Response to comments by Taj

Submitted by Junaid Durrani (United States), Jun 20, 2009 at 02:48

Taj writes:

>>It doesn't really matter what exactly Khalifa claimed since claiming to be a messenger is not much different logically than claiming to be a prophet. In Islam a "messenger" (among people) is a prophet tasked with delivering a law or a "book"...There isn't a single person mentioned as a messenger who wasn't also a prophet...

More of an affront was how Khalifa could reconcile being a messenger of God while being a rapist...lol<<

MESSENGER AND PROPHET

All Muslims agree that the Quran is the Word of God and that it is the final scripture. Any claims should be based upon and judged on the words of the Quran.

This is what the Quran states:

Muhammad was the last prophet but not the last messenger.

Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things. (33:40)

All prophets (including Muhammad) took a covenant.

Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge. (33:7)

Covenant – After all the prophets and scriptures, a messenger will come to confirm existing scripture.

GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you." (3:81)

Since the time of Joseph, people have been saying, "He was the last messenger."

Joseph had come to you before that with clear revelations, but you continued to doubt his message. Then, when he died you said, "GOD will not send any other messenger after him. (He was the last messenger)!" GOD thus sends astray those who are transgressors, doubtful. (40:34)

God calls the Quran, "An Arabic Quran, without any ambiguity.." in verse 39:28.

[44:5] It is a predetermined command from us that we send messengers.

God's definition of a prophet

"GOD took a covenant from the prophets (Nabis), that I will give you a scripture and wisdom.'."

A prophet (nabi) therefore is one receives and delivers a scripture. The fact that Quran is the last scripture makes Muhammad the last prophet. This is confirmed in 33:40, where Muhammad is described as "Khaatum Al-Nabiyyeen (the last prophet)."

God's definition of a messenger

"Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures."

God defines messenger (Rasool) as one who preaches, upholds, and confirms what exists or existing scripture. He does not bring a new scripture. Every prophet is a messenger but every messenger is not a prophet.

God, the best Knower of Arabic language and grammar gives the following proofs in the Quran that every prophet is a messenger, but every messenger is not a prophet. In verses 19:51,52 God calls Moses and Ismail "Wa kana Rasoulan Nabiya" or messenger prophet. In plain english, "Moses/Ismail was a messenger who was also a prophet". This expression is chosen by God to emphasize that every prophet is a messenger, but every messenger may not be a prophet. No where in the Quran the opposite expression "prophet messenger" or "Nabiyan Rasoula" has been used. "Wakana Siddiqan Nabiya" used in verse 19:56 states that all prophets (nabi) are "Saddiq", however all "Saddiq" are not prophets. In verses 17:93,94, we find "Bashara (human) Rasula", a human who is also a messenger, but not every human is a messenger.

Muhammad is described in 33:40 as "a messenger of God". This expression ("a messenger of God") is not linguistically necessary. If it is dropped out, we still would have a perfect sentence that Muhammad was the last prophet. Obviously, our Creator, is telling us that Muhammad was "a messenger of God, and the last prophet," not the last messenger.

Please be advised that so far no human (including the revered muslim scholars) has come up with even one reason based on the Quran as to why Dr. Rashad Khalifa was not a messenger of God.

MENTION IN QURAN OF MESSENGERS AND PROPHETS

Numerous messengers are mentioned in Sura 7 and Sura 26. Hood, Saaleh and Shuhaib are referred to as brother in 7:65, 7:73 and 7:85. They are never mentioned as prophets in the Quran.

GODS ADMONISHMENT IN THE QURAN ABOUT CHARGES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

[24:11] A gang among you produced a big lie. Do not think that it was bad for you; instead, it was good for you. Meanwhile, each one of them has earned his share of the guilt. As for the one who initiated the whole incident, he has incurred a terrible retribution.

[24:12] When you heard it, the believing men and the believing women should have had better thoughts about themselves, and should have said, "This is obviously a big lie."

[24:13] Only if they produced four witnesses (you may believe them). If they fail to produce the witnesses, then they are, according to GOD, liars.

[24:14] If it were not for GOD's grace towards you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great retribution because of this incident.

[24:15] You fabricated it with your own tongues, and the rest of you repeated it with your mouths without proof. You thought it was simple, when it was, according to GOD, gross.

[24:16] When you heard it, you should have said, "We will not repeat this. Glory be to You. This is a gross falsehood."

[24:17] GOD admonishes you that you shall never do it again, if you are believers.

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