Ayaat
regarding the Injeel
Allah mentions the Injeel,
which can be translated as Gospel, in several places in the Qur’an. Allah says:
نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ
يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ
It is He Who has sent down the
Book (the Quran) to you (Muhammad SAW) with truth, confirming what came before
it. And he sent down the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). [3:3]
وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ
وَالإِنجِيلَ
“And He (Allah) will teach him
['Iesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech
of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel
(Gospel).” 3:48
يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَا
أُنزِلَتِ التَّورَاةُ وَالإنجِيلُ إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِهِ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ
O people of the Scripture
(Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Ibrahim (Abraham), while the
Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) were not revealed till after him? Have
you then no sense? [ 3:65]
وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُواْ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ وَمَا
أُنزِلَ إِلَيهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لأكَلُواْ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ
أَرْجُلِهِم مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ سَاء مَا
يَعْمَلُونَ
And if only they had acted
according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been
sent down to them from their Lord (the Quran), they would surely have gotten
provision from above them and from underneath their feet. There are from among
them people who are on the right course (i.e. they act on the revelation and
believe in Prophet Muhammad SAW like ‘Abdullah bin Salam رضى ), but many of
them do evil deeds. [[5:66]
قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ حَتَّىَ
تُقِيمُواْ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ
وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيراً مِّنْهُم مَّا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَاناً
وَكُفْراً فَلاَ تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
Say (O Muhammad SAW) “O
people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! You have nothing (as regards
guidance) till you act according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel),
and what has (now) been sent down to you from your Lord (the Quran).” Verily,
that which has been sent down to you (Prophet Muhammad SAW) from your Lord
increases in many of them their obstinate rebellion and disbelief. So be not
sorrowful over the people who disbelieve.
وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَى آثَارِهِم بِعَيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقاً
لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًى
وَنُورٌ وَمُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَهُدًى
وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
“And in their footsteps, We
sent ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), confirming the Taurat (Torah) that
had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance
and light and confirmation of the Taurat (Torah) that had come before it, a
guidance and an admonition for Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2).
وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ الإِنجِيلِ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فِيهِ وَمَن
لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ
هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
Let the people of the
Injeel (Gospel) judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whosoever
does not judge by what Allah has revealed (then) such (people) are the
Fasiqun (the rebellious i.e. disobedient (of a lesser degree) to
Allah.” [5:46-47]
Ibn Taymiyyah (May Allah have
mercy on him) states in his book “Al-Jawaab As-Saheeh” regarding the
aayah[5:47]:
ذا قرىء وليحكم كان المعنى وأتيناه الإنجيل لكذا وكذا وليحكم أهل
الإنجيل بما أنزل الله فيه وهذا يوجب الحكم بما أنزل الله في الإنجيل الحق لا يدل
على أن الإنجيل الموجود في زمن الرسول هو ذلك الإنجيل
“This is a command for ruling
by what Allah revealed in the true Injeel, it is not a proof that the Injeel
present in the time of the Messenger (meaning the Prophet Muhammad ) is that
Injeel.”
He also says:
وأما قراءة الجمهور ^ وليحكم أهل الإنجيل ^ فهو أمر بذلك فمن
العلماء من قال هو أمر لمن كان الإنجيل الحق موجودا عندهم أن يحكموا بما أنزل الله
فيه
“It is a command for whoever
has the true injeel residing with them that they judge by what Allah revealed
therein”
2:101. And when there came to
them an apostle from Allah, confirming what was with them, a party of the
people of the Book threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs, as if (it
had been something) they did not know!
Some Christians argue that the above
aayahs is implying that the Injeel given to Jesus (alayhe salam) was present at
the time of Prophet Muhammad and also Christians were addressed by Allah to
take guidance from injeel which was with
them. Both of their assumed arguments are wrong. Allah has ordered them to Not
to hide what they already had which they immediately hided when the truth
(Quran) was revealved its confirmed in Ayah 2:101 and they changed what they
had to protect their personal wishful doctrines and inserted epistles 1 john
5:7 and verses e.g. Mark 16:9-20, John 7:53-8:11 [The earliest manuscripts and
many other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53—8:11. A few manuscripts
include these verses, wholly or in part, after John 7:36, John 21:25, Luke
21:38 or Luke 24:53. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%207:53%20&version=NIV
]
Even if
one were to assume that the aayah and other similar aayaat exorted the
christians at the time of the Prophet Muhammad to look into
something available to them, one cannot assume how the christians at that time
would have interpreted this. The wide range of texts relating to Jesus’
teachings and message that existed outside what is traditionally known as the
new Testament are numerous, and many revered up until the time of the
Prophet Muhammad and even later i.e. out of 45 gospels known today only 4
found their way in the New Testament (see list of gospels here http://www.neurotherapy-of-christian-brain.blogspot.com/2012/05/crucifixion-question-of-identity.html). In
fact, a “gospel” which is not present in today’s New Testament, which is known
as the Gospel of Peter, was revered by groups of early christians, which is
testified to the fact that portions of it were found in the tomb of a monk in Egypt
dating back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad
Bart D Ehrman, a scholar of
Christian history states in his book “the Lost Christianites” concerning the
“Gospel of Peter”:
“Somebody revered Peter and his
Gospel, somebody living in Egypt, some four or five hundred years after
Serapion had forbidden the Gospel’s use. And the Egyptian was not alone. She or
he must have been part of a community which must have had a contemporary copy
of the Gospel and accepted it as a sacred text. Nor was the community of the
ostracon’s inscriber alone: A fragment of the Gospel was buried, presumably as
a cherished text, in the tomb of a monk a century or so later. The Gospel of
Peter may have become lost to us but it was widely used in the early centuries
of Christianity, and it continued to be used down to the early Middle Ages in
some parts of the church.”
Some of the beliefs of this
document include that Jesus (alayhe salam) felt no pain while being crucified,
did not die on the cross, and that his soul was raised to heaven directly from
it. (Also see the same concept of Peter here in his Apocalypse of Peter here http://www.neurotherapy-of-christian-brain.blogspot.com/2012/05/crucifixion-question-of-identity.html
)
So how can it be said that the
christians would have interpreted the aayah as an exortation to follow the
writings of Mark, Luke, John, and Matthew, let alone the writings of Paul and
other unknown individuals after Jesus (alayhe slaam)?
There is some evidence that there may have existed some groups who held fast to what was originally given to Isa(Jesus) alayhe slaam.
There is some evidence that there may have existed some groups who held fast to what was originally given to Isa(Jesus) alayhe slaam.
حدثنا بشر , قال : ثنا يزيد , قال : ثنا سعيد , عن قتادة , قوله
{ الذين آتيناهم الكتاب من قبله هم به يؤمنون } قال : كنا نحدث أنها نزلت في أناس
من أهل الكتاب كانوا على شريعة من الحق , يأخذون بها , وينتهون إليها , حتى بعث
الله محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم , فآمنوا به , وصدقوا به , فأعطاهم الله أجرهم
مرتين , بصبرهم على الكتاب الأول , واتباعهم محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم , وصبرهم
على ذلك , وذكر أن منهم سلمان , وعبد الله بن س
It is related that Qatada said
regarding the aayah: “those whom We gave the Book from before, they believe in
it”. It has been related to us that this was revealed regarding a group from
the people of the Book who were upon a true shareeah, they held unto it and
followed it, until Allah sent Muhammad (salallahu alayhe wasallam) so they
believed in him and affirmed him. So Allah gave them a double reward for their
patience upon the previous Book. And their following of Muhammad (salallahu
alayhe wasallam) and their patience upon that. And it is
mentioned that from them are Salmaan (al-Farisi) and Abdullah ibn Salam.”
If one examines what is related
of the testimony of Salmaan Al-Farisi, regarding his journey to Islam, one
notes that the number of people who were grasping onto the truth before the
Prophet were very small. He relates that a bishop mentioned to him at
the thores of death: “By the name of God, I do not know of anyone who follows
the same genuine religion I follow. Humanity is in a great trouble: people
have changed the original teachings, abandoned and ignored most of what the
forefathers believed in except so-and-so living in Mosul.” Additionally,
its related that the individual in Mosul also said to him ” I do not know
anyone who follows the same teachings as we do except a man in Nasebin,
and his name is so – and – so, follow him.” However, the details of
the religion or scriptures of these people is unknown, except for that they
were waiting for the Prophet Muhammad to come.
Another narration that
discusses some followers of the Injeel before the Prophet (salallahu alayhe
wasallam): Ibn Jarir and Abu `Abdur-Rahman An-Nasa’i — and this is his wording
– recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, “There were kings after `Isa who changed
the Tawrah and the Injil when there were still believers who recited Tawrah and
the Injil. Their kings were told, `We were never confronted by more severe
criticism and abuse than of these people.’ — they recite the Ayah,
[وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ
الْكَـفِرُونَ]
(And whosoever
does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers.) (5:44),
as well as, they accuse us of short comings in our actions, while still they
recite. Therefore, summon them and let them recite these Ayat our way and
believe in them our way.’ The king summoned them and gathered them and
threatened them with death if they did not revert from reciting the original
Tawrah and Injil to using the corrupted version only. They said, `Why do
you want us to do that, let us be.’ Some of them said, `Build a narrow elevated
tower for us and let us ascend it, and then
give us the means to elevate food and drink to us. This way, you will save
yourselves from hearing us.’ Another group among them said, `Let us go about in
the land and eat and drink like beasts do, and if you find us in your own land,
then kill us.’ Another group among them said, `Build homes (monasteries) for us
in the deserts and secluded areas, where we can dig wells and plant vegetables.
Then, we will not refute you and will not even pass by you.’ These groups said
this, even though they all had supporters among their tribes. It is about this
that Allah the Exalted and Most Honored sent down this Ayah,
[وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَـهَا عَلَيْهِمْ
إِلاَّ ابْتِغَآءَ رِضْوَنِ اللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا]
(But the monasticism which they
invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them, but (they sought it)
only to please Allah therewith, but that they did not observe it with the right
observance.) ”
The details of the the Injeel
of these followers however is not mentioned.
Regardless,
whatever Allah truly gave ‘Isa (alayhe salam) is to be regarded as the Injeel, so
whatever rememnants of this that may have been present at the time of the
Prophet Muhammad, if any at all, may be considered Injeel. This does not
constitute anything that promotes polytheism or false-concepts.
Was the
Injeel given to Isa (alayhe salam) written in the form of a book?
Many
scholars talk about the Injeel as if it was written down in the
form of a book between two covers, however, all what is shown in christian
history as is presented are books that were written by individuals after Jesus
about Jesus (alayhe salam). It is not impossible that the Injeel was not
written down in the time of Jesus (alayhe salam ) but rather simply transmitted
orally.
al-Taahir ibn ‘Ashoor said in his commentary on Soorat Maryam
19:30:
“The Scripture refers to the law which is usually written lest
it be subject to change. The word Scripture ( kitaab ) is applied to the Law of
‘Eesa just as it is applied to the Qur’aan. [Al-Tahreer wa’l-Tanweer (8/470)].”
However delving into which is the case is mere speculation.
Does the
New Testament today have remenants of the Injeel?
There is evidence, that the New
Testament as it is today may contain remenants of the Injeel revealed by Allah
to Isa(Jesus) alayhe salam. Allah says in Surah Al-Fath
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاء عَلَى
الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاء بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعاً سُجَّداً يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً
مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَاناً سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ
ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ
أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوقِهِ يُعْجِبُ
الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا
وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْراً عَظِيماً
“Muhammad (SAW) is the
Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers,
and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate
(in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of
them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of
(their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat
(Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed
which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and
it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the
disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe
(i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet
Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds,
forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise). [48:29]
A form of the parable
mentioned in regards to the Injeel is recorded in the “Gospel of Mark” in
the New Testament today, as a statement of Jesus (alayhe salam) to his
disciples.
To claim however, that the
English New Testament in the hands of the christians today can be referred to
as “the Injeel” is quite frankly, a stretch beyond a stretch, and
deception beyond deception. The mixture of the opinions of varoius unknown
authors and individuals with no chains of transmissions, promoting various
contradicting ideas and polytheistic concepts, along with the loose and biased
translations to fit particular creeds, make the New Testament in the hands of
christians today no short of an insult to Allah.
Islamic position
regarding what the Christians have
The basic position of the
scholars regarding the the scriptures in the hands of the christians and Jews
is that the Qur’an is muhaymin (trustworthy) over them, as Allah says in the
aayah afterwards:
وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَـبَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا
بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَـبِ وَمُهَيْمِناً عَلَ
“And We have sent down to you
the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it
and Muhayminan over it (old Scriptures).”
Ibn Katheer mentions in his
tafseer regarding the aayah that Ibn Jarir said, “The Qur’an is trustworthy
over the Books that preceded it. Therefore, whatever in these previous Books conforms to the Qur’an is
true, and whatever disagrees with the Qur’an is false.”
Many theologians are realizing that the claim to authenticity of the
Bible is overstated by the ignorant masses.
It is important to have basic knowledge and understanding about
what is revelation from God and what cant possibly be from God:
Quran is the word of ALLAH only.
Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are the words of
Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of ALLAH be on him) which are documented separately.
Injeel was revealved by ALLAH to Prophet Easa Son of
Mary
Hadith of Prophet Easa Son of Mary are the words of
Prophet Easa Son of Mary (Peace be upon him and his mother)
Current canonical gospels today called Bible is a mix of many things, i.e. words of Easa Son of Mary (PBUH) which are basically Hadith of Easa son of Mary, there are also words of historians, words of disciples, words of later scribes, fraudulent and innocent mistakes and insertions and removal by different unknown people. Note there are no original words of ALLAH (God) are there.
The Gospel Christ:
So, what was the Gospel of Jesus Christ then, i.e., the Injil of Jesus Christ? Even among Christians, this remains a mystery. But the Didache; a Gospel which existed even before the current Bible-Gospels (or canonized Gospels), contains a great deal of teachings of Jesus Christ.
The following points are important to always keep in mind: (1)- No single Scripture, the Didache or any other Scripture, is 100% pure and accurate. There are always forgeries and alterations. This is the same with every single book and gospel. (2)- The Original Teachings of Christ exist in Scriptures that are in the Bible and outside the Bible.
The biggest
dilemma due to which our christian brothers and sisters are confused is regarding
the Preservation of Injeel. They think that today’s canonical bible
canonised [which are a
result of a series of councils in which it was decided which gospels to be
accepted (4 canonical gospels) and which to be called apocrypha (41 gospels) ] is that Injeel which ALLAH
gave to Easa Jesus son of Mary (PBUH). But Christians not understanding the
basics and claim that Bible-Canonical gospels are words of God when they realise after discussion that what they are uttering then they say more
allegedly God inspired people i.e. so-called scribes wrote the current bible and there are many different bibles and versions in the open market e.g. the so-called inspired scribes alleged writers are Mark, Mathew, Luke, John
and lastly one of bible writer was Paul [(who broke all commandments and went against even the teachings and sayings
of Easa (Jesus) Son of Mary (PBUH) and he never talked to or walked with Jesus son of Mary)]. So conclusively in the NT there are no
words of God All mighty.
Revelation comes through the messenger of ALLAH which is Angel Jibreel (Holy Spirit) (PBUH).
Words were put in the mouth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also prophecised in the Bible old testament. Deuteronomy 18:18 http://bible.cc/deuteronomy/18-18.htm and Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stage by stage in a time span of 23 years. http://www.neurotherapy-of-christian-brain.blogspot.com/2012/05/muhammad-pbuh-in-bible.html
Shabbir Ally
Quran 17:82 We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.http://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single2/en_Truly_Falsely_Jesus.pdf
Special thanks to sister Layla Khorasania Mujahidah may Allah be please and send His mercy upon her
Paul in his own words created a new Gospel for Christians. He said the following
Romans 2:16
"In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."
Romans 16:25
"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,"
2 Timothy. 2:8
"Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel"
Paul creates a new Gospel and Christians embrace it?
No other scribe ever spoke of the Gospel as "MY” Gospel. Even Messiah Himself never referred to it as "MY” Message.
"So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me." John 7:16
Paul boasts of condemning Peter "The Rock"
Galatians 2:11-14 “I resisted him to the face ….” Then Paul says he gave Peter a dressing down “before them all.” Paul did this publicly, not in private. Let us read the event in context: ‘When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?"
Why allow this man to corrupt God's Holy Word?
It should be remembered that Paul was a Jew who was strongly opposed to Jesus's teachings during his lifetime. Paul never met Jesus in his entire life. Fourteen years after the departure of Jesus from the world, according to Paul's own statement, Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision, which was caused to him due to a severe sun-stroke while he was on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus (Syria). Paul said:
Acts2 6:10-11
“And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to BLASPHEME. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.”
Paul said — 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
"To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.
To those under the law I became like one under the law (through I myself am not under the law), so as to win under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ’s Law), so as to win those not having the law.
To the weak I became weak to win a weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some."
1 Corinthians15:9
"For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
Even in the bible Mark 1:14 gives testimony of the truth of the Quran
ReplyDelete"euangelion" εὐαγγέλιον (Strong's 2098) this is how it is spoken in Greek which means its not translated but kept in original into greek from aramaic the original language of Jesus. When its translated to english then they translate Euangel or Injeel to good news. http://biblehub.com/lexicon/mark/1-14.htm Jesus was preaching Injeel as mentioned in Mark 1:14. There was an Injeel sent by Allah to Jesus son of Mary (PBUH).
watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs5gtyFGtnk