Now, we will look at the Koran. The primary source I chose to use is a book called Behind the Veil: Unmasking Islam, written by Abd El Schafi, a former Muslim. An extensive quote from p.4 “Sources and References of this Book” provides inarguable credence to the issues raised by his experience in and arguments against Islam. He states,

 

Muslim scholars are the sole authorities that have the right (as well as the ability) to discuss the issues of Islam, to explain the verses of the Qur’an and to depict the life of Muhammad, his wives, and his companions. Therefore, we have relied completely on the reference books of Muslim scholars whether the contemporary scholars in Al-Azhar (Egypt), Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Islamic universities in Islamic nations, or the great, ancient Muslim scholars agreed upon in Saudi Arabia, Al-Azhar and the rest of the Muslim world. In fact, contemporary scholars command every researcher and every student in the field of Islam to refer to the writings of the great, ancient scholars. We must conclude that these ancient scholars are the only ones in the field of ancient studies, including Qur’an exposition, Islamic law (Sharia), the life and sayings of Muhammad, and Islamic history.[ref] Behind the Veil, Schafi, p.4.[/ref]

The author is making the point that for the sources of his book, he will only refer to Muslim scholars from ancient and modern eras to interpret passages in the Koran. He did so to avoid any accusation from Muslim defenders that every critic of the Koran is misinterpreting it, therefore, there attacks have no basis. But we shall see that from the mouths of the Muslim scholars themselves, the divine origin of the Koran is simply impossible. First we will look at the scientific errors in the Koran. Astonishingly, the Koran teaches that the sun sets in a particular place on the earth! I wouldn’t have the nerve to say that had I not prefaced all my remarks with Mr. El Schafi’s sources for the book. But the Koran says,

When he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring and found a people thereabout. We said: ‘O Dhul-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness.’ (Surah 18:86)

Anticipating immediate dismissal of this interpretation of the Koran, Mr. El Schafi cites famous Islamic students, ancient Islamic scholars and contemporaries of Muhammad who all agree that this is a proper understanding of this verse. For instance, the Zamakhshari states in his book The Kash-shaf,

Abu Dharr (one of Muhammad’s companions) was with Muhammad during a sunset. Muhammad asked him, “Do you know, O Abu Dharr, where this sets?” He answered, “God and His Apostles know better.” Muhammad said, “It sets in a spring of slimy water.’ (3rd Edition, Volume 2 p.743, 1987)[ref] Behind the Veil, Schafi, p.172.[/ref]

Even more amazing than the previous claim, the Koran teaches that the earth is flat! I couldn’t believe it either! But, I will quote the Koran followed by an interpretation of an ancient Muslim scholar for correct meaning, remembering that contemporary scholars are commanded to study the great ancient Muslim scholars. Thus, the Koran says,

Will they not regard the camels how they are created…and the Earth how it is spread? (Chapter 88:17, 20)

The great, ancient scholar Jalalan says of these verses,

In the phrase, ‘how it is spread’, he denotes that the earth is flat. All scholars of Islamic law agree upon this. It is not round as the physicist claim. (Author’s emphasis)

Other places in the Koran teach a flat earth also (refer to 18:7; 19:6; 79:30).[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.175.[/ref] In fact, a recent book published by Saudi scholars attempting to disprove the ’round earth myth.’ They agreed with ancient Muslim scholars and claimed to reject the spherical aspect of the earth.[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.176.[/ref]

Now let’s look at some historical errors in the Koran. Alexander the Great and his exploits are given 16 verses in the Koran. In them they teach that Alexander was a righteous man, a teacher, and assisted by God to accomplish all that he did.But history tells us that Alexander was a morally corrupt, idolatrous man who believed he was the son of an Egyptian god Amun. In fact, the Koran states that Alexander was the one who reached the actual place on earth where the sun sets and found it in a well of water and mud. Without exception, this is the view held by ancient Muslim scholars (Baydawi, Jalalan, al-Tabari, Zamakhshari, and Kash-shaf)[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.183.[/ref] Among other cases go historical error are: Haman being Pharaoh’s prime minister 100 years before Haman was born; the Samaritan woman molding the golden the golden calf in the wilderness, even though Samaria did not exist until after the Babylonian captivity some 1,000 years later.[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.183.[/ref] So you don’y have to go far or look very close to see that the Koran contains numerous scientific and historical errors.

But of most importance to Christians is the denial by the Koran that Jesus was ever crucified. As we shall demonstrate later, even ancient secular historians contemporary with the events of the gospels attest to the crucifixion of Jesus. But Baydawi disagrees with history in his commentary on Koran 4:15,

“A group of Jews cursed Christ and his mother. He invoked evil on them and, may He be exalted, turned them into monkeys and swine. The Jews gathered together to kill him, but God, may He be exalted, informed him (Jesus) that He was going to lift him up to heaven. Thus, (Jesus) said to his companions, ‘Who would like to have my likeness cast on him, and be killed and crucified, then enter into paradise?’ One of them volunteered, and God cast on him Christ’s likeness. He was then arrested, crucified and killed. It is also said that (the crucified one) was a traitor (Judas) who went with the mob to guide them to Christ, thus God cast on him (Judas) the likeness of Jesus, and he (Judas) was arrested, crucified and killed.”[ref] Behind the Veil, Schafi, pp.179-180.[/ref]

Over looking the obvious historical error by denying Jesus’ crucifixion ever occurred, from the passage itself there is an obvious problem; either Jesus is lying or Judas got into heaven by dieing for Jesus! However, the Bible calls Judas the ‘son of perdition’. But Baydawi is not alone in his position, according to Mr. El Schafi, “all Muslim scholars who attempt to interpret the above verse, plainly state that Jesus was not crucified.“[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.180.[/ref] It was well said by Dr. El Schafi that since the Koran was written some 500+ years after the events in the Gospels, it would be analogous to some one coming around 500+ years from today and claim Martin Luther King Jr. and J.F. Kennedy were not assassinated in the twentieth century.[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.180.[/ref]

As a book claiming divine origin the problems of the Koran continue due to the hatred taught and promoted by the doctrine it contains. Defenders of the Koran will say that it teaches love and acceptance and the violence associated with the Koran is due solely to “radical fundamentalists” perverting the good teachings of the Koran. But that is not true. Islamic scholars teach a principle called the Doctrine of Abrogation. To abrogate means “to repeal, annul, abolish.” But to better understand how the Doctrine of Abrogation applies to the Koran, a little background on its development is needed.

Remember, Mohammed was born in 570 AD, almost 600 years after Jesus was crucified. When Mohammed began his career as a false prophet, he sought acceptance and approval from the two major religions of the world; Christianity and Judaism. He sought to be accepted as a Jewish “prophet” and as the next Christian “Apostle.”[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.75.[/ref] Initially, Mohammed used force to test his power over his followers and commanded them to kill during a raid of a Jewish caravan. [ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.81.[/ref] Then he tried persuading Jews to follow and as he wrote the Koran, he spoke very kindly and honorably of both of these religions, their writings, and their followers, even adopting some of the Jewish rituals and beliefs attempting to persuade Jews to accept him as their prophet.[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, p.82.[/ref] Naturally, the Jews outright rejected his claim to be the Messiah. Angry and dejected, Mohammed quickly reversed his previous kind and honorable writings and began to advocate violence and death to Jews (and Christians) for rejecting his message.[ref] Schafi, Behind the Veil, pp.82-83.[/ref]

This presented Mohammed with an obvious problem; what to do with the previous “inspired” writings that spoke so highly of Christianity and Judaism? The solution: the Doctrine of Abrogation. This means that whatever was written AFTER the previous writings of the Koran replaces or annuls or abolishes what came before it. So, when Mohammed wrote honorably about Christianity and Judaism early on in his work, those teachings are abolished by what he wrote after.[ref] Behind the Veil, Schafi, pp.220-221.[/ref] So instead of loving and respecting the Christian and the Jew, the Muslim is instructed to kill them as an act of loyalty to Allah.

In fact, the Koran as a book is organized to reflect the Doctrine of Abrogation. Instead of being arranged in chronological order (the books added to the Koran as they were written in time), the Koran is arranged according to the size of the chapters, or “auras”.[ref] Morey, Islamic Invasion, p.112.[/ref] And since the length of the suras increase in later years (apparently, the older you get, the more you have to say), the later writings of the Koran are put first; and the earlier writings of the Koran are put last.[ref] Morey, Islamic Invasion, p.82.[/ref]

For example, some of the earlier (Meccan) Suras contain a more moderate tone of peace and tolerance toward other religions (e.g., Sura 29:46). Many Muslims believe these verses were superseded by subsequent revelations in later Suras that seem to promote a more hostile attitude toward other. In Sura 2:106, Allah declares that “whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?[ref] Understanding and Reaching Muslims, Geisler and Saleeb. p.10.[/ref]

Consequently, the hate filled writings of Mohammed that came at the end of his career are presented to the Muslim student first; which according to the Doctrine of Abrogation, destroy or annul anything Mohammed wrote earlier which are located at the back part of the Koran.[ref] Islamic Invasion, Morey, pp.111-112.[/ref]

These circumstances have led to much confusion and contradiction among news casters and political commentators regarding the role that Islam plays in world terrorism. Critics of Islam cite example after example of hatred and violence in the Koran directed at Christians and Jews or all non-Muslims. The defender of Islam will counter by citing example after example of the Koran speaking well of Christians, Jews and non-Muslims. But based on Mohammed’s method of writing the Koran and the contradictory content in each half of it, it is easy to see how such confusion exists. But if each side factors in the Doctrine of Abrogation, all confusion is eliminated; and the Koran is seen for what it is: a book of hatred originating from man.

However, that is not to say that everyone who claims to be a Muslim is filled with hate or follows the Doctrine of Abrogation. On the contrary, most Muslim’s are civil, law abiding, and good people. The vast majority of the followers of Islam are unaware of the Doctrine of Abrogation and follow whatever brand of Islam fits there sensibilities. They would be equivalent to the life-long nominal Protestant, Catholic or even Mormon who has a very superficial knowledge of the doctrines and practices of their family religion and would be surprised by what they learned if serious investigation was ever undertaken by them personally.

If fact, most of the members of those three religions have never read the very books upon which their entire religion is based on. As a result, they rely solely on the opinions of family members or religious leaders to tell them what their religion teaches without checking to see if what they are being told is correct or accurate. Consequently, any dramatic charge by a non-member of any of these religions is readily dismissed as unfounded criticism by someone who is not even a believer in their religion and must therefore be more ignorant about the subject than someone who has been a Protestant, Catholic or Mormon “all their life.” When sharing my faith in Jesus with others, I’ve been told in so many words, “How can you criticize my religion? I was raised a (fill in the blank). Don’t you think I should know more about my own religion than you do?”

Given the outrageous scientific errors taught by ancient scholars and still held by contemporary scholars; given the blatant disregard for well known history, it is clear that the Koran did not originate from God.

Watch the compelling testimony of Nabeel Qureshi, a former Muslim, who accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord

Below is a testimony of Walid Shoebat, a former PLO terrorists, conversion to Jesus, along with a woman named Zamzam