Islam - A Closer Look.

FaceBook note: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=236736913047071

Islam and Christianity are pretty much neck and neck in comparison, but what separates the two? There seems to be alot of semantics and confusion regarding Islam and Christianity too, so we'll deal with that also.

Finding The facts:
I've looked at websites that teach from the Qur'an, videos on YouTube done by Muslims, and groups on FaceBook, although questions still remain.
I do know that Muslims were not responsible for the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the evidence points that way also. Let's get that straight for those of you who haven't researched or tried to debunk the 9/11 "conspiracy theories" (more like facts - the evidence is clear and more weight than the official story).
The Bible calls for us all to love our neighbour as ourself (Mark 12:30-31, Mark 12 - full context), and to love our "enemy" (Matthew 5:43-48)

Who is right? Jesus & Bible, or Muhammad & Qur'an?
Surah 2:111 (Qur'an):
"And they say, 'None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.' That is [merely] their wishful thinking, Say, 'Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.'"

If Islam is right, then where's their near death experience testimonies, and how come Muhammad is buried for everyone to know about!? Jesus rose from the dead some days later, and left no physical remains & ascended into Heaven :) Anyone can effortlessly and readily read up on near death experience testimonials from Christians, Atheists, and average joes, and find a consistency across the board - they experience Jesus!

Muslims look to Muhammad, who may well have had some good teachings here and there, but he was just a man, and he's buried.

Are God and Allah the same entity?
From the research I've done, it appears that Allah and God in Arabic are two different words. But the Bible even indicates different names for God too.

I guess we have to dig a little deeper - "ye shall know them by their fruits". If someone says they are good, but something is screwy and they get up to no good, then you will see that - the truth doesn't fear investigation / questioning. Galatians 5 and Matthew 7 would give a few ideas on how to put something to the test.

An element of paranoia is required - always be on your toes for snares. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 says: "14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works."

What it seems:
There seems to be two different types of Islam: A peaceful Islam, and radical Islam (the terrorists you hear of in eastern countries). I think this depends on how one interprets the Qur'an. Peaceful Muslims will consider all parts, and include Jesus' teachings in their studies. The Muslims that stir trouble, believe that when the Qur'an contradicts itself, that the later parts of the Qur'an supersede the earlier parts of the Qur'an - that just doesn't make sense! :s 
Islam / Muslims think of Jesus only being a wise prophet but it seems they missed the point that Jesus cheated death by getting crucified and coming back to life some time later to hang around for a while then getting taken into Heaven in a new body (www.neverthirsty.org/pp/bible-questions/answer00484-did-jesus-physically-and-spiritually-ascend-to-heaven.html). Muhammad passed away and was buried as we are. Jesus doesn't have a burial ground or physical remains left anywhere :) Other prophets mentioned in the Bible generaly had a conventional passing on from this life also (such as Moses, David, all except for Jesus, and one prophet that was "taken in a whirlwind" - see www.keithhunt.com/Enochhea.html).

Keeping Jesus in mind - don't burn your bridges!
It is interesting to know that Jesus can be a helper (John 14:6) when it comes time to turn and bite the dust / pass on from this life :)

The Good Person Test:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0t4p6y7o0o
If any one of us is held to the standard of perfection and is judged by the 10 commandments we would all stand guilty....We are all lying, thieving, blasphemous adulterers at heart and our works are but filthy rags when it comes to the perfection of God. It is Jesus alone who stood without sin yet took the blame for all of ours. It is by his grace we are saved....none of us are good and none of us can boast about our salvation.

Is the Qur'an trying to tell us something?
Comparing Jesus and Muhammad: (source: www.bibleprobe.com/muhammad.htm)
To the Muslim, Jesus Christ is merely one of the many prophets of Allah (Sura: 4:171; 5:74). According to Islam, the prophet Muhammad supersedes Jesus Christ. Islam says Jesus Christ is not the Son of God or part of any Trinity (Surah 5:17; 5:116; 19:35). We are told by Islam that Jesus was the Messiah (Surah 3:45; 4:157; 171), but nothing but a slave on whom God showed favor (Surah 43:59); yet elsewhere in the Qur'an we are told the Messiah is not a slave (Surah 4:172). The Qur'an tells us that Jesus Christ did not atone for anyone's sins, although he was himself sinless (Surah 3:46) and is one of those who are near to God (Surah 3:45). Positively, the Qur'an says that Jesus Christ performed miracles (Surah 3:49; 5:110) and was the Messiah. The Qur'an says Jesus did not die on a cross. Various Muslim traditions say that Jesus either miraculously substituted Judas Iscariot for himself on the cross, or that God miraculously delivered Him from the hands of the Romans and Jews before He could be crucified. Most Muslims believe that Jesus Christ was taken bodily into heaven without having died (Surah 4:157). However, Surah 19:33 says Jesus died and would be resurrected. Muhammad on the other hand died in his wife Aisha's home, not long after he was poisoned by a slave girl. Muhammad's body was lowered into a hole in Medina, and his dead body was covered by dirt and brickwork.

It is interesting to compare Jesus and Muhammad according to the Qur'an. Jesus did miracles (Surah 3:49; 5:110), but Muhammad did not (Surah 13:8: "thou art a warner [of coming divine judgment] only"; also 6:37; 6:109; 17:59 and 17:90-93). Jesus was sinless (Surah 3:46), but Muhammad sinned and needed forgiveness (Surah 40:55: "Ask forgiveness of thy sin"; 42:5: "Ask forgiveness for those on the Earth"; 47:19: "Ask forgiveness for thy sin" ; 48:2: "that Allah may forgive thee of thy sin"). Jesus was called "the Messiah" by Allah in the Qur'an. And Jesus was even born of a virgin (Surah 3:45-57)!
The Qur'an suggests that Muslims should read the Bible. (Surah 5:46; 3:3; 10:94-95)

Muhammad (Qur'an) vs Moses (The Ten Commandments)
The Qur'an shows every sign of being a spiritistic revelation, similar to those coming out of modern-day New Age teachings. Even Mohammed himself thought at the beginning of writing the Qur'an, that he may have been possessed by a jinn (a demon). His fits, foamings at the mouth and other manifestations certainly fit in with that idea. Why would God send someone into a crazy fit to reveal a message to them?

Let's check out the revelation of the 10 Commandments from God to Moses:
Exodus 34:29-35
29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
31 And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.
32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.
33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

The Ten Commandments isn't the only law you should be living your life according to though, pay attention to what Jesus says. Love God with all you got, and love your neighbour as yourself. Check out Galatians 5 also - the fruit of the spirit.

Research links:
www.islamgate.org/2011/01/tolstoy-and-prophet-muhammad/ - some of Muhammad's wise sayings
http://answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/death_mu_jesus.htm
www.wikiislam.net/wiki/Circumstances_Surrounding_Muhammad's_Death
www.bibleprobe.com/magabriel.htm - a former Imam's story 

Conclusion:
Given the following facts I have researched on Islam, my challenge / question to Muslims would be when their time comes to pass on from this Earth, would they also consider calling out to Jesus? I am interested to read of your near death experience or any other first hand experience testimonies also - I'm ears as much as I am mouth, or typing for that matter :) 
This Near Death testimony speaks of Jesus accepting Muslims into heaven, as long as they asked for him! It describes how not all Christians will end up in Heaven (Matthew 7:21). So where is the common ground? The teachings of Jesus! Check it out:
www.near-death.com/forum/nde/000/45.html

I had a near death experience in 2005 from a flu vaccine. I saw briefly the entrance to Heaven, a portal to Earth, a portal to Hell, and a portal to reincarnate (and much uncertainty lingered as to what / when / where I would go to - a very uncomfortable sensation was upon me in looking at that portal). I could not move anywhere by myself! Casually and calmly I asked; "Is Jesus there?" and someone / something was not happy with me asking that (2 Corinthians 11:14) (though Satan / the Devil / Dajjal wants to capture people so that they don't enter Heaven but rather toast it up with him!), though I had every right to ask such a question, and I was pushed back here, as I requested! :)

Some more interesting Bible references:
Faith "as a grain of a mustard seed" (Matthew 17:20) in a saviour (John 3:16, Acts 2:21 KJV) who can help you (commonly known as Jesus) - simply ask him into your life to guide you. Love your neighbor as you love yourself, and seek out God's word however you can - even on the internet is ok. But faith without good works is dead, as James 2:22-26 says. Help people however you can, even in small ways (Matthew 25:31-46), expose conspiracies (Ephesians 5:11) such as Hollywood ("Hollywood Unmasked"), the music industry ("Hell's Bells"), cancer cures such as black salve being suppressed, free energy inventors such as Stan Meyer being murdered. Church won't necessarily help - as Jeremiah 23 and Matthew 7:15 points out. I strongly suggest reading the whole of Matthew 7 KJV - this has some really interesting stuff! Matthew is also a book where you will find Jesus' teachings.

A well known prayer – The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen.

A further detailed study on the Lord’s Prayer, as well as in other languages including Arabic: www.lords-prayer-words.com/lord_traditional_king_james.html

An Appeal to All Who Have Been Judged, Burned, or Hurt by "Christians" & The Church:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zenca1o9bEc