The Muslim Feast of Ramadan
I spent
several weeks in 2010 writing on what the Quran really does teach about Jesus
Christ the Son of God. Islam does not respect Jesus as the Son of God, thus
being Himself God (John 1:1); He is the Messiah and Savior of mankind (cf. Lk.
2:11; Titus 2:13). You may access that series “The Quran on Jesus” at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/QuranonJesus.htm .
Mostly because
of the problems that radical Islam has created throughout the world people have
heard about the Muslim Feast of Ramadan during the month of August. People in
general in our city seemed to be aware of this. In the above mentioned series
you can read how Islam flatly denies the basic teachings of redemption and
atonement through Christ --- all the while denying that Jesus was who He said
He was.
Looking at the
Quran from the official website of Ahmadiyya Muslims you will find their
information about Ramadan. Here again is their useful link, I believe, that
gives the Quran in English with both a short and detailed English commentary.
I. Selected Verses from the Quran in English with
Commentary comments about Ramadan:
A. Al-Baqarah Chapter 2: 184-186.
Al-Baqarah
Chapter 2: [2:184] O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for
you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become
righteous.
Al-Baqarah
Chapter 2: [2:185] The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number
of days, but whoso among you is sick or is on a journey shall fast the same
number of other days; and for those who are able to fast only with great
difficulty is an expiation — the feeding of a poor man. And whoso performs a
good work with willing obedience, it is better for him. And fasting is good for
you, if you only knew.
The
Detailed English Commentary, pg. 238: “This verse again refrains
from giving the actual commandment regarding fasting but prepares further
ground by pointing out that the fasting about to be prescribed is not meant for
all days but only for a limited number of days. Again, the commandment to come
is not meant to be observed in all circumstances; for those suffering from
disease or those on a journey will be exempt from it. In fact, Islam is a
practical religion. It does not give any commandment which is impossible of
compliance. Hence, while referring to its injunctions about fasting, the Quran
makes it clear that whoever is ill or is on a journey should not fast but
should redeem the omission by fasting an equal number of days at some other
time when the sickness is gone or the journey is over.”
The commentary
goes on to explain that those unable to fast for health reasons “should make amends for their non-observance of each
day’s fast by feeding a poor man according to their standard of food.” Their
commentary also points out that some understand the verse to mean “that such of
the sick and of those on a journey as can afford to feed poor men should also
do so, besides fasting the same number of days after the sickness or the state
of journey is over.”
Al-Baqarah
Chapter 2 : Verse 186 The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an
was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and
discrimination. Therefore, whosoever of you is present at home in this month,
let him fast therein. But whoso is sick or is on a journey, shall fast the same
number of other days. Allah desires to give you facility and He desires not
hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and that you may exalt
Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.
Short
Commentary pg. 75, note 208: “It
was on the 24th of Ramadan that the Holy Prophet received his first
revelation (Jarir); and the whole revelation was rehearsed every year to the
Holy Prophet by the angel Gabriel in this month. This practice continued till
the very last year of the Prophet’s life when the whole of the Quran was
rehearsed by him twice by the Archangel Jibril in this month (Bukhari). Thus in
a way the whole of the Quran may be said to have been revealed in the month of
Ramadan.”
Note
(Bob Lovelace): So, one of the first things you learn about
this feast is their belief that Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was
said to have been sent down as a guide for mankind. I noticed that the
concession in verse 186 if one is on a journey sounds similar in ways to the
alternative feast of the Passover’s exemption in Nu. 9:10-11, where it could be
observed on the fourteenth day of the second month. To me, Muhammad appears as
a sixth century Joseph Smith gleaning concepts incorporated into the Quran he
wrote by getting ideas from the bible.
Short Commentary pg. 75, note 207A. “Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar
year. The word is derived from Ramada.
They say Rmada al-Sai mu, i.e. the
inside of the m an fasting became very hot with thirst owing to fasting (Lane).
The month is so named because (1) fasting in this month produces heat and
burning due to thirst; (2) worship in this month burns away the traces of sin
in man…and (3) because his devotions in this month produce in the heart of man
the necessary warmth of love for his Creator and his fellow-beings. The name Ramadan is of Islamic origin, the former
name of the month being Natiq (Qadir).,
In addition
their Detailed English Commentary, pg. 241, goes on to explain: “The clause, let him fast
therein, signifies that it is necessary to fast all the days of the month
Ramadan; it will not do to fast only a few days. Thus out of every twelve
months in the year one at least – that of Ramadan – must be so devoted to the
worship of God.”
Muslim Scholars Seek to Counter Paul’s
Teaching in the New Testament
The apostle
Paul comes into their explanation in the commentary on pg. 241: “The clause, He
desires not hardship for you, points to the very important principle that
divine commands are not meant to cause trouble or inconvenience but to afford
ease and facility. In this connection it may well be noted that St. Paul looks
upon the Law as an entanglement with “the yoke of bondage” if not as an actual
curse (Gal. chs. 3 and 5). But he forgets that true freedom, and for that
matter, true happiness lie only in willing obedience to a good and righteous
legislation. The Islamic law, even “in meats and drinks and divers washings,
and carnal ordinances,” is a real help and guidance rather than a hindrance and
a bondage.”
Why do they
slight Paul? Paul wasn’t forgetful of anything when he wrote by inspiration and
denounced being bound by traditions of food, drink and days! I guess Muhammad
forgot that Paul pointed to a “law of liberty” i.e. the Gospel or New Testament
– a law none the less --- for Paul said in I Cor. 9:21 that he was not without
law to God but under the law of Christ. James also spoke of the law of Christ
-- the New Testament --- as “the perfect law of liberty” and stated that for
one to be blessed they must be a doer of the law and not a hearer only
(Ja.1:25). Christians are to speak and act as one who is to be judged by this
law of liberty, James said (Ja. 2:12).
Because Islam
is a religion that exists to deny who Christ is and what He accomplished by
shedding His own blood for the forgiveness of sin --- Muslims know only what
their scholars tell them about the New Testament. There is a reference to
meats, drinks, divers washings and carnal ordinances in the in Hebrews 9:10 if
you’d like to compare it. The Hebrew writer was speaking in Hebrews 9 about the
Mosaic Law or “first covenant” (Heb. 9:1-10). He describes the gifts and
sacrifices offered that related, he says, to meats and drinks, and divers
washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation
(Heb. 9:9-10). Notice that these were imposed on them “until” the time of
reformation. Now, consider the immediate following salient point on eternal
redemption the writer is leading up to beginning with the very next verse:
Heb 9:11 But when Christ
appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He
entered through the greater and more
perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this creation;
Heb 9:12 and not through the
blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He
entered the holy
place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood
of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those
who have been defiled sanctify for the
cleansing of the flesh,
Heb 9:14 how much more
will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
Himself without blemish to God, cleanse
your conscience from dead works to serve
the living God?
Heb 9:15 For this reason
He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death
has taken place for the redemption of the
transgressions that were committed under
the first covenant, those who have been
called may receive the promise of the
eternal
inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a
covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who
made it. …
Heb 9:24 For Christ did
not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the
true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear
in the presence of God for us;
Heb 9:25 nor was it that
He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy
place year by year with blood that is not
his own.
Heb 9:26 Otherwise, He
would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the
world; but now once at the consummation of
the ages He has been manifested to put
away sin by the
sacrifice of Himself.
Heb 9:27 And inasmuch as
it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes
judgment,
Heb 9:28 so Christ also,
having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear
a second time for
salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
It is
conspicuous prominent points like this in the New Testament that Islam denies!
So, why would
Muslim experts seek to counter Paul’s teaching in the New Testament? Obviously
because Paul spoke out against food and drink regulations --- as well as the observance of days and
months being bound upon those who desire to serve and be acceptable to God in
Christ, that’s why!
It is just so
obvious – it really jumps out there at you – that what Muhammad imposed upon
Muslims is similar in ways to some of the food regulations under the Law of
Moses for the Jews --- it is just too obvious that their scholars seek to
slight Paul because he spoke against binding such in order to make their own
food and drink regulations under Islam look better! But their food and drink
regulations and carnal ordinances are not acceptable to God according to the
law of Christ -- the law of liberty!
Here is a portion of what Paul wrote in Galatians on observing days,
months, times and years:
Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye
did service unto them which by
nature are no gods.
Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God,
or rather are known of God, how turn
ye again to the weak and beggarly elements,
whereunto ye desire again to be in
bondage?
Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and
times, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have
bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Now, consider
Gal. 4:8 and the reference to the Gentiles not knowing God. The Moon god Allah
is not the God of heaven. And the assumption that Muslims worship the same God
Christians do is a false assumption. As many have pointed out the religion of
Islam is a revival of the ancient Moon-god cult --- it takes symbols and rites
from an ancient pagan religion. There is
obvious reason for their use of the crescent moon in everything. We have a
Muslim mosque right in center of our city with their crescent moon symbol atop
a tower. They are tied to the Moon!
Consider Gal.
4:9 and the statement by Muslim scholars that the Islamic law, even “in meats and drinks and divers washings, and
carnal ordinances,” is a real help and guidance rather than a hindrance and
bondage. Muhammad imposed days and a month for Islam observance. Paul as an
inspired apostle of Christ would not establish such ordinances, nor allow a
return to such ordinances, for those who desired to serve God and be acceptable
to Him.
Also consider
what a true Christian would call the Muslims’ worship of the black stone in the
sanctuary at Mecca – Idolatry! I have even read where it had been an object of worship
for centuries before Muhammad appropriated it for his religion. Think about it
--- a stone that supposedly fell at the feet of Adam and Eve to be touched and
kissed! Paul wouldn’t advocate any such thing for those who desire to serve and
be acceptable to God for he condemned such:
Gal
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are
manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of
the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Further
explaining the benefit of Ramadan based upon Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 : Verse 186 in their Commentary, pg. 241, they say: “The clause, that you may exalt Allah for His
having guided you, points to yet another object underlying the
commandment. All such expressions in
which the offering of a particular praise to God is enjoined signify two
things: 1) that many being God’s creation should continuously offer praise to
Him, invoking the particular divine attribute that may suit the occasion; (2)
that he should also try to reflect in his person the self-same attribute of
God. “Exalting God” would therefore mean not only God’s glorification but the
uplift and exaltation of the devotee himself. In fact God stand in need of no
praise. He is what He is whether we praise Him or not. So truly speaking, everything
is for the benefit of man himself, and the benefit underlying fasting is the
exaltation of man, morally and spiritually and in a sense physically as well.”
And follow
this they further explain their blessings from Ramadan, pg. 242: “The final clause, that you may be grateful, is also full
of deep meaning. God is not cruel or unkind; He has due regard for our
weaknesses and He does not put us to unnecessary trouble; and whatever seeming
trouble He puts us to is for our own good. This kind and loving attitude of God
towards us ought to give rise to a corresponding feeling of love for Him in our
hearts and we ought to feel grateful to Him for His love and kindness.”
With these in
mind they say, pg. 242: “Finally
comes the clause, that you may be
grateful, corresponding to which we have the clause, the month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was sent down,
hinting that the wise God has chosen the most sacred and the most blessed part
of the year for fasting so that you may be doubly benefitted by it.”
Thus Muslims
are taught that the most blessed and sacred part of the year is chosen for the
feast or Ramadan.
Other Regulations for Ramadan
I. Al-Baqarah
Chapter 2 : Verse 188 It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on
the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for
them. Allah knows that you have been acting unjustly to yourselves, wherefore
He has turned to you with mercy and afforded you relief. So you may now go in
unto them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat and drink until the
white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then
complete the fast till nightfall and do not go in unto them while you remain in
the mosques for devotion. These are the limits fixed by Allah, so approach them
not. Thus does Allah make His commandments clear to men that they may become
secure against evil.
A general explanation of Ramadan
Ramadan is described as “a time to
strengthen family and community ties.”
It
is in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and lasts for an entire month
during which Muslims fast during the daylight hours. In the evening they eat a
meal called iftar and then visit with others.
It is a time for their worship and for prayer.
One thing to remember is that their belief
that Ramadan is the month the Quran was sent down from heaven. On the 27th
day of the month the Night of Power is celebrated as the night Muhammad first
received revelations. The Feast of Fast Breaking is a Muslim holiday following
the end of the fast is a festive time for gatherings, gifts and meals.
Note (Bob Lovelace): Well, that’s their
explanation but it appears from their actions upon others and even upon their
own fellow Muslims that when allowed they go right back to murdering and
killing non-Muslims as well as their fellow Muslims – their own who are of a
different tribe, belief etc. with whom they disagree. Their actions speak
louder than their explanations of their blessings in serving Muhammad. I just
received an extensive list this past month of persecutions by Muslims upon
non-Muslims, including those who have left Islam and things have not changed.
Persecutions, seizures and kidnappings by Muslims are listed for August 2011 in
Iraq, Indonesia, Malaysia, UK, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Norway,
Bangladesh, and Iran in this bulletin of persecution.
In another list
from politicalislam.com the reported abuses of women throughout the world for
the months of July and August, 2011 contain numerous from Muslims against
wives, women and young girls as well as their “honor killings” of daughters and
their butchering relatives over family disputes. In places like the UK
evidently steps have now begun in order to curb problems caused by Sharia law
operating in England and Wales. In Egypt it said the incidents of Muslim men
using violence and sex to convert girls who are not Muslims has gone up since
the January revolution --- imagine that, who would have thought that could and
would happen. It is always good to read that in some places efforts have been
started to enforce conservative thought rather than radical Muslim religious
code.
What Muslims do seeking forgiveness of sins
Perhaps you’ve
wondered about this? What do they say they have to do to be forgiven?
I. Verses from the Quran with their
Commentary:
A. Al-Baqarah
Chapter 2: Verse 287
Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity. It shall
have the reward it earns, and it shall get the punishment it incurs. Our Lord,
do not punish us, if we forget or fall into error; and our Lord, lay not on us
a responsibility as Thou didst lay upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us
not with what we have not the strength to bear; and efface our sins, and grant
us forgiveness and have mercy on us; Thou art our Master; so help us Thou
against the disbelieving people.
English
With Short Commentary, pg. 116, note 359. On the clause “Allah
burdens no soul beyond its capacity” it says: “The clause constitutes a
powerful refutation of the doctrine of Atonement. It embodies two important
principles: (1) That the commandments of God are always given with due regard
for man’s capacities and his natural limitations. (2) That moral purification
in this world does not necessarily signify complete freedom from all kinds of
failings and shortcomings. All that man is expected to do is sincerely to
strive for good and avoid sin to the best of his power, and the rest will be
forgiven him by the Merciful God. So no Atonement is needed.
B. Aal-e-`Imran
Chapter 3 : Verse 136
And those who, when they commit a foul deed or wrong
themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins — and who can
forgive sins except Allah? — and do not persist knowingly in what they have
done.
English
with Short Commentary, pg. 160, note 482: “When good men happen to
be guilty of a moral lapse, they do not seek to justify their conduct but
frankly confess their guilt, and try to reform.”
Aal-e-`Imran
Chapter 3 : Verse 137, [3:137] It is these whose reward is
forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein
they shall abide; and excellent is the reward of good workers.
English
with Short Commentary, pg. 160, note 483:
“When a man truly turns to God after having committed a
sin, and sincerely repents of his misdeeds, he is not only forgiven by God, but
God leads him to higher stages of spiritual progress and promises him Heaven.”
II. Through their fasts and prayers they
seek an acceptance and forgiveness without the blood of Christ:
A.
God’s plan from eternity is forgiveness through Christ’s blood:
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call
on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according
to every man's work, pass the time of your
sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye
know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do
believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave
him glory; that your faith and hope might
be in God.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have
purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned love of the brethren, see that
ye love one another with a pure heart
fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born
again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of
God, which liveth
and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is
as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The
grass withereth,
and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of
the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the
gospel is preached unto you.
B.
Islam flatly denies what Christ says concerning His sacrifice for our sins.
1.
Consider what Islam really does say about Jesus Christ the Son of God by going
to “The Quran on Jesus” Series, Parts One thru Six” at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/QuranonJesus.htm .
C. The false religion written by Muhammad will not
endure, but the word of the Lord the Gospel the apostles preached in the first
century will (I Pet. 1:23).
D. The blessing of redemption through Christ
is for all men everywhere.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
.....
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
…..
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse
of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is
every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
…..
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call
on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according
to every man's work, pass the time of your
sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye
know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do
believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave
him glory; that your faith and hope might
be in God.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have
purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned love of the brethren, see that
ye love one another with a pure heart
fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born
again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of
God, which liveth
and abideth for ever.
1Pe
1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all
the glory of man as the flower of grass. The
grass withereth,
and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe
1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth
for ever. And this is the word which by the
gospel is preached unto you.
The desire to be in bondage to meats,
drinks, washings
and carnal ordinances is no help for anyone!
Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children,
were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of
the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the
law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent
forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant,
but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Gal 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye
did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God,
or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly
elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Gal 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and
times, and years.
Gal 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have
bestowed upon you labour in vain.
Conclusion:
Every time I read what Muslim scholars have to say about Islam their
message is clearly that Islam is a religion that seeks to destroy belief in
Jesus Christ as the Son of God --- it denies the fundamental teaching of the
New Testament as the will of God for all of mankind until the end of time.
Their teaching on Ramadan obviously fits this established pattern!
What Peter
Commanded in Acts 2
Here is what Peter preached on Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 – the
truth they obeyed (Acts 2:41) in order to be saved. What he commanded in reply
to their question as to what they should do to be saved (Acts 2:37-38) applies
today just then at the beginning of the church of Christ:
Act 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto
you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre
is with us unto this day.
Act 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that
God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to
the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the
resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh
did see corruption.
Act 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all
are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God
exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he
hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens:
but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both
Lord and Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked
in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall
call.
Act 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and
exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls.
Friend, why not consider the importance of you being baptized into
Christ for the remission of your sins?
By Bob Lovelace
·
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