Who are the People of the Gospel?

 

 Assalamu Alaikum

 

A typical gloss reading of a specific verse from the Qur’an by Christians is becoming a social media trend. Christians depict the character Jekyll and Hyde from a famous novel. Jekyll suffered from a multiple personality disorder just like Christians do.

 

What do I mean by this? One instance Christians claim the Qur’an is not the word of God and another instance they say the Qur’an is confirming the bible? What kind of nonsense is this?

 

So which verse are they playing Jekyll and Hyde with, let us take a read.

 

And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient. [Surah 5:47]

 

Christians boldly claim Surah 5:47 is speaking about them hence, somehow their understanding is, according to this verse they must follow the Gospel which they apparently have i.e., the New Testament.

WONDERFUL EXPLANATION NOT!

 

Another speciality Christians have is, CHERRY PICK! And what is cherry pick? Selecting the best text which suits their needs without any context. Unlike Christians, Muslims read the entire context and refer to the scholars of the Qur’an to get the best understanding.

 

Let us read the verse in question from context and understand what verse 47 of chapter 5 means.

 

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price [i.e., worldly gain]. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers. [V 44]

 

And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers [i.e., the unjust]. [V 45]

 

Verses 44-45 is speaking about the Torah which was given to Moses and those who followed him and who succeeded after i.e., the Jews, Rabbis, scholars were commanded to judge by what Allah Swt revealed therein. This would include the legal ruling and injunctions and those who do not judge by what Allah Swt has revealed are the wrong doers.

 

So far by context verses 44-45 is regarding the revelation given to Moses Pbuh and his followers. Key word here is followers keep a note of that. Let us continue reading the following verses.

 

And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous. [Surah 5:46]

 

Notice the subject has changed from Moses Pbuh to Isa As Here, Isa As came after a succession of Prophets Pbut confirming what was revealed to Moses Pbuh alongside another revelation known as the Injeel [Gospel].

 

 

Now before we move to the verse in question there is another verse which complements Surah 5:46. Let us take a read.

 

And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind [from birth] and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.

 

And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. [Surah 3:49-50]

 

As you can see not only was Isa As sent to the Children of Israel, he performed many miracles by the permission of Allah Swt as proof and sign to those people who were around him. Interestingly the chapter also informs us what we read in Surah 5:46 i.e., he came with the Torah and Injeel, alongside additional information. He came to inform them regarding lawful and unlawful matter i.e., legal injunctions and they should fear Allah Swt and obey him.

 

Keep that in mind and let us now move to the verse in question.

 

And let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the defiantly disobedient. [Surah 5:47]

 

This is where the Christians start flapping their broken wings assuming the verse is speaking about them. Remember context matters. We have already established the verses 44-45 is speaking of Moses Pbuh and his followers then the subject changes to Isa As in verse 46 continuing to verse 47 which is now referring to the followers of the Injeel [Gospel] for the time of Isa As, just like the Torah was for the followers of Moses Pbuh. The question is, how do we know is this the case?  Arabic grammar.

 

 Verse 47 reads وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ ٱلْإِنجِيلِ “And let the People of the Gospel”. The verse starts with the key word “AND”

 

Waw (و) – Also known as the “joining waw,” it is used to connect similar or related ideas. For example, طالبٌ و مُعَلِّم (student and teacher).

 

And is a conjunction to connect words in the same part of the speech. The waw indicates that what comes after it shares with the previous one meaning and indicate more than the partnership in the general meaning and indicate a chronological order between the sympathizers at the time of the occurrence of the meaning or on accompaniment, comment, or time limit, except by presumption.

 

Examples from the Quran :

 

One meaning:

 

and the earth and mountains will be lifted up and crushed with one blow

وَحُمِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ فَدُكَّتَا دَكَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ  [69:14]

 

The conjunctions (Waw) here indicate that both the earth and the mountains share the same meaning, which is that they carry the Day of Resurrection, so they will be one bench.

 

Associated and accompanying.

 

But We delivered him and those in the Ark, making it a sign for all people. فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُ وَأَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلسَّفِينَةِ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَآ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ [29:15]

 

It is known that salvation happened to Noah and those with him at the same time, and this is the meaning of the accompaniment.

 

The order:

 

When the earth is shaken ˹in˺ its ultimate quaking

and when the earth throws out ˹all˺ its contents,

and humanity cries, “What is wrong with it?”

 

إِذَا زُلْزِلَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ زِلْزَالَهَا

وَأَخْرَجَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَثْقَالَهَا

وَقَالَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مَا لَهَا [99:1,2,3]

 

Also

 

And indeed, We sent Noah and Abraham. وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًۭا وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا [57:26]

In this verse, Abraham – who is late in time – to Noah, who is ahead of him. That is, one succeeded the other.

 

There are many more example that can be shown from the Qur’an where the word Waw (و)  “and”, conjunction is connected to the statement which is being addressed more importantly these correlative conjunctions part of grammar therefore, Surah 5:46 and 47 are both connected as one message.

 

Let us break this down.

 

V 44 – Moses Pbuh is given the Torah. His nation [people of his time] was to judge using the Torah

 

V 45 – Rulings and injunctions are mentioned which were part of the revealed Torah. Notice the word Waw (و)  “and” is used meaning this is connected to the previous verse.

V 46 – Isa As is the subject now he came to confirm the previous scripture and was given a new revelation Injeel [Gospel]

V 47 – Once again notice the word Waw (و)  “and” is used meaning this verse is connected to the previous one which means, that the PEOPLE OF THE GOSPEL وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ ٱلْإِنجِيلِ will be referring to the time of Isa As not the modern-day Christians who are not the true followers of Isa As.

 

The followers of Isa As for his time were called PEOPLE OF THE GOSPEL. Christians now do not follow the Gospel of Isa As they follow the gospel of Mark, Matthew, Luke, John and Paul.

The irony about this is, Christian don’t believe the Injeel was revealed Isa As by Allah Swt how then do they consider themselves as THE PEOPLE OF THE INJEEL? Ask any Christian does he believe in the One and Only True Creator Allah Swt who revealed the Scriptures to all the People and watch them openly reject it. In fact, they don’t even consider Isa As from the Qur’an as the true Messiah why then would they think the verse is somehow applying to them? Remember Jekyll and Hyde syndrome that’s what they suffer from.

 

One moment they believe in the Qur’an next moment they don’t. Christians have embodied this crafty, deceptive approach towards Muslims which they themselves know is misleading. 

 

Tafsir of Al-Qurtubi also says this verse is speaking of the people of the time of Isa As 

Conclusion :

 

Surah 5:46-47 is speaking of the People of the Gospel who lived during the time of Isa As and after until the arrival of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh.

 

Once again big thanks to my dear brother Adnan my Ustad JazakhAllahu Khair.

What is the إِنجِيل?

Assalamu Alaikum

 

 

I previously wrote a paper titled “what is the Torah” where I gave ample information from the Qur’an alongside Sunnah that the Torah, Jews, and Christians read is not what the Qur’an is referring to. This paper I will focus on what is the إِنجِيل Injeel [Gospel] according to the Qur’an.

 

Christians often have this misconception that whenever the Qur’an makes mention of either the Torah or Gospel it automatically refers to their scriptures I.e., the Old and New Testament. This is their misunderstanding which they try to force upon Muslims. A common polemic by Christians which must be addressed.

 

Let us start by asking the question what is the إِنجِيل Injeel?

إِنجِيل Injeel could be the Arabized word for Evangelion, meaning the Good News. Ultimately, the word Injeel is mentioned 12 times in the Qur’an. The Injeel is a revelation, revealed to Isa As [Jesus] who is the second to last Prophet send by Allah Swt six hundred years before Prophet Muhammed Pbuh as mentioned in the authentic hadith.

 

Narrated Salman:

 

The interval between Jesus and Muhammad was six hundred years.

[Sahih al-Bukhari 3948]

 

This is where it gets interesting. The Arabic letters نجَل [Nun Jeem Lam] not only would spell word إِنجِيل [Injeel] it also has another meaning to it, something which precedes from you. Another way of expressing this would be son proceeded from his father [loins] something which comes after. We know by default the إِنجِيل [Injeel] was revealed after the Torah and the Qur’an was revealed after the إِنجِيل [Injeel].

 

Let us now look at a few verses from the Qur’an which mention the إِنجِيل [Injeel] before present the message it brought.

 

He has sent down upon you, [O Muhammed], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel [Surah 3:3]

 

 

She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" [The angel] said, "Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.

 

 And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel [Surah 3:47-48]

 

 

O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Abraham while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason? [Surah 3:68]

 

And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming that which came before him in the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous [Surah 5:46]

 

And if only they had upheld [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to them from their Lord [i.e., the Quran], they would have consumed [provision] from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them are a moderate [i.e., acceptable] community, but many of them – evil is that which they do. [Surah 5:66]

 

Say, "O People of the Scripture, you are [standing] on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord [i.e., the Quran]." And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. So do not grieve over the disbelieving people. [Surah 5:68]

 

 

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written [i.e., mentioned] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them.  So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful. [Surah 7:157]

 

Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Quran. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment. [Surah 9:111]

 

Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark [i.e., sign] is on their faces [i.e., foreheads] from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that He [i.e., Allah] may enrage by them1414 the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward. [Surah 48:29]

 

Remarkably notice how the Gospel is mentioned in succession to the Torah multiple times. Majority of the times whenever you read إِنجِيل [Injeel] you’ll find the mentioning of the Torah prior to it as you can read from the verse above.

 

Coming back to our previous point what is the message of the إِنجِيل [Injeel]? Interestingly, the Qur’an tells us.

And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmed." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic." [Surah 61:6]

 

Let us break this down.

 

As mentioned in most instances of the Quranic verses whenever the word إِنجِيل [Injeel] is mentioned the word Torah is found before it i.e., the Torah preceded before the إِنجِيل [Injeel]. We would expect the same chronological order of Torah and إِنجِيل [Injeel] being mentioned one after another in Surah 61:6 right? let us see.

 

Again, like other verse cited Surah 61:6 mentions Torah as the preceding scripture revealed to Isa As, but this time with the exception, rather than the word إِنجِيل [Injeel] being mentioned as coming after the Torah instead we read the word  مُبَشِّرًۢا [Good News] an alternative to the word إِنجِيل [Injeel].

 

Do not be surprised the إِنجِيل [Injeel] is also known as the مُبَشِّرًۢا [Good News] and vice versa, and what is this Good News? It’s in the very same text, the advent of The Prophet Muhammed Pbuh. Therefore, we can conclude without hesitation Surah 61:6 is informing us what the إِنجِيل [Injeel] is and the message it brought.

 

إِنجِيل [Injeel] = مُبَشِّرًۢا [Good News]  Bishara         

 

مُبَشِّرًۢا [Good News] = The proclamation of the Messenger to come whose name will be Ahmed.

 

Note we also have a direct saying from Prophet Muhammed Pbuh where he says one of his names is Ahmed.

 

Narrated Jubair bin Mut`im:

 

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I have five names: I am Muhammad and Ahmad; I am Al-Mahi through whom Allah will eliminate infidelity; I am Al-Hashir who will be the first to be resurrected, the people being resurrected there after; and I am also Al-`Aqib (i.e. There will be no prophet after me). [Sahih al-Bukhari 3532]

 

 

We must also note the إِنجِيل [Injeel] was preached by Isa As. Speech of a person is not a book rather you can memorise or document it i.e., write it down. It is not necessary all words are written down. Therefore, we can conclude the Gospel was not a book it was an utterance from the mouth which was conveyed and heard by the people of that time. Someone hearing and then writing it down does not mean they were truthful in what they wrote hence, to trust the four gospels’ Christians claim being documents by eyewitness is nothing but a lie they invent to convince themselves and others.

 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

As for the Gospel that is in their hands, they acknowledge that it was not written by the Messiah (peace be upon him), nor did he dictate it to someone else to write it down. Rather they wrote it after the Messiah was taken up (into heaven). Al-Jawab al-Saheeh.

 

He also said.

 

Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:  

These four books that they call the Gospel, or call each of them a Gospel, were written by them after the Messiah was taken up into heaven, but they do not say in them that they are the word of God, or that the Messiah conveyed them from God. Rather they transmitted in them some of the words of the Messiah, and some of his actions and miracles. They said that they did not narrate from him everything that they heard and saw from him. So they are more akin to what was narrated by the scholars of hadeeth (prophetic narrations), biography and maghaazi (battle) reports from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) of his words and deeds that are not Quran. So the Gospels that they have in their hands are more like the books of seerah (biographies) and hadeeth (prophetic narrations), or like these books, even if most of them are true. Al-Jawab al-Saheeh.

Another point Christians try to bring is that if Surah 61:6 is Prophesising of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh the where is it mentioned in the gospels they have? Firstly, the Gospels are not the Injeel which was revealed to Prophet Isa As. Secondly, the fact you don’t have such a message in your books shows it is not the Injeel. Christians normally counter back by saying if that is the case, why does the Qur’an state in Surah 7:157 “they find His description in the Torah and Gospel?

 

Note the ayah in Surah 7 reads ʿindahum  عِنْدَهُمْ “with them” i.e. their own scripture and Surah 61:6 reads wa-idh qāla   وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ “when Isa son of Mary said”.  Surah 61, Isa As “said” whereas in  Surah 7 “they find in what they have”, both are not the same. We must also note in Surah 61:6 Isa As explicitly gave the name of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh “AHMED” whereas in Surah 7:157 they find His “description maktūban مَكْتُوبًا" 

If you're looking for the name of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh in your scripture then you taking the wrong route. The Quran does not say you will find his name (إسمه ismuhu), rather the Quran says in Surah 7:157 they found his written description (مَكْتُوبًا maktuban), be consistent.

Also, the Sahih International translation states "remember" the word remember is not in the Arabic.

The Arabic word that is translated as "remember" is "أُذْكُرُو" udhkuruu which in turn is derived from the word "ذِكْر" dhikr. This word linguistically means " حِفْظُ شَيْء" hifthu shay' which translates as "to protect/memorize something". This is why someone who memorizes the Qur'an is called حافظ(hafidh/hafiz).

 

So, when the Qur'an uses the term "dhikr/remembrance", it does not necessarily mean that we have knowledge of the event being described. Rather, God is calling on us to learn, retain, and, ultimately, act on that knowledge.

Conclusion:

 

Christians are in denial when they are told the Injeel إِنجِيل is not the four gospels written by unknown authors. It is crystal clear from the Qur’an that the إِنجِيل [Injeel] is the Good News مُبَشِّرًۢا as demonstrated specifically from Surah 61:6 alongside the Hadith.

 

If Christians really believe the Qur’an is speaking about their book, then they shouldn’t have a problem directing us to where their scriptures explicitly mentions the name of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh as the Messenger of Allah Swt as found in Surah 61:6. Furthermore, if they are still adamant then surely they should be able to explain Surah 7:157 how the converts i.e. the learned men of the Children of Israel [Rabbis and Christians] found the description of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh in their Scriptures?   

 

As they say you can’t have the cake and eat it.

Once again, JazakhAllahu Khair to my dear brother Adnan who helped me by the will of Allah Swt investigate this matter like I did for the Torah and motivated me to write this paper.

 

Ibn Uthaymin on the claim of the Nasara that they are followers of the Messiah عليه السلام He says if they were true followers of Jesus, they would follow Muhammad ! Because Jesus foretold Muhammad ﷺ & commanded them to obey him.

What comes forth between the backbone and ribs?

 

Assalamu Alaikum

 

1. By the sky and the night comer –

2. And what can make you know what is the night comer?

3. It is the piercing star

4. There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.

5. So let man observe from what he was created.

6. He was created from a fluid, ejected,

7. Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.

8. Indeed, He [i.e., Allah], to return him [to life], is Able.

9. The Day when secrets will be put on trial,

[Surah 86:1-9]

 

Christians make the claim the Qur’an has a “scientific error” where it states semen comes from the backbone and ribs. Let us look at the verse and find out whether it is speaking about semen coming forth between the backbone and ribs.

 

The apparent contention is verse 7 however, we shall start a couple of verses prior which will explain the entire context to what and who the verse is referring to. Notice verse 5 informs us to observe what we [man] are created from. Verse 6 continues to inform us what substance, components are use as part of man’s creation. Verse 7 the verse in question, tells us something is emerging from between the backbone and ribs. Verse 8 -9 Allah Swt will bring man to life on the Day of Resurrection.

 

The question is, what is emerging?

 

Now Christians claim its semen, possibly reading a English translation, assuming semen is what emerges. Does the verse really say that?

 

The Arabic word used in Surah 86:6 is مَاءٍ (water) not نُطْفَةً (sperm). We know one of the elements of human is water, as mention in Surah 21:30.

 

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe? [Surah 21:30]

 

All living things are created from water.

 

Below is a screenshot from Hans Wehr 4th ed. Dictionary:

 

  

Now that we have established the verse does not read semen, let us identify what is emerging. In Arabic if you want to find out what the Pronoun is you have to go back to the last noun. This is case the last noun goes back to verse 5 where it reads “So let man observe from what he was created.” If man is being addressed as the noun, then by default using the rules of grammar verse 7 the pronoun will be referring to the man who is being issued forth between the backbone and ribs.

 

This is not a phenomenon that is unknown to medical science anatomy, specifically to an embryologist. This researched is well established and known throughout the medical world.

 

In the late second trimester and third trimester, the uterus expands upward to accommodate the developing fetus. As the fetus gets larger and larger, they may start to press against the ribs. Carrying the extra weight of the fetus can also place more strain on the muscles around the abdomen, which can, in turn, put pressure on the rib muscles, causing muscle aches.

 

For the record there are various way (methods) of explaining this. Sulb means male and Tara'ib means female. You can also using modern day technology see where the fetus or developed baby is situated the positioning showing it’s between the backbone and ribs of the mother.

 

 

The imagine below shows the child between the backbone and ribs this is during the third trimester.

 

 

 

 

Let is break this down and simply it.

 

 

·        Verse 5 – Let man observe [ponder, think] from what he was created from.

 

·        Verse 6 – He [man] issued forth from between the backbone and ribs.     The correct reading for مَاءٍ should be "water" i.e. the element used for the creation of man who issued forth between the backbone & ribs. From context Surah 86:5-8 is speaking about the creation of man.

 

·         Verse 7 – He [man] issued forth from between the backbone and ribs.     

 

·         Verse 8 & 9 –   Allah Swt will raise man back to life and on the Day of Resurrection of secrets will be disclosed.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

Surah 86 is not a scientific error as these dishonest, repulsive Christian apologist claim. The verses are clear they are speaking of mans creation from start to the point of birth followed by being resurrected to face the Day of Judgement which every human will stand on trial.

 

 

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. [Surah 9:32]

 

 

They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. [Surah 61:8]