Questionable Teachings of Islam: One Billion People
Deceived
Testing whether any revelation is of Divine
nature is within the scope and right of all individuals
who sincerely seek to find the answers that lead to the One True God
of Creation. A God of love, mercy and compassion would not deliberately
lead anyone astray, cause them to become an unbeliever and then punish
them for it as taught in the Qur'anic revelations.
Just
as Muhammad included "safeguards" to warn Muslims not to befriend
Jews and Christians and to consider them as enemies of Islam, Judaism
and Christianity also had established warnings about the false prophets
that would come along and deceive many by claiming that they
were sent as messengers of God. Here are two examples from Judaism
and Christianity:
From Judaism:
"Assuredly, I am going to
deal with the prophets - declares the Lord - who steal my words from
one another. I am going to deal with those who prophesy lying
dreams - declares the Lord - who relates them to lead my people astray
with their reckless lies when I did not send them or command them.
They do this people no good - declares the Lord."
(Tanakh - Jeremiah:
23:30, 32)
From Christianity:
"For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And,
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
"Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world..." (1 John 5:1-11)
If
there is anything in common between people who claim to be a "prophet
of God," it is that they are usually rejected and persecuted for what
they preach. This holds true whether the individual is a "true prophet"
or a "false prophet." As a self-proclaimed prophet, Muhammad endured
rejection and persecution, however, his "angelic revelations"
should still be allowed to be scrutinized and compared to other teachings.
Truth endures all testing.