The Correction of Jewish and Christian Misunderstandings

Below are two examples of the Quran correcting what had undergone change in Jewish and Christian beliefs:

(1)  The Jews claim Abraham to be a Jew, the father of the Jewish nation, whereas the Christians consider him to be their father as well, as the Roman Catholic Church calls Abraham “our father in Faith” in the Eucharistic prayer called Roman Canon recited during Mass.  God responds to them in the Quran:

“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?” (Quran 3:65)

(2)  The Quran forcefully denies the crucifixion of Jesus, an event of immense proportions to both religions:

“And [We cursed them] for their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of God and their killing of the prophets without right and their saying, ‘Our hearts are wrapped’ [i.e., sealed against reception].  Rather, God has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.  And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their saying against Mary a great slander, And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of God.’  And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them.  And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it.  They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption.  And they did not kill him, for certain.” (Quran 4:155-157)

This Quranic denial raises some fundamental questions.

First, if Islamic doctrine were borrowed from Judaism and Christianity, why did it deny crucifixion?  After all, both religions agree it took place!  For the Jews, it was Jesus the imposter who was crucified, but for Christians, it was the Son of God.  The Prophet Muhammad could have easily agreed to the crucifixion of Jesus, this giving more credit to his message.  If Islam were a false religion, an imitation of Judaism or Christianity, or if Muhammad was not true in his claim, Islam would not take an uncompromising stand on this issue and declare both religions to be outright wrong in this matter, as there is nothing as such to gain by its denial.

Second, if Islam had borrowed the myth of crucifixion from these two religions, it would have eliminated a point of major contention with them, but Islam brought the truth and could not vindicate a myth just to appease them.  It is quite possible the Jews were responsible for crucifying Jesus, for their historical transgressions against the prophets of God has been documented in the bible and the Quran alike.  But in regards to Jesus, the Quran states forcefully:

“And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him.”

How is it possible, then, to say that the Muhammad produced the Quran by information learnt from Jewish or Christian scholars when he brought ideologies uprooting their doctrine?

Third, the denial of crucifixion by itself negates other Christian beliefs:

(1)   Jesus’ atonement for sin’s of man.

(2)  Burden of original sin carried by all men.

(3) Deconstructs the myth of the cross and its veneration.

(4) The last supper and the Eucharist.

Thus we see that the stories the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, told of nations of past were not mere folklore, nor were they learnt from Jewish or Christian learned men.  Rather, they were revealed to him from above the seven heavens by the God of creation.