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CONGRUITIES AND INCONGRUITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN |
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« But why do they come to thee (Muhammad) for decision, when they have (their own) law before them?- therein is the (plain) command of Allah. yet even after that, they would turn away… It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light... If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.» (Surah 5/43-44)
So does the Qur'an confirm the Old Testament. It acknowledges the Old Testament as one of the books that contain God's Law.
The original Old Testament written by Moses himself had been destroyed by the Babylonians during the destruction of Solomon's Temple, to be re-written basing on the oral and written accounts of Ezra and wise men of the Jews. It was certainly impossible to preserve as was the Old Testament in its original intact form. However, the Qur'an accepts its veracity with some reservations. It has called the Israelites, the people of the book to whom a book had been revealed.
The Israelites were punished
The Israelites were the chosen people. They had been given the mission to teach mankind monotheism. The neighboring countries were all heathen. God had chosen the Jews and accorded them this privileged position. « O Children of Israel! call to mind the special favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others (for My Message). » (Surah 2/122)
The Jews had now and then been ungrateful despite the favor shown by God and turned to idolatry and had killed prophets, namely Zachariah and John. ... « This because they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah and slaying His Messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing. »(Surah 2/61)
Moreover their practice of usury, the injustice they committed in appropriating other people's assets, the cruelty they exercised led them to be deprived of God's love and affection and eventually conduced them to suffer. « For the iniquity of the Jews We made unlawful for them certain (foods) good and wholesome which had been lawful for them;- in that they hindered many from Allah.s Way; That they took usury, though they were forbidden; and that they devoured men's substance wrongfully;- we have prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievous punishment. »(Surah 4/160,161)
A Community that displays goodness and beauty
The Qur'an states that in every community there will be good people by the side of evil ones. Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth. (Surah 7/159)
The Qur'an explains its universal viewpoint regarding races. Although every human being enjoys the same status in God's view, the said human being earns his favor or displeasure because of his doings. The previous verse had condemned the Jews because of their iniquities, without neglecting to mention that there were among them praiseworthy people. « And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in Allah, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to Allah. They will not sell the Signs of Allah for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, …»(Surah 3/199) Not all the people of the book, namely the Jews and the Christians are the same. There are among them true believers who believe not only in heir own Law but also to the Law revealed to the Muslims.
LET EVERY COMMUNITY ACT ACCORDING THEIR OWN BOOK