new church life: jan uary/february 2016
the Father and born of the Virgin Mary.
5. Are the Heavenly Doctrines Correct in stating that Muslims regard Jesus
as the Greatest Prophet?
“The Mohammedans . . . acknowledge the Lord as the Greatest Prophet and as the Son
of God.” (De Verbo 17; see also Divine Providence 255)
The author quotes this verse from the Quran in an attempt to show that
the Writings are wrong:
“We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac
and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was
given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them.”
(2:136)
But he neglects to provide this quote that says something quite different:
“These are the verses of Allah which we recite unto you (Oh Mohammed), in truth.
And indeed, you are one of the messengers. These messengers we endowed with gifts,
some excelling others; to some of them Allah spoke, and some of them He exalted in
rank: to Jesus the son of Mary we gave clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy
Spirit.” (252, 253)
This verse states that some prophets did excel and were exalted over others,
and that Jesus is the example given.
The Quran testifies that Mohammed is:
A Messenger, a Messenger of Allah, a Prophet, a Servant of Allah (2:23), the Seal (or
Last) of the Prophets (33:40), a Warner (33:45), a Witness (33:45), a Bearer of Glad
Tidings (33:45), a Reminder. (88:21), a Light (5:15), a Light Giving Lamp (33:46),
One who calls on Allah (12:108), One who invites to Allah (33:46), One who invites to
a Single God (21:106), the One who has brought the Truth (39:33), One possessed of
an “exalted standard of character (68:4),” an excellent example of conduct (33:21), to
be obeyed (3:132), a Mercy for all created beings (21:107).
Mohammed is associated with two miracles: the Night Journey from
Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven to God; and the splitting of the
moon:
“Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid
al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is
the Hearing, the Seeing.” (17:1)
“The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.” (54:1)
Most Muslims apparently believe the Night Journey was a bodily miracle,
not a dream. While many believe that Mohammed actually did split the moon
as a sign to unbelievers, some Islamic scholars say the verse in the Quran
clearly refers to the Day of Judgment, when the moon will be split. The Quran
also points out that while other prophets performed miracles, Mohammed did
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