Movie Report: The Son of God

I got 4/5 for this short assignment and for me it is really tough as Sir asked us to write not more than a page! Gosh, have to bite my fingers to stop writing. Haha! I enjoyed watched this movie and I did cry for 'Jesus'- not because he redeem the sin as Christians believe, but because of how cruel the way they tortured people. Glad, our Muslim Jesus (Isa a.s) has not face that kind of punishment.  ...They said, “We killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of God." They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but the likeness of him was put on another man (and they killed that man)...  (Qur'an, 4:157)

VIDEO REPORT ON CHRISTIANITY; Development and Theology

Movie: The Son of God, produced by Roma Downey and Mark Bunnet, released on 2014.

Starting hour of reviewing: 3:27:51

It is starts with Jesus meeting his disciples after 40 days from his resurrection day. Here is the point where the obligation toward preaching to peoples starts. As the Holy Spirit possessed them, they gain power- able to speak in different languages and can cure peoples. Thus, the disciples were not hesitated, preached to the Jews about the kindness and greatness of Jesus. The news about the disciples reached the temple and makes the Caiaphas; the head of Pharisees felt insecure and tried to stop the disciples' task.  Nevertheless, the follower of Jesus resisted as they said it was their duty to spread to humankind about the good news to people. Caiaphas got angry and said loudly that the duty towards temple, nation and God only in his responsibility.

The disciples went to preach and the peoples rejected them. Stephen was stone to death as Saul loudly charged him as blasphemy. He was the first martyr. Afterwards, Saul team up with Caiaphas to get rid of Jesus's teaching but eventually he turned over and became one of the prominent preachers and spread about how lovely Jesus was as he was forgiven and cured.

One by one, Jesus's disciples killed. Roman beheaded James and the chaos condition urged the remaining disciples to split to the separate way. Hence all of them became missionary. The Christian tradition says that all the disciples die for their call. Paul beheaded by the Roman but his works live on as his letters are nearly half of the New Testament. In due course, the movie ended with John who was sent to the isolated island as the peoples were not able to kill him even he was poisoned.

Overall, for me the movie is successful as an epic legend, but somehow even the movie was claiming it based on the Bible itself, many of the important events skipped from it. By some means, the development and Christian’s theology is there but not clearly and well explained.

Prepared by: Fakhratu Naimah Muhad [1210062]

For: Dr. Fatmir Shehu (Study of Religion 1 2013/2014)

Accessed the movie from: http://watch32.com/movies-online/son-of-god-6292

Changing the World is not Changing the Final Destiny

The Western scholars had divided the epochs of knowledge among human tradition into few stages. The first is the classical period that was happened around 500 BC. This was where the group of outstanding scholars and philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates and other Greeks scholar were come to exist. They were leading to the triumph of this epoch with the colourful of knowledge that still useful until today. Their patterns of thoughts were influencing peoples, including some of the Muslim scholars. It was said that some of the classical scholars already implementing critical method in their studies. They were questioning the pagans understanding of the Reality. For example, Anaximander said that the sun is not a god, but merely a just circle of fires that bigger than the Earth. Here, I can conclude that peoples were already use their rational thinking and be logical in understanding the reality.

          Then, the coming of Judeo-Christianity period which were consisting the community of early Judaism and Christianity. Both religions were practicing exclusivism and intolerant in dealing with others. In the angle of Judaism, they believe that only they are the best group of people. In their scripture also portraying how the Jeremiah insulted other peoples’ God. The history also stated that they were persecuted the early Christians within their community. Besides, the Bible also promotes the exclusivism to the Christians – Do not worship other gods, avoid falsehood.” However, the interpretation also makes them feel higher than others (like what the Jews were thinking).  And after 300 years from the time of Jesus (period of being executed), they were endorsed by the Nicaea Council and the role of executing others belong to their hands. In this time, we can see that there was no intellectual movement happened. They were not interested in debates and seeking the knowledge. To make the things clear, even though in al Quran, there are several verses that shows Islam also exclusive (e.g: Worship Allah and get far from the toghut), but our exclusiveness is only applied within our own community, and we do accept other communities to join our society as long as they do not bring any chaos.

          

Afterwards, the dark ages taking place. But in this period of time, Muslims were having glorious time and achievements. The Christians people were having no freedom and not in the mood of improving themselves, as they were really ‘adhere’ to their custom and traditions by following what the churches said. In this time, the priests were corrupting the religions and only they were able to read and know the content of the Bible. Meanwhile, the laymen were listening to every words of the priest without able to question- dogmatic atmosphere. Besides, the feudal system that always winning the property owner also played vital role in their religious affair. The priests always help the landlord in giving the aids to manipulate the proletariats. Have to notice here that the Bible was only can be read in Latin language, which was a barrier for the masses to understanding the religion.  

Renaissance-Where the art was reviving back. 

          Because of this disastrous condition of the Western world, the peoples started to revolt. The story of Renaissance and revolution taking place in their world. It was firstly happened in Italy, 1300 CE when they started to practice humanism. The humanism is stressing on the individualism (You work, you will earn yours) and the human improvement. These were the revolutions in order to against the system of feudal and the backwardness of the communities due to blindly following the religion affairs only. Has to notice here, that the pre modern society, any religious teaching is focusing on these three aspects; 1. God, 2. Soul, 3. Concept after life - this was also the belief system that the European believed on. But owing to the corruption of the churches that did not help them in having the beautiful state of living, they turn their perceptions 360 degree differently. They started to put effort and energy on empirical world, physical study of the existence, which was, actually brought them the discoveries that ease and beautify their present life. The invention of the machines, the expanding of the science study turned to be their main aim. So the God already replaced by the universe, soul shifted to the study of human body, and the concept of life was neglected by focusing on exploration of new sciences such as sociology, psychology, anthropology and others that can help the seen world as a better life to live in.

Martin Luther

          In this period, the important event to Christianity history also happened when Martin Luther formed a new denomination, detached from the Catholic umbrella and set up another denomination called as Protestant. He urged the peoples to study and understand the religion based on self-understanding of the Bible, without depending on priests anymore. The dishonesty of the priest set up the ritual buying the indulgencies to help them in salvation, escaping from the purgatory was among the factors that brought Martin Luther in against the Catholic churches. He was not really put the dissident on theological issue, but more on the corruption of the churches- the over powering and the fraud of the papacy system. So, the Protestant press on finding the faith using the Bible only, without put any worldly affair inside it. Meaning to say, you cannot fuse the study of the religion using your own thinking and have to put aside the economic, political issue sundry without interfering the Bible perspective.  This was actually the seeds that grew the tree of capitalism.

          As they were believing that this world is terrible, the cursed world as the punishment of Adam and Eve that were expelled from their origin state: the luxurious heaven. So they started to twisting the fact that when you get richer, better cars, better material goods- that is the sign that the God is please with you. Thus the religion turn to be the catalyst factor to further your materialism world. The essence of the real religion faded. And some of the Muslims also not far from them as they are thinking that the wealthier they are, meaning that Allah is gratifying them without acknowledging that it is also part of the test in this world.

          The expanding of this culture lead to the coming of the modern world that really upheld the scientism and materialism. Most of the scholars were atheist and no longer believe in God and the philosophies were not attached anymore to the theology side. The science study of why and why, actually does not bring any solid answer when they reach to the limit. How they will answer the question, “why the milk is white? Why the sugars taste sweet? Why the roses are smell good? Etc.” These questions only bring them the speculative thinking as what did by the Darwin’s theory. But, for Muslim- we do agree in the empirical studies as Allah encourage us to think, ponder, look the surrounding in order to acknowledge the power of true God and to our limitation, we can simply close the door of question by saying; Allah is all powering and he knows better.

Wallahu’alam.

Reference: Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVwF2k5KTk0&spfreload=10)

Lecture classes of fifth semester

Poem- Awakening

This poem was an idea that came out for celebrating the Hijrah Day, previous years ago.

 ‘No, the knife can’t to cry,

Even the fruits turned red,

Showered by fresh blood,

Without any sense of pain.’

I stop recite the poem of old tale,

A legend of Yusuf and Zulaikha,

It is not only a narrative of passionate,

But it is a history to be learnt.

To be understood,

I open my own diary,

Beholding my past stories,

Sometimes I smile in cheery,

And for some reasons,

I frown in despair.

Reading my story,

Just same like orating that legend,

Zulaikha and women in her epoch,

Got attempted by Yusuf,

And I cut myself by an amusing world.

Yes,

A person who forget the history,

Would tend to repeat it,

Is it I’m been pulled inside it?

‘The heart of humbleness,

Beating hardly in her spirit,

Growing in empathy of true path,

Die together reliably.’

I recite again the last stanza,

Making me thinking and pondering,

Giving me chances to create a green life,

Because I know how to appreciate this sign...

Salam Hijrah.

Collection of the Quranic verses regarding the Holy scriptures and books.

These pictures are the collection of the verses in the Holy Book of Quran, showing the particular ayaats relate to the Suhuf, Zabur (Psalms), Taurat (Torah), Injil (Bible), and Al Quran. There are a lot of verses in the Quran but those are what I had prepared for the previous class assignment. Indeed, Quran is really beautiful - explicit and implicitly.

(lecturer: Dr. Maziah Mustafa)

Page 1

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Page 5

Study on Kosher and Halal Meat

Followings are my individual part on the Study of Religion 1 class- specifically we did on Judaism on their Kosher food. Under supervision of Dr. Fatmir Shehu

Introduction

Kosher and Halal are two terms used in describing what is fit and proper to eat for both groups of Jews and Muslims respectively. Despite these terminologies are used to define a wide group of food and beverages that are appropriate to consume according to Halacha and Shar’i, this section will only concentrate on meat.

Regulating Kosher and Halal Meat

Man has been consuming meat from the very early time and it became one of the main sources for human being to give energy for their bodies. Meat can easily classify into two; red meat and white meat. Red meats are usually come from beef, mutton and et cetera. Meanwhile, white meats are commonly acquired from fishes, birds. Either it is red or white meat, all type of these foods is providing good protein, iron, and zinc, which are important for humans' health.

Hence, all thinkable means used in order to get the animals' meat. A part of living animals might be cut and eaten, and peoples also took the dead animals’ flesh. There were no consideration in reducing the animals' pain; no sympathy, concern, and sensitivity towards other creatures feeling; and for their own health too. For this reason, the sacred law towards regarding matter indicates how true God love and blessed humanity and other creatures.

Both semantic religions: Islam and Judaism (in this research), are adhering to the specific rules and regulations when dealing with this case. Slaughtering was became their method, distinguishing part of Semantic peoples' identity and this is already became scientifically proven as the best way in killing the animals, and the meats are healthier to be consumed[1].  

There are resemblances between both religions in the way of slaughtering the animals. The emphasizing on the sharpness of the blades, knives is needed in order to give a painless and quick slaughter. The slaughtering process only can happened onto the animals that are still alive. There is no purpose to kill the dead animals, as their meats were no longer good to be eaten. In addition, the knife must cut the arteries of the animals. The research found that when the those parts were cut off, the animals will feel no pain anymore and this portrays how religion teach its peoples to be nice and gentle towards those defenseless creatures. Furthermore, the right process of slaughtering will drained out all the blood from animals' bodies. Moreover, it is common knowledge that blood were consider as treif, haram or forbidden to feed on according the Halacha and Shar’i laws.

Even though, some people will regard Halal and Kosher meats are the same as both are practicing slaughtering process, yet there are differences between both two laws. In Halacha's law, only shochet are eligible in doing the process, whereas in Shar’i law, anyone can slaughter the animals; either man or woman, known as good person, sane and have knowledge in that particular law. The strict rule in obtaining Kosher meat is also including the observant towards the knife used for slaughtering. The knife has to be perfect and at least two times bigger than then size of animal's neck. This kind of rule not imposed in Shar’i law, as the matter should be observed is the sharpness of the knife even it has some scratch or imperfection. Jewish law requires one continuous stroke, moving the knife back and forth. Meanwhile in Shar’i law, one proper and perfect one stroke is preferable, but the meat will not be haram if the slaughterer quickly follows the first improper way with the second stroke. And it should be noted also, pertaining to the stunned animal, Jewish law is totally prohibiting this manner, but in Shar’i law stunning is acceptable as long as the animals still has pulse, alive- the slaughtering should be regard as Halal[2]. However this matter is still on discussion among the fuqaha'.

Key Issues for Kosher and Halal Meat

The differences between Halacha and Shar’i laws on the previous paragraph can be pertain to the group of minor difference, and will not give any big impact to both groups especially Muslim. But surely, Jews are not allowed to eat Halal meat as it is slaughtered by a Muslim. Thus, any Halal meat is considered as not Kosher according to Halacha, despite in Holy Book Al Quran clearly said that Jewish are welcoming to eat what Muslim served;

This Day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you, the food of the people of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Al Maidah: 5)

And referring to the verse also, Muslims are allowed to eat Jewish food. One of the prominent exegesis, Ibn Kathir interpreted the word food in previous verse indicates specifically the animals slaughtered by the People of the Book-Christian and Jews[3]. However, the problem among the Muslim in taking Kosher meat is pertaining the major difference between both processes, which is Tasmiyya.

Tasmiyya can easily interpret as the blessing word that has to be invoking during the process. Muslims are obliged to pronounce the name of Allah on animals while slaughtering. Whereas in Halacha, there is no such rule as what Muslims did. Hence, Muslims are feeling insecure to eat Kosher meat. There are few verses that are indicating the significance of invoking the name of Allah on slaughtered animals;

Prohibited to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah... (al Maidah: 3)

And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience... (al An'am: 121)

There are two groups in Muslim society; accept the Kosher meat and the other one who is reject it. The ideas in rejecting Kosher meat are because of issue regarding Tasmiyya. Even some scholars accept the way of Jewish blessing during slaughter, but the other reason is the schocet does not repeat the blessing word for the second slaughtering. In Shar’i law, Tasmiyya should start every slaughtered animal. In addition, they also regard Jewish nowadays are no longer in a group of People of the Books.

Meanwhile, some Muslims are consuming Kosher meat as for them it is Halal according to Shar’i law pertaining to Chapter Maidah verse five. Regarding Tasmiyya issue, scholars found that particular verse bestowed to Prophet Muhammad after the law of obligation in invoking the name of Allah in slaughtering. Furthermore, the hadith narrated by Aisha r.a also helps in solving that particular issue[4]. On the other issue of Tasmiyya for the second slaughtering, some mazhabs say that it is accepted to pronounce it only once in the beginning of the process[5]. Pertaining to the status of Jewish today- they are still the same as Jewish in the back time of Prophet Muhammad; hold the same rites, belief and can be said as already corrupted and yet Allah still allow Muslim to eat theirs. Moreover, this is how Islam takes an uncompromising attitude toward polytheist; it is lenient toward the People of the Book, for they are closer to Muslims in their belief in divine revelation, prophet hood, and other fundamentals of religion. It may be that interacting with them will make their hearts and eyes observing the beliefs, practices and characters of Muslims and eventually realize that Islam is the truth, free of the influence of paganism, man-made concept and falsehood[6].

To conclude, the sacred laws cannot be judged randomly and simply without proper knowledge. Muslims should welcome the fatwas as the scholars are understood better about the surrounding situation and its peoples. Relating to Kosher and Halal meat, both are special as the slaughtering process needed and this way distinguishing them from other religions, especially with man-made beliefs. Thus the adherer of both religions should observe the law, rules and regulations in order to maintain the benefit obtained in their daily life.

  

[1] Yusuf Qaradawi, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, Islamic Book Trust. Zafar Publishing, pp. 61

[2] http://www.organic-halal-meat.com/article/fatwa-stunning.php (accessed April 16, 2014)

[3] http://www.shariahprogram.ca/eat-halal-foods/islamic-guidelines-slaughtering-animals.shtml. (accessed April 17, 2014)

[4] "Some people said to the Holy Prophet p.b.u.h that; some people bring us meat and we don't know whether the name of Allah was invoked upon the slaughter or not? The Holy Prophet p.b.u.h replied; “You say the name of Allah upon it and then eat it". -Narrated by Aisha r.a and it is recorded in Sahih Bukhari.

[5]http://muslimmatters.org/2012/06/22/is-kosher-meat-%E1%B8%A5alal-a-comparison-of-the-halakhic-and-shar%CA%BFi-requirements-for-animal-slaughter/ (accessed April,16,2014)

[6] Yusuf Qaradawi, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, pp. 61.

Manusia yang pelupa atau penyakit; Melayu mudah lupa.

Kisah lama, siapa lagi mahu dengar. Apatah lagi kalau kisah sejarah dikisarkan. Apa yang mahu didengar umpatan semata-mata kerana mahu menempah daging saudaranya sendiri, akhirat kelak. Mungkin sahaja kita ini sama tetapi bersama-samalah berpesan ke arah kebaikan kerana manusia ini sering leka, seringkali pula alpa. Mungkin inilah manusia dinamakan MANUSIA; cepat benar lupanya. Mungkin juga, kata-kata Tun Mahathir  telah lama makbul kerana, majoriti masyarakat di Malaysia ini mudah lupa. ‘Melayu mudah lupa’, ah tanda soal atau tanda seru patut di letakkan di belakang ayat itu? Lupakan sebentar isu itu. Lupa lagi!

            Secara niatnya, bukan kisah itu mahu saya sampaikan. Apatah lagi melalut hingga ke nama tokoh itu disebut. Dalam redup begini, teringat saya akan insan yang banyak berjasa pada keluarga saya. Saya hanya panggilnya ‘Tok’. Wanita tua ini masih gagah ke mana-mana. Ke masjid, mendengar ceramah agama. Seluruh kampung mengenali wanita ini. Orang panggilnya Mak Aji. Masakan tidak, dari zaman orang naik haji menggunakan kapal dia sudah pergi ke Mekah bersama suaminya. Campur tolak haji dan umrah, sudah lebih lima kali dia ke sana.

            Puas berehat di rumah gemulah nenek, bosan menjelira. Ke rumah Tok saja tujuan setelah melawat kubur nenek. Lihat pokok cikunya sudah berbuah, pasti saya orang pertama yang gembira dan dialah orang pertama yang ingat kepada saya. Barangkali.

            “Ambil ciku. Makan. Tok dah simpan untuk Along.”

            Pucuk dicita, ulam mendatang. Sepupu saya hanya melihat. Dia tidak gemar buah-buah sebegini.

        Petang-petang begini, datang pula tanpa ibu dan bapa, pastinya saya kewalahan. Mahu bicara apa dengan orang tua-tua. Hendak mengundur diri, segan pula. Baharu datang, makan-makan dan tidak lama sudah mahu beredar. Sengaja saya buka cerita, biar masa terisi.

            “Tok sempat zaman penjajah Jepun dahulu?” soalan tidak masuk akal. Pastinya sempat. Umurnya pun sudah melebihi tarikh kemerdekaan negara.

            “Sempat. Orang Jepun mahu bunuh orang putih. Masa itu, Tok sudah pun berkahwin dengan arwah Tokki Husin. Sudah ada anak dengan suami pertama.”

            Ditanya soalan itu, berjejeran cerita tentang kisahnya dahulu. Di mana tempat tinggal suaminya dahulu, asal dari mana, si polan ini anak kepada siapa dan siapa. Saya hanya mengangguk, buat-buat mengerti dan kenal. Itulah gaya saya bila bercakap dengan orang tua; angguk dan senyum. Mahu menyampuk, tidak tahu bagaimana.

            “Tok makan apa zaman itu?”

            “Makan ubi kayu. Ubi pula ambil di atas bukit. Jauh sana…..”

“Sedap?”

“Zaman itu susah. Ada makanan sedikit pun, syukur. Yang ada itulah sedap. Pakai baju pula bertampal-tampal. Koyak sana, jahit sana. Koyak sini, tampal sini. Kalau ada yang pakai kain macam tok pakai ini, sudah dikira kaya raya orang itu.”

            Saya melihat kain yang disarungnya. Kain itu sudah agak lusuh warnanya. Kain lama.  Bagaimana lukisan sebenar kisah lama ya. Siapa yang tahu, tiada siapa-siapa.

            “Jepun jahat tak?” lagak kanak-kanak kecil bersoal.

            “Tak ganggu dia, dia tak ganggulah kita. Cuma dia mahu anak gadis. Jadi, jangan pergilah dekat-dekat pada mereka.” Selamba sahaja dia bercerita.

            “Tok dahulu, pergi atas bukit sana dengan Tokki. Pergi mengintai orang Jepun bermain.” Kami sama-sama tergelak. Saya membayangkan, bagaimana pasangan muda ini pergi bersama-sama ke sana. Pastinya jiwa mereka pun seperti anak mudi kini. Masih suka hiburan, main-main tetapi yang bagusnya, sudah jadi suami-isteri.

            “Jepun dah tiada, tetapi ramai orang masih mahu  pakai ‘topi sudu’. Topi macam orang Jepun pakai.”

            Saya mengangguk faham. Faham benar bukan faham main-main. Sepupu saya tertanya-tanya. Topi sudu? Ini kali pertama dia mendengar.

            “Cap lah.” Saya memberitahunya. Bentuk cap yang seakan-akan sudu, membuatkan Tok memanggilnya topi sudu. Barangkali, orang zaman dahulu, panggil cap sebagai topi sudu. Siapa tahu? Yang memanggilnya sahaja tahu kisahnya.

            “Yalah, topi cap.” Tok menambah. “Orang sekarang mahu ikut penjajah. Kopiah, serban nabi pakai tak mahu diikutnya. Sunnah nabi ditinggalkan.”

            Kami terdiam. Aku berfikir. Mungkin benar kata-kata sejarawan, ‘orang yang melupakan sejarah, terdorong mahu ulanginya kembali.’ Dan kita bangsa Melayu, sudah lupa akan semua kepayahan dahulu. Orang yang merasa, lain rasanya dengan hanya yang merasa dengan telinga bukan hati seperti mereka. Kebencian mereka bukan sekadar memboikot jasad mereka, malah memboikot sama budaya mereka.

            Tetapi sebesar itukah pesimisnya terhadap bangsa penjajah. Hinggakan kepada ‘Cap’ atau ‘Topi sudu’ jadi isunya. Soalan ini masih berlegar di fikiran sepupu saya, mungkin.

            Saya tinggalkan tok sendirian selepas itu. Tidak mahu lama-lama menggangu masanya. Tambahan dia berpuasa sunat. Bimbang saya menyeksanya dengan berceloteh panjang.

            Saya biarkan bicara itu terbuai bersama ombak yang menghempas pasir pantai. Beredar dari rumahnya, terus saya ke pantai. Mahu lupakan segala rempah rasa dan perasaan yang berkurung di hati. Ah melupakan lagi!

Christianity: The Muslim perspective on its tenets

These are my individual part in doing the group assignments for the Quranic Perspective on Other Religions class (Dr. Maziah Mustafa)

1.    Trinity

In Christianity, God seen in three ways as the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Some of Christianity sects, mentioned Mary instead of Holy Spirit. Regarding to one of online dictionary, found that the terminology of ‘Trinity’ was firstly used in 13^th century. Thus it was existed thousands years after the birth of Jesus. The saints of Christianity claim that Trinity is a belief that should be doubtless and secured in heart even they are hardly to make people understand it well. Peoples always wonder how three entities are the same body, but in a meantime, that one entity is actually three different bodies?

          The Quran referred this Trinity teaching in various places. In chapter al Maidah, verse 72 and 73, indicates that Jesus was free from dedicating himself as a part of Trinity. In addition, he also warned his people to submit themselves in oneness of Allah but his people paid no heed[1].

          According to Tafseer al Tabari, these two verses are the argument for Prophet Muhammad and Muslim to deny the teaching of Christians’ people that confusing about Jesus. Christians’ from sect of Ya’qubiyyah saying that Jesus is a God, meanwhile other Christians believe that Jesus is a son of God[2]. All of these accusations are wrong and not acceptable as mentioned in former verses that Jesus and his mother are ordinary people that eat and drink like usual peoples are doing.

          This kind of belief actually is categorized in committing syirk which is strictly prohibited in Islam. Those are doing syirk to Allah will be received a painful torment from Allah[3].

          Besides, in verse 116 to 117 in the same chapter (al-Maidah) depict the interesting points related to Trinity concept[4]. In verse 116, people will questioning why Allah asks Jesus about what he conveyed to his people as the concept of worshipping to Jesus and Mary are existing in the world? In the same time, we all know and Allah knows that Jesus is one of the real prophets and he did his job well. This situation is closely related to the position of judge or lawyer asking his witness even he is already possessing information and realize the integrity of his witness. But nevertheless, the witness must be questioned in order to clarify the matter to the entire world.

          Consequently, Jesus makes it unambiguous about his task that his limit. He, himself is from God and for what he mentioning something outside his rights? Second, he acknowledges the power of Allah as an all-hearing and all-knowing God and Jesus’s limitation of knowing what is inside Allah’s knowledge.

          Therefore, the belief of Trinity that spread out among his people is out of his responsible as Jesus already delivered the genuine path, but they went astray after the absence of Jesus. Jesus only can be witnesses for them as long as he remains with them.

         

2.    Jesus is son of God

According to Christians’ belief, Jesus was sent down to earth in order to wipe out all the sins of people. He was known as Son of God. Here again the question can be marked there as did the Jesus is only the son of God? Meaning that, the God and Jesus are partially different entities that can’t be united as one.

            In the Quran, there are more than ten verses revealing about Christians’ statement of God having a son. In Chapter al Tawbah, Allah stories to us that people of Jews proclaim that Ezra^[5] is son of God meanwhile Christian said Jesus is son of God^[6]. Clearly this verse shows that both group of people really in a wrong path, exaggerated and beyond the limit as they put the wrong teaching of tauhid. Even they were continuously be warned by the prophets, but they didn’t have any attention to it.

          Meanwhile, in other place in the Quran, from chapter al Baqarah, verse 116 also indicates that those peoples proclaim that Allah had a son[7]. This verse is such a reminder as the last verse mention about the sovereignty of Allah, controlling the entire world, but still there are groups of overstated person making a false allegation to Him. Surely, they are extremism.

          The next point that has to be stated is, for what purpose of having son as He is differed from His creatures. Allah doesn’t need any helpers or even a kin to be a superior power. In the Quran, there are few chapters that Allah had clarifies that he has no need of having a son. He knows and owns everything but how brave those peoples said something falsely about God that they are nil about[8].

          Correspondingly to notes before, is verse 2, chapter al Furqan;

          “He unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, He hath chosen no son nor hath He any partner in the Sovereignty. He hath created everything and hath meted out for it a measure. (25:2)[9]”

          Then, Allah make a strong clarification and justification in Chapter al Ikhlas as He is the self-sufficient Master; he begets not, nor was begotten; there is none co-equal or comparable to Him[10]. Only to Him, we should worship to and no one should worships other than Him.

          To make it corrected, Allah had put a well-defined history about the birth of Jesus. He is son of Maryam or known as Mary. Her childbearing was portrayed in chapter Maryam verse 22 to 26. Despite Jesus was born without father, which will not become evidence that Jesus is a son of God. Logically, Adam and Eve also can be considered as son and daughter to God as their birth without the presence of parents, but Christians didn’t claim them so.

          To make it corrected, Allah had put a well-defined history about the birth of Jesus. He is son of Maryam or known as Mary. Her childbearing was portrayed in chapter Maryam verse 22 to 26. Despite Jesus was born without father, which will not become evidence that Jesus is a son of God. Logically, Adam and Eve also can be considered as son and daughter to God as their birth without the presence of parents, but Christians didn’t claim them so. Allah had mentioned earlier that the creation of Adam and Jesus were alike and that is under Allah’s superior power[11].

          In other chapter, An Nisa’, Allah said to the believers of Holy Books, strictly declared that Jesus is only son of Mary and he is sent to mankind as a prophet[12]. This verse is some kind of picture to clarify that the teaching of ‘Son of God’ was started with the exaggeration of Ahl Kitab in putting appraisal to Jesus until they are out from believing Jesus as one of the prophets. Also this verse is a warning to Ahl Kitab to be honest, truthful in speech. They were summoned to believe in greatness of Allah and stop from delivering to people about the teaching of Trinity.

3.    Jesus was Died

For Christians’ believer, they certainty sure that the coming of Jesus was to clear off and atoned all the sins in human being. The crucifixion of Jesus, the blood shed was the meaning of great sacrifice of Jesus to human kind. He was believed, being crucified on cross, nailed his both palm and being on the cross till he died.

          In my point of view, the crucifixion of Jesus only because of jealousy and hatred of Jewish people to the prophet and that is what they are since the epoch of the past prophets. They were composing another story to reconcile the new teaching as the Christianity was emerged thousands year after the death of Jesus.

          In chapter al Nisa’ verse 158, Allah had rejected their story of crucifixion and added that Allah took Jesus unto him, means he is not yet dying. The person that had been on the cross and killed was neither Jesus, as Allah took someone else that was alike to Jesus in order to substitute the place of Jesus.

          “And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. (157) But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise. (158)[13]”

          In the verse, Allah clarify to all human beings that Jesus is not being crucified and killed. Furthermore, how come the story of Jesus being on the cross merged to be their false teaching when they were also not really certain that Jesus had been killed? Indeed they are making a big disturbance and controversy.

          Hence, Prophet Jesus is still alive till now until the time of he will be sent back to the earth to defeat Dajjal. His mission going to accomplish at that particular time, and Christian’s people will realized who Jesus truly is.

4.    The Original Sin

This belief is one of the main teachings in Christianity. They have trust that all babies born together with sins that are inherited from Adam and Eve. Both religions, Islam and Christianity do accept the story of the expelled Adam and Eve from paradise because they were eating the forbidden fruit.

          “Thus did he lead them on with guile. And when they tasted of the tree their shame was manifest to them and they began to hide (by heaping) on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called them, (saying): Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you: Lo! Satan is an open enemy to you? (7:22)”[14]

          Then they seek for Allah’s forgiveness and surely Allah is great forgiver.

          “Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. (39:53)[15]”

          “And seek forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. (106)[16]

For Christians, they believe that the person should be blamed is Eve, because of her desires, Adam was affected too. Thus, all the peoples are born to be sinful as they are from the womb of women. They believed, the painful that the entire mothers feel, is the retaliation from what Eve had done. Meanwhile, in Islamic teaching, the painful of mothers feel are going to be rewarded by Allah for their patience and struggle to give a birth to their children.

          Back to the original sin, Quran denies all the teachings of it with the revelation of verses that show that all the sin that someone commit into, will be not inherited to others. They should shoulder their own sins and the babies that brought into life are like a piece of plain, white cloth as narrated in hadith Sahih and Muslim.

          “And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped. (2:48)[17]”

          “And no burdened soul can bear another's burden, and if one heavy laden crieth for (help with) his load, naught of it will be lifted even though he (unto whom he crieth) be of kin. Thou warnest only those who fear their Lord in secret, and have established worship. He who groweth (in goodness), groweth only for himself, (he cannot by his merit redeem others). Unto Allah is the journeying. (35:18)[18]”

          In addition, those who are willingly to carry others’ sin actually they are liar because they not be able to place others’ on themselves.

          “Those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: Follow our way (of religion) and we verily will bear your sins (for you). They cannot bear aught of their sins. Lo! They verily are liars. (29:12)”

          “That they may bear their burdens undiminished on the Day of Resurrection, with somewhat of the burdens of those whom they mislead without knowledge. Ah! evil is that which they bear! (16:25)[19]

---

[1]  لَقَدۡ ڪَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَۖ وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّڪُمۡۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ مَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَمَأۡوَٮٰهُ ٱلنَّارُۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنۡ أَنصَارٍ(72) لَّقَدۡ ڪَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَـٰثَةٍ۬ۘ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّآ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬ۚ وَإِن لَّمۡ يَنتَهُواْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ.(73)

“They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers. (72) “They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve. (73)”

[2] 'al-Maidah'. In: (ed), Al Quranulkarim, Miracle The Reference. 1st ed. : Sygma Publishing. pp.252.

[3] إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰٓ إِثۡمًا عَظِيمًا 2:48)

[4] وَإِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلۡتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَـٰهَيۡنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِىٓ أَنۡ أَقُولَ مَا لَيۡسَ لِى بِحَقٍّۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلۡتُهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَهُ ۥۚ تَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى نَفۡسِى وَلَآ أَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى نَفۡسِكَۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ (١١٦) مَا قُلۡتُ لَهُمۡ إِلَّا مَآ أَمَرۡتَنِى بِهِۦۤ أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمۡۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا مَّا دُمۡتُ فِيہِمۡۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيۡتَنِى كُنتَ أَنتَ ٱلرَّقِيبَ عَلَيۡہِمۡۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ شَہِيدٌ (١١٧)

And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I had ever said it, then Thou wouldst have known it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy Mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower of Things Hidden? (116) I spake unto them only that which Thou commandedst me, (saying): Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. I was a witness of them while I dwelt among them, and when Thou tookest me Thou wast the Watcher over them. Thou art Witness over all things. (117)

[5] From the Quranic Arabic Corpus - Ontology of Quranic Concepts: Uzair (عزير) is the name of a historic person mentioned in the Quran (also known as Ezra), who according to Islamic belief used to be falsely called "the son of God".

[6] (30) وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عُزَيۡرٌ ٱبۡنُ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَى ٱلۡمَسِيحُ ٱبۡنُ ٱللَّهِۖ ذَٲلِكَ قَوۡلُهُم بِأَفۡوَٲهِهِمۡۖ يُضَـٰهِـُٔونَ قَوۡلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ مِن قَبۡلُۚ قَـٰتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُۚ أَنَّىٰ يُؤۡفَڪُونَ

[7] وَقَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدً۬اۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥۖ بَل لَّهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ كُلٌّ۬ لَّهُ ۥ قَـٰنِتُونَ (١١٦)

[8] قَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدً۬اۗ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥۖ هُوَ ٱلۡغَنِىُّۖ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنۡ عِندَڪُم مِّن سُلۡطَـٰنِۭ بِہَـٰذَآۚ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ(68)

[9] ( ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدً۬ا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ شَرِيكٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَخَلَقَ ڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَقَدَّرَهُ ۥ تَقۡدِيرً۬ا(2

[10] قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ (1) ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ (2) لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ (3) وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (4)

[11] إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَۖ خَلَقَهُ ۥ مِن تُرَابٍ۬ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ (٥٩)

Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is. (3:59)

[12] يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ لَا تَغۡلُواْ فِى دِينِڪُمۡ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَقَّۚ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ وَڪَلِمَتُهُ ۥۤ أَلۡقَٮٰهَآ إِلَىٰ مَرۡيَمَ وَرُوحٌ۬ مِّنۡهُۖ فَـَٔامِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦۖ وَلَا تَقُولُواْ ثَلَـٰثَةٌۚ ٱنتَهُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا لَّڪُمۡۚ إِنَّمَا ٱللَّهُ إِلَـٰهٌ۬ وَٲحِدٌ۬ۖ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥۤ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ ۥ وَلَدٌ۬ۘ لَّهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ وَڪِيلا  “O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender. (3:171)

[13] وَقَوۡلِهِمۡ إِنَّا قَتَلۡنَا ٱلۡمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمۡۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ لَفِى شَكٍّ۬ مِّنۡهُۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ إِلَّا ٱتِّبَاعَ ٱلظَّنِّۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينَۢا (158) (بَل رَّفَعَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيۡهِۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمً۬ا (158

[14] فَدَلَّٮٰهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ۬ۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا ٱلشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتۡ لَهُمَا سَوۡءَٲتُہُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخۡصِفَانِ عَلَيۡہِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ وَنَادَٮٰهُمَا رَبُّہُمَآ أَلَمۡ أَنۡہَكُمَا عَن تِلۡكُمَا ٱلشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬(22)    

[15]  قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ(53)

[16] وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا(106)

[17] وَٱتَّقُواْ يَوۡمً۬ا لَّا تَجۡزِى نَفۡسٌ عَن نَّفۡسٍ۬ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يُقۡبَلُ مِنۡہَا شَفَـٰعَةٌ۬ وَلَا يُؤۡخَذُ مِنۡہَا عَدۡلٌ۬ وَلَا هُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ (48)

[18] وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ۬ وِزۡرَ أُخۡرَىٰۚ وَإِن تَدۡعُ مُثۡقَلَةٌ إِلَىٰ حِمۡلِهَا لَا يُحۡمَلۡ مِنۡهُ شَىۡءٌ۬ وَلَوۡ كَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰٓۗ إِنَّمَا تُنذِرُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّہُم بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۚ وَمَن تَزَكَّىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَتَزَكَّىٰ لِنَفۡسِهِۚۦ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ (18)

[19])  لِيَحۡمِلُوٓاْ أَوۡزَارَهُمۡ كَامِلَةً۬ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِۙ وَمِنۡ أَوۡزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍۗ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ (65