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Basic Worldview:
104 Why Christianity?


Koran and Judeo-Christian Apostles

Evidentiary Religions - Islam Introduction
Koran and Judeo-Christian Apostles
Koran and Judeo-Christian Scriptures
Koran Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 1)
Koran Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 2)
Koran Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 3)
Koran Contradicts Judeo-Christianity (Part 4)
Another Gospel and Explaining the Success of Islam (P. 1)
Explaining the Success of Islam (Part 2)
Explaining the Success of Islam (Part 3)
Islam Conclusions

Introduction | Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3



The Koran's Affirmation of Judeo-Christian Apostles

In this section we will display a very lengthy series of quotes from the Koran in order to thoroughly demonstrate the two following points:

1) That Mohammed frequently affirmed the validity of Judeo-Christian apostles.
2) That Mohammed affirmed these Judeo-Christian apostles in defense of his own authenticity.

As the quotes below will demonstrate, one of the main ways that Mohammed attempted to support his validity was draw similarities between those who rejected him and those who rejected previous apostles sent by God.

In combination with the next section, our goal is to demonstrate that since Mohammed himself affirms that previous apostles and scriptures are true, he himself is invalidated if those apostles and scriptures contradict his own words in the Koran.

Notice as you read these quotes, the extent to which Mohammed is not only affirming the apostles himself, but also at times the miracles or scriptures given by that apostle. And as you read these quotes, please also keep in mind the 2 points above, which each of these quotes demonstrates.

At the end of this lengthy series of quotes, we will place a short, summary list of the more significant statements that occur, just so that they don't get lost in the vast number of the rest of the quotes.

So, without further delay, here are the quotes from the Koran.

To Moses We gave the Scriptures and after him We sent other apostles. We gave Jesus son of Mary veritable signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Will you then scorn each apostle whose message does not suit your fancies, charging some with imposture and slaying others? (Koran, p. 18, 2:85, 4th Para.)

Such are God's revelations. We recite them to you in all truth, for you are one of Our emissaries. Of these emissaries We have exalted some above others. To some God spoke directly; others He raised to a lofty status. We gave Jesus son of Mary indisputable signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Had God pleased, those who succeeded them would not have fought against one another after the veritable signs had been given them. But they disagreed among themselves; some had faith and others had none. Yet had God pleased they would not have fought against one another. God does what he will. (Koran, p. 37, 2:250, 3rd Para.)

The Apostle believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord, and so do the faithful. They all believe in God and His angels, His scriptures, and His apostles: We discriminate against none of His apostles. (Koran, p. 42, 2:283, 4th Para.)

Are they seeking a religion other than God's, when every soul in the heaven's and the earth has submitted to Him willingly or by compulsion? To Him shall they return. Say: 'We believe in God and what is revealed to us; in that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael, to Isaac and Jacob and the tribes; and in that which their Lord gave Moses and Jesus and the prophets. We discriminate against none of them. Too Him we have surrendered ourselves.' He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him and in the world to come he will surely be among the losers. (Koran, p. 50, 3:83, 1st Para. - 3rd Para.)

Muhammed is no more than an apostle: other apostles have passed away before him. If he die or be slain, will you recant? He that recants will do no harm to God. But God will recompense the thankful. (Koran, p. 54, 3:140, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)

To those that declare: 'God has commanded us to believe in no apostle unless he brings down fire to consume an offering,' say: 'Other apostles before me have come to you with veritable signs and worked the miracle you asked for. Why did you slay them, if what you say be true?' If they reject you, other apostles have been rejected before you, although they came with veritable signs, psalms, and the light-giving Scriptures. (Koran, p. 58, 3:183, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)

We have revealed Our will to you as We revealed it to Noah and to the other prophets who came after him; as We revealed it to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, Solomon and David, to whom We gave the Psalms. Of some apostles We have already told you, but there are others of whom We have not yet spoken (God spoke directly to Moses): apostles who brought good news to mankind and admonished them, so that they might have no plea against God after their coming. (Koran, p. 77, 4:163, 1st Para.)

Believers, have faith in God and His apostle, in the Book He has revealed to His apostles, and in the Scriptures He formerly revealed. He that denies God, His angels, His Scriptures, His apostles, and the Last Day has strayed far. (Koran, p. 75, 4:136, 1st Para.)

Those that deny God and His apostles, saying: 'We believe in some, but deny others,' - thus seeking a middle way - these indeed are the unbelievers. For the unbelievers We have prepared a shameful punishment. As for those that believe in God and His apostles and discriminate against none of them, they shall be recompensed by Him. (Koran, p. 76, 4:147, 3rd Para. - 4th Para.)

The Messiah, the son of Mary, was no more than an apostle: other apostles passed away before him. His mother was a saintly woman. They both ate earthly food. (Koran, p. 88, 5:75, 1st Para.)

One day God will gather all the apostles and ask them: 'How were you received?' They will reply: 'We have no knowledge. You alone know what is hidden.' God will say: 'Jesus, son of Mary, remember the favour I bestowed on you and on your mother: how I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit, so that you preached to men in your cradle and in the prime of manhood; how I instructed you in the Book and in wisdom, in the Torah and in the Gospel; how by My leave you fashioned from the clay the likeness of a bird and breathed into it so that, by My leave, it became a living bird; how by My leave, you healed the blind man and the leper, and by My leave restored the dead to life; how I protected you from the Israelites when you had come to them with clear signs: when those of them that disbelieved declared: "This is but plain sorcery"; how, when I enjoined the disciples to believe in Me and in My apostle, they replied: "We believe; bear witness that we submit." (Koran, p. 91, 5:106, 2nd Para. - 5:110, 1st Para.)

We send forth apostles only to proclaim good news and to give warning. Those that believe in them and mend their ways shall have nothing to fear or to regret. But those that deny Our revelations shall be punished for their misdeeds. (Koran, p. 96, 6:48, 1st Para. - p. 97, 6:48, 1st Para.)

We gave him Isaac and Jacob and guided both as We had guided Noah before them. Among his descendents were David and Solomon, Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron (thus do we reward the righteous); Zacharias and John, Jesus and Elias (all were upright men); and Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot. All these We exalted above the nations as We exalted some of their fathers, their children, and their brothers. We chose them and guided them to a straight path. Such is God's guidance; He bestows it on those of His servants whom He chooses. Had they served other gods besides Him, their labours would have been vain indeed. On those men We bestowed the Scriptures, wisdom, and prophethood. If these are denied by this generation, We will entrust them to others who will not deny them. Those were the men whom God guided. Follow then their guidance and say: 'I demand of you no recompense for this. It is but an admonition to all mankind.' They have no true notion of God's glory, those that say: 'God has never revealed anything to a mortal.' Say: 'Who, then, revealed the Scriptures which Moses brought down, a light and a guide for mankind? You have transcribed them on scraps of paper, declaring some and suppressing much, though now you have been taught what neither you nor you fathers knew before.' (Koran, p. 100, 6:80, 3rd Para. - 6:91, 1st Para.)

To Moses We gave the Scriptures, a perfect code for the righteous with precepts about all things, a guide and a benison, so that they might believe in meeting their Lord. And now We have revealed this Book truly blessed. Observe it and keep from evil, so that you may find mercy and not say: 'The Scriptures were revealed only to two communities (1) before us; we have no knowledge of what they read'; or: 'Had the Scriptures been revealed to us we would have been better guided than they.' (Koran, p. 107, 6:153, 2nd Para. - 6:157, 1st Para.) (Footnote 1: Christians and Jews.)

Children of Adam, when apostles come to proclaim to you My revelations, those that take warning and mend their ways will have nothing to fear or to regret; but those that deny and scorn Our revelations shall be the heirs of the Fire, wherein they shall remain for ever. (Koran, p. 111, 7:34, 2nd Para.)

They denied him. So We saved him and all who were with him in the ark, and drowned those that denied Our revelations. Surely they were blind men. (Koran, p. 114, 7:59, 4th Para.)

Is it not plain to the present generation that if We pleased, We could punish them for their sins and set a seal upon their hearts, leaving them bereft of hearing? We have recounted to you the history of those nations. Their apostles came to them with veritable proofs, yet they persisted in their unbelief. Thus God seals up the hearts of the unbelievers. (Koran, p. 117, 7:96, 5th Para. - 6th Para.)

Like Pharaoh's people and those before them, they disbelieved God's revelations. Therefore God will smite them for their sins. Mighty is God and stern His retribution. God does not change the blessings He has bestowed upon a people until they change what is in their hearts. God hears all and knows all. Like Pharaoh's people and those before them, they disbelieved their Lord's revelations. Therefore we will destroy them for their sins even as We drowned Pharaoh's people. They were wicked men all. (Koran, p. 131, 8:51, 2nd Para. - 4th Para.)

Have they not heard the stories of those who have gone before them? The fate of Noah's people and of Thamud and 'Ad; of Abraham's people and the people of Midian and the Ruined Cities? Their apostles showed them veritable signs. God did not wrong them, but the wronged themselves. (Koran, p. 140, 9:69, 2nd Para.)

They say: 'God has begotten a son.' God forbid! Self-sufficient is He. His is all that the heavens and the earth contain. Surely for this you have no sanction. Would you say of God what you know not? Say: 'Those that invent falsehoods about God shall not prosper. They may take their ease in this life, but to Us they shall then return, and for their unbelief We will make them taste the grievous torment.' Recount to them the tale of Noah. He said to his people: 'If it offends you, my people, that I should dwell in your midst and preach to you God's revelations (for in God I have put my trust), muster all your idols and decide on your course of action. Do not intrigue in secret. Execute your judgement and give me not respite. If you turn away from me, remember I demand of you no recompense. Only God will reward me. I am commanded to be one of those who shall submit to Him.' But they disbelieved him. Therefore We saved Noah and those who were with him in the ark, so that they survived, and drowned the others who denied Our revelations. Consider the fate of those who were forewarned. (Koran, p. 153, 10:68, 1st Para. - 4th Para.)

We sent forth Moses with Our signs and with clear authority to Pharaoh and his nobles. But they followed the behests of their master; misguided were Pharaoh's behests. He shall stand at the head of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and shall lead them into the Fire. Evil is the place they shall be led to. (Koran, p. 164, 11:96, 1st Para.)

We will recount to you the histories of these apostles to put courage into your heart. Through them the Truth shall be revealed to you, with precepts and admonitions for the faithful. Say to the infidels: 'Do whatever lies within your power, and so shall we. Wait if you will; we too are waiting.' (Koran, p. 165, 11:113, 5th Para. - 6th Para.)

Say: 'This is my path. With sure knowledge I call on you to have faith in God, I and all my followers. Glory be to God! I am no idolater.' Nor were the apostles whom We sent before you other than mortals inspired by Our will and chosen from among their people. (Koran, p. 174, 12:108, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)

Other apostles were mocked before you: but, though I bore long with the unbelievers, My scourge at length overtook them. And how terrible was My scourge! (Koran, p. 178, 13:31, 3rd Para.)

Each apostle We have sent has spoken only in the language of his own people, so that he might make his precepts clear to them. But God leaves in error whom He will and guides whom He pleases. He is the Mighty, the Wise One. We send forth Moses with Our signs, saying: 'Lead your people out of darkness into the light, and remind them of God's favours.' Surely in this there are signs for every steadfast, thankful man. (Koran, p. 179, 14:1, 3rd Para.)

It was We that revealed the Admonition, and shall Ourself preserve it. We have sent forth apostles before you to the older nations: but they scoffed at each apostles We sent them. Thus do We put doubt into the hearts of the guilty: they deny him, despite the example of the ancients. (Koran, p. 184, 15:6, 3rd Para.)

The people of Hijr also denied Our apostles. We gave them Our signs, but they ignored them. They hewed their dwelling into the mountains and led their lives in safety. But one morning the Cry took them. Nothing did their gains avail them. (Koran, p. 186, 15:78, 2nd Para.)

The apostles We sent before you were but men whom We inspired with revelations and with scriptures. Ask the People of the Book, if you know not. To you We have revealed the Admonition, so that you may proclaim to me what was sent down for them, and that they may take thought. (Koran, p. 190, 16:37, 3rd Para.)

By the Lord, We have sent apostles before you to other nations. But Satan made their foul deeds seem fair to them, and to this day he is their patron. A woeful scourge awaits them. (Koran, p. 191, 16:62, 2nd Para.)

We have exalted some prophets above others. To David We gave the Psalms. Say: 'Pray if you will to those whom you deify besides Him. They cannot relieve your distress, nor can they change it.' Those to whom they pray, themselves seek to approach their Lord, vying with each other to be near Him. They crave His mercy and fear His punishment; for your Lord's punishment is to be feared indeed. (Koran, p. 201, 17:52, 5th Para. - 6th Para.)

Hell is their reward: because they had no faith, and because they mocked My apostles and My revelations. As for those that have faith and do good works, they shall for ever dwell in the gardens of Paradise, desiring no change. (Koran, p. 213, 18:106 - p. 214.)

You shall also recount in the Book the story of Abraham: He was a saintly man and a prophet. He said to his father: 'Why do you serve a worthless idol, a thing that can neither hear nor see? Father, things you know nothing of have come to my knowledge: therefore follow me, that I may guide you along and even path. Father, do not worship Satan; for Satan has rebelled against the Lord of Mercy. Father, I fear that a scourge will fall upon you from the Merciful, and you will become one of Satan's minions.' He replied: 'Do you dare renounce my gods, Abraham? Desist, or I will stone you. Leave my house this instant!' 'Peace be with you,' said Abraham. 'I shall implore my Lord to forgive you: for to me He has ever been gracious. But I will not live with you or with your idols. I will pray to my Lord, and may my prayers to my Lord not be in vain.' (Koran, p. 216, 19:39, 2nd Para. - p. 217, 19:46, 2nd Para.)

And when Abraham had cast off his people and the idols which they worshipped, We gave him Isaac and Jacob. Each of them We made a prophet, and We bestowed on them gracious gifts and high renown. (Koran, p. 217, 19:46, 3rd Para.)

In the Book tell also of Moses, who was a chosen man, an apostle, and a prophet. We called out to him from the right side of the Mountain, and when he came near We communed with him in secret. We gave him, of Our mercy, his brother Aaron, himself a prophet. (Koran, p. 217, 19:46, 4th Para. - 5th Para.)

These are the men to whom God has been gracious: the prophets from among the descendants of Adam and of those whom We carried in the ark with Noah; the descendants of Abraham, of Israel, and of those whom We have guided and chosen. For when the revelations of the Merciful were recited to them they fell down on their knees in tears and adoration. (Koran, p. 217, 19:54, 4th Para.)

Had We destroyed them with a scourge before his (1) coming they would have said: 'Lord, if only You had sent us an apostle! We would have followed Your revelations before we were humbled and disgraced.' (Koran, p. 227, 20:132, 3rd Para.) (Footnote 1: Muhammad.)

Some say: 'It (2) is but a medley of dreams.' Others: 'He has invented it himself,' And yet others: 'He is a poet: let him show us some sign, as did the apostles in days gone by.' [Yet though We showed them signs,] the communities whom We destroyed before them did not believe either. Will they believe? (Koran, p. 227, 21:1, 4th Para. - 21:6, 1st Para.) (Footnote 2: The Koran.)

The apostles We sent before you were but men whom We inspired. Ask the People of the Book if you do not know this. The bodies We gave them could not dispense with food, nor were they immortal. Then We fulfilled Our promise: We delivered them and those We willed, and utterly destroyed the transgressors. And now We have revealed a Book for your admonishment. Will you not understand? (Koran, p. 228, 21:7, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)

Say: 'Show us your proof. Here are the Scriptures of today and those of long ago.' But most of them know not the Truth, and this is why they pay no heed. We inspired all the apostles We sent before you, saying: 'There is no god but Me. Therefore serve Me.' (Koran, p. 228, 21:18, 5th Para. - 6th Para.)

We showed Moses and Aaron the distinction between right and wrong, and gave them a light and an admonition for righteous men: those who truly fear their Lord, although unseen, and dread the terrors of the final hour. And this (1) is a blessed admonition We have sent down. Will you reject it? We formerly bestowed guidance on Abraham, for We knew him well. (Koran, p. 230, 21:47, 2nd Para. - 3rd Para.)

Before him Noah invoked Us, and We answered his prayer. We saved him and all his kinsfolk from the great calamity, and delivered him from those who had denied Our revelations. Evil were they; We drowned them all. And tell of David and Solomon: how they passed judgement regarding the cornfield in which strayed lambs had grazed by night. We gave Solomon insight into the case and bore witness to their judgements. We bestowed on both of them wisdom and knowledge, and caused the mountains and the birds to join with David in Our praise. All this We did. We taught him the armourer's craft, so that you might have protection in your wars. Will you then give thanks? To Solomon We subjected the raging wind: it sped at his bidding to the land which We had blessed. We had knowledge of all things. We assigned him devils who dived for him into the sea and who performed other tasks besides. Over them We kept a watchful eye. And tell of Job: how he called on his Lord, saying: 'I am sorely afflicted: but of all those that show mercy You are the most merciful.' We answered his prayer and relieved his affliction. We restored to him his family and as many more with them: a blessing from Ourself and an admonition to the devout. (Koran, p. 232, 21:75, 2nd Para. - p. 233, 21:88, 4th Para.)

If they deny you, remember that before them the people of Noah, 'Ad and Thamud, the people of Abraham and of Lot, and the dwellers of Midian had also denied their apostles: Moses was likewise rejected. (Koran, p. 238, 22:42, 1st Para.)

Then we raised a new generation, and sent forth to them an apostle of their own. 'Serve God,' he said, 'for you have no god but Him. Will you not take heed?' But the unbelieving elders of his people, who denied the life to come and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: 'This man is but a mortal like yourselves, nourished by the same food and drink. If you obey a mortal like yourselves, you shall indeed be lost. Does he promise you, when you are dead and turned to dust and bones, you will be raised to life? A foolish promise, indeed. There is no other life but this, our earthly life: we die and live, never to be restored to life. This man is but an impostor who tells of God what is untrue. (Koran, p. 242, 23:28, 3rd Para. - 23:37, 1st Para.)

After them We raised other generations - no people can delay their doom or go before it - and sent forth Our apostles in succession. Yet time after time they disbelieved their apostles, so that We destroyed them one by one and held them up as an example. Gone are the unbelievers. (Koran, p. 242, 23:37, 4th Para.)

Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our signs and with clear authority, to Pharaoh and his nobles. But they received them with contempt, for they were arrogant men. 'What!' said they. 'Are we to believe in two men like ourselves, whose people are our bondsmen?' They denied them, and thus incurred destruction. And We gave Moses the Book, so that they might be rightly guided. (Koran, p. 242, 23:37, 5th Para. - 23:49, 1st Para.)

Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Merciful. Lot's people, too, disbelieved the apostles. Their kinsman Lot had said to them: 'Will you fear God? I am indeed your true apostle. Fear God and follow me. For this I demand of you no recompense; none can reward me except the Lord of the Universe.' (Koran, p. 262, 26:153, 5th Para.)

Nor did we destroy the nations until He had sent apostles to their capital cities proclaiming to them Our revelations. We destroyed those cities only because their inhabitants were wrongdoers. (Koran, p. 276, 28:58, 2nd Para.)

On that day God will call to them, saying: 'What answer did you give Our apostles? And on that day such will be their confusion that they will ask no questions. But those that repent and embrace the Faith and do what is right may hope for salvation. (Koran, p. 276, 28:64, 2nd Para.)

We sent forth Noah to his people, and he dwelt among them for a thousand years less fifty. Then in their sinfulness the Flood overwhelmed them. But We delivered him and all who were in the ark, and made the events a sign for mankind. (Koran, p. 279, 29:13, 2nd Para.)

And tell of Abraham. He said to his people: 'Serve God and fear Him. That would be best for you, if you but knew it. You worship idols besides God and fabricate falsehoods. Those to whom you serve besides God cannot give you your daily bread. Therefore seek your daily bread from God, and worship him. Give thanks to Him, for to Him you shall return...His people's only reply was: 'Kill him!' or 'Burn him!' But from the fire God delivered him. Surely in this there are signs for true believers. (Koran, p. 279, 29:13, 3rd Para - p. 280, 29:20, 5th Para.).)

Have they never journeyed through the land and seen what was the fate of their forebears? Far mightier were they; they tilled the land and built upon it more than these have ever built. And to them, too, their apostles came with undoubted signs. God did not wrong them but they wronged themselves. Evil was the end of those who did evil, because they had disbelieved God's revelations and derided them. (Koran, p. 284, 30:1, 5th Para.)

We sent before you apostles to their peoples, and they showed them veritable signs. We took vengeance on the guilty, and rightly succoured the true believers. (Koran, p. 287, 30:43, 3rd Para.)

We made a covenant with you, as We did with the other prophets; with Noah and Abraham, with Moses and Jesus son of Mary. A solemn covenant we made with them, so that He might question the truthful about their truthfulness. But for the unbelievers he has prepared a woeful punishment. (Koran, p. 294, 33:7, 1st Para.)

Believers, do not behave like those who slandered Moses. God cleared him of their calumny, and he was exalted by God. Believers, fear God and speak the truth. He will bless your works and forgive you your sins. Those who obey God and His apostle shall win a signal victory. (Koran, p. 299, 33:63, 4th Para.)

We have sent no apostle to any nation whose message was not denied by those of them that lived in comfort. The unbeliever say: 'We have been given greater wealth and more children than the faithful. Surely we shall not be punished.' Say: 'My Lord gives abundantly to whom He will and sparingly to whom He pleases. But most men do not know it. Neither your riches nor your children shall bring you one jot nearer to Us. Those that have faith and do what is right shall be doubly rewarded for their deeds: in the High Pavilions they shall dwell in peace. But those that strive to confute Our revelations shall be summoned up for punishment. (Koran, p. 303, 34:33, 3rd Para. - 5th Para.)

If they deny you, other apostles have been denied before you. To God shall all things return. (Koran, p. 305, 35:2, 3rd Para.)

The blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are the darkness and the light. The shade and the heat are not equal, nor are the living and the dead. God can cause whom He will to hear Him, but you cannot make those who are in their graves hear you. Your only duty is to give warning. We have sent you with the Truth to proclaim good news and to give warning; for there is no community that has not had a warner. If they disbelieve you, know that those who have gone before them also disbelieved. Their apostles came to them with veritable signs, with scriptures, and with the light-giving Book. But in the end I smote the unbelievers: and how terrible was the way I disowned them! (Koran, p. 306, 35:19, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)

You shall cite, as a case in point, the people of the city to which Our messengers made their way. At first We sent to them two messengers, but when they rejected both We strengthened them with a third. They said: 'We have been sent to you as apostles.' But the people replied: 'You are but mortals like ourselves. The Merciful has revealed nothing: you are surely lying.' They said: 'Our Lord knows that we are true apostles. Our only duty is to give plain warning.' (Koran, p. 309, 36:7, 6th Para. - 7th Para.)

They found their fathers erring, yet they eagerly followed in their footsteps. Most of the ancients went astray before them, though We had sent apostles to give them warning. Consider the fate of those whom We have warned: they perished all, except God's true servants. Noah prayed to Us, and his prayers were graciously answered. We delivered him, and all his household, from the mighty scourge, and made his descendants the sole survivors. We bestowed on him the praise of later generations: 'Peace be on Noah among all men!' Thus do We reward the righteous: he was one of Our believing servants. The others We peremptorily drowned. Abraham was of the self-same faith and came to his Lord with a pure heart. He said to his father and to his people: 'What are these that you worship? Would you serve false deities instead of God? What think you of the Lord of the Universe?' He stole away to their idols and said to them: 'Will you not eat your offerings? Why do you not speak?' With that he fell upon them, striking them down with his right hand. The people came running to the scene. 'Would you worship that which you have carved with your own hands, he said, 'when it was God who created you and all that you have made?' They replied: 'Build up a pyre and cast him into the blazing flames.' Thus did they scheme against him: but We abased them all. (Koran, p. 314, 37:69 - p. 315, 37:105, 3rd Para.)

We also sent forth Elias, who said to his people: 'Have you no fear? Would you invoke Baal and forsake the Most Gracious Creator? God is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.' (Koran, p. 316, 37:123.)

Lot was also sent with a message. We delivered him and all his kinsfolk, except for an old woman who stayed behind, and utterly destroyed the others. You pass by their ruins morning and evening: will you not take heed? (Koran, p. 316, 37:123, 4th Para.)

Jonah was also sent with a message. He fled to the laden ship, cast lots, and was condemned. The whale swallowed him, for he had sinned; and had he not devoutly praised the Lord he would have stayed in its belly till the Day of Resurrection. We threw him, gravely ill, upon a desolate shore and caused a gourd-tree to grow over him. Thus did We send him to a nation a hundred thousand strong or more. They believed in him, and We let them live in ease awhile. (Koran, p. 316, 37:123, 5th Para.)

Their faction is no more than a beaten army. The people of Noah, Ad, and Pharaoh, who impaled his victims upon the stake; Thamud, the compatriots of Lot, and the dwellers of the Forest - all denied their Lord and divided themselves into factions: all charged their apostles with imposture. My punishment justly smote them. (Koran, p. 318, 38:10, 2nd Para.)

And tell of Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: men of might and vision whom We made pure with the thought of the hereafter. They shall dwell with Us among the righteous whom We have chosen. And of Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul-Kifl, who were all just men. (Koran, p. 320, 38:44, 2nd Para. - 3rd Para.)

None but the unbelievers dispute the revelations of God. Do not be deceived by their prosperous dealings in the land. Before them the people of Noah also disbelieved, and so did the factions after them. Each community strove to lay hands on their apostle, seeking with false arguments to refute the truth; but I smote them, and how stern was My punishment! Thus shall the word of your Lord be fulfilled concerning the unbelievers: they are the heirs of the Fire. (Koran, p. 328, 40:1, 3rd Para.)

Have they never journeyed through the land and seen what was the end of those who have gone before them, nations far greater in prowess and in splendour? God scourged them for their sins, and from God they had no protector. That was because their apostles had come to them with veritable signs and they denied them. So God smote them. Mighty is God, and stern His retribution. We sent forth Moses with Our signs and with clear authority to Pharaoh, Haman, and Korah. But they said: 'A sorcerer, a teller of lies.' And when he brought them the Truth from Ourself, they said: 'Put to death the sons of those who share his faith, and spare only their daughters.' Futile were the schemes of the unbelievers. Pharaoh said: 'Let me slay Moses, and then let him invoke his god! I fear that he will change your religion and spread disorder in the land.' (Koran, p. 329, 40:18, 2nd Para. - p. 330, 40:26.)

And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell: 'Implore your Lord to relieve our torment for a single day!' 'But did your apostles not come to you with undoubted signs?' they will ask. 'Yes,' they will answer. And their keepers will say: 'Then offer your prayers.' But vain shall be the prayers of the unbelievers. (Koran, p. 331, 40:45, 3rd Para. - 5th Para.)

We will surely help Our apostles and the true believers both in this world and on the day when the witnesses rise to testify. On that day no excuse will avail the guilty. The Curse shall be their lot, and the scourge of the hereafter. (Koran, p. 331, 40:51 - p. 332, 40:52.)

Do you not see how those who dispute the revelations of God are turned away from the right path? Those who have denied the Book and the message We sent through Our apostles will learn hereafter: when, with chains and shackles round their necks, they shall be dragged through scalding water and burnt in the fire of Hell. (Koran, p. 333, 40:66, 4th Para.)

We sent forth other apostles before your time; of some We have already told you, of others We have not yet told you. None of those apostles could bring a sign except by God's leave. And when God's will was done, justice prevailed and there and then the disbelievers lost out. It is God who has provided you with beasts, that you may ride on some and eat the flesh of others. You put them to many uses; they take you where you wish to go, carrying you by land as ships carry you by sea. He reveals to you His signs. Which of God's signs do you deny? (Koran, p. 333, 40:72, 5th Para. - p. 334, 40:81.)

When their apostles brought them veritable signs they proudly boasted of their own knowledge; but soon the scourge they mocked encompassed them. And when they beheld Our might they said: 'We now believe in God alone. We deny the idols which We served besides Him.' (Koran, p. 334, 40:81, 3rd Para.)

Thus God, the Mighty One, the Wise One, inspires you as He inspired others before you. (Koran, p. 338, 42:1 - p. 339.)

Should We ignore you because you are a sinful nation? Many a prophet did We send forth to the ancients: but they mocked each prophet that arose among them. We utterly destroyed them, through they were mightier than these. (Koran, p. 343, 43:1, 3rd Para.)

Thus, whenever, before you, We sent an apostle to forewarn a nation, those who lived in comfort said: 'This was the faith our fathers practiced; we are merely following in their footsteps.' Each apostle said: 'What if I bring you a faith more enlightened than your fathers'?' But they replied: 'We reject the message you have been sent with.' So We took vengeance on them. Consider the fate of those who disbelieved. Tell of Abraham, who said to his father and to his people: 'I renounce the gods you worship, except Him who created me, for He will rightly guide me.' He made this an abiding precept among his descendants, so that they might for ever turn to Him. (Koran, p. 344, 43:20, 4th Para. - p. 345, 43:26.)

Ask those of Our apostles whom We sent before you if We ever appointed gods besides the Merciful to be worshipped. We sent forth Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles. He said: 'I am the apostle of the Lord of the Universe.' But when he showed them Our signs they laughed at them; yet each fresh sign We revealed to them was more powerful than the one that came before. We therefore smote them with the scourge, so that they might return to the right path. 'Sorcerer,' they said, 'pray for us to your Lord and invoke the promise He has made to you. We will accept your guidance.' Pharaoh made a proclamation to his people. "My people,' said he, 'is the kingdom of Egypt not mine, and are these rivers which flow at my feet not mine also? Can you not see? Am I not better than this despicable wretch, who can scarcely make his meaning plain? Why have no bracelets of gold been given him, or angels sent down to accompany him? Koran, p. 346, 43:43, 2nd Para - 43:51.)

Say: 'I am no prodigy among the apostles; nor do I know what will be done with me or you. I follow only what is revealed to me, and my only duty is to give plain warning.' (Koran, p. 353, 46:9.)

In Moses, too, there was a sign. We sent him forth to Pharaoh with clear authority, but he turned his back, he and his nobles, saying: 'A sorcerer, or a madman.' So We seized him and his warrior, and cast them into the sea. Indeed, he deserved much blame. In the fate of 'Ad there was another sign. We let loose on them a blighting wind, which pounded into dust all that it swept before it. And in Thamud. They were allowed to take their ease awhile; but they disobeyed the commandments of their Lord. The thunderbolt struck them as they looked on; they could not rise up from their fall, nor did they gain their end. And the people of Noah before them. They too were impious men. (Koran, p. 368, 51:31, 4th Para. - p. 369, 51:46.)

Therefore seek God. I come from Him to warn you plainly. Set up no other deity besides God. I come from him to warn you plainly. Thus whenever an apostle came to those that flourished before them they cried: 'Sorcerer!' or 'Madman!' Have they handed down this cry from one generation to the next? Surely they are transgressors all. Pay no heed to them; you shall incur no blame. Exhort them; exhortation helps the true believers. (Koran, p. 369, 51:46, 3rd Para. - 5th Para.)

Long before them, the people of Noah disbelieved. They disbelieved Our servant, and called him a madman. Rejected and contemned, he cried out, saying: 'Help me, Lord, I am overcome!' We opened the gates of heaven with pouring rain and caused the earth to burst with gushing springs, so that the waters met for a predestined end. We carried him in a vessel built with planks and nails, which drifted on under Our eyes: a recompense for him who had been disbelieved. This We left as a sign: but will any take heed? How grievous was My scourge, and how clear My warning! We have made the Koran easy to remember: but will any take heed? (Koran, p. 374, 54:1, 2nd Para. - 54:11, 3rd Para.)

The people of Lot disbelieved Our warnings. We let loose on them a stone-charged whirlwind which destroyed them all, except the house of Lot, whom We saved at dawn through Our mercy. Thus do We reward the thankful. Lot had warned them of Our punishment, but they doubted his warnings. They demanded his guests of him. We put out their eyes, and said: 'Taste My punishment, now that you have scorned My warning.' And at daybreak a heavy scourge took them. 'Taste My punishment, now that you have scorned My warning!' We have made the Koran easy to remember: but will any take heed? (Koran, p. 375, 54:25, 5th Para. - 54:37, 2nd Para.)

To Pharaoh's people also came the warning. But they disbelieved all Our signs, and We smote them with the scourge of the Mighty One, the All-powerful. Are your unbelievers better men than these? Or are you given immunity to the Scriptures? (Koran, p. 375, 54:37, 3rd Para. - 4th Para.)

Those that believe in God and His apostles are the truthful men who shall testify in their Lord's presence. They shall have their guerdon and their light. But those that disbelieve Our revelations and deny them are the heirs of Hell. (Koran, p. 382, 57:17, 3rd Para.)

Therefore strive for the pardon of your Lord, and for a Paradise as vast as heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His apostles. Such is the grace of God: he bestows it on whom He will. God's grace is infinite. (Koran, p. 383, 57:21.)

We have sent Our apostles with veritable signs, and through them have brought down scriptures and the scales of justice, so that men might conduct themselves with fairness. We have sent down iron, with its mighty strength and diverse uses for mankind, so that God may recognize those who aid Him, through unseen, and help His apostles. Powerful is God, and mighty. We sent forth Noah and Abraham, and bestowed on their offspring prophethood and the Scriptures. Some were rightly guided, but many were evil-doers. After them We sent other apostles, and after those Jesus son of Mary. We gave him the Gospel, and put compassion and mercy in the hearts of his followers. (Koran, p. 383, 57: 25 - p. 384, 57:29.)

Those that oppose God and His apostle shall be brought low. God has decreed: 'I will surely triumph, Myself and My apostles.' Powerful is God, and mighty. (Koran, p. 386, 58:19, 2nd Para.)

You have a good example in Abraham and those who followed him. They said to their people: 'We disown you and the idols which you worship besides God. We renounce you: enmity and hate shall reign between us until you believe in God only.' (But do not emulate the words of Abraham to his father: 'I shall implore forgiveness for you, although I can in no way protect you from God.') 'Lord, in You we have put our trust; to You we turn and to You we shall come at last. Lord, do not expose us to the designs of the unbelievers. Forgive us, Lord; You are the Mighty, the Wise One.' (Koran, p. 389, 60:4 - p. 390, 60:5.)

Tell of Moses, who said to his people: 'Why do you seek to harm me, my people, when you know that I am sent to you by God?' And when they went astray, God led their very hearts astray. God does not guide the evil-doers. And of Jesus son of Mary, who said to the Israelites: 'I am sent forth to you from God to confirm the Torah already revealed, and to give news of an apostle that will come after me whose name is Ahmad.' Yet when he brought them conspicuous signs, they said: 'This is plain sorcery.' And who is more wicked than the man who invents a falsehood about God when called upon to submit to Him? God does not guide the wrongdoers. They seek to extinguish light of God with their mouths; but God will perfect His light, much as the unbelievers may dislike it. (Koran, p. 391, 61:1, 4th Para. - 61:8.)

Have you not heard of those who disbelieved before you? They tasted the fruit of their unbelief, and grievous punishment is yet in store for them. That is because, when their apostles brought them veritable signs, they said: 'Shall mortals be our guides?' They disbelieved and paid no heed. But God was in no need of them: God is self-sufficient and glorious. (Koran, p. 395, 64:2, 4th Para.)

How many nations have rebelled against the commandments of their Lord and His apostles! Stern was our reckoning with them, and harrowing was Our scourge. They tasted the fruit of their misdeeds: and the fruit of their misdeeds was ruin. God has prepared a grievous scourge for them. Have fear of God, you that have sense and faith. God has now sent down to you an exhortation; and apostle proclaiming to you God's revelations in all plainness, so that he may lead the faithful who do good works from darkness to the light. He that believes in God and does good works shall be admitted to gardens watered by running streams, where he shall dwell for ever. A rich provision God has made for him. (Koran, p. 397, 65:7, 2nd Para. - 3rd Para.)

Pharaoh, and those before him, and the inhabitants of the Ruined Cities, also committed sin and disobeyed their Lord's apostle. With a terrible scourge He smote them. When the Flood rose high We carried you in the floating ark, making the event a warning, so that all attentive ears might heed it. (Koran, p. 404, 69:8, 2nd Para. - 3rd Para.)

We sent forth Noah to his people, saying: 'Give warning to your people before a woeful scourge overtakes them.' (Koran, p. 406, 71:1.)

Remember the name of your Lord and dedicate yourself to Him utterly. He is the Lord of the East and of the West: there is no god but Him. Accept Him for your Protector. Bear patiently with what they say, and leave their company without recrimination. Leave to Me those that deny the Truth, those that enjoy the comfort of this life; bear with them yet a little while. We have in store for them heavy fetters and a blazing fire, choking food and harrowing torment: on the day when the earth shall quiver with all its mountains, and the mountains crumble into heaps of shifting sand. We have sent forth an apostle to testify against you, just as We sent an apostle to Pharaoh before you. Pharaoh disobeyed our messenger, so that with a baleful scourge We smote him. (Koran, p. 409, 73:1, 2nd Para. - p. 410, 73:12, 2nd Para.)

Have you not heard the story of the warriors of Pharaoh and of Thamud? Yet the unbelievers still deny it. God surrounds them all. Surely this is a glorious Koran, inscribed on an imperishable tablet. (Koran, p. 423, 85:10, 3rd Para. - 85:22.)

All this is written in earlier scriptures; the scriptures of Abraham and Moses. (Koran, p. 424, 87:19.)

Having completed a very exhaustive list of quotes from the Koran, here at the end of this segment we would like to highlight some of the more important statements found above. Below are some of the more significant statements as they pertain to this study.

1.) First, notice that while Mohammed does mention a few non-Jewish apostles (Ad, Thamud, Ishmael), that the vast majority of the apostles Mohammed and the Koran attest to are all Jewish, including of course Jesus. Furthermore, the Jewish apostles are the only ones to whom the Koran ascribes miracles. And, it is also significant to point out that we only have scriptures from the Jewish apostles. We have no scripture from any of the non-Jewish apostles.

We gave him Isaac and Jacob and guided both as We had guided Noah before them. Among his descendents were David and Solomon, Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron (thus do we reward the righteous); Zacharias and John, Jesus and Elias (all were upright men); and Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot. All these We exalted above the nations as We exalted some of their fathers, their children, and their brothers. We chose them and guided them to a straight path. Such is God's guidance; He bestows it on those of His servants whom He chooses. Had they served other gods besides Him, their labours would have been vain indeed. On those men We bestowed the Scriptures, wisdom, and prophethood. If these are denied by this generation, We will entrust them to others who will not deny them. Those were the men whom God guided. Follow then their guidance and say: 'I demand of you no recompense for this. It is but an admonition to all mankind.' They have no true notion of God's glory, those that say: 'God has never revealed anything to a mortal.' Say: 'Who, then, revealed the Scriptures which Moses brought down, a light and a guide for mankind? You have transcribed them on scraps of paper, declaring some and suppressing much, though now you have been taught what neither you nor you fathers knew before.' (Koran, p. 100, 6:80, 3rd Para. - 6:91, 1st Para.)

2.) Second, notice from the selected quotes below that Mohammed is considered nothing special among the other apostles. He is "no prodigy among the apostles" and he is "no more than an apostle."

If you have suffered a defeat, so did the enemy. We alternate these vicissitudes among mankind so that God may know the true believers and choose martyrs from among you (God does not love the evil-doers); and that God may test the faithful and annihilate the infidels. Did you suppose that you would enter Paradise before God has proved the men who fought for Him and endured with fortitude? You used to wish for death before you met it, and now you have seen what it is like. Muhammed is no more than an apostle: other apostles have passed away before him. If he die or be slain, will you recant? He that recants will do no harm to God. But God will recompense the thankful. (Koran, p. 54, 3:140, 1st Para. - 2nd Para.)

Say: 'I am no prodigy among the apostles; nor do I know what will be done with me or you. I follow only what is revealed to me, and my only duty is to give plain warning.' (Koran, p. 353, 46:9.)

3.) Third, notice that Mohammed and the Koran affirm all of God's scriptures and apostles without discrimination between them.

The Apostle believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord, and so do the faithful. They all believe in God and His angels, His scriptures, and His apostles: We discriminate against none of His apostles. (Koran, p. 42, 2:283, 4th Para.)

Are they seeking a religion other than God's, when every soul in the heaven's and the earth has submitted to Him willingly or by compulsion? To Him shall they return. Say: 'We believe in God and what is revealed to us; in that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael, to Isaac and Jacob and the tribes; and in that which their Lord gave Moses and Jesus and the prophets. We discriminate against none of them. Too Him we have surrendered ourselves.' He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him and in the world to come he will surely be among the losers. (Koran, p. 50, 3:83, 1st Para. - 3rd Para.)

In fact, Mohammed and the Koran actually declare that anyone who believes in some apostles and scriptures but denies others to create a "middle way" are "unbelievers" who have "strayed far" and are destined for "a shameful punishment."

Believers, have faith in God and His apostle, in the Book He has revealed to His apostles, and in the Scriptures He formerly revealed. He that denies God, His angels, His Scriptures, His apostles, and the Last Day has strayed far. (Koran, p. 75, 4:136, 1st Para.)

Those that deny God and His apostles, saying: 'We believe in some, but deny others,' - thus seeking a middle way - these indeed are the unbelievers. For the unbelievers We have prepared a shameful punishment. As for those that believe in God and His apostles and discriminate against none of them, they shall be recompensed by Him. (Koran, p. 76, 4:147, 3rd Para. - 4th Para.)

This is extremely significant because it means that Mohammed and the Koran cannot be selective about which portions of the Judeo-Christian scriptures are from God. This will be very important as we move ahead to compare the Koran to the Old and New Testaments after our next section.

In conclusion, from the extremely long list of quotes above, we can see the dramatic extent to which Mohammed's own support for himself depends on his declaration that the Jewish apostles and their scriptures, including Jesus, are vessels of truth from God. Now, if something is the word of the perfect God, then it should not contain errors and self-contradictions. So, if Mohammed and the Koran contradict the apostles that they both affirm and rely upon, then we can conclude that Islam is not from God. We'll examine such contradictions, right after our next segment.