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FM
Former Member

I found this article on a Christian website and will eventually get to addressing it but first it will help to clear up some of the misconceptions of the author of it by pointing out who Allah is according to Muslim beliefs.

First, the disclaimer. NO SENSIBLE PERSON CAN CLAIM THAT THE EXISTENCE OF GOD IS THE TRUTH OR THAT IT IS FACTUAL BECAUSE NO ONE CAN PROVE THAT GOD EXISTS. That said, there are very strong circumstantial evidence to BELIEVE that God exists BUT there are equally as many strong circumstances to have the opinion that HE or SHE doesn't exists. To argue that God exists is in my opinion a silly one. THIS TOPIC IS SOLELY TO ADDRESS WHO GOD (Allah) IS ACCRDING TO MUSLIM BELIEFS (and any misconceptions as shown in the following article).

 

Question: "Who is Allah? What is the origin of belief in Allah?"

Answer:
Allah is an Arabic word that means “God” or, more accurately, “the God.” In Western culture, it is commonly believed that the word Allah is used exclusively by Muslims to describe their God, but this is not actually true. The word Allah is used by Arabic speakers of all Abrahamic faiths (including Christianity and Judaism) as meaning “God.” However, according to Islam, Allah is God’s proper name, while Christians and Jews know Him as YHWH or Yahweh. When Arabic-speaking Christians use the word Allah, it is usually used in combination with the word al-Ab. Allah al-Ab means “God the Father,” and this usage is one way Arab Christians distinguish themselves from Muslims.

Before the inception of Islam, most Arabs were polytheistic pagans, believing in an unfeeling, powerful fate that could not be controlled or altered or influenced by human beings. Muslims regard Muhammad as the last and greatest prophet, and they credit him with restoring to the Arabs the monotheistic faith of their ancestors. Islam and Judaism both trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham, but the God-concept of Islam is different from that of Judaism and Christianity in some significant ways. Yahweh and Allah are both seen as omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and merciful. However, in both Judaism and Islam, God’s mercy is dependent, at least partly and many times fully, on man’s actions. The Islamic concept of Allah and the Jewish concept of Yahweh both deny the triune nature of God. They eliminate God’s Son, Jesus, and they also eliminate the Holy Spirit as a distinct Person of the Godhead.

Without Jesus, there is no provisionary salvation—that is, salvation is based on man’s effort rather than God’s grace. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no sanctification, no peace, no freedom (Romans 8:6; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Christians trust that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, along with the indwelling of His Spirit, sin is forgiven, the conscience is cleansed, and the human soul is freed to pursue God and goodness without the fear of punishment (Hebrews 10:22).

A Muslim may love Allah and wish to please Allah, but the question in his mind will invariably be “is it enough? Are my works enough to merit salvation?” Christians believe that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to provide an answer to the question “is my work enough?” The answer is, no, our work is not enough (Matthew 5:48). This is shocking to anyone who has been trying on his own to appease God. But this was the point of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–48). The Jews that Jesus spoke to, just like the Muslims who follow Allah, were trapped by the knowledge that nothing they did would ever meet God’s perfect standard. But Christ’s perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection did meet God’s standard (Hebrews 10:10; Romans 8:1–8). Jesus’ message to the Jews and His message now, to Muslims and everyone else, is “repent and believe” (Mark 1:15). This does not mean “stop sinning” and “believe that God exists.” It means “turn from sin and stop trying to please God by your own ability” and “believe that Christ has accomplished everything for you.” The promise to those who trust Christ is that they will become the children of God (John 1:12).

Allah offers no such promise. Muslims believe Allah will be merciful to them based on his evaluation of their performance. But salvation is never sure; it is never a promise. When the Western world looks with horror on things like jihad and acts of Islamic terrorism, they get a glimpse of the powerful fear that Allah instills in his many of his followers. Faithful Muslims are faced with a terrible choice: obey the violent commands of an omnipotent deity whose mercy is given only to the most passionate and devoted followers (and perhaps not even then), or give themselves up as hopelessly lost and headed for punishment.

Christians should not regard Muslims with hatred, but instead with compassion. Their god, Allah, is a false god, and their eyes are blinded to the truth (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). We should be praying for Muslims and asking God to show them the truth, revealing His promise of mercy and freedom in Christ (2 Timothy 2:24–26).

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Christ has only one attribute, "Treat your fellow man as how you would have him treat you." Follow that attribute and Moses's laws is fulfilled, EVERYTIME.

Mankind can never sin against God. Sin is what individuals do contrary to the Holy Spirit-the Inner Voice.

Mans sins are against his fellow man, the creations of God. It is what we do to one another that promotes suffferings. God made a world, perfect and sustainable. And places man to oversee it.

In all of creation, man is unique, whether he is black, pink, yellow or brown. He has the ability to think, speak and act. That gift is not used wisely.

  

S

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ

He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Knower of the invisible and the visible. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. - Qur'an 59:22

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Sovereign Lord the Holy One, Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller, the Superb. Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him). - Qur'an 59:23

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. - Qur'an 59:24

FM
seignet posted:

Christ has only one attribute, "Treat your fellow man as how you would have him treat you." Follow that attribute and Moses's laws is fulfilled, EVERYTIME.

Jesus called people dogs and pigs amongst other demeaning names. How does his behavior as recorded in the New testament demonstrate any good goodwill to his fellow man?

Mankind can never sin against God. Sin is what individuals do contrary to the Holy Spirit-the Inner Voice.

Interesting given so many times it is recorded in the Bible that man has sinned against God. Incidentally, I will show where your comment is true according to Qur'anic teachings but not to Biblical one since the Bible has constantly accused man of sinning against God. 

Mans sins are against his fellow man, the creations of God. It is what we do to one another that promotes suffferings. God made a world, perfect and sustainable. And places man to oversee it.

In all of creation, man is unique, whether he is black, pink, yellow or brown. He has the ability to think, speak and act. That gift is not used wisely.

  

Siggy bai. Why yuh playing stubeedee? See my response above.

FM

A muslim guy on this BB calling Trump an orangutan and a pig and a crook. Why? Maybe, bcz he sees Trump that way or Trump is seen that way.

If u r referring to the woman Christ had a conversation with on the dog issue, she gave Him an answer. And He replied to her.

That incident was to be recorded for the future generations, declaring that even those lives not chosen, as the people of God mattered too.

S

Clearly Jesus could have come up with a better word than dog to refer to the woman. But it is even more than him using the word. It was him ignoring her and when his disciples pleaded with him to not ignore her fearing that her tears would bring them misery that he responded with the very bigoted comment calling her a dog. Then he went on to say that he was ONLY sent for the lost tribes of the children of Israel.

FM

In as much as I make a big deal about Jesus' distasteful attitude toward that woman, the biggest takeaway from that incident is him declaring that he "WAS ONLY SENT TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL" and not for everyone.

FM
ksazma posted:

In as much as I make a big deal about Jesus' distasteful attitude toward that woman, the biggest takeaway from that incident is him declaring that he "WAS ONLY SENT TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL" and not for everyone.

it is a fact.

S
ksazma posted:

Clearly Jesus could have come up with a better word than dog to refer to the woman. But it is even more than him using the word. It was him ignoring her and when his disciples pleaded with him to not ignore her fearing that her tears would bring them misery that he responded with the very bigoted comment calling her a dog. Then he went on to say that he was ONLY sent for the lost tribes of the children of Israel.

The history of the Canaanites and the Isrealites needs to be considered when reading the accounts.

Christ came to the Jews.

Today muslims considers Trump to be a dog, because Trump doan like Muslims. Likewise the Jews considered Canannite as dogs because they dislike them.

That story wid Christ and the woman is not simple reading, it is a parable.

Christ came to the Jews, they rejects Him. He goes to Tyre and Sidon, the Canaanite country to re-coup and escape. He wished not to be bothered.

The woman approached Him for her daughter's healing. And then the discourse. She knew waht she was asking for. And she knew the history. And she knew he came from God. Perhaps the first Gentile believer.

Christ came to God's Children, they tossed Him aside. What the Jews rejected, she took hold of. Just as the crumps that falls off the table and on to the ground, dogs lick it up, the woman replied. Christ understood her words. What the Jews rejected she would take in obedience, even though the Jews are given the rights to it. 

S
seignet posted:
ksazma posted:

In as much as I make a big deal about Jesus' distasteful attitude toward that woman, the biggest takeaway from that incident is him declaring that he "WAS ONLY SENT TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL" and not for everyone.

it is a fact.

What is a fact Siggy?

FM

So Siggy, he came for the Jews but they rejected him. Yet he continued to kiss their asses. However, the Gentile woman who chose to accept him he rejected and called her a dog. So is the problem becoming clearer to you or do I need to still break it down even further for you?

FM
ksazma posted:

So Siggy, he came for the Jews but they rejected him. Yet he continued to kiss their asses. However, the Gentile woman who chose to accept him he rejected and called her a dog. So is the problem becoming clearer to you or do I need to still break it down even further for you?

Bai, God choose dem ppl dat bcz he promised Abraham he gun do dat.

For the woman, he never called her a dog. The words he spoke, she understood what he meant and she gave him an appropiate answer. She stunned Him with her answer. And He rewarded her for her faith. She never accepted Him, she knew he was capable of healing and she needed that miracle for her daughter. She knew he was a jew, and canaanite ppl doan get along with jews. If anything they get killed by the jews. But in this case mercy prevailed. And I consider it devine, it passed through 2000 years of posterity.  

S
seignet posted:
ksazma posted:

So Siggy, he came for the Jews but they rejected him. Yet he continued to kiss their asses. However, the Gentile woman who chose to accept him he rejected and called her a dog. So is the problem becoming clearer to you or do I need to still break it down even further for you?

Bai, God choose dem ppl dat bcz he promised Abraham he gun do dat.

For the woman, he never called her a dog. The words he spoke, she understood what he meant and she gave him an appropiate answer. She stunned Him with her answer. And He rewarded her for her faith. She never accepted Him, she knew he was capable of healing and she needed that miracle for her daughter. She knew he was a jew, and canaanite ppl doan get along with jews. If anything they get killed by the jews. But in this case mercy prevailed. And I consider it devine, it passed through 2000 years of posterity.  

It is not her actions that is under discussion. It is his words. And his words were distasteful.

FM

Before I get back to addressing the misrepresentations in that article, I wish to repeat that I am in no way seeking to convince anyone that the existence of God true because one can do no more than believe that He/She/It exist. This is only to explain who is Allah according to Islamic teachings.

FM

Quote from article: "Allah is an Arabic word that means “God” or, more accurately, “the God.”

Here is a Quranic passage that include both words so it will be easy to recognize their differences.

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

He is Allah, than whom there is no other God

اللَّهُ

إِلَهَ

The first word is Allah which is the name of God in Islam. The second word is ilah which means god in Arabic. They are not the same. One is a proper name while the other is a common noun. Therefore the article was being deceitful in stating that the two words are the same.

Additionally, nothing strange if Arab Christians refer to God as Allah as that name is more common to describe God no different from Muslims in western countries referring to Allah as God. Oh, by the way, the word Alah is also mentioned in the Old Testament.

FM

Quote from article: Before the inception of Islam, most Arabs were polytheistic pagans, believing in an unfeeling, powerful fate that could not be controlled or altered or influenced by human beings. Muslims regard Muhammad as the last and greatest prophet, and they credit him with restoring to the Arabs the monotheistic faith of their ancestors. Islam and Judaism both trace their spiritual lineage to Abraham, but the God-concept of Islam is different from that of Judaism and Christianity in some significant ways. Yahweh and Allah are both seen as omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and merciful. However, in both Judaism and Islam, God’s mercy is dependent, at least partly and many times fully, on man’s actions. The Islamic concept of Allah and the Jewish concept of Yahweh both deny the triune nature of God. They eliminate God’s Son, Jesus, and they also eliminate the Holy Spirit as a distinct Person of the Godhead.

 

It is true that Arabia at the time of Muhammad (prior to the revelation of the Qur'an) was primarily polytheist but is it also true that its transformation to a monotheist society was very swift and occurred while Muhammad was still alive. The author seems to be getting slick by stating that the concept of God in Islam is not the same as that of Judaism and Christianity. In fact, the concept of God is the same between Islam and Judaism and even what Jesus understood. The concept of God in Christianity is the one that is different from that of Islam and Judaism and it is even different from what Jesus believed in. Secondly, not only does Islam and Judaism deny the triune nature of God but Jesus also denied the triune nature of God. Jesus did not believe that he was a distinct person of the Godhead so he has the same belief as Muslims and Jews. This means that Jesus beliefs are completely different from that of Christians.

FM

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