The Feast (Al-Mâidah)

In the name of Allah, Gracious, Merciful.

¹O you who believe, fulfill all obligations. Lawful unto you are all four footed animals with the exceptions named, but animals of the chase are forbidden while you are in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb, for Allah does command according to His will and plan.¹

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

¹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu aufu bil uqudi uhillat lakum bahimatul anami illa ma yutla alaikum gaira muhilli saidi wa antum hurumun innallaha yahkumu ma yuridu.

1. The Qur’an is vague as to which four footed are allowed and which are not. On the other hand, when the Bible gives any such directives, it gives it in details, as we read in Leviticus chapter 11 in regards to permissible and non permissible animals. It leaves no shadow of a doubt as to what one is to eat or not to eat. In this verse, how is one to know exactly what is allowed or not allowed?

²O you who believe, violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlands that mark out such animals, nor the people resorting to the sacred house seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when you are clear of the sacred precincts and of pilgrim garb, you may hunt and let not the hatred of some people in shutting you out of the sacred mosque lead you to transgression. Help one another in righteousness and piety but help not one another in sin and rancor, fear Allah, for Allah is strict in punishment.

²Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu lu tuhilla shaairallahi wa la shahral harama wa lal hadya wa lal qalaida wa la amminal baital harama yabtaguna fadlam mi rabbihim wa ridwanan wa iza halaltum fastadu wa la yajrimannakum shanaanu qaumin an saddukum anil masjidil harami an tatadu wa taawanu alal birri wa taqwa wa la taawanu alal ismi waludwani wattaqullaha innallaha shadidul iqabi.

[Commentary continues below.]

³Forbidden to you are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which has been invoked the name of other than Allah, that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death. That which has been eaten by a wild animal, unless you are able to slaughter it, that which is sacrificed on stone. Also is the division by raffling with arrows, that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion, yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any forced by hunger with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed forgiving, merciful.²

⁴They ask you what is lawful to them, say, Lawful unto you are things good and pure, and what you have taught your trained hunting animals, in the manner directed to you by Allah, eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it, and fear Allah, for Allah is swift in taking account.³

³Hurrimat alaikumul maitatu

wa damu wa lahmul khinziri wa ma uhilla li gairillahi bihi wal munkhaniqatu wal mauquzatu wal mutaraddiyatu wan natihatu wa ma akala sabuu illa ma zakkaitum wa ma zubiha alan nusubi wa an tastaqsimu bil azlami zalikum fisqun al yauma yaisal lazina kafaru min dinikum fala takhshauhum wakhshauni al yauma akmaltu lakum dinakum wa atmamtu alaikum nimati wa raditu lakumul islama dinan fa manidturra fi makhmasatin gaira mutajanifil liismin fa innallaha gafurun rahimun.

⁴Yasalunaka maza uhilla lahum qul uhilla lakumuttayyibatu wa ma allamtum minal jawarihi mukallibina tuallimanahunna mimma allamakumullahu fa kulu mimma amsakna alaikum wazkurusmallahi alaihi wattaqullaha innallaha sariul hisabi.

2. The teachings on not eating blood is as old as the Levitical order, not eating things offered to idols is equally forbidden in Christianity; Acts 15:28‑29

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements: to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will prosper. Goodbye."

The injunction did not perfect the religion of those to whom it was given. Their religion was perfected before this time, hence they were given those injunctions.

In Islam however, the injunction against these things sort of solidified their religion. If indeed, the strength of the religion is in these prohibitions, how can be sure that they had a religion before this time.

The first revelation to Muhammad came in 610 AD, the Flight to Medina was in 622, this Chapter was in revealed, according to Maudud’s Sura Introductions, six years after the Flight, AH (After Hejirah). This means then that Islam was not a perfect religion when the revelations first came, it wasn’t a perfect religion when the Muslims were run out off Mecca to Ethiopia and then to Medina. It this is correct, then it could not have been perfected in the time being and certainly not perfected even now.

⁵This day are things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the people of the book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. Lawful unto you in marriage are not only chaste women who are believers but chaste women among the people of the book, revealed before your time when you give them their due dowers and desire chastity not lewdness nor secret intrigues. If anyone rejects faith, fruitless is his work and in the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost.⁴

⁵Al yauma uhilla lakumu tuayyibatu wa taamul lazina utul kitaba hillul lakum wa taamukum hillul lahum wal muhsanatu minal muminati wal muhsanatu minal lazina atul kitaba min qablikum izaa ataitumuhunna ujurahunna muhsinina gaira musafihina wa la muttakhizi akhdanin wa ma yakfur bil imani fa qad habita amaluhu wa huwa filakhirati minal khasirina.

4. Inter marriages with the Jews and the Christians here addressed as the people of the Book is only so in print. Up till today, many Muslims still use the differences between the two religions in support of segregation. In very strict Muslim homes and countries, an inter marriage contracted between a Christian and a Muslim is tantamount to a crime with expulsion from the family as its punishment, in the extreme case, the Muslim who marries from the People of the Book is subject to severe penalties including imprisonment. It is more like the emancipation law in the United States which abolished slavery and segregation in the Books but is still practiced by the majority of its citizens.

⁶O you who believe, when you prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands to the elbows, rub your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity bathe your whole body. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from offices of nature or you have been in contact with women and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not wish to place you in a difficulty but to make you clean and to complete His favor to you that you may be grateful.⁵

⁷And call in remembrance the favor of Allah unto you and His covenant which He ratified with you when you said, “We hear and we obey,” and fear Allah for Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts.

⁶Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu izaqumtum ila saluti fagsilu wujuhakum wa aidiyakum ilal marafiqi wamsahu bi ruusikum wa arjulakum ilal kabaini wa in kuntum junuban fattahharu wa in kuntum marda au ala safarin au jaa ahadum minkum minal gaiti au lamastumun nisaa fa lam tajidu maan fa tayammamu suaidan tuayyiban famsahu bi wujuhikum wa aidikum minhu ma yuridullahu liyajala alaikum min haraji wa laki yuridu liyutuahhirakum wa liyutimma nimatahu alaikum laallakum tashukuruna

⁷Wazkuru nimatallahi alaikum wa misqahul lazi wasaqakum bihi iz qultum samina wa atana wattaqullaha innalla alimum bi zati suduri.

5. What God has made good no man should make it ungood. In Islam answering nature’s call and satisfying natural desire such as sexual intercourse with ones own wife is considered a thing which defiles and therefore renders one unfit to worship Allah as long as one has not yet performed ablution. Sex within marriage is a beautiful expression of love, designed, and declared good by God who is known for recommending heart purity and not outward cleanliness. On the note of performing ablution with clean sand or earth in the any part of the world is questionable. Animals defecate, people respond to the call of nature, unclean people may have walked on the sand or earth and as such could no longer remain clean and therefore the potency to make the worshiper clean.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸O you who believe, stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealing and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety, and fear Allah, for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.

⁹And to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness has Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward.

¹⁰And those who reject faith and deny our signs will be companions of hell fire.

⁸Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu kunu qawwamina lillahi shuhadaa bil qisti wa la yajrimannakum shnaanu qaumin ala allatadilu idilu huwa aqrabu lit taqwa wattaqullaha innallaha khabirum bima tamaluna.

⁹Waadallahu lazina amanu wa amilu sualihati lahum magfiratu wa ajrun attimun.

¹⁰Wallazina kafaru wa kazzabu bi ayatina ulaika ashabul jahimi.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹¹O you who believe, call in remembrance the favor of Allah unto you when certain men formed the design to stretch out their hands against you, but held back their hands from you, so fear Allah. And on Allah let believers put their trust.⁶

¹²And Allah took a covenant from the Children of Israel and We appointed twelve captains among them and Allah said. “I am with you, if you establish regular prayers, practice regular charity, believe in My apostles, honor and assist them and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily, I will wipe out from you your evils and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath, but if any of you after this resists faith, he has truly wandered from the path of rectitude.”⁷

¹¹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu zukuru nimatallahi alaikum iz hamma qaumun anyabsutu ilaikum aidiyahum fa kaffa aidiyahum ankum wattaqullaha wa alallahi falyatawakkalil muminuna.

¹²Wa laqad akhazallahu misaqa bani Israila wa baasna minhumu sunai asara naqiban wa qalallahu inni maakum lain aqamtumu sualata wa ataitumu zakata wa amantum bi rusuli waazzartumuhum wa aqradtumullaha qardan hasanal laukafirannaankum sayyiatikum alaudkhilannakum jannatin tajri min tahtihal anharu fa man kafara bada zalika minkum fa qad ddalla sawa asabili.

6. This passage may have reference to the early persecution suffered by the Muslims from their own kinsmen as a means to frustrate and discourage the believers in the new faith.

7. It is unclear what this passage is about, the twelve tribes could be implied here so also could the twelve disciples. What is also unclear is the injunction placed on them by Allah. There is no reference to this anywhere either in the Old or the New Covenant. It is a ploy to convince the followers of Muhammad that indeed Muhammad has heard from the Allah of the Bible, when in actual fact he has not.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹³But because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard, they change the words from their places and forget a good part of the message that was sent them, nor will you cease to find them barring a few ever bent on deceits, but forgive them and overlook their misdeeds, for Allah loves those who are kind.⁸

¹⁴And from those too who call themselves Christians We took a covenant but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent them, so We estranged them with enmity and hatred between the one and the other to the day of judgment. And soon will Allah show them what they have done.

¹³Fabima naqdihim misaqahum laannahum wa jaalna qulubahum qusiyahtan yuharrifunal kalima an mawadiihi wa nasu hazzam mimma zukkiru bihi wa la tazalu tattaliu ala khainatim minhum illa qalilam minhum fafu anhum wasfah innallaha yuhibbul muhsinina.

¹⁴Wa minallazina qalu inna Nasara akhazna misaqahum fa nasu hatuam mimma zukkiru bihi fa agraina bainahumul adawata wal bagdaa ila yaumil qiyamahti wa saufa yunabbiuhumullahu bima kanu yasnauna.

8. The Qur’an is leveling accusation that the people of the Book have changed portions of the Book, however whichever portions they are not mentioned. Because of this and other similar indictments, Muslims, without verifying the fact have swallowed this hook, line and sinker and have joined the band wagon in accusing the People of the Book for falsifying the revelations of Allah, meanwhile, the Qur’an says in 6:34 “...there is none that can alter the Words (and Decrees) of Allah.” And also in 10:64; “...no change can there be in the Words of Allah.”

Now, to level this accusation against the People of the Book is to say that Allah was not able to protect His Word from corruption, alterations and changes.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁵O people of the book, there has come to you Our apostle revealing to you much that you used to hide in the book, and passing over much that is now unnecessary. There has come to you from Allah a new light and a perspicuous book.

¹⁶Wherewith Allah guides all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety and leads them out of darkness by His will unto the light guides them to a path that is straight.

¹⁵Ya ahlal kitabi qad jaakum rasuluna yubayyinu lakum kasira mimma kuntumtukhfuna minal kitabi wa yafu an kasirin qad jaakum minallahi nuru wa kitabum mubinu.

¹⁶Yahdi bihillahu manittaba aridwanahu subula salami wayukhrijuhum mina tulumatiilan nuri bi iznihi wa yahdihim ila siratin mustaqimin.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁷In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say, “Who then has the least power against Allah if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary his mother and all everyone that is on the earth? For to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between. He creates what He pleases. For Allah has power over all things.” ⁹

¹⁸And both the Jews and the Christians say, “We are sons of Allah and His beloved.” Say, “Why then does He punish you for your sins? No, you are but men of the men He has created, He forgives whom He pleases and He punishes whom He pleases, and to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between, and unto Him is the final goal (of all).”¹⁰

¹⁷Laqad kafarallazina qalu innallaha huwal Masihu bnu Maryama qul faman yamliku minallahi shaian in arada anyuhlikal masihabna Maryama wa ummahu wa man filarddi jamian wa lillahi mulku samawati wal arddi wa ma bainahuma yakhluqu ma yashau wallahu ala kulli shaiin qadirun.

¹⁸Wa qalatil Yahudu wa Nasara nahnu abnaullahi wa ahibbauhu qul falima yuazzibukum bi zunubikum bal antum basharun mimman khalaqa yagfiru lima yashau wa yuazzibu ma yashau wa lillahi mulku samawati walarddi wa ma bainahuma wa ilaihil masiru.

9. The deity of Christ is called into question here. This could be due to antagonism on the part of Muhammad for Christ or a lack of knowledge on the part of Allah. Because God certainly understands words and will not be confused as to what the true identity of Christ is. In Qur’an 19:19, Christ was given as a gift from God to Mary through the agency of God’s word through the angels. It is this same reason that the Bible gave in attributing deity to Christ in Luke 1:35; And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (emphasis are mine). To speculate that any attribution of deity to Christ is blasphemous is pure sophistry and antagonistic.

10. This verse can be likened to Michael Moorer’s retort that Holyfield is not the only child of God, but that we are all children of God. Well, that is not true, some are the children of God while other’s are the children of Satan. In any case the claim by the Jews and Christians is true by adoption.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Rom:8:15)

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; (Romans 9:4)

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:5)

The sonship of the Jews and the Christians is not literal but figurative and symbolic in the sense of their adherence to the ordinances of God, God called them His own.

¹⁹O people of the book, now has come unto you things making clear unto you Our Apostle after the break in the series of Our apostles lest you should say, there came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner from evil, but now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner, and Allah hath power over all things.¹¹

²⁰And remember Moses said to his people, “O my people! call in remembrance the favor of Allah unto you when He produced prophets among you made you kings and gave you what He had not given to any other among the peoples.”¹²

²¹“O my people, enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you and turn not back ignominiously for then will you be overthrown to your own ruin.”

²²They said, “O Moses, in this land are a people of exceeding strength, never shall we enter it until they leave it, if they leave then shall we enter.”¹³

¹⁷Laqad kafarallazina qalu innallaha huwal Masihu bnu Maryama qul faman yamliku minallahi shaian in arada anyuhlikal masihabna Maryama wa ummahu wa man filarddi jamian wa lillahi mulku samawati wal arddi wa ma bainahuma yakhluqu ma yashau wallahu ala kulli shaiin qadirun.

¹⁸Wa qalatil Yahudu wa Nasara nahnu abnaullahi wa ahibbauhu qul falima yuazzibukum bi zunubikum bal antum basharun mimman khalaqa yagfiru lima yashau wa yuazzibu ma yashau wa lillahi mulku samawati walarddi wa ma bainahuma wa ilaihil masiru.

¹⁹Ya ahlal kitabi qad jaakum rasuluna yubayyinu lakumala fatratin mina rusuli an taqulu ma jaana min bashirin wa nazirin fa qad jaakum bashirun wa nazirun wallahu ala kulli shaiin qadirun.

²⁰Wa iz qala Musa li qaumihi ya qaumi zukuru nimatallahi alaikum iz jaala fikum anbiyaa wa jaalakum mulukan wa atakum ma lamyuti ahadam minalalamina.

²¹Ya qaumidkhulul ardal muqaddasatal lati kataballahu lakum wa la tartaddu ala adbarikum fatanqalibu khasirina.

²²Qalu ya Musa inna fiha qauman jabbarina wa innalanadkhulaha hatta yakhruju minha fa inyakhruju minha fa inna dakhiluna

11. The Jews and the Christians has never lacked a representation from God. After the Diaspora, Rabbis have presented the words of God to the people, Among the Christians there has been continuity through the ministry of the Apostles, Teachers, Evangelists, Pastors, Prophets and other Christian workers. The problem is that, just as it is in Islam, after a while people loose faith and begin to do their own things. In this case then, Muhammad did not bring anything new.

12. Indeed God had made the Children of Israel very special in all the land, they were the first people to have recorded prophets among them. However it is not true that God gave them Kings, in fact the request for a King by Israel was to denounce the Kingship of God so that they would be like the other nations. This request offended God and the Priest Samuel, however God obliged them and choose Saul as a King for them. 1 Samuel 8:5: And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 1

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. (Samuel 8:6)

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:9)

And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. (1 Samuel 8:10)

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. (1 Samuel 8:11)

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. (1 Samuel 8:18)

So you see the giving of a king to the children of Israel was more of a curse than a blessing.

13. This verse is not accurate. The following is what happened. Numbers 13:26‑33:

And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, "We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan." But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." Then the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are." So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, "The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

²³But among their Allah-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His grace, they said, “Assault them at the proper gate, when once you are in, victory will be yours. But on Allah put your trust if you have faith.”¹⁴

²⁴They said, “O Moses, while they remain there never shall we be able to enter to the end of time. Go with your Lord and fight you two while we sit here and watch.”

²⁵He said, “O my Lord, I have power only over myself and my bother so separate us from this rebellious people.”

²⁶Allah said, “Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years, in distraction will they wander through the land, but sorrow you not over these rebellious people.”

²³Qala rajulani mina lazina yakhafuna anamallahu alaihi madkhulu alaihimul baba fa iza dakhaltumuhu fa innakum galibuna wa alallahi fa tawakkalu inkuntum muminina.

²⁴Qalu ya Musa inna lan nadkhulaha abadan ma damu fiha fazhab anta wa rabbuka fa qatila inna ha huna qaiduna.

²⁵Qala rabbi inni la amliku illa nafsi wa akhi fafruq bainana wa bainal qaumil fasiqina

²⁶Qala fa innaha muharamatun laihim arbaina sanahtan yatihuna filarddi fala tasa alal qaumil fasiqina.

14. This verse seems to be confusing the story of Jericho in Joshua 2:1‑3, between the spies Moses sent in Numbers chapters 14‑15. and those sent by Joshua.

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁷And recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold, they each presented a sacrifice, it was accepted from one but not from the other. Said the latter, “Be sure I will slay you.” “Surely” said the former, “Allah does accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous.

²⁸If you stretch your hand against me to slay me it is not for me to stretch my hand against you to slay you, for I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.¹⁵

²⁹For me I intend to let you draw on yourself my sin as well as yours, for you will be among the companions of the fire and that is the reward of those who do wrong.

³⁰The soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother, he murdered him and became one of the lost ones.

²⁷Watlu alaihim nabaabnai Adama bil haqqi iz qarraba qurbanan fatuqubbila min ahadihima wa lam yutaqabbal minal akhari qala laaqtulannaka qalainnama yataqabbalullahu minal muttaqina .

²⁸Laim basatta ilayya yadaka litaqtulani ma ana bi basiti yadiya ilaika liaqtulaka inni akhafullaha rabbal alamina.

²⁹Inni uridu an tabua bi ismi wa ismika fa takuna min ashabin nari wa zalika jazauz zalimina.

³⁰Fa tawwaat lahu nafsuhu qatla akhihi fa qatalahu fa asbaha minal khasirina.

15. This conversation never took place, Yusuf Ali in an attempt to save face for the Muslims claims that the conversation added a spiritual touch not found in the Bible. The question who may have told Muhammad that since Ishmael was not among the group, and the Jewish history does not record any such happening. How are we to trust the report of a non eyewitness to a story like this?

[Commentary continues below.]

³¹Then Allah sent a raven who scratched the ground to show him how to hide the shame of his brother, “Woe is me,” he said, “Was I not even able to be as this raven and to hide the shame of my brother?” Then he became full of regrets.¹⁶

³²On that account, We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person, unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it would be as if he slew the whole people, and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs yet even after that many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.¹⁷

³¹Fa baasallahu guraba yabhasu fil arddi liyuriyahu kaifa yuwari sauata akhihi qala ya wailata aajaztu an akuna misla hazal gurabi fa uwariya sauata akhi fa asbaha minan nadimina.

³²Min ajli zalika katabna ala bani Israila annahu man qatala nafsam bi gairi nafsin au fasadin filarddi fa kaannama qatalan nasa jamian wa man ahyaha fa kaanama ahyan nasa jamian wa laqad jaathum rusuluna bil bayyinati summa inna kasiran minhum bada zalika filarddi lamusrifuna.

16. The story of Cain and Abel recorded in Genesis 4:1‑ 11:

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, "I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD." And again, she bore his brother Abel.

Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.

And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" And the LORD said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

17. There is a vast gap between the children of Adam and the children of Jacob. If the Qur’an had mentioned the Seth who was a brother to Cain and Abel, that would have been close, but the Children of Jacob, it is more of an assumption that a revelation.

³³The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is execution or crucifixion, the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land, that is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter.¹⁸

³⁴Except for those who repent before they fall into your power, in that case know that Allah is forgiving, merciful.¹⁹

³⁵O you who believe, do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him and strive with might and main in His cause, that you may prosper.

³³Innama jazaul lazina yuharibunallaha wa rasulaha wa yasauna filarddi fasadan anyuqattala au yusallabu au tuqattaa aidihim wa arjuluhum min khilafin au yunfau minal arddi zalika lahum khizu yun fi dunya wa lahum fil akhirati azabun atimun.

³⁴Illal lazina tabu min qabli an taqdiru alaihim falamu annallaha gafurun rahimun.

³⁵Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu taqullaha wabtagu ilaihil wasilata wa jahidu fi sabilihi laallakum tuflihuna.

18. The killing of another human being has been condemned in the previous verse, here we are told it is okay to kill someone who wages war against Allah. Now, is Allah not able to take care of those who fight against Him without involving poor innocent people and asking them to do His killing for Him?

19. Here we understand that those who war against Allah are those who oppose Muhammad and his followers.

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁶As to those who reject faith, if they had everything on earth and twice repeated to give as ransom for the penalty of the day of judgment it would never be accepted of them. Theirs would be a grievous penalty.

³⁷Their wish will be to get out of the fire, but never will they get out therefrom, their penalty will be one that endures.

³⁸And as to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands, a punishment by way of example from Allah for their crime, and Allah is exalted in power.²⁰

³⁹But if the thief repent after his crime and amend his conduct Allah turns to him in forgiveness, for Allah is forgiving, merciful.

³⁶Innal lazina kafaru lau anna lahum ma fil arddi jamian wa mislahu maahu liyaftadu bihi min azabi yaumil qiyamati ma tuqubbila minhum wa lahum azabun alimun.

³⁷Yuriduna anyakhruju mina nari wa ma hum bi kharijina minha wa lahum azabum muqimun.

³⁸Wa sariqu wa sariqatu faqtau aidayahuma jazaam bima kasaba nakalam minallahi wallahu azizun hakimun.

³⁹Faman taba min badi tulmihi wa aslaha fa innallaha yatubu alaihi innallaha gafurun rahimun.

20. The Bible advocates restitution where possible, amputation has never been suggested in the Bible.

"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. (Exodus 22:1)

If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double. (Exodus 22:4)

Then if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. (Leviticus 6:4‑5)

Qur’an 59:7: What Allah has bestowed on His Apostle (and

taken away) from the people of the townships belongs to Allah to His Apostle and to kindred and orphans the needy and the wayfarer; in order that it may not (Merely) make a circuit between the wealth among you. So take what the Apostle assigns to you and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment.

After reading this passage one may argue that the end justifies the means, but the is not the case here, invading a smaller neighbor like Saddam Hussein did to Kuwait is certainly not acceptable in religious pursuit. It may well be acceptable in a political pursuit.

⁴⁰Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He pleases and He forgives whom He pleases, and Allah has power over all things.

⁴⁰Alam talam annallaha lahu mulku samawati walarddi yuazzibu man yashau wa yagfiru lima yashau wallahu ala kulli shaiin qadirun .

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴¹O apostle, let not those grieve you who race each other into unbelief, among those who say we believe with their lips, but whose hearts have no faith, or it be among the Jews, men who will listen to any lie, will listen even to others who have never so much as come to you. They change the words from their times and places, they say, “If you are given this take it, but if not beware,” If anyone’s trial is intended by Allah you have no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such it is not Allah’s will to purify their hearts. For them there is disgrace in this world and in the hereafter a heavy punishment.

⁴²Listening to falsehood, devouring anything forbidden. If they do come to you either judge between them or decline to interfere. If you decline they cannot hurt you in the least. If you judge, judge in equity between them, for Allah loves those who judge in equity.

⁴¹Ya ayyuha rasulu la yahzunkal lazina yusariuna fil kufri minal lazina qalu amanna bi afwahihim wa lam tumin qulubuhum wa minal lazina hadu sammauna lil kazibi sammauna liqaumin akharina lam yatuka yuharrifunal kalima mim badi mawadiihi yaquluna in utitum haza fa khuzuhu wa illam tutauhu fahzaru wa man yuridillahu fitnatahu falan tamlika lahu minallahi shaian ulaikal lazina lam yuridillahu anyutahhira qulubahum lahum fi dunya khizyun wa lahum fil akhirati azabun atimun.

⁴²Sammauna lil kazibi akkaluna li suhti fa in jauka fahkum bainahum au arid anhum wa in turidaanhum falan yadurruka shaian wa in hakamta fahkum bainahum bil qisti innallaha yuhibbul muqsitina.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴³And why do they come to you for decision when they have laws before them? Therein is the command of Allah, yet even after that they would turn away. For they are not people of faith.

⁴⁴It was We who revealed the law, therein was guidance and light. By its standard have the Jews been judged by the prophet who bowed to Allah’s will, by the Rabbis and the doctors of Law, for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s book and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me and sell not My signs for a miserable price. If any fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are unbelievers.

⁴³Wa kaifa yuhakkimunaka waindahumut tauratu fiha hukmullahi summa yatawallauna min badi zalika wa ma ulaika bil muminina.

⁴⁴Inna anzalna Taurata fiha Hudan wa Nurun yahkumu bihan nabiyyuna lazina aslamu lillazina hadu wa rabbaniyyuna wal ahbaru bima sutuhfitu min kitabillahi wa kanu alaihi shuhadaa fala takhshaun nasa wakhshauni wa la tashtaru bi ayati samanan qalilan wa man lam yahkum bima anzalallahu fa ulaika humul kafiruna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁵And We ordained therein for them, “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by what Allah hath revealed, they are wrongdoers.

⁴⁶And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him. We sent him the gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law that had come before him, a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.

⁴⁵Wa katabna alaihim fiha annan nafsa bin nafsi walaina bil aini wal anfa bil anfi wal uzuna bil uzuni wa sinna bisinni wal juruha qisasun faman tasaddaqa bihi fa huwa kaffaratul lahu wa mal lam yahkum bima anzalallahu fa ulaika humu zalimuna.

⁴⁶Wa qaffaina ala asarihim bi Isa bni Maryama musaddiqal lima baina yadaihi mina Taurahti wa atainahul Injila fihi Hudan wa Nurun wa musaddiqal lima baina yadaihi mina Taurati wa Huda wa mauituatal lil muttaqina.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁷And let the people of the gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are those who rebel.

⁴⁷Walyahkum ahlul Injili bima anzalallahu fihi wa mal lam yahkum bima anzalallahu fa ulaika humul fasiquna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁸To you We sent the scripture in truth confirming the scripture that came before it and guarding it in safety, so judge between them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires diverging from the truth that has come to you. To each among you have We prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed He would have made you a single people but His plan is to test you in what He has given you, so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah, it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute.²¹

⁴⁹And this, judge between them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires but beware of them lest they beguile you from any of that which Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away be assured that for some of their crimes it is Allah’s purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious.

⁵⁰Do they then seek after a judgment of ignorance? But who for a people whose faith is assured can give better judgment than Allah?

⁴⁸Wa anzalna ilaikal kitaba bil haqqi musaddiqal lima baina yadaihi minal kitabi wa muhaiminan alaihi fahkum bainahum bima anzalallahu wa la tattabi ahwaahum amma jaaka minal haqqi li kullin jaalna minkum shirata wa minhajan wa lau shaallahu lajaalakum ummata wahidata wa lakil liyabluwakum fi ma atakum fastabiqul khairati ilallahi marjiukum jamian fa yunabbiukum bima kuntum fihi takhtalifuna.

⁴⁹Wa anihkum bainahum bima anzalallahu wa la tattabi ahwa ahum wahzarhum anyaftinuka an badi ma anzalallahu ilaika fa in tawallau falam annama yuridullahu anyusibahum bi badi zunubihim wa inna kasiran mina nasi lafasiquna.

⁵⁰Afahukmal jahiliyyati yabguna wa man ahsanu minallahi hukmal li qaumi yuqinuna

21. From verse 44‑48, Allah talks about what He has revealed to various generations from Moses to Muhammad and concludes by saying that the Qur’an is the final revelation confirming what was sent before it (the Bible of the Jews and the Christians). It is a known fact that the Old Covenant is the New Covenant predicted and the New Covenant is the Old Covenant fulfilled. In this light, where does the Qur’an fit in? It neither confirms nor supports the predicts thereof in the Bible, except a distortion and misrepresentation of the facts of Scripture. Some of which you have already seen.

Qur’an 19:28 claims that Mary was the sister of Aaron, Qur’an 16:102 confuses the Angel Gabriel with the Holy Ghost, Qur’an 61:6 also confuses the Comforter with Ahmad (Muhammad). The Qur’an is replete with such incidents. A strong sign that the Qur’an does not belong in the same category as the Bible.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵¹O you who believe, take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors, they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he among you that turns to them is of them. Verily, Allah guides not a people unjust.²²

⁵²Those in whose heart is a disease thou sees how eagerly they run about among them, saying, “We fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster.” Ah, perhaps Allah will give victory or a decision according to His will. Then will they repent of the thoughts which they secretly harbored in their hearts.

⁵³And those who believe will say, “Are these the men who swore their strongest oaths by Allah that they were with you?” All that they do will be in vain and they will fall into ruin.

⁵¹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la tattakhizul Yahuda wa Nasara auliyaa baduhum auliyau badin wa ma yatawallahum minkum fa innahu minhum innallaha la yahdil qauma tualimina.

⁵²Fataral lazina fi qulubihim maradu yusariuna fihim yaquluna nakhsha an tusibana dairahtun fa asallahu ayatiya bil fathi au amrin min indihi fa yusbihuala ma asarru fi anfusihim nadimina.

⁵³Wa yaqulu lazina amanu ahaulail lazina aqsamu billahi jahda aimanihim innahum lamaakum habitat amaluhum fa asbahu khasirina.

22. The Muslims are warned not to take the Jews and the Christians for friends. However this verse stands in contradiction to verse 82: which says “ Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say: “We are Christians:” because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and they are not arrogant”. How can God speak out of both sides of His mouth. Muslims calls this abrogation, I call it a deliberate effort to confuse and to make what is contradictory acceptable

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁴O you who believe, if any from among you turn back from his faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah which He will bestow on whom He pleases, and Allah encompasses all and He knows all things.

⁵⁵Your friends are Allah, His apostle, and the believers, those who establish regular prayers, and regular charity, and they bow down humbly.

⁵⁶And as to those who turn to Allah, His apostle, and the believers, it is the fellowship of Allah that must certainly triumph.

⁵⁴Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu ma yartadda minkum an dinihi fa saufa yatillahu bi qaumi yuhibbuhum wa yuhibbunahu azillatinalal muminina aizzatinalal kafirina yujahiduna fi sabilillahi wa la yakhafuna laumata laimin zalika fadlullahi yutihi ma yashau wallahuwasiun alimun.

⁵⁵Innama waliyyukumu llahu wa rasuluhu wallazina amanu lazina yuqimuna sualata wa yutuna zakata wa hum rakiuna.

⁵⁶Wa ma yatawallallaha wa rasulahu wallazina amanu fa inna hizballahi humu lgalibuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁷O you who believe, take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport, whether among those who received the scripture before you, or among those who reject faith, but fear Allah, if you have faith.²³

⁵⁸And when you proclaim your call to prayer they take it as mockery and sport, that is because they are a people without understanding.

⁵⁹Say, “O people of the book, do you disapprove of us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah and the revelation that has come to us and that which came before and that most of you are rebellious and disobedient?” ²⁴

⁵⁷Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la tattakhizu lazina ttakhazu dinakum huzuwan wa laiban mina lazina utul kitaba min qablikum wal kuffara auliyaa wattaqullaha inkuntum muminina.

⁵⁸Wa iza nadaitum ila sualati takhazuha huzuwan wa laiban zalika bi annahum qaumu la yaqiluna.

⁵⁹Qul ya ahlal kitabi hal tanqimuna minna illa an amanna billahi wa ma unzila ilaina wa ma unzila min qablu wa anna aksarakum fasiquna.

23. The injunction in verse 51 is qualified here to include only those who make mockery of Islam and not all the people of the Book.

24. The disobedience mentioned here is in relation to the word of Allah, which the Muslims claim that the people of the Book have abandoned. Judging by the Muslims of today, they are equally guilty of the slander.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶⁰Say, “Shall I point out to you something much worse than this by the treatment it received from Allah? Those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshiped evil, these are worse in rank and far more astray from the even path.”²⁵

⁶¹And when they come to you they say, “We believe,” but in fact they enter with a mind against faith and they go out with the same, but Allah knows fully all that they hide.

⁶²And you see many of them racing each other in sin and rancor and their eating of things forbidden. Evil indeed are the things that they do.

⁶⁰Qul hal unabbiukum bi sharrin min zalika masubatanindallahi mal laanahullahu wa gadibaalaihi wa jaala minhumul qiradata wal khanazira waabada taguta ulaika sharrum makana wa adalluan sawai sabili.

⁶¹Wa iza jaukum qalu amanna wa qad dakhalu bil kufri wa hum qad kharaju bihi wallahu alamu bima kanu yakutumuna.

⁶²Wa tara kasiram minhum yusariuna fil ismi waludwani wa aklihimu suhta labisa ma kanu yamaluna

25. Again Yusuf Ali comes to the defense of this verse by quoting Matthew 8:28‑32. This incident is about the demons that were sent into some swine before the demoniac was delivered. There is no reference to people becoming swine or apes in the Bible. This too is a fabrication.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶³Why do not the Rabbis and the Doctors of laws forbid them from their uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works.

⁶⁴And the Jews say, “Allah’s hand is tied up.” Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they utter. No, both His hands are widely outstretched, He gives and spends as He pleases. But the revelation that comes to you from Allah increases in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Among them We have placed enmity and hatred till the day of judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war Allah extinguishes it, but they strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loves not those who do mischief.

⁶³Lau la yanhahumu rabbaniyyuna wal ahbaru an qaulihimul isma wa aklihimu suhta labisa ma kanu yasnauna.

⁶⁴Wa qalati l Yahudu yadullahi maglulahtun gullat aidihim wa luinu bima qalu bal yadahu mabsutatani yunfiqu kaifa yashau walayazidanna kasiran minhum ma unzila ilaika mi rabbika tugyana wa kufran wa alqaina bainahumul adawata wal bagdaa ila yaumil qiyamahti kullama auqadu naral lil harbi atfaahallahu wa yasauna filarddi fasadan wallahu la yuhibbul mufsidina.

⁶⁵Wa lau anna ahlal kitabi amanu wattaqau lakaffarnaanhum sayyiatihim wa laadkhalnahum jannatin naimi.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶⁵And if only the people of the book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss.

⁶⁶And if only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course, but many of them follow a course that is evil.

⁶⁷O apostle, proclaim that which has been sent to you from your Lord. If you did not, you would not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission, and Allah will defend you from men. For Allah guides not those who reject faith.

⁶⁵Wa lau anna ahlal kitabi amanu wattaqau lakaffarnaanhum sayyiatihim wa laadkhalnahum jannatin naimi.

⁶⁶Wa lau annahum aqamu Taurata wal Injila wa ma unzila ilaihim mi rabbihim laakalu min fauqihim wa min tahti arjulihim minhum ummatum muqtasidahtun wa kasirun minhum saa ma yamaluna.

⁶⁷Ya ayyuha rasulu ballig ma unzila ilaika mi rabbika wa illam tafal fama ballagta risalatahu wallahu yasimuka mina nasi innallaha la yahdil qauma l kafirina

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶⁸Say, “O people of the book, you have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law ,the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.” It is the revelation that comes to you from your Lord that increases in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow not over people without faith.

⁶⁹Those who believe, those who follow the Jewish Scriptures, and the Sabians, and the Christians, any who believe in Allah and the last day and work righteousness, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

⁶⁸Qul ya ahlal kitabi lastumala shaiin hatta tuqimu Taurata wal Injila wa ma unzila ilaikum mi rabbikum wa layazidanna kasiran minhum ma unzila ilaika mi rabbika tugyanan wa kufran fala tasa alal qaumil kafirina.

⁶⁹Inna lazina amanu wa lazina Hadu was Sabiuna wa Nasara man amana billahi wal yaumil akhiri wa amila salihan fala khaufun alaihim wa lahum yahzanuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷⁰We took the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them apostles. Every time there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not, some, they called impostors and some, they slay.²⁶

⁷¹And they thought there would be no trial, so they became blind and deaf, yet Allah turned to them, yet again many of them became blind and deaf. But Allah sees well all that they do.²⁷

⁷²They blaspheme who say, “Allah is Christ, the son of Mary.” But Christ said, “O children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden and the fire will be his abode. There will for the wrongdoers be with no one to help.²⁸

⁷⁰Laqad akhazna misaqa bani Israila wa arsalna ilaihim rusulun kullama jaahum rasulum bima la tahwa anfusuhum fariqan kazzabu wa fariqa yaqtuluna.

⁷¹Wa hasibu alla takuna fitnatun fa amu wa sammu summa taballahu alaihim summa amu wa sammu kasirum minhum wallahu basirum bima yamaluna.

⁷²Laqad kafara lazina qalu innallaha huwal Masihu bnu Maryama wa qalal Masihu ya bani Israila budullaha rabbi wa rabbakum innahu ma yushrik billahi faqad harramallahu alaihil jannata wa mawahun naru wa ma li tualimina min ansarin

26. This statement is in defense of Muhammad, who was said to be an imposter, because He claimed to be the Holy Ghost of whom Jesus said will come after Him (Jesus).

27. The blindness and deafness here mentioned is in regards to the rebellion of the Jews in which they became deaf to the word of God and blind to the signs of God.

28. The quote attributed to Jesus is only found in the Qur’an where Jesus’ direct words are unlikely to appear. Because the contents of the Qur’an are over six hundred years after Christ. The Biblical stories which are by and large rejected by the Muslims are more accurate in the sense nearness of time to when the speeches of Christ were given.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷³They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity, for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word of blasphemy verily, a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.²⁹

⁷⁴Why turn they not to Allah and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is forgiving, merciful.

⁷⁵Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than an apostle, many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their food. See how Allah does makes His signs clear to them, yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth.³⁰

⁷³Laqad kafara lazina qalu innallaha salisu salasahtin wa ma min ilahin illa ilahu wahidun wa illam yantahu amma yaquluna layamassannal lazina kafaru minhum azabun alimun.

⁷⁴Afala yatubuna ilallahi wa yastagfirunahu wallahu gafuru rahimun.

⁷⁵Ma l Masihu bnu Maryama illa rasulun qad khalat min qablihir rusulu wa ummuhu siddiqahtun kana yakulanit taama unzur kaifa nubayyinu lahumul ayati summanzur anna yufakuna.  

29. The story of the Holy Trinity is misrepresented here. Please refer to verse 116, where the constituents of the Trinity are listed.

30. The reference to Jesus and Mary eating food is to discredit the deity of Jesus based on the teachings of the Qur’an where the Qur’an assertively says God was not begotten nor does He beget. It also points to the humanness of Christ, because God does not need our human food for His sustenance.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁷⁶Say, “Will you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or benefit you? But Allah, He it is that hears and knows all things.”

⁷⁷Say, “O people of the book, exceed not in your religion the bounds, trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by, who misled many and strayed from the even way.”³¹

⁷⁸Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who rejected faith by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, the son of Mary, because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses.

⁷⁹Nor did they forbid one another the iniquities which they committed, evil indeed were the deeds which they did.

⁷⁶Qul atabuduna min dunillahi ma la yamliku lakum darran wa la nafan wallahu huwa samiul alimu.

⁷⁷Qul ya ahlal kitabi la taglu fi dinikum gairal haqqi wa la tattabiu ahwaa qaumin qad dallu min qablu wa adallu kasiran wa dallu an sawai sabili.

⁷⁸Luina lazina kafaru min bani Israila ala lisani Dawuda wa Isa bni Maryama zalika bima asan wa kanu yataduna.

⁷⁹Kanu la yatanahauna an munkarin faaluhu labisa ma kanu yafaluna.

31. In the economy of the Qur’an, attributing partnership to God is certainly going beyond the bounds of ones religion, which therefore make the Christians guilty.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁰You see many of them turning in friendship to the unbelievers. Evil indeed are that which their souls have sent forward before them, that Allah’s wrath is on them and in torment will they abide.

⁸¹And if only they had believed in Allah, in the apostle, and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them for friends and protectors, but most of them are rebellious wrongdoers.

⁸²Strongest among men in enmity to the believers you will find the Jews and Pagans, and nearest among them in love to the believers you will find those who say, “We are Christians,” because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world and they are not arrogant.³²

⁸⁰Tara kasiran minhum yatawallauna lazina kafaru labisa ma qaddamat lahum anfusuhum an sakhitallahu alaihim wa fil azabi hum khaliduna.

⁸¹Wa lau kanu yuminuna billahi wa nabiyyi wa ma unzila ilaihi mattakhazuhum auliyaa wa lakinna kasiran minhum fasiquna.

⁸²Latajidanna ashaddan nasiadawatal lillazina amanul Yahuda wallazina ashraku wa latajidanna aqrabahum mawaddata lillazina amanu lazina qalu inna Nasara zalika bi anna minhum qissisina wa ruhbana wa annahum la yastakbiruna.

32. A truer testimony this is. The Christians are told to love their enemies, pray for those who hate them and despitefully use them, and to demonstrate such strong characteristics of love which will provoke others to seek out the God of the Christians. John 13:34‑35 has this to say to Christians; “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” And this, is the real lifestyle of true men and women of God.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸³And when they listen to the revelation received by the apostle you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth. They pray,” “Our Lord, we believe, write us down among the witnesses.”

⁸⁴And what cause can we have not to believe in Allah and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?

⁸⁵And for their prayer has Allah rewarded them with gardens with rivers flowing underneath their eternal home. Such is the recompense of those who do good.

⁸⁶But those who reject faith and belie our signs they shall be companions of hell-fire.

⁸³Wa iza samiu ma unzila ila rasuli tara ayunuhum tafidu mina dami mimmaarafu minal haqqi yaquluna rabbana amanna faktubna maa shahidina.

⁸⁴Wa ma lana lanuminu billahi wa ma jaana minal haqqi wa natmau anyudkhilana rabbuna maal qaumi sualihina.

⁸⁵Fa asabahumullahu bima qalu jannatin tajri min tahtihal anharu khalidina fiha wa zalika jazaul muhsinina.

⁸⁶Wallazina kafaru wa kazzabu bi ayatina ulaika ashabul jahimi.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁷O you who believe, make not unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, but commit no excess, for Allah loves not those given to excess.

⁸⁸And eat of the things which Allah has provided for you lawful and good, but fear Allah in Whom ye believe.

⁸⁷Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la tuharrimu tayyibati ma ahallallahu lakum wa la tatadu innallaha la yuhibbul mutadina.

 88Wa kulu mimma razaqakumullahu halalan tayyiba wattaqullaha lazi antum bihi muminuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸⁹Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths, for expiation, feed the indigent persons on a scale of the average for the food of your families, or clothe them, or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths you have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs that you may be grateful.

⁹⁰O you who believe, intoxicants and gambling, stones, and arrows are an abomination of Satan’s handiwork, eschew such, that you may prosper.

⁹¹Satan’s plan is to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer, will you not then abstain?

⁸⁹La yuakhizukumullahu bil lagwi fi aimanikum wa lakin yuakhizukum bimaaqqattumul aimana fa kaffaratuhu itamu asharati masakina min ausati ma tutimuna ahlikum au kiswatuhum au tahriru raqabahtin famal lam yajid fa siyamu salasati ayyamin zalika kaffaratu aimanikum iza halaftum wahfazu aimanakum kazalika yubayyinullahu lakum ayatihi laallakum tashkuruna.

 ⁹⁰Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu innamal khamru wal maisiru wal ansabu wal azlamu rijsun min amali shaitani fajtanibuhu laallakum tuflihuna.

 ⁹¹Innama yuridu shaitanu ayuqia bainakumul adawata wal bagdaa fil khamri wal maisiri wa yasuddakum an zikrillahi wa anis sualati fahal antum muntahuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹²And obey Allah and obey the apostle and beware, if you do turn back know that it is Our apostle’s duty to proclaim in the clearest manner.

⁹³On those who believe and do deeds of righteousness there is no blame for what they ate, when they guard themselves from evil and believe and do deeds of righteousness, again guard themselves from evil and do good. For Allah loves those who do good.

⁹⁴O you who believe, Allah makes a trial of you in a little matter of game well within reach of your hands and your lances that He may test who fears Him unseen, any who transgress thereafter will have a grievous penalty.

 ⁹²Wa atiullaha wa atiu rasula wahzaru fa in tawallaitum falamu annamaala rasulina l balagul mubinu.

 ⁹³Laisa alal lazina amanu waamilu sualihati junahun fi ma taimu iza mattaqau wa amanu wa amilu sualihati summattaqau wa amanu summattaqau wa ahsanu wallahu yuhibbul muhsinina.

 ⁹⁴Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu layabluwannakumullahu bi shaiin mina saidi tanaluhu aidikum wa rimahukum liyalamallahu ma yakhafuhu bil gaibi famanitada bada zalika falahu azabun alimun.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹⁵O you who believe, kill not game while in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. If any of you does so intentionally, the compensation is an offering brought to the Kaaba of a domestic animal equivalent to the one he killed as adjudged by two just men among you, or by way of atonement the feeding of the indigent, or its equivalent in fasts, that he may taste of the penalty of his deed. Allah forgives what is past, for repetition, Allah will exact from him the penalty, for Allah is exalted and Lord of retribution.

⁹⁶Lawful to you is the pursuit of water game and its use for food for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is the pursuit of land game, as long as you are in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. And fear Allah to whom you shall be gathered back.

 ⁹⁵Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la taqtulu saida wa antum hurumun wa man qatalahu minkum mutaammidan fajazaun mislu ma qatala minan naami yahkumu bihi zawa adlin minkum hadyam baligal kabati au kaffaratun taamu masakina au adlu zalika siya maliyazuqa wabala amrihi afallahu amma salafa wa man ada fa yantaqimullahu minhu wallahu azizun zuntiqamin.     

 ⁹⁶Uhilla lakum saidul bahri wa taamuhu mataal lakum wa li sayyarahti wa hurrimaalaikum saidul barri ma dumtum huruman wattaqullahal lazi ilaihi tuhsharuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁹⁷Allah made the Kaaba the sacred house an asylum of security for men as also the sacred months the animals for offerings and the garlands that mark them, that you may know that Allah has knowledge of what is in the heavens and on earth and that Allah is well acquainted with all things.

⁹⁸Know that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is forgiving, merciful.

⁹⁹The apostle’s duty is but to proclaim, but Allah knows all that you reveal and you conceal.

¹⁰⁰Say, “Not equal are things that are bad and things that are good, even though the abundance of the bad may dazzle you, so fear Allah O you that understand, that you may prosper.”

 ⁹⁷Jaalallahul kabatal baital harama qiyamal linasi wa shahral harama wal hadya wal qalaida zalika litalamu annallaha yalamu ma fi samawati wa ma filarddi wa annallaha bi kulli shaiin alimun.

⁹⁸Ilamu annallaha shadidul iqabi wa annallaha gafuru rahimun.

⁹⁹Ma ala rasuli illal balagu wallahu yalamu ma tubduna wa ma taktumuna.

¹⁰⁰Qul la yastawil khabisu wa tayyibu wa lau ajabaka kasratul khabisi fattaqullaha ya ulil albabi laallakum tuflihuna.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰¹O you who believe, ask not questions about things which if made plain to you may cause you trouble. But if you ask about things when the Qur’an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you, Allah will forgive those, for Allah is forgiving, forbearing.

¹⁰²Some people before you asked such questions and on that account lost their faith.

¹⁰³It was not Allah who instituted a slit-ear-she-camel or a she-camel let loose for free pasture, or idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals, or stallion-camels freed from work, it is blasphemers who invent a lie against Allah but most of them lack wisdom.

¹⁰¹Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la tasalu an ashyaa in tubda lakum tasukum wa in tasalu anha hina yunazzalul quranu tubda lakum afallahu anha wallahu gafuru halimun.

¹⁰²Qad saalaha qaumu min qablikum summa asbahu biha kafirina.

¹⁰³Ma jaalallahu min bahirati wa la saibatin wa la wasilati wa la hami wa lakinnal lazina kafaru yaftaruna alallahil kaziba wa aksaruhum la yaqiluna.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰⁴And when it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has revealed, come to the apostle,” they say, “Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following.” What, even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?

¹⁰⁵O you who believe, guard your own souls, if you follow guidance no hurt can come to you from those who stray. The goal of you all is to Allah, it is He that will show you the truth of all that you do.

¹⁰⁴Wa iza qila lahum taalau ila ma anzalallahu wa ila rasuli qalu hasbuna ma wajadna alaihi abaana awalau kana abauhum la yalamuna shaia wala yahtaduna.

¹⁰⁵Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu alaikum anfusakum la yadurrukum man dalla izahtadaitum ilallahi marjiukum jamian fa yunabbiukum bima kuntum tamaluna.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰⁶O you who believe, when death approaches any of you take witnesses among yourselves, when making bequests, two just men of your own brotherhood or others from outside, if you are journeying through the earth and the chance of death befalls you. If you doubt, detain them both after prayer and let them both swear by Allah. “We wish not in this for any worldly gain even though the beneficiary be our near relation, we shall hide not the evidence before Allah, if we do then behold, the sin be upon us.”

¹⁰⁷But if it gets known that these two were guilty of the sin of perjury. Let two others stand forth in their places, nearest in kin from among those who claim a lawful right, let them swear by Allah, “We affirm that our witness is truer than that of those two and that we have not trespassed beyond the truth, if we did behold, the wrong be upon us.”

¹⁰⁶Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu shahadatu bainikum iza hadara ahadakumul mautu hinal wasiyyatisnani zawa adlin minkum au akharani min gairikum in antum darabtum fil ardi fa asabatkum musibatul mauti tahbisunahuma mim badis salati fa yuqsimani billahi inirtabtum la nashtari bihi samana wa lau kana za qurba wa la naktumu shahadatallahi inna izal laminal asimina.

¹⁰⁷Fa in usira ala annahumastahaqqa isman fa akharani yaqumani maqamahuma minal lazinastahaqqa alaihimul aulayani fa yuqsimani billahi lasyahadatuna ahaqqu min shahadatihima wa matadaina inna izal lamina tualimina.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰⁸That is most suitable, that they may give the evidence in its true nature and shape or else they would fear that other oaths would be taken after their oaths. But fear Allah and listen to His counsel, for Allah guides not a rebellious people.

¹⁰⁹One day will Allah gather the apostles together and ask, “What was the response you received?” They will say, “We have no knowledge, it is you who knows in full all that is hidden.”

¹⁰⁸Zalika adna ayatu bi shahadati ala wajhiha au yakhafu an turadda aimanum bada aimanihim wattaqullaha wasmau wallahu la yahdil qaumal fasiqina.

¹⁰⁹Yauma yajmaullahu rusula fa yaqulu maza ujibtum qalu la ilma lana innaka anta allamu l guyubi.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹¹⁰Then will Allah say, “O Jesus the son of Mary, recount my favor to you and to your mother. Behold, I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit so that you spoke to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold, I taught you the book and wisdom, the Law, and the Gospel. And behold, you made out of clay as it were the figure of a bird by My leave, and you breathed into it and it became a bird, by My leave, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold, you brought forth the dead, by My leave. And behold, I did restrain the Children of Israel from you when you showed them the clear signs and the unbelievers among them said, ‘This is nothing but evident magic’. ³³

¹¹¹And behold, I inspired the disciples to have faith in Me and Mine apostle, they said “We have faith and you bear witness that we bow to Allah as Muslims.”

¹¹²Behold, the disciples said, “O Jesus, the son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table set from heaven?” Jesus said, “Fear Allah if you have faith.”³⁴

¹¹⁰Iz qalallahu ya Isabna Maryama zukur nimati alaika wa ala walidatika iz ayyattuka bi ruhil qudusi tukallimun nasa fil mahdi wa kahlan wa iz allamtukal kitaba wal hikmata wa Taurata wal Injila wa iz takhluqu mina tini ka haiatit tairi bi izni fa tanfukhu fiha fa takunu tairan bi izni wa tubriul akmaha wal abrasa bi izni wa iz tukhrijul mauta bi izni wa iz kafaftu bani Israila anka iz jitahum bil bayyinati fa qalal lazina kafaru minhum in haza illa sihrum mubinun.

¹¹¹Wa iz auhaitu ilal hawariyyina an aminu bi wa bi rasuli qalu amanna washhad bi annana musulimuna.

¹¹²Iz qalal hawariyyuna ya Isa bna Maryama hal yastatiu rabbuka anyunazzila alaina maidatan mina samai qalattaqullaha inkuntum muminina.

33. The Qur’an whilest denying the deity of Jesus Christ makes statements like this one which points to the deity of Christ. The Holy Spirit of God, not the angel Gabriel, was upon Jesus, with a special purpose in life. To heal the broken hearted, to restore sight to the blind, etc, etc. Does a man like this have the ability to save? You bet He does. The Bible makes mention of this in Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1-2;

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn”.

You see Jesus is the answer to all problems, sicknesses, brokenheartedness, oppression, depression, to name a few. Any good thing one can think of can be given by Christ. He also said, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man can go to the Father but by Him. He is the Savior of the world, a fact which the Qur’an agrees with in Qur’an 3:55. Those who follow Jesus will be exalted above those who do not follow Him. Believing in Him is one thing and following Him is quite another.

34: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this

shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Contrary to that which was given to the Muslims. Al‑Muwatta Hadith 43.15a; (Qur’an 5: 48) Allah, the Blessed, the Exalted, mentioned that it is a life for a life. It is the life of a free woman for the life of a free man, and her injury for his injury.” Retaliation is mandated for the believers in Islam, whereas forgiveness is mandated for the Christians.

¹¹³They said, “We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts and to know that you have indeed told us the truth, and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle.”

¹¹⁴Jesus, the son of Mary said, “O Allah our Lord, send us from heaven a table set, that there may be for us for the first and the last of us a solemn festival and a sign from you, and provide for our sustenance for you are the best sustainer.”

¹¹⁵Allah said, “I will send it down unto you, but if any of you after that resists faith, I will punish him with a penalty such as I have not inflicted on anyone among all the peoples.”

¹¹³Qalu nuridu an nakula minha wa tatmainna qulubuna wa nalama an qad sadaqtana wa nakuna alaiha mina shahidina.

¹¹⁴Qala Isa bnu Maryama llahumma rabbana anzil alaina maidatan mina samai takunu lanaidal liawwalina wa akhirina wa ayatan minka warzuqna wa anta khairu raziqina.

¹¹⁵Qalallahu inni munazziluha alaikum fama yakfur badu minkum fa inni uazzibuhu azabal la uazzibuhu ahadan mina l alamina.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹¹⁶And behold, Allah will say, “O Jesus, the son of Mary, did you say unto men ‘worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah”? He will say, “Glory to you, never could I say what I had no right to say. Had I said such a thing you would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart though I know not what is in yours. For you know in full all that is hidden.³⁵

¹¹⁷“Never said I to them anything except what you commanded me to say, to wit ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord,’ and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt among them, when you took me up, you were the watcher over them and you are a witness to all things.”³⁶

¹¹⁶Wa iz qalallahu ya Isa bna Maryama aanta qulta linasittakhizuni wa ummi ilahaini min dunillahi qala subhanaka ma yakunu li an aqula ma laisa li bi haqqin in kuntu qultuhufaqad alimtahu talamu ma fi nafsi wa la alamu ma fi nafsika innaka antaallamul guyubi.

¹¹⁷Ma qultu lahum illa ma amartani bihi anibudullaha rabbi wa rabbakum wa kuntualaihim shahidan ma dumtu fihim falamma tawaffaitani kunta anta raqiba alaihim wa anta ala kulli shaiin shahidun.

35. Holy Spirit of God, not the Angel Gabriel, was upon Jesus, with a special purpose in life. To heal the broken hearted, to heal the blind man etc. etc, Does a man like this have the ability to save? You bet He does. The Bible also talks about this in Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1‑2 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. You see, Jesus is the answer to all problems, sickness, broken-heartedness, oppression, depressions, poverty, and failure. Any good thing one can think of can be given by Christ. He also said He is the Way, the truth and the life, no man can comes to the Father but by Him, He is the Savior of the World {Luke 2:11}. The Qur’an also agrees to this claim of Jesus in Surat‑al‑Imran 3:55.

Isa, I am about to cause your term on earth to end and lift you up to me. I shall take you away from those who

disbelieve and exalt your followers above them till the Day of Resurrection.

Of importance here is what Allah said about Jesus, those who believe in Him and follow Him. God will then place them in heaven above those who do not follow Him. 34. Jesus fed the multitude not because they asked Him for food, but because He had compassion on them;

Matthew 5:32‑37:

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

The only other story similar to what the Qur’an is recounting is when the multitude followed Jesus hoping that He would perform another miracle of food, John 6:31‑41.

Up until this point the Qur’an has been insinuating about the Holy Trinity, but now we know what it has been talking about all along. Indeed what the Qur’an is talking about here is the worship of three gods, but unfortunately, it is not the same constituents when Christians talk about the Holy Trinity. The constituents of the Trinity as we find in the baptismal formula and the benediction is about God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Qur’an here mentions, Mary (God the Mother), Jesus (God the Son) and Allah (God the Father). This undoubtedly gives one three gods, It is blasphemous in both Judaism and Christianity, where God in the decalogue has vehemently forbidden the worship of other gods. How could Christians then, in the face of this, take unto themselves other gods. I am also aware of a Christian denomination which venerates Mary as the Mother of God, this teaching is not found in the Bible. Rather, it is man‑made.

36. Muhammad is assuming that this is what will happen in the Last Day, but it want, because even Muhammad said that Christ will come and judge the world.

Sahih Al‑Bukhari Hadith 6.71 narrated by Said bin Al Musaiyab:

Abu Huraira said, “The Prophet said, ‘No child is born but that, Satan touches it when it is born where upon it starts crying loudly because of being touched by Satan, except Mary and her Son.’ “Abu Huraira then said, “Recite, if you wish: ‘And I seek Refuge with You (Allah) for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast.’ “ this alone qualifies Jesus for such a high office seeing that He is untouched and untainted by Satan.

Sahih Al‑Bukhari Hadith 4.657 narrated by Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Apostle said, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely (Jesus,) the son of Mary will soon descend amongst you and will judge mankind justly (as a Just Ruler); All these are happening because Jesus Christ is God.

¹¹⁸If you punish them, they are your servants, if you forgive them, you are the exalted, the wise.

¹¹⁹Allah will say, “This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth, theirs are gardens with rivers flowing beneath their eternal home, Allah is well pleased with them and they with Allah, that is the great salvation.”

¹²⁰To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is therein and it is He who has power over all things.

¹¹⁸In tuazzibhum fa innahum ibaduka wa in tagfir lahum fa innaka antal azizul hakimu.

¹¹⁹Qalallahu haza yaumu yanfaus sadiqina sidquhum lahum jannatun tajri min tahtihal anharu khalidina fiha abadan radiyallahu anhum wa radu anhu zalikal fauzul attimu.

¹²⁰Lillahi mulku samawati wal arddi wa ma fihinna wa huwa ala kulli shaiin qadirun