In this short blog, we will compare and contrast some statements from the Christian Holy Bible and the Islamic Qur’an on the subject of how to treat others who are outside “the faith” or who do not believe the faith. There are many other facts, such as History, development, broad-scope, etc, that might be compared, contrasted, or explained, but this post will not discuss all those items at length. What we want to know is this: “How do these two books teach people to regard and deal with those who are outside of the faith and who do not believe in the same way?” Direct quotes will be shared from both texts, on various points of the basic question at hand.
All Qur’an quotes will be taken from the Saheeh International English meanings translation of the Qur’an. Copyrighted Al-Muntada Al-Islami, 2001-2010. This copy of the Qur’an’s English meanings/Translation was handed to me by a Muslim Mosque attendant in Cairo, Egypt in March 2012. All quotes from the Holy Bible, on the other hand, will be taken from the King James Version (KJV), also known as the Authorized Version.
NOTE: This post is for the sake of comparing several specific teachings in two different religious texts. It is not to breed hatred, but to give understanding. The author here agrees with the teachings of the Holy Bible. And also, we should note that not every Muslim knows, or adheres, or even desires to adhere to each of the Qur’an teachings below. Some may try to interpret their scope as more narrow and specific, while others will choose to use them broadly upon whomever they think deserving. From what this author knows, there are indeed many Muslims who don’t have much of an idea what is in the Qur’an, but are more culturally Muslim (as there are also ignorant/cultural Christians, etc.). This author believes however, that the following Qur’an statements, when studied and applied diligently by sincere followers of Islam, do have the express tendency to breed terrorists and terrorist acts. But anyway, may you please be the judge after reading. We are not trying to condemn anyone here, but just to provide information.
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A General view of Jews, Christians, etc. who are not of the same belief:
The view or teaching of the Qur’an:
The Jews say, “Ezra is the son of Allah”; and the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of Allah.” That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before [them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded? -Surah 9:30
The view or teaching of the Holy Bible:
(1) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, (2) That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. (3) For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (4) Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; -Romans 9:1-4.
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A view of how to treat disbelievers, “enemies” of the faith, and/or outsiders:
The view or teaching of the Qur’an:
“12. [Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, “I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.” “13. That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger – indeed, Allah is sever in penalty.” – Surah 8:12-13.
“59. And let not those who disbelieve think they will escape. Indeed, they will not cause failure [to Allah]. 60. And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. …67. It is not for a prophet to have captives [of war] until he inflicts a massacre [upon Allah’s enemies] in the land. …” -Surah 8:59-60, 67.
The view or teaching of the Holy Bible:
“(43) Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”-Matthew 5:43-45 (words of Jesus).
Jesus sent messengers to a village of the Samaritans (who hated Jews) and they “did not receive Him” (Luke 9:52-53, summarized). “(54) And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” – Luke 9:54-56.
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A view of how to treat those who defect from the faith (i.e. “leave the faith”):
The view or teaching of the Qur’an:
“88. What is [the matter] with you [that you are] two groups concerning the hypocrites, while Allah has made them fall back [into error and disbelief] for what they earned. Do you wish to guide those whom Allah has sent astray? And he whom Allah sends astray – never will you find for him a way [of guidance]. 89. They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away [i.e. refuse], then seize them and kill them [for their betrayal] wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper, 90. Except for those who take refuge with a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty…91. You will find others who wish to obtain security from you and [to] obtain security from their people. Every time they are returned to [ the influence of] disbelief, they fall back into it. So if they do not withdraw from you or offer you peace or restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you overtake them. And those – We have made for you against them a clear authorization.” – Surah 4:88-91.
The view or teaching of the Holy Bible:
“(24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
“(1) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:1-2.
To summarize, we find the following:
- The Qur’an wishes that Allah would (“May”) “destroy” all the Christians and Jews, who are in their [Islam’s] view “deluded.” The Holy Bible offers prayers and a self-sacrificing longing to save those who are outside of Christ and the faith of the Bible.
- For disbelievers, outsiders, and “enemies” of the faith, The Qur’an teaches that they should be put into “terror” and their “necks” and “fingertips” should be “stricken” off from them. “Allah is severe in penalty” to them. The Holy Bible, on the other hand, teaches that we should “love our enemies” “do good to those who hate us” “bless those who curse us” and “pray for those who despitefully use us” because this is what God’s children do, because that is who God is in love, even to the ungrateful. God, in the Holy Bible, teaches us to win others by love (never by hate or ill).
- According to the Qur’an, if anyone defects from Islam, and becomes an unbeliever, then ex-fellow Muslims are to “seize them and kill them” “wherever they find them.” The Holy Bible, on the other hand, teaches to pray for those who have left the faith, to meekly teach and guide them back, if possible, and to ultimately leave the final condition and judgement to God.
In conclusion,
The Holy Bible is about self-sacrificing love to others, concern for the lost, treating even enemies with loving-kindness, and praying for and seeking to help those who have somehow left the faith of God’s love. The Qur’an, on the other hand, is about making the “deluded” infidel (non-Muslim) submit to the faith, or be “destroyed.” It’s about inflicting suffering and painful death onto all enemies of Islam, Allah, or Muhammad, and it’s about killing anyone who defects from the faith. Granted there are other teachings on how to live rightly, but the above speaks for itself on how they want to treat those who don’t buy into or accept the way of the Qur’an.
I would have to say that I am EXTREMELY thankful to have grown up with the Holy Bible! It’s teachings are FAR more loving and superior to the Qur’an in every way imaginable. It teaches righteousness, love, and even patient tolerance of others who may be in error. In contrast, the Qur’an is an UN-holy book, in my estimation, because although it teaches some tenants for righteousness (which are reasonably admirable by themselves), it still promotes violence and destruction, by Muslim believers, of any who do not agree with accepting the teaching and practice of the Qur’an or Muhammad. It is not hard to imagine how “terrorist” groups could arise from the diligent study of those teachings in the Qur’an. Thank God for the Muslims who take those violent lines of their book with less care, or scope of applicability, and/or who are more cultural Muslims, but without the violent “radicalized” nerves or notions.
