Answering Islam - A Christian-Muslim dialog

More Deceptive Tactics From A Leading Muslim Taqiyyist Pt. 1

Who Can Forgive Sins But God Alone?

Sam Shamoun

It is time to, once again, expose the deceptive tactics of one of Islam’s premiere dawagandists, namely Dr. Jamal Badawi. Badawi has shown that he is all too willing, and is even not ashamed, to lie or twist sources in order to mislead people into becoming Muslims. Unfortunately, such tactics are common among Muslim apologists since their religion allows them to deceive and lie to the disbelievers (*, *).

In his 1997 debate with renowned Christian philosopher, Dr. William Lane Craig, which took place at the University of Illinois, Badawi tried to downplay the significance of Jesus being able to forgive sins:

“He [Craig] said that Jesus forgave and that's a quality of God. But we have a parallel also in the Quran, in fact; which mean that even when Jesus, or Muhammad, indicate that someone is forgiven, it does not mean that they are claiming the authority of God to forgive, but they received revelation from God that they are forgiven! Those of you who are familiar with the Quran, laqad tab Allahu ala an-nabiyyu wa-muhajirin, there are references that people have been forgiven. This is not a claim made by the prophet on his authority, but information, just as Jesus was given information.” (The Concept of God in Islam and Christianity)

Here, Badawi tried to pull a fast one upon the audience since the verse of the Quran that he quoted does not say that Muhammad had authority like Jesus to forgive anyone’s sins. Rather, the verse actually informed Muhammad that Allah had forgiven him of his own personal sins!

Allah has forgiven THE PROPHET (laqad tab Allahu ala an-nabiyyi), the Muhajirun (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition, etc.), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful. S. 9:117

How could Badawi even suggest that this text is somehow similar to the way Jesus forgave people of their transgressions?

To make matters worse, the Quran goes out of its way to depict Muhammad as an imperfect human being that was uncertain of salvation, and needed his god to pardon him for all his crimes and wickedness:

And seek the Forgiveness of Allah, certainly, Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And argue not on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer of his trust, and indulges in crime. S. 4:106-107 Hilali-Khan

Say (O Muhammad): “I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe.” S. 7:188 Hilali-Khan

May Allah forgive you (O Muhammad). Why did you grant them leave (for remaining behind, you should have persisted as regards your order to them to proceed on Jihad), until those who told the truth were seen by you in a clear light, and you had known the liars? S. 9:43 Hilali-Khan

Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness of thy sin, and hymn the praise of thy Lord at fall of night and in the early hours. S. 40:55 Pickthall

Say (O Muhammad):"I am not a new thing among the Messengers (of Allah) (i.e. I am not the first Messenger) nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am but a plain warner." S. 46:9 Hilali-Khan

So know (O Muhammad) that there is no God save Allah, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for believing men and believing women. Allah knoweth (both) your place of turmoil and your place of rest. S. 47:19 Pickthall – cf. Q. 48:2; 80:1-10

The Islamic scripture even goes so far as to say that not a single creature would be left on earth if God were to hold people accountable for their sins:

And if Allah were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He postpones them for an appointed term and when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment). S. 16:61 Hilali-Khan

And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would have hastened their punishment. But they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape. S. 18:58 Hilali-Khan

And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth, but He gives them respite to an appointed term, and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves. S. 35:45 Hilali-Khan

And, yet, both the Holy Bible and the Quran affirms Jesus’ essential purity and sinlessness:

“The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” John 7:18

“And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to himWhich one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?” John 8:29, 46

“But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.” Acts 3:14-15 – 7:52; 22:14

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life… but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever." Hebrews 7:16, 24-28 – cf. 4:15; 9:14

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:21-24 – cf. 1:18-19; 3:18

“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure… You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin… Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:3, 5, 7

He said: “Nay, I am only an apostle from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.” Q. 19:19 Y. Ali

If thou fearest God ... He said, 'I am but a messenger come from thy Lord, to give thee a boy most pure. Arberry

More importantly, the Quran agrees that only God can forgive sins:

And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - Who forgiveth sins save Allah only? – and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. S. 3:135 Pickthall

And yet Jesus claimed this unique divine prerogative for himself!

“And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘My son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, ‘Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Rise, take up your pallet and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of man HAS AUTHORITY on earth to forgive sins’ –he said to the paralytic—‘I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.’ And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’” Mark 2:5-12 – cf. Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26

“And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” Luke 7:48-50

Here we see that Jesus not only had the authority to wipe away all sins, he also had the ability to heal diseases and knew what people were thinking in their hearts.

And yet, according to the Holy Bible, these are some of the unique characteristics and functions which Yahweh alone possesses and carries out!

“and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands toward this temple—then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you ALONE know every human heart)When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to their enemies, who take them captive to their own lands, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy; for they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, out of that iron-smelting furnace.” 1 Kings 8:39, 46-51

“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,” Psalm 103:2-4

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19

“for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20

Nor are these the only examples of Jesus doing all of these things:

“Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31

“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill… Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, ‘Could this be the Son of David?’” Matthew 12:15, 22-23

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.’” Matthew 12:25

But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ And he rose and stood there.” Luke 6:8

“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” John 2:23-25

“But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” John 6:64

“His disciples said, ‘Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?’” John 16:29-31

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17

Jesus even went so far as to say that forgiveness of sins and salvation come through his name:

“Then he said to them, ‘These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” Luke 24:44-47

The Apostles themselves went around proclaiming this same message, e.g. individuals can be forgiven from all their sins and receive complete physical healing in the name (and for the sake) of the Lord Jesus:

“The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’” Acts 4:5-12

"God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. ‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.’ Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.” Acts 9:32-35

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” Philippians 1:29

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

Once again, this is something that the OT Scriptures ascribe to Yahweh alone:

For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” Psalm 25:11

“O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.” Psalm 54:1

“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!” Psalm 79:9

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25

Christ further taught that he would lay his life down, and shed his own blood, as an atoning sacrifice to save and ransom people from their sins:

“For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom FOR MANY.” Mark 10:45 – Matthew 20:28

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out FOR MANY for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’” Matthew 26:26-29 – cf. Mark 14:22-25

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst… Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD is my flesh.’ … So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.’” John 6:35, 47-51, 53-58

Compare this with what the beloved Apostles wrote:

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the atoning sacrifice who turns aside God’s wrath, taking away our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

However, the Hebrew Scriptures emphatically teach that no human being can redeem the life of another since only God is able to ransom people from death:

Truly no man can ransom another or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit… Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah” Psalm 49:7-9, 14-15

Hence, the only way that Jesus’ sacrificial death could ever be able to ransom a host of individuals so vast that no one could count,

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, AND TO the Lamb.’ All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: ‘Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!’ Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?’ I answered, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Revelation 7:9-17

Is if Christ is Yahweh God!

This can be further seen from the fact that Jesus comes to do for his people,

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because He will save HIS people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:18-21

What the Psalmist says that Yahweh does for Israel:

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you… Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. HE HIMSELF will redeem Israel from all their sins.” Psalm 130:3-4, 7-8

Concluding Remarks

We have seen that Badawi’s assertion that Jesus simply communicated to men the revelation he received from God that they had been forgiven, much like Muhammad did, does not hold any weight. Jesus went above and beyond what any true prophet of God claimed and did. Prophets pointed people to God for redemption, whereas Jesus pointed everyone to himself as the object of forgiveness and salvation.

As far as Muhammad is concerned, apart from the fact he was a false prophet, he never went around healing people as proof that he had the authority to forgive sins in the same way that Jesus did. The Quran testifies that Muhammad was a sinner who was uncertain of his own salvation, and who was often reminded by his own god of his imperfections and mortality.

The fact is that Badawi misled his audience by citing a Quranic verse in Arabic, which most of those in attendance could not understand, in order to disprove Craig’s assertion that Christ’s ability to forgive sins is a clear indication that the historical Jesus believed that he was(is) God’s unique, divine Son. What makes this even more troubling is that, not only did he fail to recite the text in English, Badawi didn’t even bother to give the reference to the passage in order to allow those in the audience to check it out for themselves!

It is obvious (at least to us) why Badawi didn’t give the verse number or translate it in English. Badawi knew that this passage not only fails to prove his case, it actually backfires against him, since it proves that Muhammad didn’t go around claiming to have the authority to forgive sins like Jesus did. And, because he knew what the Arabic actually says, Badawi was fully aware that this verse also establishes that Muhammad himself was a sinner who needed to receive forgiveness for his own transgressions and wickedness. Yet, despite knowing all this, Badawi still went ahead and used a passage that only ends up further proving Dr. Craig’s point!

For that, Badawi should be ashamed of himself.

It is time now to proceed to the second part of our analysis.