Zhakir, It is good to see you learning about the beliefs of others. It is good for us all to do this. That is why I am reading the Qur'an right now. Too bad I don't understand Arabic so I could read it in Arabic. I have a question Zhakir. Do not Christians, Muslims, and Jews all worship the same God? We may have differing beliefs, but at least we worship the same God don't we?
You may read the Qur'an in the language you understand the best.
And yes Muslims and the p
eople of the book (christians and jews) worship the same Allah they only one God.
29:46
And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them whoinflict wrong (and injury): but say, "We believe in the revelation whichhas come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)."
3:64
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 ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).
As to your questions about our beliefs concerning Jesus Christ and his atonement, I will add my two bits. Before came to this earth, we lived with God in a spirit state. We learned and progressed as much as we could. Eventually, it became expedient for us to take the next step in our journey. In order to become more like God, we would need to gain a body and experience mortality. We would need to be tested to see if we would follow what God had taught us and whether we would obey him or not. This plan involved coming to earth, living for a time, and then dieing. We would learn knowledge and gain experience that could be gained in no other way. We would also receive a physical body. It was a good plan, but there was a problem. We knew that God was perfectly good. There could be no evil in his presence. If any of us made a mistake on earth, we would be tainted with sin and be unable to return to God's presence for "no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God." Because none of us could hope to live perfect lives, our trip to earth would have been a one way ticket. We could never have regained God's presence. Yet we needed the experience and growth living on earth would give us if we were to move forward in our progression. What would we do? God, gathered us all together and explained his plan to us. He made it known that there was one way to make the plan work. We would have to have a redeemer, someone willing to pay the sins of us all. It would have to be someone perfect, a lamb without blemish. Realizing that no one else could fulfill the requirements, Jesus Christ, our older brother, offered himself. When God asked "Whom shall I send?" He answered "Send me, and the glory be thine forever." I cannot imagine a love like that. He never faltered from his decision. When it finally came time for the price to be paid, the burden began to be so heavy that he prayed to his Father "Father, if it be possible, remove this cup from me!" What a great burden it must have been! "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done."
Later, when describing the experience Jesus Christ explained it thus:
Thank you for replying
Muslims agree that life is a test from God who has a plan for us to live according to,
We believe that God is good and the most Mercyful.
1. Allah is most Merciful
The Qur’an says several times that Allah is the most Merciful. In fact all the 114 Surahs i.e. chapters of the Glorious Qur’an except for Surah Taubah chapter 9, begin with the beautiful formula,
Bismillah-hir-Rahman-nir-Rahim, which means, "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful".
2. Allah is Forgiving
The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses including Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 25 and Surah Maidah, chapter 5 verse 74:
"And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
3. Allah gives severe punishment to the deserving
Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving is also strict in giving punishment to the deserving. The Qur’an mentions in several verses that Allah will give severe punishment to the unbelievers and rejecters of faith. He will give punishment to all those who disobey Him. Several verses of the Qur’an describe the various types of severe punishment that Allah will give in hell to all those who disobey.
"Those who reject our Signs, we shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins
Are roasted through, we shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise".
[Al-Qur’an 4:56]
4. Allah is Just
The question is, whether Allah is forgiving or revengeful? An important point to be noted is that Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving, He also has to give severe punishment to the deserving wicked or evil people, because He is also Just. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Nisa: "Allah is never unjust in the least degree".
[Al-Qur’an 4:40]
It is further mentioned in Surah Al-Ambiya:
"We shall set up scales of justice for the day of Judgement, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least. And if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it (to account): and enough are we to take account".
[Al-Qur’an 21:47]
would it be fair to reward different people who do different deeds the same ?
Now if people believe that their sins will be forgiven,what will stop them from sinnig ?
5. Example: Teacher forgives a student who copies in the examination
If during an examination, a student copies and the teacher who supervises in the examination catches the student red-handed, the teacher says that he is very merciful and kind and forgives him and allows him to continue copying. Those students who have worked hard for the examination will not call the teacher merciful and kind but will call him unjust. This merciful act of the teacher will encourage the other students to also copy. If all the teachers are merciful and kind and allow the students to copy then no student will ever study for examinations and all will pass with flying colours by copying. The theoretical results of the examinations will be excellent in which all the students will pass with first class and distinction but practically these students will be a failure in life. The whole purpose of the examination would be defeated.
6. This Life is a Test for the Hereafter
The life in this world is a test for the Hereafter. The Qur’an says in Surah Al Mulk: "He who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving".
[Al-Qur’an 67:2]
7. If Allah forgives all and punishes none, who will obey him?
If Allah (swt) forgives each and every human being and punishes no one, then why should the human beings obey the command of Allah (swt) ? If we do agree that no one will go to hell, but this world would become hell to live in. If all human beings are going to go to heaven then what is the purpose and use of the human beings to come to this world, this life cannot be called a test for the hereafter.
8. Allah only forgives if a person repents
Allah (swt) only forgives if a person repents. The Qur’an says in Surah Al-Zumar, chapter 39 verse 53-55:
"Say: ‘O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
"Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will), before the penalty comes on you - after that ye shall not be helped."
"And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the penalty comes on you - of a sudden, while ye perceive not!"
[Al-Qur’an 39:53-55]
There are four criteria for repentance: First, agree that the act is wrong. Secondly, stop it immediately. Thirdly, never do it again in future. And lastly, compensate for the loss if caused to anyone.
