A Reply to Answering the Partisan of "Bible and Quran" by Sajita Jesus Is this guesswork or FACTS? I have quoted the Quran verse that says Sura 7:26. O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition! Unfortunately you quoted the verses that says about the Adam and Eve's own effort to cover their shame but Quran also says that, "We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame". And of course there is no doubt that our good works cannot cover our shameful acts but we need help from above. We need a Savior who can save us from our sins."

A reply to - Answering the Partisan
of
“Bible and Qur'an"
By Sajita

This is an answer of Mr. Hesham Azmi's article Answering the Partison of Bible and Quran My answers are in "red" and "green". Mr. Hesham Azmi's answers are in "black" and "light blue"

In this article, insha’Allah, we are going to discuss the issue of Original Sin and Salvation in Christian theology as presented by Ms. Sajita in her article and display Islamic viewpoint as represented in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Her writing is in blue and mine is in black.

Readers are encouraged to read original article written by Ms. Sajita before reading this reply. Under the title of ‘Original Sin’ Ms. Sajita narrated the sin of Adam and Eve quoting Biblical verses in the Book of Genesis and other Books in order to establish that since Adam and Eve sinned, then all their descendants are sinners, we are supposed to believe that the newborn baby is a sinner unless baptized.

I never said that, "baby is a sinner unless baptized". Baptism can not save us from our sins nor it can give us a holy life. Yes, we are born in sin. David the prophet of the Bible and Quran says in Psalms 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me."

Christians resort to quoting ‘proof texts’ to support their view of ‘Original Sin’ but what about the next clear statement in the Bible?
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

True!! Sin was transmitted through Adam and Eve in our lives - the corrupted nature. That is the reason we often do mistakes and commit sin. We will not bear the iniquities of Adam and Eve but we will get punishment of what we did or what we commit everyday in our lives not of our fathers sin.

Here the Bible is explicit that everyone is responsible for his/her own acts and many Biblical verses convey the same theme, please consider the following passages
"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin." (Deuteronomy 24:16, II Kings 14:6)

That's right but it does not say that we do not commit sin in our lives? From where this sin and sinful nature came into our lives? Bible very clearly says that because we are seperated from God and unless we MEET God it is not possible for us to get rid of our sins or sinful nature.

"But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge." (Jeremiah 31:30)

"None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (Psalms 49:7)

"So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it." (Numbers 35:33)

In the light of the above quotes, one finds no difficulty in understanding that everyone is responsible for the consequences of his own deeds. In any court of justice in any civilized country, one fails to find a single person judged for his father’s or brother’s act. Other than that would be injustice. Is God unjust? Are humans more just than God? I do not imagine a fair person punishing a son instead of his father, let alone punishing the father and the son and the grandson, …etc.. Far is God from what they ascribe to Him.

How can you deny that parents do not punish their children for their own sin? Did you ever hear about AIDS? What is happening today because of parent's sins, innocent children are suffering. Do you think God is unjust here? No, but parents are responsible for their own sins. They are deliberately punishing their children.

In Islam, there is no doubt that everyone is responsible for his own acts “Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another” (Holy Qur’an 17:15)

This is non-controversial matter and every single Muslim deeply believes that no one bears the burdens of another.

Bible also says the same thing; I do agree that no man, no women can ever bear another person's burden.

Ms. Sajita has quoted some Qur’anic verses to show that her belief in Original Sin is supported by the Holy Qur’an.

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

If we read in the Quran and the Bible we can see that Quran also says the same thing:-
Sura 7:22. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?"

Sura 7:23. They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."

Sura 7:24. ((Allah)) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."

Sura 7:25. He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)."

Sura 7:26. O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!

All these verses say about the fall of Adam and repentance and forgiveness of sin. These verses also say that because of the sin of Adam, curse and death came in this world. Their shame became manifest to them and they started sew cloths for them.. And further we read that God gave them the raiment to cover their shame, as well as to be an adornment to them.

This incomplete display of Qur’anic narration may serve the purpose of showing that Adam and Eve sinned, but the story continues to tell us that they repented and God forgave them “.. thus did Adam disobey His Lord, and allow himself to be seduced. But his Lord chose him (for his Grace): he turned to him, and gave him guidance.” (Holy Qur’an 20:121-122)

"Then learnt Adam from his Lord Words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful." (Holy Qur'an 2:37)

These words of inspiration are detailed in another Chapter of the Qur’an "They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if Thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall Certainly be lost."" (Holy Qur'an 7:23)

Where does the above verses say that curse, death, pain and sorrow were taken from their lives, just because Adam and Eve were forgiven? Try to read these verses: Sura 7:24. ((Allah)) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time."

Sura 7:25. He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)."

If Allah forgave Adam and Eve then why they were driven out of the Garden of Eden? Why they could not get their original status? Why we see the sin, death and sufferings in this world? Is it not the result of the curse God gave to Adam and Eve?

Another difference between Qur’anic and Biblical narration is that the Qur’an clearly states that Satan , not the serpent, was the one who seduced Adam and Eve. Also, the Qur’an leaves no doubt that Satan seduced both of them on the contrary of the Biblical account which says that the serpent seduced Eve, then Eve seduced Adam which had very grave consequences concerning the Christian theological view of woman as an example of ‘Eve the temptress’.

(Please confer Holy Qur’an 2:35-28, 7:19-25 and 20:115-123 for more details about inhabitance of Adam and Eve in Paradise and their exile due to Satan’s deception)

Serpent is the Satan.. there are many verses in the Bible that confirms it!!

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

And the same thing Bible says in Genesis 3:21, "Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them."

From where the skin came? Certainly God sacrifice an animal to cover the shame of Adam and Eve. The same thing Jesus did on the cross. To cover our shame and shameful act, to cover our sins and consequences of sin, to cover our take our guilt and sinful nature from us, He died on the cross. He shed His precious blood on the cruel cross for me and for you so that we may never be in shame and sin.

In Islam we do not depend on our guesswork. Besides, the Qur’an explicitly states that Adam and Eve covered their private body areas with leaves of the Paradise (Holy Qur’an 17:22 and 20:121). The issue of offering a sacrifice in order to remove sin is discussed in the next paragraph.

Is this guesswork or FACTS? I have quoted the Quran verse that says Sura 7:26. O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!

Unfortunately you quoted the verses that says about the Adam and Eve's own effort to cover their shame but Quran also says that, "We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame". And of course there is no doubt that our good works cannot cover our shameful acts but we need help from above. We need a Savior who can save us from our sins.

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

Because we are born in sin that’s why we bent towards evil and sin. David says in Psalms 51:5, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me." We can not come out from our sinful nature by our good deeds or by our own efforts. Yes, we need a Savior, we need a Messiah who can rescue us from our sins.

Before commenting on this issue, it is necessary to give an introduction to the concept of repentance in Islam, God in the Holy Qur’an describes Himself that "He is the One that accepts repentance from His servants and forgives sins" (Holy Qur’an 42:25)......"Who forgiveth Sin, accepteth Repentance" (Holy Qur’an 40:3)...etc..

Why you need repentance of your sins if you have not committed any sin or if you are not really effected by the fall of Adam and Eve? Forgiveness is only for those who sinned. Why Quran even talks about forgiveness if people are not sinner? If you think that you are a sinner then my question is from where sin or sinful nature came in your life? Why people die everyday? Do you think that death is a blessing of God? Of course not!! If you want to turn your curses into blessings then you must look to Jesus who became curse for us so that we may be blessed.

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: "God extends His Hand with repentance to sinner of the night till the morning and to sinner of the day till sunset" (narrated by Muslim and Ahmed "authentic")
And said: "If you commit sins till they reach the sky and repent, God will forgive you" (narrated by Ibn Majah "authentic")
In another place, he said: "the repentant of a sin is just like the sinless" (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim "authentic")
So, despair from God’s Mercy and Forgiveness has no place in Islamic theology because "God accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards" (Holy Qur’an 4:17). Even if one sins then repents, then sins, then repents, …etc.. "Verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence)" (Holy Qur’an 17:25).

Are you saying that no matter what you do, no matter how you live or do an act of deliberate evil and ignorance and then repent and God will forgive? I am sorry God is not our servant! We should fear and tremble before Him, we should know that God is Holy and without holiness we cannot enter into His presence or in heaven. God wants us to live a holy life and for the very purpose He came down in this world to give eternal life for us.

But what about the believer who does not repent? Does he/she gain forgiveness or not? The Qur’an and Sunnah tell us that God forgives our sins even if we do not verbally repent; Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: "The five daily prayers and Friday prayer to Friday prayer remove all sins inbetween if you avoid Major Sins." (narrated by Muslim, Tirmithi and Ahmed "authentic")

Hujjat-ul-Islam Imam Muhammed Al-Ghazali (died 505 AH) said:

“Since we all make mistakes, we should repent all the time as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Follow the bad act with a good one to remove it" (narrated by Tirmithi and Ahmed "authentic"). So, good acts and obedience of God are sorts of repentance and the believer doesn't do without practicing good acts in order to regularly remove bad ones.” (Ihyaa 'Uloum-ed-Deen, Volume 4, Book of Repentance)

Sorry my friend, it is not true!! Bible says that Ezek 18:30-31 "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?"

Yes, God wants us to live a holy life so that we may never die but live forever with Him. If you think that your sinful nature will give you entrance in heaven then you are totally mistaken.. no.. its never going to happen! Always remember the sin of Adam and Eve who were cast out of the presence of God. They confessed their sins still they were driven out then how we can expect entry into heaven without confessing our sins or without repenting our sins? Is it possible? No!!

So, God forgives sins due to His Grace and Mercy. Christians totally eliminate the factor of God’s Grace in order to show that human being is eternally bound to sin and there is no way for salvation except through Jesus’ blood.

The above said things are not grace and mercy of God but ignorance toward God who wants to give us a holy life and who wants to bless our lives. It is to say like hey, God who you are that I may repent my sins and who you are that I may live a holy life? It is our arrogance, nothing else!

This extremely pessimistic attitude that leads to absolute despair of God’s Mercy is not totally supported by the Bible which talks about righteous people without sin
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24)

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9)

“And they (i.e. Zacharia and Elizabeth) were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6)

Yes, they walked in Holiness and righteousness because there is forgiveness of sin and a holy life. They met God in their lives and they reconciled with God and God gave them righteous life. Take the example of Moses who was a murderer but when he met God his life changed. Further we read about him that he pleads for people who sinned against God. Why? God changed his life. Take the example of David he says in Psalms 25:7, "Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O LORD."

Ms. Sajita mentioned a very important point concerning the way Christians view human nature; she said: “We can not come out from our sinful nature by our good deeds or by our own efforts.” This shows that one’s free will, according to Christian theology, has no role in his/her salvation and he/she uses free will to sin only. Period.

That's right our free will or our ability cannot give us salvation. Why? Let me give you one example. If I am drowning in the deep waters do you think those who are drowning with me can save me? No, they too need a person who is not drowning in the water. In the same way we all are sinking in sin then how it is possible that we may come out of our good works? If a person killed someone then starts doing good work, do you think his sin of murder is forgiven just because he did good works? How he can get rid of his sins by his own efforts? Is that possible?

On the contrary of popular Christian belief, Jews believe in many ways other than blood sacrifice to remove sin like giving charity
"The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls." (Exodus 30:15-16)

"We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD." (Numbers 31:50)

Or using incense
"And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people." (Numbers 16:46-47)

Taking half portions of the Bible and showing people as you are right are just deceiving people. If you read the above and below of the same portions of the Bible which you quoted talks about the sacrificial blood atonement.

Exodus 30:10 "And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD."

Lev 6:30 'But no sin offering from which any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of meeting, to make atonement in the holy place, shall be eaten. It shall be burned in the fire.

Lev 8:15 and Moses killed it. Then he took the blood, and put some on the horns of the altar all around with his finger, and purified the altar. And he poured the blood at the base of the altar, and consecrated it, to make atonement for it.

Lev 17:11 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'

Can you see how important blood atonement is in the Bible? Because Muslims rejected the very basic teaching of the Bible they never got forgiveness of their sins but they are groping in the darkness. Mohammed said, I do not know where I will go after my death while all the prophets of the Bible were dead sure about their destiny. Even Mohammed saw all the prophets of the Bible in heaven. But he wasn't sure about his own destiny. What a tragedy.. but my friend, you can get this eternal life and assurance of eternal life while you are in this world itself by the blood of Jesus who died for our sins.

While sacrifice is used for unintentional sins
"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering." (Leviticus 4:2-3)

"If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering." (Leviticus 6:15)

"And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him." (Numbers 15:27-28)

Again you have tried to take half portions of the Bible verses and tried to prove, as you were right. No this method is not going to work. God very clearly gave five types of sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. There is no doubt blood of Jesus can cleanse our sins. It worked in my life and it can work in your life too.

Based upon these verses, blood sacrifice is not the only way to make atonement and Jews used to resort to more powerful means in order to be forgiven. For more information about this topic, please read insights into Leviticus written by Jews for Judaism.

Unfortunately there are no SHORT CUTS!! Those who think that they can save themselves by their own good works they are mistaken. If you can save yourself from your own sins then why you need God? This is a big mistake!!

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

Genesis 3:19, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."
This verse says, "Dust you are" it means they were created by dust as the Bible says in Gen 2:7, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." And the verse no. Genesis 3:17 says that, "And to dust you shall return." This verse clearly says that man/woman will die(they will return to dust). And more than this, Bible says about SPIRITUAL DEATH. We are made up of 3 parts, 1. Soul, 2. Body, 3. Mind
So when God said to Adam, "You will surely die" then He meant that, You will did spiritually. That’s what happened in the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve sinned but they did not die immediately (physically) but the moment they sinned they died spiritually. Their soul became dead and they separated from God because there is no sin in God and God can not be with those who sin

Umm, this interpretation seems somewhat acrobatic and may reveal some problems if seriously analyzed. For example, if man is made of three parts: soul, body and mind, then death of soul will make them only two. Besides, it is more logical to understand death to mean mortality which is the explanation I have received from many Jews. Especially we read about being back to dust which is a clear reference to body, and we know that soul does not really die; it just tastes death then passes to the Hereafter.

Tell me about the visitations of Mohammed. When Mohammed visited heaven then why he could see ancient prophets like Moses who was almost 3000 years back lived in this world, Jesus who lived more than 600 years back in this world. Are you saying that they were with their bodies in heaven?

Concerning the last phrase “Their soul became dead and they separated from God because there is no sin in God and God can not be with those who sin.” I prefer to quote Robert Squires (a Christian covert to Islam):

“In order to present a more balanced and complete view of the Islamic view of "salvation" (for lack of a better term in English), I think that I should quote a few more Qur'anic verses and Prophetic hadeeths. One important verse that relates to your statement above is: "Were it not for God's Grace and Mercy on you all, none of you would ever have become purified; but God purifies whom He pleases." (Qur'an, Chapter 24 - "The Light", Verse 21)

It is not God's will or choice that our sins may be forgiven but it purely our choice. We ourselves choose our destination. We ourselves choose whether we want to go to heaven or hell. It does not depend on God's grace but it is our choice. God showed the way of salvation now it is our choice to accept or reject it.

Jesus told in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

This verse serves as further proof that it is God's Grace that ultimately saves man. Another important verses is: "No one despairs of God's Mercy except those who have no faith." (Qur'an, Chapter 12 - "Joseph", Verse 87).

If you are right then why Mohammed says that he does not where he would be after death? Are you saying that Mohammed had no faith in Allah?

From an Islamic perspective, Christians are certainly in violation of this. The fact that Christians, for all practical purposes, despair of the Mercy of God can be demonstrated by the theological devices which they use to convince people that they cannot approach God without Jesus.

Jesus is the same Yahweh God who is the Savior of the world. (Please read my book "Is Jesus God?" for more detail.) No other can save us but Jesus alone. Bible says in Isaiah 43:11, "I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior." How can we save ourselves by rejecting God?

They go to great lengths to convince people that God demands "perfect Justice", which in the end eliminates Mercy altogether. Muslims certainly believe that Almighty God is Just, but not in the distorted way that Christians teach. God's Justice is tempered by His Mercy, not His Mercy eliminated by His Justice - which is how the Doctrine of the Atonement works out. God ends up looking like a Shylock and Jesus is the hero. No wonder Christianity is so "Christocentric" instead of "Deocentric"! Who wants to be reminded of a God like that! Anyway . . . the view that both God's Mercy and Justice are continuously operative can be supported from the Old Testament and is how Jews have traditionally viewed God. The idea that God is "100% Holy so He can't come in contact with sin" have their origins in Greek philosophy, not Semitic monotheism. ”
(Taken from Muslim answers to inquiring Christian)

I never saw a person going in the presence of God with his/her sins. When someone tried to go in the presence of God with their sin they died.. there are hundreds of scripture in the Bible. There are hundreds of Bible verses in the Bible that says that when people sinned against God they got punishment of God. Yes, God is holy and if we want to go before Him then our sins must be forgiven and our lives must be holy. Read the OT how much they feared and trembled before the almighty God when God came down. But you do not know it because Mohammed never saw God nor heard the voice of God. Do you know why? Because Mohammed's sins were never forgiven.

**Ms. Sajita wrote**
How can we get Salvation?
1. Realize that you are sinner
2. Confess from your mouth
3. Repent from your sins
4. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior
5. New creation
6. Promise of eternal life

How can we get Salvation? Jews asked Jesus (peace be upon him) the same question and he answered
"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:16-17)

Jesus (peace be upon him) told the man that he should keep the commandments in order to have eternal life. Why didn’t Jesus tell him that there is no way to Heaven except through his blood? Was he misleading this man by not telling him that the only way to Heaven is through his blood?!

I always wonder that why Muslims quote half verses or half portions of the Bible? Read further down which you quoted.. Matthew 19:21, Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Yea, you have quoted half talk of Jesus and that man and made your mind that there is salvation just by keeping commandments.. You did not even bothered to read few verses down?

"And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (Luke 10:25-28)

Nothing about Jesus’ blood or sacrifice? Again?!! One starts to wonder; if the entire purpose of Jesus’ mission is to offer atonement through blood sacrifice, then why did he preach observing the commandments and the Law as an ideal way to go to Heaven?!

Sorry sir again you have take few things from here and there and tried to prove your points. Try to read this:

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)
No mention of accepting Jesus as your ‘personal’ Savior to join the kingdom of heaven! Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) revealed the purpose of his mission and said: "But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)
In spite of this, Christians desert repentance and look for none but sacrifice.

Wrong sir, wrong!! Jesus Himself said in Matthew 26:28, "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Mark 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins,

Luke 3:3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,

Jesus said in Luke 24:47 "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

Jabir reported that the Prophet of Islam said: "No good works of yours can ever secure heaven for you, nor can they save you from hell -- not even me, without the grace of God."

Abu Huraira related that when the verse, "Cause thy near relatives to fear," was revealed to the Prophet of Islam, the Prophet arose and began to proclaim: "Oh people of the Quraysh, and you sons of Abdul Manaf, and you Abbas, son of Abdul Muttalib, and you, Safiyyah my aunt, I cannot save you from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection. Take care of yourself, O my daughter Fatimah; you may use my property, but I cannot save you from God. Take care of yourself" (Bukhari).

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet of Islam said: "No one of you will enter Paradise through his good works." They said: "Not even you, O Apostle of God?" "Not even I," he replied, "unless God cover me with His grace and mercy. Therefore be strong, and morning and evening, nay every moment, try to do good."

I will first focus on the first and last Hadiths because they are nearly the same, it reads,
The Prophet said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and receive good news because one's good deeds will not make him enter Paradise." They asked, "Even you, O God's Apostle?" He said, "Even I, unless and until God bestows His pardon and Mercy on me." (Sahih-ul-Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 474)

This is a cornerstone in Islamic belief, we do not go to Paradise because of our deeds only but due to God’s Mercy. Even Messenger of God won’t go to Heaven with his good deeds only but with God’s Mercy, non-Muslims who read this Hadith should notice that the disciples’ question “Not even you?” means “Not even your deeds?” because the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe God in all his deeds. The purpose of the Hadith is to emphasize on God’s Grace and Mercy. The famous error whom Christians fall into when dealing with Muslims’ beliefs is that they think Muslims believe they will go to Heaven based upon their good deeds only that’s why Ms. Sajita thought that this Hadith can be an evidence that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was not sure about salvation.

Are you saying that Mohammed was sure about his salvation? If he was NOT sure then what is the reason? I can tell you that Bible prophets were sure about their destination.

Deu 30:19 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

David says in Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Jeremiah 21:8 "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.

Ezek 18:32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"

Can you see that God is not interested in death of anybody but He wants to give LIFE - ETERNAL LIFE so that we may never die.

The other Hadith is mentioned with this wording twice in Sahih-ul-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 51, Number 16 and Volume 6, Book 60, Number 294. In both it reads,
Narrated Abu Huraira:
When God revealed the Verse: "Warn your nearest kinsmen," God’s Apostle got up and said, "O people of Quraish (or said similar words)! Buy (i.e. save) yourselves (from the Hellfire) as I cannot save you from God’s Punishment; O Bani `Abd Manaf! I cannot save you from God’s Punishment, O Safiya, the Aunt of God’s Apostle! I cannot save you from God’s Punishment; O Fatima bint Muhammad! Ask me anything from my wealth, but I cannot save you from God’s Punishment."
(Please compare it with the awfully faulty translation quoted by Ms. Sajita)

Here the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) was addressing Pagans of Mecca including his own tribe and family, he obeyed God’s command and warned them as it was revealed (the verse is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an 26:214). None can save them from God’s punishment unless they turn to Him and quit all their idolatrous practices. In order that Messenger of God can save them, they must first turn to God alone and reject worshipping idols, if they turn to God, only then the Prophet (peace be upon him) can save them.

Are you saying that Mohammed's aunt and daughter were pagans of Mecca? "only then the Prophet (peace be upon him) can save them." and the Hadith quoted by you, " I cannot save you from God’s Punishment, O Safiya, the Aunt of God’s Apostle! I cannot save you from God’s Punishment; O Fatima bint Muhammad! Ask me anything from my wealth, but I cannot save you from God’s Punishment." are contradictory statement because both are opposite to each other. Not only that Mohammed himself said that he does not know his destination then how he can lead others to heaven? A man who does not know the way where he was going how it is possible that he will save them. No prophet can save us nor give us salvation.

It pains me that some Christians quote Prophetic narrations without good reading; Ms. Sajita found a Hadith saying: “No one goes to Heaven with good deeds” and another one saying: “I cannot save you from God’s punishment”, so she pasted them without understanding of the meaning or the significance. Isn’t it amazing?!

I did not see any difference in your quotations. And the quotations what I quoted it is not written by me but "Cut" and "Paste" from your own texts. So you can blame me for this.

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

Volume 1, Book 12, Number 711:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle used to keep silent between the Takbir and the recitation of Qur'an and that interval of silence used to be a short one. I said to the Prophet "May my parents be sacrificed for you! What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation?" The Prophet said, "I say, 'Allahumma, ba'id baini wa baina khatayaya kama ba'adta baina-l-mashriqi wa-l-maghrib. Allahumma, naqqim min khatayaya kama yunaqqa-ththawbu-l-abyadu mina-ddanas. Allahumma, ighsil khatayaya bil-ma'i wa-th-thalji wal-barad (O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the East and West are set apart from each other and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.)"

This is not the only Hadith telling us about the Prophet’s supplications, there are plenty of them, but Messenger of God was sure that all of his past and future faults are forgiven because God promised him so in the Qur’an "That God may forgive thee thy faults of the past and those to follow" (Holy Qur'an 48:2).

So, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was certain that all his faults are forgiven, in spite of this he was so devoted in prayer that the disciples wondered.

If Mohammed's sin were forgiven then why he was not sure about his destination? And 113 and 114 Chapter of Quran says that Mohammed was scared. I do not see any assurance or trust in Allah in the writings of Mohammed but he was afraid in his last momemnts.

Narrated Al-Mughira:
The Prophet used to offer night prayers till his feet became swollen. Somebody said, to him," "God has forgiven you, your faults of the past and those to follow." On that, he said, "Shouldn't I be a thankful slave of God”?" (Sahih-ul-Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 360, also in Volume 2, Book 21, Number 230 and Volume 8, Book 76, Number 478 and on authority of ‘Aisha in Volume 6, Book 60, Number 361)

So, Messenger of God (peace be upon him) used to pray because he was thankful and grateful to God, not because he was not sure of forgiveness, and we -Muslims- supplicate to repent and get closer to God.

In Mohammed's life we do not see as his sins were forgiven because he continued in sin till his last breath.

**Ms. Sajita wrote**

There is no Salvation in Islam
Allah Promised hell for his followers:
Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)
Sura 3:185, "Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception."

This Suras from Quran very clearly says that after death everyone will go to hell fire then judgment.. When a person went to hell fire then how and why it is possible that he/she can come out from hell fire and go to paradise.. no way.. This verse does not say anything about eternal life. This verse very clearly says that every believer in Allah is tasting death means they did not get the life while Jesus promised eternal life and heaven as we read in

John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

And also every soul is going to hell fire till the day of judgment means they are not reaching heaven. So of course Allah promised hell fire for his believers. I said "no way" for coming out from the hell fire and go to heaven. There is no chance to go to heaven once you go to hell fire... But yes, Jesus can save you when you are still in this world as He said in John 3:15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
How a person can save himself/herself from hell fire when he/she is already in hell fire? And this verse says that they will be there till the time of Day of Judgment. Do you think a person who is already in hell fire will get a seat in heaven after judgment? Judgment is a day when people get their sentence and verdict.. no reward my friend that day.
Allah promised hell fire for his followers but contrary to it Jesus promised heaven for His followers.

Answering this is, in fact, a continuation of the previous paragraph. Answer should involve many angles.
1) Is it logic at all that someone calls people to a new religion promising them with Hell-Fire?! How reasonable is this?! Certainly, Christians love to believe this.

well, well, it is not me but Allah has promised hell fire in Quran and Hadith both. Try to read my article at http://bibleandquran.org/allahandelohim12.htm

2) God (in Arabic Allah) promised believers with Paradise in the Holy Qur’an "But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness- We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath- to dwell therein forever. God’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than God’s?" (Holy Qur'an 4:122)

So, here’s a clear promise of God that Muslims shall go to Paradise.

When they will go to paradise? Does not the Sura 3:185 say that every person is going to hell fire? Does not the Hadith say that Allah will recognize Muslims in fire with their marks of prostrate? Does not the Quran say that your sins will go before you on the day of Judgment? If your sins are forgiven and if you are promised heaven then why sins are going before you? Why you need to visit hell fire?

3) On the contrary of the Qur’an that details events of the Judgement Day and the Hereafter, the Bible has none but a vague incomplete picture . That’s why many Christians think that Judgement after resurrection is for sinners only. The Holy Qur’an tells us that in the Day of Resurrection, some people will be admitted into Paradise without judgement like the Prophets, and the rest will be submitted to God’s Judgement: some will go to Heaven and some to Hell. I won’t get into more details due to lack of time but one can read about this topic in details in Islamic references like “Al-Tazkirah” (i.e. The Reminder) written by Imam Al-Qurtubi.

Bible has complete details of Judgment day. Bible very clearly says that only those who are SINNER will go before the judgment seat of God others are already in heaven. John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

4) I failed to recognize what Ms. Sajita calls “This Suras from Quran very clearly says that after death everyone will go to hell fire then judgment”. The problem is that Christians like Ms. Sajita interpret the Qur’an according to their Christian terminology; they read the word ‘death’ and compare it with ‘eternal life’ promised by authors of the Gospels, then scream that “Allah Promised hell for his followers”!!!
Soul does not really die, it just has a taste of death. This expression describes the experience of soul when physical death occurs. It is noteworthy to know that after judgement everyone will have eternal life either in Heaven or in Hell.

Sorry, you are wrong again! Sura 3:185, Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): So you can see that ONLY THOSE WHO ARE SAVED FAR FROM THE FIRE WILL BE SAVED, means people are already in FIRE. Yes, eternal life and eternal death is there. Soul does not die but the moment a person dies the soul goes to heaven or hell that was the reason Mohammed saw prophets and other people in heaven and hell.

5) In Islam we follow none but Divine Guidance in the Qur’an and Sunnah, that’s why it is interesting for me to ask Ms. Sajita, how can she know that the one who is punished in Hell can never get out? Is this based upon divine source (true or alleged in this case)? Or is it just guesswork? Even guesswork will not lead you to this conclusion because we see many people out of jail after spending their sentences. Guess again!

It is not a Guess work or assumption but REALITY. Jesus said in

Luke 16:25 "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

Luke 16:26 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'

6) I have no doubt that Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) offered Heaven and happiness through faith and good works (Matthew 19:16-21 and 25:34-46)
“I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matthew 9:13)

That's right!! God does not need our sacrifice or good works but He wants sincere repentance from our lives. He wants obedience rather than good works. Saul did not heed the words of God and tried to sacrifice animal before God and God' reply was:

1 Sam 15:17 So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?

1 Sam 15:18 "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.'

1 Sam 15:19 "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"

1 Sam 15:22 Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

In the end, one should say that people like Ms. Sajita do no good to their religion by attacking Islam this way. This article proved her stark ignorance of very simple Islamic terms, let alone Islamic teachings. And God guides only whom He pleases.

I never attacked any religion but simply presented the truth. If it is my stark ignorance then why Muslims even the founder of Islam never got salvation nor had any assurance of heaven. Do you think you have assurance of heaven? If not, I can say that you can have assurance of heaven in this world itself. Please read my story at http://bibleandquran.org/me.htm

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