This topic is one that’s very elementary but needs to be addressed. It’s sad that in the times we live in we have people who don’t know where the sun sets, this is Islam as their god gets it wrong. In Surah Al-Kahf ayat 86 we read that Allah tells us about a man called Dhul-Qarnain, supposedly Alexander the Great.[1] Why do Muslims feel the need to change everyone’s name is strange in itself, they call Jesus “Isa”, John “Yahya”, Paul “Bulus” etc. None of these names, especially Isa, even resemble their actual names.
In verse 86 Dhul-Qarnain is travelling and reaches the setting place of the sun, the Qur’ān explains that the sun was found in a muddy spring or pool of water.
How can this be the word of god? If Allah is the creator are we to believe that he doesn’t know that the sun doesn’t set in a puddle of water?[2] There are millions of Muslims out there who don’t even know their own religion as they are not allowed to ask questions. Then we have Muslims who are deliberately deceiving people into believing this garbage.
Muslims claim that this was Dhul-Qarnain’s perception that it “appeared to him”, not that the sun literally sets in a puddle of water. In neither the Qur’ān nor Hadith does it say that it “appeared” to Dhul-Qarnain.
Let’s continue to get them busted from their own sources, in the Hadith we read about a man sitting behind Muhammad as they were travelling. They saw the sun setting and Muhammad asked the man if he knew where the sun sets. The man replies “Allah and his apostle (Muhammad) know best”, Muhammad then proceeds to tell him the sun sets in a spring of warm water. Below is the hadith mentioned.
How many times have Muslims spouted out nonsense about all the scientific miracles of the Qur’ān, yet their god thinks the sun sets in a puddle of muddy water? It’s quite obvious this is a false religion that has ensnared many people into believing a falsehood.
Conclusion
What did we learn today? We read from the Qur’ān that (1) there was a man called “Dhul-Qarnain” a non-historical figure supposedly Alexander the Great and he (2) came to the place where the sun sets which is a puddle of water and (3) Muhammad confirms this in the Sunnah (sayings of Muhammad). None of what Islam teaches holds true to reality we all know that the sun doesn’t set in water, we see it rise and set at the horizon and because their god gets it wrong we’ve busted Allah proving he cannot be god.
Footnotes
[1]Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III or Alexander of Macedonia, (born 356 BCE, Pella, Macedonia [northwest of Thessaloníki, Greece]—died June 13, 323 BCE, Babylon [near Al-Ḥillah, Iraq]), king of Macedonia (336–323 BCE), who overthrew the Persian empire, carried Macedonian arms to India, and laid the foundations for the Hellenistic world of territorial kingdoms. Already in his lifetime the subject of fabulous stories, he later became the hero of a full-scale legend bearing only the sketchiest resemblance to his historical career. britannica.com (2016, May 12) APA citation. Alexander the Great king of Macedonia. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great
[2] Every morning, depending on the moment of the earth’s rotation, we see the sun rise from its horizon in the east. The rising and setting of the sun varies all year round depending on a number of reasons. The timing of the sunrise is affected by the altitude, time zone, longitude, and latitude of the viewer. The axial tilt of the Earth highly affects sunrise as well as the movement of the planet on the annual elliptical orbit. worldatlas.com (2022) APA citation. Where Does The Sun Rise And Set? Retrieved from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/why-does-the-sun-rise-in-the-east-and-set-in-the-west.html
If Muhammadans want to claim the Bible is corrupted then why does their Qur’ān confirm it? Their prophet took the Torah and placed it on a cushion saying he believes in the Torah and in the one who revealed the Torah?1 Are Muslims saying Muhammad believed in a corrupted book?
Dawahgandist propagate lies attempting to “revert” non-Muslims, one of these lies is the so-called claims of “the corruption of the Bible”, when their own book the Qur’ān affirms it. Because they find themselves in a catch 22 the only option they have is to make the outlandish claim that the Bible was corrupted. In this article, we’ll provide evidence in response to quranandBibleblog (Corruption of the Scriptures: Part I – Does Islam Confirm the Bible As a Scripture from God?) as to how illogical this argument is.
“If the Scriptures of the Christians and Jews were good, there would be no need for Islam or the Qur’an.”
Corruption of the Scriptures: Part I – Does Islam Confirm the Bible As a Scripture from God?
The quote from our friend stewjo004 is what we’ve been saying all along, Islam is a copy-paste religion as their prophet plagiarized stories from the Bible and other texts. Stewjo004 in his ignorance makes a wonderful statement unknowingly saying:
“The argument presented by missionaries is that the Scripture can’t change because the Qur’an says that God’s words can’t change. To begin, this is an illogical argument because one can take any religious text and add or delete a verse from it. There’s no magical force field around the text itself.”
Corruption of the Scriptures: Part I – Does Islam Confirm the Bible As a Scripture from God?
Of course, this was directly in regards to the Bible he claims was “corrupted”, his claim is “ANY religious text and add or delete a verse from it”, does the word any also include the Qur’ān Abdool? Let’s find out if this also applies to their book?
“The proper context of these verses has nothing to do with God’s Scriptures. They’re referring to God’s Commands which He throughout the Qur’an calls His Word because He says “Be” and then it happens.”
Corruption of the Scriptures: Part I – Does Islam Confirm the Bible As a Scripture from God?
When Allah said “Be” was that not part of Allah’s scriptures, and how come Allah couldn’t make Muhammad read in Surah Al-‘Alaq if all he has to say is “Be”?
They claim the word spoken of in the following verses Surah Al-Anaam, 6:73; Surah Yunus, 10:96-97; Surah Ghafir, 40:6; Surah Al-Isra, 17:16; Surah Ya-Sin, 36:7; Surah Yunus, 10:79-82.
How convenient he would choose verses that have nothing to do with the topic at hand. If he wants to be honest he would provide the following verses.
Pickthall: He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture … confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel. (وَأَنزَلَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ)
Pickthall: “… confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel … confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah … ”.
The translation doesn’t do it much justice the Arabic actually says ( مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۖ ) “confirming what was between his hands” ( وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ ) “and we gave him the Injeel in it was guidance and light and confirming what was between his hands”. The Bible here is the same Bible that existed before Muhammad and what we have currently have.
Allah says the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel were all given by him. Yet Muslims claim the Bible has been corrupted. If so, it would seem they don’t believe Allah since the Qur’ān says the Word of Allah cannot be changed.
Yusuf Ali: “… there is NONE THAT CAN ALTER THE WORDS (and decrees) OF ALLAH. …”.
Notice the deceptive translation of the word (decrees) in brackets isn’t part of the text, Muslims are trying to fix the problem in their Qur’ān by inserting those words. The text actually says ( وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ) “none can change the words of Allah”.
Also, why would Muslims need an “Abridged Explanation of the Qur’ān?” I thought Allah said “the manifest Book (this Qur’ān) that makes things clear” in Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:2, Allah must be wrong then since Qur’ān is not clear and needs explanation.
Yusuf Ali: “… NO CHANGE CAN THERE BE IN THE WORDS OF ALLAH. …” (Surah 10:64). ( لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ )
When Muhammad (570-632) was alive, he claimed to receive the revelation of the Qur’ān from Allah. This means that at that time the Bible, which was in existence, could not have been corrupted because the Qur’ān states that Allah’s word cannot be corrupted.
The question we have for stewjo004 is When and where was the Bible corrupted since the Qur’ān says that the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel are from Allah and Allah’s words cannot be changed, are you saying the Qur’ān is false because it says the Bible is preserved but you’re saying otherwise?
The Muslims know if the Bible is preserved that makes Islam false and they need to leave Islam since the Qur’ān contradicts the Bible, if the Qur’ān is wrong and the Bible is not preserved then Islam is false because Allah can’t preserve his word and its a false religion. Which is it?
And if the verses are referring to Allah’s decrees not being changed then since Allah sent the Torah, Psalms and Gospel that would mean they cannot be changed as well because they are Allah’s “decrees”.
The Corruption of the Qur’ān
I will examine the opinions of some of the influential usulıs concerning the tawatur of the Qur’anic Readings and point out the problematic issues they were trying to resolve.2
Transmission of the Variant Readings of the Qur’an (Texts and Studies on the Qurʾān)
Muslims are in a serious quagmire when Christians challenge the authenticity of the Qur’ān, we’re told the Qur’ān was revealed in 7 ahurfs. Supposedly 7 different “dialects”, this is obviously proof Allah failed in giving Qur’ān if this book is “easy to understand” Surah Al-Qamar [54:17, 54:22, 54:32, 54:40]. If Allah was god he would be able to give one Qur’ān and all in Arabia would understand. But Abdools say it’s different dialects.
Chapter: The clarification that the Qur’an was revealed in seven ahruf (modes of recitation), and clarifying its meaning Sahih Muslim 819a
Muhammad asked Allah to give seven different “styles” which means Allah doesn’t know what he’s doing because Muhammad is correcting Allah saying one is not enough we need more than one “style”. If god gives something it should be perfect the first time, but 1 style was not enough according to Islamic sources.3
Chapter: The Qur’an was revealed to be recited in seven different ways Sahih al-Bukhari 4991
Poor Jibril had to accommodate Muhammad’s command of reciting Qur’ān in seven different ways because the Muslims wouldn’t understand it because Allah’s word is not easy to understand completely contradicting Surah Al-Qamar. Allah just cannot get it right!
The fact that Muslims were reciting the Qur’ān and others were accusing them of reciting Qur’ān incorrectly proves this is not a simple matter of dialects. The standard Islamic narrative is the Qur’ān was revealed in seven different ways and this caused confusion among the believers as they thought the seven ahruf were the same as the seven qira’at because they were the same in number (seven).4
Ibn Mujāhid then wanted to minimalise and established the textual variants to form a manageable corpus. He then canonized the different readings through force and projected the thought that a consensus was in place which comprised of no one being allowed to recite or teach obsolete readings of the Sahaba. These differences contradicted the Uthmanic codices and anyone who taught or recited these different readings was severely punished.5
The Illiterate Prophet?
Another claim is that Muhammad was “illiterate” ( ٱلنَّبِىِّ ٱلْأُمِّىِّ ) was this the case? Our friends quoted Surah Al-A’raf 7:158 to substantiate this claim. According to Muhammad, he was fully capable of writing, in Bukhari 4432 the companions were at his death bed and Muhammad was going to write for them. As the companions gave Muhammad material to write but he was unable to because the fighting prevented Muhammad.
Where do Muslims get the notion that Muhammad was unable to read and write? The verse in the Qur’ān says he was “unlettered” which means someone who is unlearned in the scriptures. The Islamic scholar al-Jalalayn puts it this way “the uninstructed Prophet”6
But the cousin of Muhammad Ibn ‘Abbas says “the Prophet who can neither read nor write”,7 this is a fabrication as Muhammad said he would write something for them. They’re desperate to find their prophet in the Torah, sadly for them, Isaiah 29:12 is not the Torah. Isaiah is found in the Nevi’im as the Torah is the 5 books of Moses.
“Who follow the Messenger, the illiterate prophet they find described in the Torah that is with them, and in the Gospel…”
Here’s the verse in Isaiah our friends are referring to which actually goes against them as those who couldn’t read the scripture were under Yahweh’s judgement:
The footnote says “Lit. does not know books”,8 if Muhammad never read any book this would place him outside of this verse. In Surah al-‘Ankaboot 29:48 Allah says Muhammad NEVER read any book BEFORE Qur’ān.
Bear in mind when Muhammad received the first revelation from Allah, Jibril said Iqra ( اقْرَأْ ) in Surah Al-‘Alaq (clot).9 This is a silly statement shouldn’t Jibril have rather said “recite” instead of “read” being that there was no book for Muhammad to read from? Jibril didn’t have a physical book for Muhammad to read from!
Additionally, if Allah is almighty as Muslims claim why did it take him multiple tries to get Muhammad to recite? Don’t Muhammadans say Allah says “Be” and it is, then how come Allah didn’t say “Be” and it was? It shows Allah is not almighty at all.
What is Revelation?
The mutah boy tried to define what it means to receive revelation:
To begin, let’s define what is revelation and Scripture. There are multiple versions of revelation a prophet can receive: (1) A Scripture where God transmits His words verbatim (either through direct speech or through an intermediary such as an angel) (2) An angel relaying a message from God but not necessarily a Scripture or God’s direct speech (ex. “Your Lord has ordered you to go here…” (3) Dreams (4) A Prophet’s inspired action or speech regarding a religious matter. (5) A Prophet’s rulings (6) Prophecies
Revelation (Ἀποκάλυψις) is directly given from God to an individual, all of the men of God such as Moses received direct revelation from Yahweh on Mt. Sinai. The first prophet Samuel received direct revelation from the LORD.
Revelation only comes directly from God to an individual and that’s the definition of a prophet. Where the LORD speaks to that individual in order for Him to be made known. It’s not delivered from an angel as Muhammad claimed Jibril brought the words of Allah to him.
In the book of Numbers, chapter 12 Miriam and Aaron complained against Moses because he married an Ethiopian woman who is from the lineage of Cush. This could have been the first instance of racism as Moses’ siblings both being Israelites were looking down on the woman. We can’t forget that in the time of Noah we’re told he had 3 sons, it was through them we have the diverse people of the world.
Aaron and Miriam were also jealous of Moses and said “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?”, then it says “the LORD heard”.10 The LORD called them to the door of the tabernacle and Miriam was punished with leprosy because of her hatred towards the Cushite woman.
According to Islam Aaron is a prophet but in Numbers, Yahweh says otherwise. Moses was the only one of his siblings that was a prophet who the LORD spoke with mouth to mouth (face to face). Muhammad doesn’t fit this criterion as Allah never spoke to him it was always an “angel” delivering the Qur’ān to him this flys in the face of what the Torah says and is a contradiction.
These abdools from quranandBibleblog said God transmits His words “through an intermediary such as an angel”, that’s untrue as God didn’t say that.
The Qur’ān
The next point of confusion is about the book called “The Bible”. This book is not being referred to in these verses. The Bible is a collection of stories containing pieces of numbers 1-6 as well as lies and then being claimed as simply #1 by itself. When God in the Qur’an is talking about the Torah and Gospel, He is quoting from what He Himself revealed as a Scripture. Here is an example: During his ministry, Jesus wasn’t going around reading 1 Timothy to the people. This is part of writing something and claiming that it’s from God. God never revealed these books and one can’t say these are the Scripture.
Corruption of the Scriptures: Part I – Does Islam Confirm the Bible As a Scripture from God?
The silliness of Muslims, Christians know that Jesus Christ was not reading 1 Timothy to people, the scriptures of the New Testament were in the process of development meaning, they document the life of Christ. Therefore, it would be silly to say Jesus was reading 1 Timothy because those scriptures speak of Him, therefore, it had to come to past first before it could be written from inspiration from God.
He then quotes Sahih al-Bukhari 7547 saying the bolded portion is scripture.
Chapter: “A person who is perfect in reciting and memorizing the Qur’an will be with the honourable, pious and just scribes.” Sahih al-Bukhari 7547
“… ‘Neither say your prayer aloud, nor say it in a low tone’ (17.110).”
Satan made Qur’ān
The Islamic view is the Qur’ān is the direct words of Allah, is that correct? But they say all of the Qur’ān is Allah’s words, then how do they account for the words of Shaitan in Qur’ān is that from Allah too?
[59:16] … Shaitan, when he says to man: “Disbelieve in Allah.” … Shaitan says: “I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin …”11
The words found in 59:16 are the words of Shaitan and its scripture, which means it’s a satanic verse, Satan was able to make Qur’ān. I believe all of the Qur’ān is from Satan.
Are the words of Shaitan the words of Allah? Muhammad couldn’t tell between the words of Allah and Shaitan in Surah An-Najm (Al-Lat, Manat and al-Uzza the three daughters of Allah).12 That’s because Allah and Shaitan are the same, this explains why Shaitan’s words became Qur’ān and then had to be “abolished” afterwards.
This can only mean that corruption entered the Qur’ān, why does Allah need to abolish what Satan threw in if it was not corrupted? That’s because it was and how do we know if this verse is not from Satan as well to keep us off guard?
Muhammad’s Scribe made Qur’ān
Muhammad takes the words of his scribe Abdullah Ibn Sa’d and adds them to Qur’ān, found in Surah Al-Mu’minun.
According to Islam Muhammad had his scribe with him who had professed faith in Islam, the prophet one day asked his scribe to write something for him [23:12-14]. Muhammad was telling him what to write, when they reached a specific portion Abd Allah was amazed and said (So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators!).13
Question are those words from Allah and if they are does this mean Abdullah Ibn Sa’d was a prophet also? Muhammad instructed Abdullah to add his words to Qur’ān. Because of this Abdullah left Islam after he found out Muhammad was a false prophet. We’ll provide the Tafsir from Wahidi.
The Qur’ān was corrupted because a man’s words found their way into the Qur’ān.
Are [27:18] Allah’s words? Here we have the ants words according to the text, as it says “the ants said “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not.”” This can’t be the pure words of Allah unless Muslims want to say the ants words are Allah’s.14
Lastly here we have the words of Sulaiman in 27:19, are these the words of Allah also? Muslims have to provide answers to their claim that every word in the Qur’ān is the word of Allah when we have Solomon (Sulaiman) speaking in this verse is this Allah speaking? If not then it’s not Allah’s word.15
Conclusion
How can a corrupted book the Qur’ān that has words from Shaitan, ants, men like Sulaiman and Abdullah Ibn Sa’d be the words of Allah? Allah said he sent the Torah, Injil and they cannot be corrupted. Unless Muslims reject what their book says claiming Allah is powerless to protect his own word?
Allah gave the Qur’ān in seven different versions meaning thier god was not capable of giving one version for all, he had to give seven because his word is not understandable. Allah was corrected by Muhammad as he originally was going to give one Qur’ān but Muhammad asked for more until he gave seven different versions.
Footnotes
1 “Narrated Abdullah Ibn Umar: A group of Jews came and invited the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to Quff. So he visited them in their school. They said: AbulQasim, one of our men has committed fornication with a woman; so pronounce judgment upon them. They placed a cushion for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who sat on it and said: Bring the Torah. It was then brought. He then withdrew the cushion from beneath him and placed the Torah on it saying: I believed in thee and in Him Who revealed thee. He then said: Bring me one who is learned among you. Then a young man was brought. The transmitter then mentioned the rest of the tradition of stoning similar to the one transmitted by Malik from Nafi'(No. 4431).” Sunnah.com (2008, July 28). Chapter: The stoning of the two jews. Retrieved from https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4449
2 Nasser, S. (2012). The transmission of the variant readings of the qurʾān : The problem of tawātur and the emergence of shawādhdh. BRILL.
3 “The best of the scholarly opinions concerning what is meant is that there are seven ways of reciting the Qur’aan, where the wording may differ but the meaning is the same; if there is a different meaning then it is by way of variations on a theme, not opposing and contradiction.” Islamqa.com (2008, July 28). The revelation of the Qur’aan in seven styles (ahruf, sing. harf). Retrieved from https://islamqa.info/en/answers/5142/the-revelation-of-the-quraan-in-seven-styles-ahruf-sing-harf
4 Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Hisham bin Hakim bin Hizam reciting Surat-al-Furqan in a way different to that of mine. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) had taught it to me (in a different way). So, I was about to quarrel with him (during the prayer) but I waited till he finished, then I tied his garment round his neck and seized him by it and brought him to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said, “I have heard him reciting Surat-al-Furqan in a way different to the way you taught it to me.” The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered me to release him and asked Hisham to recite it. When he recited it, Allah s Apostle said, “It was revealed in this way.” He then asked me to recite it. When I recited it, he said, “It was revealed in this way. The Qur’an has been revealed in seven different ways, so recite it in the way that is easier for you.” Sunnah.com (2011, November 14). Chapter: The talk of opponents against each other. Retrieved from https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2419
5 “Ibn Mujāhid was not the first, to collect variant Readings of the Qur’ān in an attempt to limit the individual readings into a manageable and credible corpus. However, he might have been the first to enforce his criteria and canonize the Readings, as Melchert suggests, through political power. Ibn Mujāhid believed, or rather wanted us to believe, that by his time a consensus had been reached concerning the general criteria that could be applied to establish a valid Qur’ānic reading. This consensus comprises also the fact that no one could recite and teach the “obsolete” readings of the Companions, which disagree with the consonantal outline of the Uthmānic codices. Those who opposed Ibn Mujāhid’s officially promulgated “Canon” and insisted on following their own standards and criteria were tried, flogged, and coerced into adhering to the consensus.” Nasser, S. H. (2013). The transmission of the variant readings of the qurʼān : the problem of tawātur and the emergence of shawādhdh (Ser. Texts and studies on the qurʼān, v. 9). Brill.
6 “(And thou (O Muhammad) were not a reader of any scripture before it) before the Qur’an, (nor didst thou write it with thy right hand, for) if you could read or write (then might those have doubted, who follow falsehood) then the Jews, Christians and idolaters would have doubted, for it is mentioned in the Scriptures of the Jews and Christians that you are unlettered.” altafsir.com (2021). Ibn ‘Abbas Surah al-‘Ankaboot 29:48. Retrieved from https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=29&tAyahNo=48&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2
7 These verses speak bitingly of a people who have become dull and lethargic, insensitive and insensible, and whose leaders have lost both vision and wisdom.They seem to follow the preceding verses in close sequence. The first words of v.9 are most strictly rendered as: ‘linger on and be dumbfounded, besmear your eyes and be blind’; but a very similar text would give to the first of these clauses the meaning: ‘be bewildered, and dumbfounded’, which is a better parallel to the second. The words are, of course, spoken in bitter irony and proleptically, the full value of them would be: ‘continue in your obtuse ways, and you will become more and more bewildered, befuddled and blind’ (cf.6.9-10). The people are in a stupor from which they cannot be awakened; vision has forsaken the prophet and insight the seer. There is no longer anyman who can interpret the meaning of a vision; it is sealed away in impenetrable mystery (cf. Dan.2.4; 5.12, 15; etc.; Rw. 5.1-9; 6.1-3; etc.) Mauchline, J. (1962). Isaiah 1-39: introduction and commentary (Ser. Torch bible commentaries). S.C.M. p. 204
8 “In 1 Kings 22:22, when Ahab determined to embrace falsehood, divine judgment visited him with false prophets: by the will and act of God, he got what he chose (cf. 2 Thess. 2:9 – 12 ). Determined spiritual insensitivity becomes judicial spiritual deprivation: first, the mind loses its clarity: deep sleep , ‘a spirit/Spirit of coma/torpor’, the mental equivalent of 1 Samuel 26:12 ; secondly, the means of spiritual enlightenment are removed: prophets and seers are synonyms for those whom God has raised up to receive and communicate his word. The lesson is driven home illustratively in verses 11 – 12 : the person who can read cannot be bothered to open the book; the person who cannot read is unconcerned to find someone who can.” Motyer, J. A. (1999). Isaiah: an introduction and commentary (Ser. Tyndale old testament commentaries, volume 20). Inter-Varsity Press.
9Read! In the Name of your Lord Who created. He has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. quran.com (1995) Surah Al-‘Alaq (Clot) 96:1-3 Retrieved from https://quran.com/96?startingVerse=1
10 “The fact that Moses is reproached with two different things is immediately clear from the opening verse os this chapter. According to v1 this marriage with a Cushite woman is laid to his charge; according to v2 on the other hand, the reproach is to do with an unjustified claim to special privileges with regard to the reception of the divine word. This two fold reproach is certainly connected with the disunity of the narrative with regard to the role played by the persons who appear against Moses. The first reproach (v1) is made by ‘Miriam and Aaron’ (in that order). In what follows as hear of ‘Miriam and Aaron’ (vv. 4-5); and in vv. 9-15 Miriam appears as the principal guilty party and Aaron is on her side only in so far as he intercedes for her with Moses (vv. 10b-12). These facts are most probably to be explained as follows. The reproach with regard to the Cushite marriage actually comes originally from Miriam, who is the on who is punished for it, whereas the dispute concerning the special place accorded to Moses in matters concerning the receiving of revelation is reported as stemming from ‘Aaron and Miriam’, and this subject ends with a reproof from Yahweh (vv. 6-9).” Noth, M., & נות’, מרטין. (1968). Numbers: a commentary (Ser. The old testament library). Westminster Press. pp. 92, 93
11 “(Like Shaytan, when he says to man: “Disbelieve.” But when (man) disbelieves, Shaytan says: “I am free of you…”) meaning, the example of the Jews being deceived by the promises of the hypocrites, who said that they will help them if Muslims fight them, is that of the devil. When matters got serious and the Jews were besieged, the hypocrites betrayed them and abandoned them to taste utter defeat. Likewise, the devil lures mankind into disbelief and when they obey him, he disowns them and declares himself free of their actions, saying, … (So, the end of both will be that they will be in the Fire, abiding therein.) meaning, the end of both he, Shaytan, who commanded that dis- belief be committed, and those who accep- ted his call, was in the fire of Hell forever,” alim.org (2010). Ibn-Kathir Surah Al-Hashr 59:16. Retrieved from https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/59/11
12 “And We did not send before you any messenger rasūl — this is a prophet who has been commanded to deliver a Message — or prophet nabī — one who has not been commanded to deliver anything — but that when he recited the scripture Satan cast into his recitation what is not from the Qur’ān but which those to whom he the prophet had been sent would find pleasing. The Prophet s had during an assembly of the men of Quraysh after reciting the following verses from sūrat al-Najm Have you considered Lāt and ‘Uzzā? And Manāt the third one? 53:19-20 added as a result of Satan casting them onto his tongue without his the Prophet’s being aware of it the following words ‘those are the high-flying cranes al-gharānīq al-‘ulā and indeed their intercession is to be hoped for’ and so they the men of Quraysh were thereby delighted. Gabriel however later informed him the Prophet of this that Satan had cast onto his tongue and he was grieved by it; but was subsequently comforted with this following verse that he might be reassured of God’s pleasure thereat God abrogates nullifies whatever Satan had cast then God confirms His revelations. And God is Knower of Satan’s casting of that which has been mentioned Wise in His enabling him Satan to do such things for He does whatever He will.” altafsir.com (2021). al-Jalalayn Surah al-Hajj 22:52. Retrieved from https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=22&tAyahNo=52&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2
13 “… and who saith I will reveal the like of that which Allah hath revealed [6:93]. This verse was revealed about Abd Allah ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Sarh This man had declared his faith in Islam and so the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, called him one day to write something for him when the verses regarding the believers was revealed (Verily, we created man from a product of wet earth…) [23:12-14], the prophet dictated to him. When we reach up to (and then produced it as another creation), ‘Abd Allah expressed his amazement at the precision of man’s creation by saying (So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators!). The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: “This [‘Abd Allah’s last expression] is how it was revealed to me”.” … “At that point, doubt crept into ‘Abd Allah. He said: “If Muhammad is truthful, then I was inspired just as he was; and if he is lying, I have uttered exactly what he did utter”. Hence Allah’s words (and who saith: I will reveal the like of that which Allah hath revealed). The man renounced Islam. This is also the opinion of Ibn ‘Abbas according to the report of al-Kalbi.” quranx.com. Al-Wahidi Surah al-Anam 22:52. Retrieved from https://quranx.com/Tafsir/Wahidi/6.93
14 “(one of the ants said: “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulayman and his armies should crush you, while they perceive not.”) Sulayman, peace be upon him, understood what the ant said,” wordofallah.com (2022). Ibn-Kathir Surah an-Naml 27:18. Retrieved from https://www.wordofallah.com/tafseer
15 “And Sulayman said: (O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from everything.) Sulayman said: (We have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from everything.)” alim.org (2021). Ibn-Kathir Surah an-Naml 27:19. Retrieved from https://www.alim.org/quran/tafsir/ibn-kathir/surah/27/15
The men of that governing body, like the apostles and older men in Jerusalem, have many years of experience in God’s service. But they do not rely on human wisdom in making decisions. No, being governed theocratically, they follow the example of the early governing body in Jerusalem, whose decisions were based on God’s Word and were made under the direction of holy spirit.
Watchtower Online Library — God’s Visible Organization You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
What of Jehovah’s Christian channel of communication today? Which of the hundreds of sects and denominations of those who claim to be Christian is Jehovah’s spokesman today in the earth as his divinely appointed and organized channel ofcommunication?
Watchtower Online Library — Christian Channel of Communication: TWELVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHRISTIAN CHANNEL TODAY
The evidences, therefore, are overwhelming that the anointed Christian remnant among Jehovah’s witnesses today comprise the collective channel of communication.
Watchtower Online Library — Christian Channel of Communication: KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH CHANNEL
Question For The Jehovah’s Witness
If God always had a “visible organization on earth” then when did it start? Was the organization always there or did it start in the 1870s when Charles Taze Russell formed the “Bible Students” and later was carried on by Joseph Franklin Rutherford on January 6, 1917?
If this was the beginning of “Jehovah’s visible organization” was Jehovah without any witnesses for 2000 years? And there was an organization before Russell came why didn’t he just join them, why start his own organization?
These are the deceptions of cults they allure unsuspecting individuals by grandiose claims. Please note in the first quote are comparing themselves to the apostles. Men who were divinely inspired through the Holy Spirit, men who the Lord Jesus ordained to preach the Gospel and do works which testified of the Lord Jesus, not an “organization”.
It’s interesting isn’t it? Just a little something to get you thinking. If you’d like more information on the Watchtower’s history please take a look at this documentary on the Watchtower’s beginnings.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
In the name of tolerance
We live in a world which claims “tolerance for all” unless you preach the Gospel, how that Christ died for the ungodly; how the Lord Jesus loved us so much He sacrificed Himself on the cross so we can have eternal life when we place our trust in Him. The Gospel is confrontational against sin but it’s a message of love.
How can a loving message such as that cause others to say Christians are preaching “hate”? Because we love you and want to warn you to flee from the wrath to come, is that hate? Are you being “tolerant” towards Christians when we speak God’s word or “intolerant”? There seems to be a double standard unless we agree with sin, homosexuality, fornication, lying, stealing etc. Then you won’t “tolerate” us.
As Christians we’re not “tolerant” when it comes to sin, we never said we were. We love all people but just because we love you doesn’t mean we agree to your sin. On the other hand secularist claim “tolerance” but they won’t tolerate the Gospel.
Things not much different today
Things are not so much different from 2000 years ago when Jesus Christ stood before the people of Jerusalem. As the Lord Jesus preached and taught in the temple He was approached by the religious Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted to maintain control over the people and therefore sought a reason to have Him killed. These two parties collectively made up the Sanhedrin and they were a ruling body of seventy-one members with the High Priest as the chief officer.
Then we have the Herodians who wanted to restore someone from the family of Herod to the throne in Judea as well as other areas ruled by Herod the Great. The Herodians were the political leaders of those days.
And we also had those who were devoted to studying the scriptures called scribes, the scribes were the ones who drew up legal documents. They also copied the Old Testament Scripture and determined how they would apply to every day living.
The Lord Jesus dealt with each one of these groups as they opposed Him as He preached to the people in the Synagogue or towns. As they would look to entrap Him in anything concerning the scriptures. The religious parties were those who were self-righteous they considered themselves to be “good persons”. Jesus Christ was telling them they’re not good because they have all sinned and are trying to keep others from receiving forgiveness for their sins from God.
There was a division among the people because of him
In the Gospel of John, there are 3 different times in which the word “division” was used in reference to their reaction to Christ. The religious authorities felt threatened, but not only them the people (Jews) also were at odds with Jesus Christ and among themselves.
John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
John 10:19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
There’s another account in the Gospel of Matthew when the Pharisees had sent people to falsely testify again Jesus always looking to entrap Him. The Lord Jesus was either hated or loved, there weren’t any individuals who were indifferent towards Him. You will always find two types of people believers or unbelievers. The following scripture from chapter 27 in Matthew shows the hatred towards the Son of God. But not only that it also shows someone who was trying to “ride the fence” sort of speak.
Pontius Pilate was the prefect of Judea from A.D. 26 to A.D. 36. Although Pilate’s residence was in Caesarea he was in Jerusalem for the time of the Passover. Pilate was a man under the rule of Augustus Caesar. The Jews being under Roman rule were afraid of losing their way of life to the Romans and feared that they would be destroyed. They brought Jesus to Pilate with the accusation of causing an uproar among the people and against Caesar.
When Pontius Pilate asked “Shall I crucify your King?” in reference to Jesus Christ, the Jews answered, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). Reading the following text we see the entire scene played out as Pontius Pilate tries to release Jesus and excuse himself from taking part in delivering up the Son of God to be crucified.
Matthew 27:1–24 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
All of the attempts of Pilate didn’t work. Jesus made no defence before Pilate Pilate marvelled that Jesus did not attempt to defend Himself. Pilate admitted Jesus was innocent and told the crowd that Jesus was innocent. Pilate attempted to release Jesus. Pilate denied responsibility in the Lord Jesus’s death and tried to put the responsibility on the Jews. Pilate tried to wash his hands of the matter and delivered Him up to be crucified. Pilate had the chance to set Him free but he was afraid of Caesar and wanted to please the people.
Is the world any different today?
Today’s Christians face the same challenges just with different names attached. Instead of the self-righteous religous Pharisees and Sadducees, we now have world religions like Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and cults (Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons).
Instead of the political Herodians, we have politicians who create ungodly rules such as “free speech zones”, “noise level laws” and other mandates which tries to prevent the Gospel from going forth. Instead of the scribes, we have citizens who try to prevent the good news from being preached as they bring their secular views or mock and scoff. Nothing really has changed, either you’re for Christ or against Him. Either your for God or an enemy of God.
As an encouragement continue to preach the word no matter what opposition you come up against. God is worth it all! I’ll end this with 2 appropriate scriptures from Moses and Joshua.
Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
It’s a sunny peaceful Tuesday morning a day like all the rest. The sky was clear and blue, so clear as if the sky were like the crystal clear waters of the Arctic. At this time people were getting out of their warm beds, taking their morning showers and getting ready for the day. The East Coast was ready for just another day or was it?
The bench
A man was eating a bagel with cream cheese by the east river on Wall Street while enjoying the river view, and a lady sat by him reading her morning paper. Two New Yorkers gearing up for another day of work as the hustle and bustle of the city grew. A strange thing occurred at that moment as confetti fell from the sky. The two individuals looked at one another perplexed; was a parade going on no one knew about?
The two individuals shrugged their shoulders as they parted ways from that bench not giving it another thought. Confused the man made his way into his place of business located on the 10th floor. The morning went on as normal until 9:02 am. A frightened coworker comes bursting through the doors yelling “a plane crashed into the Twin Towers!”. She was hysterical and you can see the fear in her eyes as her coworkers helped to calm her down. The CEO made an announcement stating the TV in the board room would be on for all who are interested in knowing what’s happening.
As you can imagine all channels were reporting on an event which changed life as we knew it not only for the people of New York only but also for all people in the world. The day is called September 11, 2001.
As The World Looked On
None could believe it how can a plane crash into such a large building it had to be a horrible accident right? At 9:03 am a second plane United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into floors 75–85 of the WTC’s South Tower, killing everyone on board and hundreds inside the building. It’s now crystal clear this is no mistake this is a horrific event taking place before our eyes. As the world watched, eyes glued to their screens, and people watching from afar it was just unimaginable.
Those people who entered into the Twin Towers on 9/11 never thought it would be their last day to live. Neither did those men, women and children as they boarded those 4 aeroplanes. It was a tragedy of enormous proportions, a day in which the world will never forget; a day which is remembered each year since those attacks and how is it that we still go about living life as if we will never die?
The remembrance of that day is seared into my mind, the smell of the smoke, the sounds of sirens, the chaos and commotion in the streets of Manhattan. Life truly is fleeting.
Psalms 103:15 “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.”
Sobering Messages
Many loved ones were lost in those tragic moments, they were their one moment hugging their loved ones and gone the next. How fragile is the life of man, the Bible says that our life appears for a moment and then vanishes away.
James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Please consider these actual last messages from those who perished in those attacks on 9/11. Think hard on this because you don’t know when you’re last day on this earth will be. The following are messages from victims of these attacks.
Melissa C. Doi was a graduate of Northwestern University, with hopes of one day becoming a ballerina. She worked as a manager at a financial company. The terrified young woman called 911 from the 83rd floor of Tower 2.
MD: It’s very hot, I see…I don’t see, I don’t see any air anymore!
911: Okay…
MD: All I see is smoke.
911: Okay dear, I’m so sorry, hold on for a sec, stay calm with me, stay calm, listen, listen, the call is in, I’m documenting, hold on one second please…
MD: I’m going to die, aren’t I?
911: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, say your, ma’am, say your prayers.
MD: I’m going to die.
911: You gotta think positive, because you gotta help each other get off the floor.
Brian David Sweeney a passenger on Flight 175. He left a voicemail for his wife Julie that day. In the message, he can be heard telling his wife that he loved her and to “go have good times.”
Jules, this is Brian. Listen, I’m on an airplane that’s been hijacked. If things don’t go well, and it’s not looking good, I just want you to know that I absolutely love you. I want you to do good, go have good times same to my parents and everybody. I just totally love you… and I’ll see you when you get there. Bye babe. I hope I call you. — Brian David Sweeney
How heart-wrenching are these messages can you imagine being in such a situation knowing that you’ll never see the faces of your loved ones again?
The Bad News
My friend life is fleeting, you hear one moment and gone the next. Will you continue to live life as if you’ll never face death? Will you continue to gambling with your soul. Do you know where you’ll spend the rest of eternity once you die? If you’re not saved the bible gives us a clear understanding of what the future holds for those who are not saved.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
God tells us in His word the Bible that we all have sinned, we’ve all have lied before, or lusted after another person, been angry at someone. We’re born in sin and have committed sin. We can look at God’s law and know for certain that none of us are perfect. Let’s look at God’s law.
God’s Law (Ten Commandments)
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
As you can see we fall short on all of these if you never loved God fully every moment of your waking day that’s a sin. If you’ve used God’s name in vain that’s a sin, if we have spoken a lie against someone that’s a sin.
You may be thinking I never killed someone?! Do you know what the Lord Jesus said concerning this He said:
Matthew 5:21, 22 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Just being angry at someone is a sin and I’m certain that if you’ll think hard you’ll remember being upset at someone before. Because we are sinners we are not capable of standing before God. We are in desperate need of a Saviour and God in His loving tenderness did just that.
The Gospel (The Good News)
God loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins. He was crucified on the cross and cried out “it is finished” meaning He paid the penalty for our sins taking the wrath of God upon Himself.
And physically rose from the dead three days later proving His sacrifice was acceptable to God the Father. Jesus Christ ascended up into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father triumphant over death. And anyone who places their trust in the ransom sacrifice He provided will be granted everlasting life, a home in heaven. We can be saved from death and hell once we place our faith in Christ alone.
Therefore, if you want to receive the free gift of life thereby removing the wrath of God upon you, then you must receive Him and His sacrifice by faith. If you want forgiveness for your sins against God, you must ask for forgiveness of your sins with a truly repentant heart and He will grant you everlasting life.
God’s Promise of the Free Gift of Eternal Life
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Ephesians 2:8, 9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
As Christians, we pray that those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, were saved, we hope they knew the LORD GOD that they knew while they were on their way to death would pass unto life eternal, having perfect peace with God. The sobering thought is that while we pray for them if they never placed their faith in Jesus Christ then they perished and are lost forever in hell. It’s not easy to say but it’s the truth. You still have a chance to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, do it today and live!!!
Whatsoever Things Are True 