Concerning Christians

December 2020

It may well be doubted whether Muhammad ever understood the real doctrines of Christianity. The few passing observations regarding our faith to be found in the Quran, commenced at a period when his system was already, in great part, matured, and they were founded on information not only deficient but deceptive. However, there are a number of interesting commnets found in the following hadiths which may be helpful for us to become aware of:

Saying “Jesus is Lord” is ascribing partners to Allah

>”Narrated Nafi’: Whenever Ibn ‘Umar was asked about marrying a Christian lady or a Jewess, he would say: “Allah has made it unlawful for the believers to marry ladies who ascribe partners in worship to Allah, and I do not know of a greater thing, as regards to ascribing partners in worship, etc. to Allah, than that a lady should say that Jesus is her Lord although he is just one of Allah’s slaves.” (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 63, Number 209)

“Eye hath not seen”

> “Narrated Abu Huraira: the Prophet said, “Allah said, “I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard nor a human heart can ever think of.’ ” (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 589)

This hadith must have been founded on 1 Corinthians 2:9 which states “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Muhammad uses a parable against Jews and Christians (Matthew 20:1-16)

> ” Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet said, “Your example and the example of the people of the two Scriptures (i.e. Jews and Christians) is like the example of a man who employed some labourers and asked them, ‘Who will work for me from morning till midday for one Qirat?’ The Jews accepted and carried out the work. He then asked who will work for me from midday up to the ‘Asr prayer for one Qirat?’ The Christians accepted and fulfilled the work. He then said, ‘Who will work for me from the ‘Asr till sunset for two Qirats?’ You, Muslims have accepted the offer. The Jews and the Christians got angry and said, ‘Why should we work more and get lesser wages?’ (Allah) said, ‘Have I with-held part of your right?’ They replied in the negative. He said, ‘It is My Blessing, I bestow upon whomever I wish.’ (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 36, Number 468)

The Christian who helped Muhammad with the Quran

> “Narrated Anas: There was a Christian who embraced Islam and read Surat-al-Baqara and Al-Imran, and he used to write (the revelations) for the Prophet. Later on he returned to Christianity again and he used to say: “Muhammad knows nothing but what I have written for him.” Then Allah caused him to die, and the people buried him, but in the morning they saw that the earth had thrown his body out. They said, “This is the act of Muhammad and his companions. They dug the grave of our companion and took his body out of it because he had run away from them.” They again dug the grave deeply for him, but in the morning they again saw that the earth had thrown his body out. They said, “This is an act of Muhammad and his companions. They dug the grave of our companion and threw his body outside it, for he had run away from them.” They dug the grave for him as deep as they could, but in the morning they again saw that the earth had thrown his body out. So they believed that what had befallen him was not done by human beings and had to leave him thrown (on the ground). (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 814)

A silk gift from a Christian rejected

> “Narrated Anas: A Jubba (i.e. cloak) made of thick silken cloth was presented to the Prophet. The Prophet used to forbid people to wear silk. So, the people were pleased to see it. The Prophet said, “By Him in whose hands Muhammad’s soul is, the handkerchiefs of Sad bin Mu’adh in Paradise are better than this.” Anas added, “The present was sent to the Prophet by Ukaidir (a Christian) from Dauma.” (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 47, Number 785)

Double rewards for Jews and Christians if they believe in Muhammad also

> “Narrated Abu Burda’s father: Allah’s Apostle said, any man who has a slave girl whom he educates properly, teaches good manners, manumits and marries her, will get a double reward And if any man of the people of the Scriptures believes in his own prophet and then believes in me too, he will (also) get a double reward And any slave who fulfils his duty to his master and to his Lord, will (also) get a double reward.” (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 20)

The destruction of crosses and images

> ” Narrated ‘Aisha: I never used to leave in the Prophet’s house anything carrying images or crosses but he obliterated it. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Number 836)

A description of Jesus and the anti-Christ

> ” Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar: Allah’s Apostle said. “While I was sleeping, I saw myself (in a dream) performing Tawaf around the Ka’ba. Behold, I saw a reddish-white man with lank hair, and water was dropping from his head. I asked, “Who is this?’ They replied, ‘The son of Mary.’ Then I turned my face to see another man with a huge body, red complexion and curly hair and blind in one eye. His eye looked like a protruding out grape. They said (to me), He is Ad-Dajjal.” The Prophet added, “The man he resembled most is Ibn Qatan, a man from the tribe of Khuza’a.” (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 88, Number 242)

Hadiths concerning Christians and Jews

Neglegent Muslims will foolow the way of Jews and Christians

> “Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, “You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah’s Apostle! (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said, “Whom else?” (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 422)

Hell-fire for Jews and Christians who do not accept Muhammad’s teaching

> ” It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed: By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me, but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire. (Muslim Book 1, Number 284)

Christian and Jewish parents lead their children astray

> “There is none born but is created to his true nature (Islam). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian quite as beasts produce their young with their limbs perfect. Do you see anything deficient in them? Then he quoted the Quran., the nature made by Allah in which He has created men there is no altering of Allah’s creation; that is the right religion” (Muslim Book 33, Number 6423)

Friday superior to Saturday and Sunday

> “Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) saying, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection though the former nations were given the Holy Scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which was made compulsory for them but they differed about it. So Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) tomorrow (i.e. Saturday) and the Christians’ (is) the day after tomorrow (i.e. Sunday).” (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 1)

Jews and Christians cursed for making tombs of saints places of prayer

> “Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle in his fatal illness said, “Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians, for they built the places of worship at the graves of their prophets.” And if that had not been the case, then the Prophet’s grave would have been made prominent before the people. So (the Prophet) was afraid, or the people were afraid that his grave might be taken as a place for worship. (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 472)