Sam continues his on-going series which contrasts the Judeo-Christian Bible with the Islamic Koran on a variety of topics. He aims the beam of the Biblical laser on the Koran to expose, to reveal what it really says. See his previous articles here.
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The Faith of Abraham
According to the Koran, people should follow the faith of saintly Abraham; he was no idolater (1). Scripture explains to us what faith is. Faith is being certain, the confident assurance, that something you want is going to happen even though you cannot see it up ahead. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (2). By it the elders obtained a good report (3). Without faith it is impossible to please God (4).While listening to the Frank Beckman Show on 760 am, WJR radio, there was a guest who spoke of faith and reason as being exclusively different as if you could not have one if you had the other. The dictionary defines “reason” as a) The ability to think, form judgments, draw conclusions, etc. b) Sound thought or judgment; with good sense commonly known as normal mental powers. c) To think coherently and logically. d) Draw inferences or conclusions from facts known or assumed (5). Faith is a part of ones reasoning for those who have it. Those who are without faith are missing some of the facts needed in sound reasoning and good judgment making themselves therefore illogical.
Abraham whose name was first Abram came from Ur of the Chaldeans. The people there worshiped the moon god Sin which was their supreme deity. The god Sin was called “the exalted lord” and “the beautiful lord who shines in the heavens.” The people paid their taxes to the king who was also their landlord. The city was something of a theocracy centered in the moon deity (6). Terah, Abraham’s father and Nachor Abraham’s brother served idols in this place (7). It was from Ur of the Chaldeans that Terah took his family which included Abram and went to Haran which also worshiped the moon god (8).
THE KORANIC ACCOUNT
Who but a foolish man would renounce the faith of Abraham? We chose him in this world, and in the world to come he shall abide among the righteous. When his Lord said to him: ‘Submit’, he answered, ‘I have submitted to the Lord of the Universe (9).’
When his Lord put Abraham to the proof by enjoining on him certain commandments and Abraham fulfilled them, He said: ‘I have appointed you a leader of mankind.’ ‘And what of my descendants?’ asked Abraham. ‘My covenant.’ Said He, ‘does not apply to the evil-doers (10).’
Abraham and Ishmael built the House and dedicated it, saying: ‘Accept this from us, Lord. Make us submissive to You; make of our descendants a community that will submit to You. Teach us our rites of worship and turn to with mercy; You are the Forgiving One the Merciful (11).
Tell the unbelievers that if they mend their ways their past shall be forgiven; but if they persist in sin, let them reflect upon the fate of bygone nations. Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God’s religion shall reign supreme (12).
Righteousness does not consist in whether you face towards the East or the West. The righteous man is he who believes in God and the Last Day, in the angels and the Book and the prophets; who, though he loves it dearly, gives away his wealth to his kinsfolk, to orphans, to the destitute, to the traveler in need and to beggars, and for the redemption of captives; who attends to his prayers and renders the alms levy; who is true to his promises and steadfast in trial and adversity and in times of war. Such are the true believers; such are the God-fearing (13).
Surely, your Lord is the Mighty one, the Merciful. Recount to them the story of Abraham. He said to his father and to his people: ‘What is that which you worship?’ They replied: ‘We worship idols and pray to them with all fervor.’ Do they hear you when you call on them?’ he asked. ‘Can they help you or do you harm?’ They replied: ‘This was what our fathers did before us.’
He said: ‘Do you see those which you have worshiped, you and your forefathers? They are my enemies. Not so the Lord of the Universe, who has created me; who gives me guidance, food and drink; who, when I am sick restores me; who will cause me to die and bring me back to life hereafter; who , I hope, will forgive me my sins on the day of judgment.
‘Lord, bestow wisdom upon me, and admit me among the righteous. Make me deserving of praise among posterity and count me among the heirs of the Blissful Garden. Forgive my father, for he has gone astray (14).
Tell of Abraham, who said to his father and to his people: ‘I renounce the gods you worship, except Him who created me for He will rightly guide me.’ He made this an abiding precept among his descendants, so that they might for ever turn to Him (15).
Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, so that he might become a firm believer. When night drew its shadow over him, he saw a star. ‘That,’ he said, ‘is surely my God.’ But when it faded in the morning light, he said: I will not worship gods that fade.’ When he beheld the rising moon, he said: ‘That is my God.’ But when it set, he said: ‘If my Lord does not guide me, I shall surely go astray.’ Then, when he beheld the sun shining, he said: ‘That must be my God: it is the largest.’ But when it set, he said to his people: ‘I disown your idols. I will turn my face to Him who has created the heavens and the earth, and will live a righteous life. I am no idolater (16).’
His people argued with him. He said: ‘Will you argue with me about God, who has given me guidance? I do not fear your idols, unless my Lord so willed. My Lord has knowledge of all things. Will you not be warned? And how should I fear your idols when you yourselves are not afraid of serving idols not sanctioned by God? Which of us is more deserving of salvation? Tell me, if you know the truth. Those that have faith and do not taint their faith with wrongdoing shall surely earn salvation, while they follow the right path.’
Such was the argument with which We furnished Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will to an exalted rank. Your Lord is wise and all-knowing (17).
We formerly bestowed guidance on Abraham, for We knew him well. He said to his father and to his people: ‘What are these images to which you are so devoted?’ They replied: ‘They are the gods our fathers worshipped.’ He said: ‘Then you and your fathers have surely been in evident error (18).’
‘Is it the truth that you are preaching,’ they asked, ‘or is this but a jest?’ ‘Indeed,’ he answered, ‘your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. It was He that made them: to this I bear witness. By the Lord, I will overthrow your idols as soon as you have turned your backs.’
He broke them all in pieces, except their supreme god, so that they might return to him. ‘Who has done this to our deities?’ asked some. ‘He must surely be a wicked man (19).’
‘Abraham,’ they said, ‘was it you who did this to our deities?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘It was their chief who smote them. Ask them, if they can speak (20).’
COMMENTARY ON THE KORANIC ACCOUNT
Abraham asked the god of the Koran to show him the proper rites of worship. These include such things as believing in god and judgment on the last day, and the book, and the prophets, giving alms, attending to your prayers, keeping your promises, being steadfast in trial and adversity, and warring against unbelievers (especially Jews and Christians but also Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, etc.).
Abraham is not certain on how well he will do on the Day of Judgment. His sins are not forgiven during his lifetime. But he hopes they will be forgiven on the Day of Judgment. He asks god for wisdom and admittance among the righteous. He asks to be deserving of praise among his posterity.
Abraham is considered no idolater and renounces the gods that his relatives worship with one exception. One of the gods that his relatives worship he claims to be the creator.
Abraham shows reasoning ability when he notices that the stars fade in the morning light, that the moon sets, and the sun goes down. He reasons that none of these objects are god. He claims that he does not fear any of the idols unless his god willed him to. He would only fear idols sanctioned by god. He says those who have faith and do not mar it with wrongdoing earn salvation. This argument was given to him by the god of the Koran. So with the god of the Koran one must earn their salvation as well as have faith in the god of the Koran.
Abraham’s friends and relatives had a supreme god that he wanted them to worship only. It would appear that this was the god that Abraham worshipped. So he broke all the idols of the lesser deities leaving the idol of the main deity in tact. This main deity is probably the moon god Sin as shown by the crescent moon that represents Islam.
THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith (21).
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (22).
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him: and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran (23).
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness (24).
COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT
God made several promises to Abraham as a result of leaving his father’s house. First, God would make of him a great nation. Second, God would bless him. Third, God would make his name great. Fourth, God would make him a blessing. Fifth, God would bless them that bless Abraham and curse them that curse Abraham. Sixth, in Abraham shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Abraham left his father’s house believing all these promises. And God didn’t threaten Abraham to get him to obey.
This is the first instance where we see that he believed in the Lord even though he obeyed Him by faith previously. But this time it says that he believed in God. This belief in God was counted to Abraham for righteousness. It was not something he worked for or earned.
COMPARING & CONTRASTING THE KORAN WITH SCRIPTURE
In the Koran we see that Abraham submits to god. The term submission is not used in the Holy Bible. We see faith and obedience used in scripture. So what‘s the difference between submission and faith in God and obedience to God. The difference is coercion. In Islam there is the threat of death for not complying with the god of the Koran’s requirements. In scripture God rewards obedience to Him.
In the Koran it’s believing in the god of the Koran plus doing the works he requires that takes a person to paradise. But in scripture one is counted righteous through faith in God alone, apart from good works.
CONCLUSION
Abraham had assurance of salvation while he walked on the earth and didn’t have to wait until the judgment day to be forgiven of his sins. If you would like to be sure of your eternal destiny, you can invite Jesus into your heart today. A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my evil and come into my heart.”
REFERENCES
1. The Koran, page 196 paragraph 16:123
2. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:1
3. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:2
4. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:6
5. Webster’s New World College Dictionary, fourth edition page 1194
6. The Open Bible, page 1230-1232
7. The Holy Bible, Joshua 24:2&14
8. Liberty Annotated Study Bible page 28 Genesis 11:31-32
9. The Koran, page 22 paragraph 2:130
10. The Koran, page 22 paragraph 2:123-125
11. The Koran, page22 paragraph 2:127
12. The Koran, page129 paragraph 8:39-40
13. The Koran, page 27 paragraph 2:176
14. The Koran, page 260 paragraph 26:66-90
15. The Koran, page 345 paragraph 43:26
16. The Koran, page 99 paragraph 6:75-79
17. The Koran, page 100 paragraph 6:80-83
18. The Koran, page 230 paragraph 21:15-54
19. The Koran, page 231 paragraph 21:55-60
20. The Koran, page 231 paragraph 21:61-62
21. The Holy Bible, Romans 1:17
22. The Holy Bible, Hebrews 11:8
23. The Holy Bible, Genesis 12:1-4
24. The Holy Bible, Genesis 15:5-6
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