and earth, that he might be of those having sure faith. When night outspread over him he saw a star and said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set he said, ‘I love not the setters.’ When he saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set he said, ‘If my Lord does not guide me I shall surely be of the people gone astray.’ When he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord; this is greater (hatha Akbaru)!‘ But when it set he said, ‘O my people, surely I am quit of that you associate. I have turned my face to Him who originated the heavens and the earth, a man of pure faith; I am not of the idolaters.’ His people disputed with him. He said, ‘Do you dispute with me concerning God, and He has guided me? I fear not what you associate with Him, except my Lord will aught. My Lord embraces all things in His knowledge; will you not remember? How should I fear what you have associated, seeing you fear not that you have associated with God that whereon He has not sent down on you any authority?’ Which of the two parties has better title to security, if you have any knowledge? Those who believe, and have not confounded their belief with evildoing — to them belongs the true security; they are rightly guided. That is Our argument, which We bestowed upon Abraham as against his people. We raise up in degrees whom We will; surely thy Lord is All-wise, All-knowing. Arberry
Q. 2:260
And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” He (Allah) said: “Do you not believe?” He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: “Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith.” He said: “Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” Hilali-Khan
Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said…
<<We are more liable to be in doubt than Ibrahim when he said, “My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” Allah said, “Don’t you believe” Ibrahim said, “Yes (I believe), but (I ask) in order to be stronger in faith.”>>
The Prophet’s statement in the Hadith means, “We are more liable to seek certainty.”…
`Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Ma`mar said that Ayyub said that Ibn `Abbas commented on what Ibrahim said…
(but to be stronger in Faith), “To me, there is no Ayah in the Qur’an that brings more hope than this Ayah.” Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Muhammad bin Al-Munkadir said that `Abdullah bin `Abbas met `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As and said to him, “Which Ayah in the Qur’an carries more hope for you?” Ibn `Amr said…
(Say: “O `Ibadi (My servants) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not.”) (39:53).
Ibn `Abbas said, “But I say that it is Allah’s statement…
(And (remember) when Ibrahim said, “My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” He (Allah) said: “Do you not believe?” He (Ibrahim) said: “Yes (I believe)…)
Allah accepted Ibrahim’s affirmation when he merely said, `Yes.’ This Ayah refers to the doubts that attack the heart and the thoughts that Shaytan inspires.”
Al-Hakim also recorded this in Al-Mustadrak and said; “Its chain is Sahih but they did not record it.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/2/260/; bold emphasis mine)
Q. 37:84-96
Of his party was also Abraham; when he came unto his Lord with a pure heart, when he said to his father and his folk, ‘What do you serve? Is it a calumny, gods apart from God, that you desire? What think you then of the Lord of all Being?’ And he cast a glance at the stars, and he said, ‘Surely I am sick.’ But they went away from him, turning their backs. Then he turned to their gods, and said, ‘What do you eat? What ails you, that you speak not? And he turned upon them smiting them with his right hand. Then came the others to him hastening. He said, ‘Do you serve what you hew, and God created you and what you make?’ Arberry
Narrated Abu Huraira: Abraham did not tell a lie except on three occasions. Twice for the Sake of Allah when he said, “I am sick,” and he said, “(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it.” The (third was) that while Abraham and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey) they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant. Someone said to the tyrant, “This man (i.e. Abraham) is accompanied by a very charming lady.” So, he sent for Abraham and asked him about Sarah saying, “Who is this lady?” Abraham said, “She is my sister.” Abraham went to Sarah and said, “O Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth except you and I. This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister, so don’t contradict my statement.” The tyrant then called Sarah and when she went to him, he tried to take hold of her with his hand, but (his hand got stiff and) he was confounded. He asked Sarah. “Pray to Allah for me, and I shall not harm you.” So Sarah asked Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but (his hand got as stiff as or stiffer than before and) was more confounded. He again requested Sarah, “Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you.” Sarah asked Allah again and he became alright. He then called one of his guards (who had brought her) and said, “You have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil.” The tyrant then gave Hajar as a girl-servant to Sarah. Sarah came back (to Abraham) while he was praying. Abraham, gesturing with his hand, asked, “What has happened?” She replied, “Allah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel (or immoral person) and gave me Hajar for service.” (Abu Huraira then addressed his listeners saying, “That (Hajar) was your mother, O Bani Ma-is-Sama (i.e. the Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar’s son).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 578 https://www.searchtruth.com/book_display.php?book=55&translator=1&start=0&number=578; see also https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3358)
Qatadah said, “The Arabs say of one who thinks deeply that he is looking at the stars.” What Qatadah meant is that he looked at the heavens thinking of a way to distract his people. So he said…
(Verily, I am sick.) meaning, weak. Ibn Jarir narrated here a Hadith from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, stating that the Messenger of Allah said…
<<Ibrahim did not lie except in three cases. Two were for the sake of Allah: (one is) when he said, (Verily, I am sick); and (the second) when he said, (Nay, this one, the biggest (his wife) of them (idols) did it.) and (the third) when he said concerning (his wife) Sarah, “She is my sister.”>> This Hadith is recorded in the books of the Sahih and Sunan with various chain of narrations. But this is not the kind of real lie for which a person is to be condemned — Allah forbid! One calls it a lie for lack of a better word, because it is abstruse speech used for a legitimate religious purpose, and it was said that what was meant by the words…
(Verily, I am sick) was, `I am sick at heart of your worshipping idols instead of Allah.’ Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “The people of Ibrahim went out to their festival and they wanted to make him go out too. So he lay down on his back and said…
(Verily, I am sick.) and he started looking at the sky. When they had gone out, he turned to their gods and broke them.” This was recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/37/88/; bold emphasis mine)
Despite Ibn Kathir’s and the other Muslim scholars’ attempt of explaining away or justifying Abraham’s transgressions, the fact remains that the Muslim scripture slanderously accuses the father of the faithful of being a lying, deceitful, conniving idolater.
And to show why the Muhammadan excuses for the Quran’s portraying Abraham in such a negative fashion do not work, pay close attention to the following report where Muhammad allegedly claims that the reason why the patriarch will be forbidden from interceding for Muslims on the day of judgment is because of his sin of lying three times:
CCIII: “Descendants of those We carried with Nuh. He was a grateful slave.” (17:3)
4435. It is related that Abu Hurayra said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,was given some meat and was offered the leg, which he liked, and ate some of it. Then he said, ‘I will be the master of people on the Day of Rising. Do you know what that will entail? Allah will gather people, the first and the last on the same plain so that an observer will be able to see them and a speaker make them hear. The sun will be brought near to them and people will experience such sorrow and distress that they will not be able to bear or endure it. The people will say, ‘Do you not see what has come to you? Why do you not look for someone to intercede with your Lord on your behalf?’ People will say to one another, ‘You must have Adam!’ They will come to Adam, peace be upon him, and say, ‘You are the father of mankind. Allah created you with His hand and breathed some of His spirit into you and He ordered the angels to prostrate to you. He made you dwell in the Garden. Will you not intercede with your Lord on our behalf? Do you not see what we are suffering?’ Adam will say, ‘My Lord is angry today with such anger as has never existed before nor will again. He forbade me the Tree and I disobeyed. O my soul! My soul! My soul! Go to someone else. Go to Nuh.’
“They will go to Nuh and say, ‘O Nuh! You are the first of the Messengers to be sent to the people of the earth and Allah called you a thankful slave. Intercede with your Lord on our behalf Do you not see what has happened to us?’ He will say, ‘My Lord is angry today with such anger as has never existed before nor will again. I made a supplication on behalf of my people. O my soul! My soul! My soul! Go to someone else! Go to Ibrahim.’
“They will go to Ibrahim and say, ‘O Ibrahim! You are the Prophet of Allah and His close friend among the people of the earth. Intercede with your Lord on our behalf. Do you not see what we are suffering?’ He will say to them, ‘My Lord is angry today with such anger as has never existed before nor will again. I TOLD THREE LIES (And Abu Hayyan mentioned them in the hadith.). O my soul! My soul! My soul! Go to someone else. Go to Musa.’
“They will go to Musa and say, ‘O Musa, you are the Messenger of Allah. Allah preferred you with His message and His Word above all other people. Intercede with your Lord for us. Do you not see what we are suffering?’ He will say, ‘My Lord is angry today with such anger as has never existed before nor will again. I killed a soul which I was not commanded to kill. Go to someone else. Go to ‘Isa.’
“They will go to ‘Isa and say, ‘O ‘Isa! You are the Messenger of Allah and His Word which He cast to Maryam and a spirit from Him. You spoke to people while in the cradle. Intercede with your Lord on our behalf. Do you not see what we are suffering?’ ‘Isa will say, ‘My Lord is angry today with such anger as has never existed before nor will again,’ AND HE DID NOT MENTION A SIN. ‘O my soul! My soul! My soul! Go to someone else. Go to Muhammad.’ (Aisha Bewley, The Sahih Collection of al-Bukhari, 68. Book of Tafsir http://bewley.virtualave.net/bukhari31.html; emphasis mine)
{It is interesting that Muhammad disqualifies Jesus from being able to intercede for others when he acknowledges that Christ is without any sin, unlike both the true prophets and himself. Muhammad knew himself enough to recognize that he was a transgressor who could never lay claim to being sinless.}
The above narrative sufficiently refutes the Muslim lie that these were not serious transgressions since Muhmmad himself appealed to these very lies as the reason why Abraham shall be prevented from interceding!
Hence, it is the Quran and sunnah that falsely attribute heinous sins and evil actions to God’s true prophets and the faithful, transgressions that God’s true Word, the Holy Bible, denies that these righteous servants ever committed.
FURTHER READING
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