According to the Qur’an (2:83), God told the Israelites that “Neither flesh nor blood reaches God. What is your response?
Question:
According to the Qur’an (sura 2:83), God made a covenant with the Israelites: “Worship none but God; and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy; and speak nicely to people; and pray regularly, and give alms.” But no mention of sin-offering sacrifices as having God’s sanction. The Qur’an says (sura 22:37): “Neither the flesh nor the blood (of animals) reaches God. What reaches him is the piety from you. Thus, he subdued them to you, that you may glorify God for guiding you.” What is your response?
Answer:
It is worth noting that Muhammad was a false prophet. There is plenty of evidence for this claim. Therefore, whatever he said has no authority from God attached to it. Muhammad can express his opinion all he likes, but his opinion does not equal truth. There is no evidence that Muhammad is a prophet. He did no miracles. He made no prophecies which were later fulfilled. He was a violent person, who pursued many wars. He married more than two dozen women, including some girls who were not even to the age of puberty. He ordered the massacre of hundreds of Jews. If he tells us that, in his opinion, the blood of animals has no effect with God, then he is wrong.
Besides, Muhammad made it clear that God’s words to the Jews were inspired. In several suras, he told his followers that God spoke to the Jews through their prophets. (for example in sura 5:46 we find, “And We gave him the Injil, wherein is guidance and light, confirming that which was revealed before it in the Torah.”)
In particular, Muhammad acknowledged Moses as a prophet. Well, that creates a problem for the statement by Muhammad above, as Moses made it clear that the blood of bulls, goats, and sheep can be used in the Jewish tabernacle/temple to take away sins. Who will we believe? The Old Testament, with all of its prophets, miracles, prophecies fulfilled, or Muhammad who told us that the Old Testament is authoritative and inspired, yet that same Bible rather blatantly contradicts what Muhammad said, including the quote you use above? The answer is clear. Muhammad is a false prophet whose words carry absolutely no authority.
In particular, Muhammad acknowledged Moses as a prophet. Well, that creates a problem for the statement by Muhammad above, as Moses made it clear that the blood of bulls, goats, and sheep can be used in the Jewish tabernacle/temple to take away sins. Who will we believe? The Old Testament, with all of its prophets, miracles, prophecies fulfilled, or Muhammad who told us that the Old Testament is authoritative and inspired, yet that same Bible rather blatantly contradicts what Muhammad said, including the quote you use above? The answer is clear. Muhammad is a false prophet whose words carry absolutely no authority.
John Oakes
