Belief in One God . Claim to believe in and follow The Prophets Abraham and Moses (PBUT).
The future coming of The Messiah or great leader; Jews reject Jesus as their Messiah.
They are the chosen people - God chose them above all others
Believe in a book The Talmud: (‘Teachings’). Somewhat similar to commentaries of the Old Testament.
Talmud contains sayings of Rabbis. First written down during the third and fourth century C.E. (Christian era).
How to Invite Jews to Islam-
A. Discuss Similarities: Belief in One God. Old Testament Prophets. (E.g. Abraham, David, Moses, Joseph but NOT Jesus)
B. Prophet Abraham Was a Muslim: Discuss the life and teachings of The Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and show that he was a Muslim and that Muslims are following him.
The following verse of the Qur’an says that we are the true followers of The Prophet Abraham (PBUH): “And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters”. (Qur'an 2:135)
Tell them that if we look at the life of Abraham in The Bible, we would see that Abraham was a Muslim. The Definition of a Muslim is someone who has The Six Beliefs of a Muslim. – Also called the six pillars of Imaan – six things that a Muslim must believe in. We believe in:
1.Almighty God: His Oneness, Uniqueness and that He alone should be worshipped.
2.Angels – who obey God.
3.Books from God – Qur’an is The last Book.
4.Prophets – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last of the Prophets.
5.Heaven, Hell and Day of Judgement.
6.Pre-Destiny and Pre-Knowledge – everything is known and planned by God and we have free will.
By the definition of belief, Abraham in the Bible was a Muslim.
Note that the five pillars of Islam are different; they are the five things that every Muslim must do.
C. The Qur’an Is a Miracle: Show some of the MANY reasons why (Especially scientific facts as most of them are highly educated).
The Quran makes many statements regarding the Universe and what it contains. More recently many Du’aat often take these statements to an extreme and use them to justify all aspects of scientific discoveries. We should note that it is indeed possible that previous civilisations knew about some of the things mentioned in the Quran (Egyptians calling Iron ‘BA-En-Pet’ ‘Iron from Heaven’ being one example) therefore we shouldn’t make statement like “The Quran says “such and such” and this couldn’t have been known 1400 years ago, therefore the Quran is from God”. Or, “the Quran talks about “x” which has just been discovered by science, hence Quran is the truth”. We know that science is subjective and built on assumption, empiricism and induction all of which do not provide absolute knowledge but are subject to change. The Quran is the absolute truth; therefore we don’t measure it by the ever changing views of science. The purpose of these verses is indeed to highlight the Creative Power of Allah and point to His Oneness, Majesty and Perfection (Rububiyyah) and His worthiness to be solely worshipped (Uluhiyyah). Where the science of Tafsir permits, the verses can also provide indications to the world of science and help with their inquiries, research and points of investigation.
Let’s take a look at some of the statements the Quran made over 1400 years ago in relation to the Creative Power of Allah. (Ideally you would take a few of these and discuss them in detail if you wish).
1. Origins of the Universe – “Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were a closed-up mass, then We clove them asunder? ....” [Noble Quran 21:30]
2. Origin of life- “...And We made from water every living thing”. [Noble Quran 21:30]
3. Mountains as pegs- “Did We not make the earth a resting place and the mountains as stakes. “ [Noble Quran 78:6-7]
4. Expansion of the universe- “And it is We who have built the universe with (our creative) power and keep expanding it.” [Noble Quran 51:47]
5. Embryology described in detail in the Quran- “We created man from an essence of clay, then We placed him as a drop of fluid in a safe place. Then We made that drop of fluid into a clinging form, and then We made that form into a lump of flesh, and We made that lump into bones, and We clothed those bones with flesh, and later We made him into other forms. Glory be to God the best of creators. “[Noble Quran 23:12-14]
6. No two persons have exactly the same arrangement of fingertip ridge patterns – they are unique.
“Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.” (Noble Quran 75:3-4}
7. Iron is not natural to the earth- “We sent down iron with its great inherent strength and its many benefits for mankind”. [Noble Quran 57:25]
8. Sky- “We made a protective ceiling” [Noble Quran 21:32]
9. Waves above waves in the ocean [Noble Quran 24:40]
10. Pain receptors in the skin- “We shall send those who reject our signs to the hellfire. When their skins have burned away We shall replace them with new ones so that they may continue to feel the pain: God is Almighty, All-Wise.” [Noble Quran 4:56]
11. Suns orbit- “It is He who created the night and day. The sun and the moon each floating in its own orbit.” [Noble Quran 21:33]
The Quran was reveal over a period of 23 years, Surah Baqarah revealed over 9 years. Its structure is evidence that it’s not from a human being. It was revealed in specific times and place but was brought together to have this amazing coherent connection. It has 286 verses, that halved 143 verses and in that verse we find the word ‘middle’ (Wasata). Surah al-Imran mentions Adam and Isa 25 times exactly.
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was. [Noble Quran 3:59]
The Quran is the only book on Earth to refer to the Ruler of Egypt by two different names during two different periods. The Creator referring to the ruler at the time of Joseph (AS) as a King [Noble Quran 12:43] not a pharaoh but referring to a pharaoh [Noble Quran 28:3-6] at the time of Moses (AS). At that time it would have been impossible to know this because the hieroglyphs were a dead language so no one knew the language. So how does the Quran know this information? The hieroglyphs were only deciphered in the late 19th century. We can’t say that it was copied from the bible because what was revealed in the Quran actually corrects the bible.
The prophesising of the Victory of the Byzantines over the Persians soon after the Byzantines had been defeated. “The Byzantines have been defeated, In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome. Within three to nine years...” [Noble Quran 30:2-4].
Another prophecy is contained within Surah Masad [Noble Quran 111] where Abu Lahab is condemned to hell fire 10 years before his death. For 10 years the challenge was open but he did not accept Islam, so he died as a non believer.
The linguistics - it was a miracle for the people 1400 years ago who excelled in poetry and linguistics.
The Creator says in The Quran: "And if you are in doubt concerning that which we have sent down to our slave (Muhammad) then produce a chapter like it, and call your supporters and helpers besides Allah, if you are truthful!" [Noble Quran 2:23]
The challenge was laid down by The Creator in the Quran to the people over 1400 years ago to produce a chapter like it in the Arabic language with the smallest chapter being just 3 lines. The challenge still stands today, even though many have indeed tried!
They say: So why should I believe in Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ?
You: Now the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was unlettered; he could not read or write. He was 40 years old when he started receiving revelations, up till that point and throughout his entire life he was always known as trustworthy, truthful, and honest; someone who had never lied and someone who was always kind to everyone. This was fully accepted by the people around him (Muslims & Non-Muslims).
Let’s look at him from an individual standpoint in terms of his characteristics and his call. He claimed to be the final prophet of God and that the Quran was revealed through him. Therefore in relation to him we have 3 possible options:
He could either be a liar, deluded or telling the truth – Ask them to agree?
Tackle each in turn by process of elimination and get the agreement at each stage – Not a Liar, Not Deluded, but Truthful.
Liar - He was stoned, beaten, abused, had attempts on his life, he was continually persecuted.
If he would stop preaching this message he was offered riches to make him the richest man in the city, offered positions of highest authority, women, gold, jewels etc but he never stopped preaching this message. Why do we lie? Ultimately for some benefit to us – yet this man is clearly rejecting anything of worldly benefit that would compromise his message. When he died he had the whole of Arabia under his command yet only had very little possessions, slept on a straw mat on the ground and lived in what could be described as a small house. Why would such a person lie if he gained nothing of worldly benefit from his lies?
Deluded - The occasion of the death of his son Ibrahim who was about 16 months old also coincided with an eclipse of the sun and the people began to circulate this as a miracle. The word went out saying that the sun was eclipsed in sadness over the death of Ibrahim. Upon hearing this Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is reported as saying "The sun and the moon are signs of God. They are eclipsed neither for the death nor birth of any man. On beholding an eclipse, remember God and turn to Him in prayer”.
Now had he been a liar then what an opportunity. Here you are after 20 years of trying to persuade people that you are the prophet of God and that you’ve brought His message. I mean 1400 years ago what an opportunity to say “see I told you; even the suns eclipsed because of my sorrow”, or if he was deluded then he would convince himself “The sun has truly eclipsed for my sorrow”.
Furthermore could one who was deluded be, not only one, but all of these: Teacher, Father, Statesman, Politician, Spiritual leader, Judge, General – how can all these attributes rest in one person? If we knew any such man today wouldn’t you agree that he would be an extraordinary person?
To add to the fact that the Quran was revealed over 23 Years – yet it is entirely consistent? Over 600 pages – you’d expect the lies and delusions to catch up with him after 23 years - yet not a single contradiction. 23
This leaves us with the only option – He was a man of Truth
Now reinforce your viewpoint - Let’s look at what The Quran, which we agreed was from God, says regarding him and why so much stress is placed upon the obedience of the Prophet (Salallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam). It is because the obedience of Allah (God) cannot be carried out except through the obedience of the Prophet Muhammad (Salallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam). God does not address each and every individual to tell him what He requires from him, as the Qur’an puts it:
“And it is not possible for a human being that Allah should speak to him, except by revelation, or from behind a curtain or that He should send a messenger and reveal by His leave what He wills” [Noble Quran 42:51]
So, whenever only the obedience of the Prophet (Salallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) has been mentioned in the Quran, it includes without saying, Obedience of Allah (God), because the Prophet (Salallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) does not say anything in the capacity of a Messenger unless he is guided by a revelation from Allah (God).
“And he (the Prophet Muhammad) does not speak out of his own desire. It is not but a revelation revealed (to him).” [Quran, 53:3-4]
Following the Prophet (Salallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam)– “Say, if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. (Quran, 3:31)
Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written down with them in the Torah and the Injeel. [Noble Quran 7:157]
Judaism – Key concept remove the idea that an ethnicity can only be assured Heaven. Then point to it being elitist and above all racist. Is God racist/unfair/unjust?
You: Look at the concept of being Jew. It is an ethnicity as opposed to a religion one can convert to.
They: Yes
You: How would that be fair, since God is fair? He is sending me to Hell because he made me African – isn’t this an elitist mentality and unjust?
They say: No anyone can become Jew.
You say: What is the book of the Jews?
They say: Torah
You: So to you this is the word of God?
They say: Yes
You should then discuss a prophecy in the book of Deuteronomy – 18:18;
“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not
hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19)
Prophecy yet unfulfilled? How about Muhammad (Salallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) as fulfilment of that prophecy by being from the brethren of Moses (AS)
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