In the Bible, God is very often referred to as ‘Elohim’ in the Hebrew language. The ‘im’ in the ending is a plural of honour or respect.

In the present series, we are examining the similarities between two major religions of the world: Islam and Christianity. Islam is the only non-Christian faith, which makes it an article of faith for its followers to believe in Jesus (pbuh). In last month’s article, we studied how quotations from the Bible and the Glorious Qur’an state that Jesus (pbuh) was a messenger only for the children of Israel and not for the whole of humanity. We also studied some prophecies about the advent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the Old Testament of the Bible].

Some Christians may say that they do not believe in the Old Testament and that they give more importance to the New Testament. But by the Grace of Allah (swt), the New Testament also has prophecies of the advent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is mentioned in Gospel of John Chapter No. 14, Verse No. 16 that Jesus (pbuh) says:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. [Gospel of John 14:16]

Further it is mentioned in the Gospel of John Chapter No. 15, Verse No. 26 that Jesus (pbuh) says:

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. [Gospel of John 15:26]

It is further mentioned in the Gospel of John Chapter No. 16, Verse No. 7 that Jesus (pbuh) says:

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [Gospel of John 16:7]

The word used for ‘Comforter’ in the present-day Bible is ‘Paracletos’. The name ‘Ahmed’ and the name ‘Muhammad’ mean “the one who praises” or “the praised one”. These two phrases are a close translation of the Greek word Periclytos. In the Gospel of John 14:16, 15:26, and 16:7, the word ‘Comforter’ is used in the English translation for the Greek word Paracletos which means advocate or a kind friend rather than a comforter. Paracletos is the warped reading for Periclytos. Jesus (pbuh) actually prophesied ‘Ahmad’ by name. Even the Greek word Paraclete refers to the Prophet (pbuh) who is a mercy for all creatures.

As the Qur’an says in Surah Saff Chapter 61, Verse No. 6:

And remember Jesus the son of Mary said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah (sent) to you confirming the Law (which came) before me and giving glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me whose name shall be Ahmad.” [Surah As-Saff 61:6]

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, it is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari: Narrated Ibn Umar (r.a.) that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said:

“Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is the slave and Messenger of Allah.

2. Iqamat-as-salaah (to perform and establish prayers)

3. To pay Zakaat

4. To perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah)

5. To observe Saum (i.e. fast) during the month of Ramadhaan

(Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 1, Book of Eemaan, Chapter 1, Hadith 7)

The first is that there is no god or deity or entity worthy of worship and submission except Allah and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Messenger of Allah (swt).

It is stated in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah Ch. No. 2, Verse No. 177:

It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers. [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:177]

The Glorious Qur’an states in Surah Ali Imran Ch No. 3, Verse no. 64:

Say: “O people of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back say: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s will).” [Surah Al-e-Imran 3:64]

This verse of the Glorious Qur’an shows the Muslims a way to speak with the ‘Ahle Kitaab’ i.e. the Jews and Christians. It says, “Come to common terms as between us and you”. Which is the first term? That “we worship none but Allah.”

The best description of the concept of Almighty God in Islam is given in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Ikhlaas i.e. Ch. No. 112, verses 1 to 4:

Say: He is Allah the One and Only; Allah the Eternal Absolute; He begets not nor is He begotten; And there is none like Him. [Surah Al-Ikhlaas 112:1 to 4]

This is a four-line definition of Almighty God. If any candidate or entity claims to be God and fits in this four-line definition, we Muslims have got no objection in accepting that entity as God. The Glorious Qur’an states in Surah Nisa Chapter No. 4, Verse No. 48:

Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him; but He forgives anything else to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed. [Surah An-Nisa 4:48]

Allah will forgive any sin if he wishes, except the sin of associating partners with Him.

The Qur’an repeats this message in Surah Nisa Chapter No. 4, verse No. 116:

Allah forgives not (the sin of) joining other gods with Him: but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this. [Surah An-Nisa 4:116]

The Arabic word ‘shirk’ means associating partners with Allah (swt), which is the greatest sin. A similar message is given in the Book of Exodus in the Bible Ch. No. 20, Verses 3 to 5:

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 bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God. [Book of Exodus 20:3-5]

Similar message is repeated in the Book of Deuteronomy Ch. No. 5, Verses 7 to 9:

Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make 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 waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God. [Book of Deuteronomy 5:7-9]

Hence, making images of Almighty God, indulging in idol worship and all acts of polytheism are strictly prohibited in the Bible and also in the Glorious Qur’an.

The Glorious Qur’an states in Surah Maidah Ch. No. 5, Verse No. 72:

They do blaspheme who say: “Allah is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O children of Israel! Worship Allah my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden and the Fire will be his abode. There will be none to help the wrong-doers. [Surah Al-Maidah 5:72]

Some Christians state that Jesus (pbuh) claimed divinity. However, there is not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible, where Jesus (pbuh) says ‘I am God’ or where he says ‘worship me’. I would like to repeat this. If you read the Bible, you will not come across a single unambiguous statement in the complete Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says, that ‘I am God’ or where he says ‘worship me’. If any Christian can show me any verse, anywhere from the Bible where Jesus (pbuh) himself says that he is God or where he says “worship me”; I am ready to accept Christianity immediately. I am not speaking on behalf of other Muslims. I am a student of comparative religion. I have read the Bible. I am ready to put my head on the Guillotine.

Jesus (pbuh) is reported to have said in the New Testament:

“My Father is greater than I.” [Gospel of John 14:28]

“My Father… is greater than all;” [Gospel of John 10:29]

“… I cast out devils by the Spirit of God” [Gospel of Matthew 12:28]

“… I with the finger of God cast out devils” [Gospel of Luke 11:20]

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” [Gospel of John 5:30]

Jesus said I can of my ownself do nothing. He never ever claimed divinity. The Glorious Qur’an states that Jesus (pbuh) said that paradise will be forbidden for anyone who associates partners with God.

Attributes of God

(i) The Qur’an mentions in Surah Isra Chapter 17 Verse 110:

Say: “Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman. By whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): For to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. (Al Qur’an 17:110)

To Allah belong the most beautiful names. You can call Allah by any name but that name should be beautiful and should not conjure up a mental picture. The Qur’an gives no less than 99 different attributes of Almighty God. Some of these are: Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Al-Hakeem (meaning Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All Wise). Allah has 99 different names / attributes and the crowning one, the hundredth one is ‘Allah’. The Qur’an repeats this message that to Allah belong the most beautiful names:

(i) Surah Al A’raf Chapter 7 Verse 180

(ii) In Surah Taha Chapter 20 Verse 8

(iii) In Surah Al Hashr Chapter 59 Verse 23-24

ii. Name Allah preferred to the word ‘God’

Muslims prefer calling Allah (swt) with His Name ‘Allah’, instead of the English word ‘God’. That is because Allah has called himself Allah in the Glorious Qur’an. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) too has called God by the name Allah. The Arabic word Allah is pure and unique, unlike the English word God which can be played around with.

If you add ‘s’ to ‘god’, it becomes ‘gods’ which is the plural of the word ‘god’. Allah is one and singular, there is no plural of Allah. If you add ‘dess’ to god, it becomes ‘goddess’ i.e. a female god. There is nothing like male Allah or female Allah. Allah has no gender. If you add father to god, it becomes ‘godfather’ (meaning guardian). There is nothing like ‘Allah Abba’ or ‘Allah father’ in Islam. If you add mother to god it becomes ‘godmother’. There is nothing like ‘Allah Ammi’ or ‘Allah Mother’ in Islam. If you put tin before god, it becomes tin-god i.e. a fake God, there is nothing like ‘tin Allah’ or fake Allah in Islam. ‘Allah’ is a unique word, which does not conjure up any mental picture nor can it be played around with. Hence, Muslims prefer the name Allah when referring to the Almighty Creator. But sometimes while speaking to non-Muslims we may use the inappropriate word ‘God’ for Allah.

The same word Allah (swt) is mentioned in many religious scriptures including the Bible. In the Bible, God is very often referred to as ‘Elohim’ in the Hebrew language. The ‘im’ in the ending is a plural of honour or respect. God is referred to as ‘El’ or ‘Elah’ in the English Bible with commentary, edited by Reverend C. I. Scofield.

‘Elah’ is alternatively spelt as ‘Alah’. The difference in spelling is only of a single ‘L’. Muslims spell Allah as ‘Allah’ while the Reverend has spelt it as ‘Alah’ and they pronounce it as ‘Elah’. Muslims pronounce it as ‘Allah’. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages therefore we say it should be pronounced as ‘Allah’ and not as ‘Elah’.

It is mentioned in the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 27 verse 46 as well as in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 15 verse 34:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? [Gospel of Matthew 27:46 & Gospel of Mark 15:34]

When Jesus (pbuh) was put on the cross, he cried with a loud voice saying “ELI ELI LAMA SABACHTANI?” that is to say, ‘My God, My God why hast Thou Forsaken Me?’ Does this sound like “Jehovah! Jehovah! why has thou forsaken me?” Does it sound like Abba Abba? The answer is ‘No’. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages and if you translate “ELI ELI LAMA SABACHTANI?” into Arabic it is ‘ALLAH ALLAH LAMA TARAK TANI’. Doesn’t it sound similar?

This statement of Jesus (pbuh), “ELI ELI LAMA SABACHTANI” is preserved in its original Hebrew in each and every of its translation which is available in more than 2000 different languages of the world and in each and every of them, “Allah” is present.

(To be continued)

English translation of verses of the Glorious Qur’an is taken from Abdullah Yusuf Ali”

References of the Bible have been taken from the King James Version

(Dr. Zakir Naik is the President of the Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation and can be reached at zakir@irf.net)

Facts & Faith