Some Questions regarding Islam and Christianity

 

Hi Don!

Hope you are doing fine. Please bear with me! I have been very busy these days. You know, I am revising my books these days; and collecting material for website.

Any how my answers to your questions are given in color under your writings.

Hasanuddin
donrmjones <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Hasanuddin.   Good to hear from you.   Yes, thanks for your response(s) in your Q&A -- indeed, they are interesting.

 On the question of Abdul Rahman, were the cleric threats on his life, and the need to go into exile in Italy, also fabricated by the media?  Thanks for the one source, "Independent Voice".  I'd be interested in other non-biased sources -- to get beyond FOX & CNN.

Cleric threat was an individual's attitude, like the attitude of a US Supreme Court Justice who expressed his opinion on punishing "terrorists"-Is calling people terrorist without proper trial justified? Probably, you know that the Afghan Assembly has not extended the term of the said cleric.  What action our Society has taken against the said Justice?

Why did the man flee from his country when American forces were there to save him? Good Question, indeed! He saved himself from the wrath of Afghan people!

 I questioned apostasy as one of Islam's 3 unforgivable sins -- 1) shirk - Q 4:116,  2) kill a believer - Q 4:93,   3) apostasy - Q 3:90.  You mentioned blasphemy -- is this another one for Islam or just an _expression of apostasy?  And, who is (or) must be the judge?

 All the above three quotations are related to Allah's wrath and punishment in the Hereafter, and not in this world. None of these verses prescribes any punishment in this world. For punishment in this world, please see verse

Q 2:178. This punishment is not based on religion, race, or geography.

One who blasphemes becomes an apostate.

 For Bible references -- I know that the OT, with an eye-for-eye spirit, has very harsh judgments & punishments.  Hence, I follow Christ's message of love & forgiveness in the NT -- where such judgment & punishment is left for God to perform, not man.  Albeit, some, arrogant, so-called Christians do take such upon themselves.  

 Don! You must know that Muslims do honor all prophets, whether Jesus or Moses or others! We do not comment on their teachings. We respect them. However, Muslims do not believe in present day Testaments, old or new, as these are not original "Teachings". These Testaments are writings of different men, at different places, at different time, in different languages. As far as Love and Forgiveness, these are the teachings of all religion. What concerns humanity at large is their practice? According to my humble and a little knowledge, not a single Judeo-Christian country in this world is practicing them.

Your citing of Matt. 12:31-32 (also, Luke 12:10) is the only reference that I know that indicates an "unforgivable" sin.  But, by context, this is a specific sin -- a direct affront of the Spirit of wisdom -- a conscious, hardened rejection of God's proffered light.   So, it must be unforgivable by its very nature.  Man cannot be saved without God's gifts -- one of which is forgiveness.   When the person chooses (or by a miracle?) to cease the blasphemy -- then, it becomes forgivable.

 Or, in other words, the person shall never be forgiven because (or when) they refuse to be forgiven.  God must allow free will.  But, when a person allows forgiveness, then, they are no longer blaspheming.

 Speaking of -- this leads into another current issue, the blasphemy law in Pakistan.  I have attached an article that I ran across -- and would be interested in you view.  Do you know about Sangla Hill?

 You should realize the fact that Pakistan is not a secular, liberal or a permissive country. Its foundation is laid on the belief in God and his messengers. It has to preserve and defend its ideology. Freedom of Thought and Practice is a right of every nation. No nation has a right to dictate other nation how and what to believe and defend. Pakistan's right to live its own life must be honored. Pakistan has made a law, democratically, to defend the honor of God and his messengers. It does not discriminate in applying this law. You yourself or your article that you have quoted shows that those who are dealt with this law are more than fifty percent Muslims and all of them are Pakistanis irrespective of their religion. Any person living in Pakistan has to abide by its law. Pakistan has banned the screening of the movie  Da Vinici Code to preserve the honor of Jesus (Peace be upon him).

As regards people's reaction to deeds of individuals, the less said the better. Are you unaware of continuously going on attacks on mosques and Islamic Centers in Judeo-Christian countries of the World, especially here in North America? 

Are you planning any trips out this way?   Your old friend, Dr. Qayyum, is here visiting now.

 Thanks for your very interesting responses.  I image that others, who see your web page, are, also, grateful.

Salaam,

Don