(Part No. 3; Page No. 345)
Part (4) of the question:
The Qur'an informs us that had Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had any doubts regarding the Qur'an, then he was to consult the People of the Scripture among
the Jews
and
the Christians
as stated in Surah Yunus (10/94).
A:
The questioner refers to Allah's Statement:
So if you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed unto you, [i.e. that your name is written in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], then ask those who are reading the Book [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before you.
The Ayah lends them no support, for the conditional sentence does not necessitate the true existence of the condition. Thus, the result clause may be conditional upon an impossible condition, for example Allah stated:
And that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrâhîm (Abraham) against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.
Up to His Statement:
This is the Guidance of Allâh with which He guides whomsoever He wills of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.
Thus, Allah informs us that had the prophets associated others in worship with Allah (an impossible condition), all their good deeds would have been rendered void. Indeed, they all died as Muslims, and were all infallible. It is due to their infallibility that Allah stated:
And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), as it was to those (Allâh’s Messengers) before you: "If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.
Nay! But worship Allâh (Alone and none else), and be among the grateful.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) never had any doubt, or asked any of the People of the Scripture, for he understood that the underlying message revealed does not require the question to (Part No. 3; Page No. 346) eliminate any doubts, but to confirm that if the disbelievers turned deaf to your call, the people of the Scripture should have evidence in support of your mission, as Allah stated:
Say: “Sufficient as a witness between me and you is Allâh, and those too who have knowledge of the Scripture (such as ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm and other Jews and Christians who embraced Islâm).”
Allah also stated:
Say: "Tell me! If this (Qur’ân) is from Allâh and you deny it, and a witness from among the Children of Israel (‘Abdullâh bin Salâm رضي الله عنه) testifies that [this Qur’ân is from Allâh (like the Taurât (Torah)], and he believed (embraced Islâm) while you are too proud (to believe)." Verily, Allâh guides not the people who are Zâlimûn (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong-doers).
Also Allah stated:
Is it not a sign to them that the learned scholars (like ‘Abdullâh bin Salâm رضي الله عنه who embraced Islâm) of the Children of Israel knew it (as true)?
Indeed, there are so many Ayahs indicating the textual evidence with the People of the Scripture in support of the Mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) against the obstinate disbelievers who rejected the call to the Oneness of Allah, and the fact that all Messengers sent to humans were humans, for this is Allah's Wise Way as stated in the opening of Surah Yunus:
Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our Revelation to a man from among themselves (i.e. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) (saying): "Warn mankind (of the coming torment in Hell), and give good news to those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds?"
Understanding the above exegesis of the relevant Ayahs juxtaposed to other similar Ayahs giving details and decisive explanation to each other will specify the meaning of the Mutashabihat (similar and dependent Qur'anic verses, open to more than one interpretation or whose meaning is known only to Allah). Understanding these Ayahs provides the answer to the doubts posed by the Christian American missionary. (Part No. 3; Page No. 347) It contains a full response to the suspicions and doubts he raised in the beginning of his speech.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
`Isa was not killed...
