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7/31/2019 Christianity Answers - Final AAx
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Al Jamea Tus Saifiyah
Fatemi Answers to Christianity
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ChristianityChristianityChristianityChristianity
Overview
Part APart APart APart A:::: Kutub ul AllahKutub ul AllahKutub ul AllahKutub ul Allah
Divine revelation to the Prophets Bible Injil
o What is its format and how is it written?o The New Testament actual words of Isa?o Where is it today? Do Christians have an understanding of the true Injil?
Torah & Zaburo What is its format and how is it written?o What is the link between Injil and Torah? (Old Testament)o Where is today?
Quran and preceding revelationsPart B: Isa & ApostlesPart B: Isa & ApostlesPart B: Isa & ApostlesPart B: Isa & Apostles
Prophecies relating to the coming of Isa (in agreement with New Testament) The Birth of Isa (father?) The Crucifixion of Isa (Fatemi view) The Resurection of Isa (did it happen and what does it mean?) The status of the Apostles
Part C: Rasulullah and the Coming of IslamPart C: Rasulullah and the Coming of IslamPart C: Rasulullah and the Coming of IslamPart C: Rasulullah and the Coming of Islam
The Faith of Rasulullahs contemporaries before the advent of Islam The continuity of true Christianity through Islam (faith of mumineen before, same
message)
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Divine Revelation to AnbiyaDivine Revelation to AnbiyaDivine Revelation to AnbiyaDivine Revelation to AnbiyaASASASAS
There are a number of references to the nature of the divine books revealed to AnbiyaAS fromthe time of Adamto RasulullahSA. Syedna HatimRA reports Maulana Ali'sAS description of the
scriptures revealed to Adam, Shees, Idrees and IbrahimAS1. Many parts of the original texts
have been preserved in the scholarly works of the Fatemiyeen and their Duat. Ikhwan al-
Safa contains many extracts from ancient scrolls ascribed to the Anbiya and Aimmat from
pre-Islamic times. More recently, Syedna Taher Saifuddin has included translated extracts
from authentic religious scriptures present in the Dawat library, attributed to Adam, extracts
from the Zaboor of Dawood AS, the Tawrah and Injeel in some of his Rasail.
Syedna Hamiduddin al-KirmaniRA has differentiated between the revealed scriptures of
MusaAS, IsaAS and RasulullahSA and other minor treatisesof the Aimmat of their respective
eras like DawoodAS, DaniyalAS and IshaiahAS.2 All the revelations and missions of earlier
Anbiya and Aimmat are remembered and accorded due reverence.
The original revealed scriptures and works of Anbiya remained and remain till this
day, intact. The texts themselves are not corrupted, but rather the interpretation of them
has been subject to adulteration and change. Principally, all revelations inevitably required
the Nabi or Imam of the time to correctly interpret them. It was therefore when those who
claimed to follow them, sought to interpret their meanings independently, that corruption
ensued.
Furthermore, each revelation aside from the Quran, was intended for a specific people and
time. Each subsequent revelation would be adapted for the relevant mission at hand. At
times, previous revelations were annulled and at times, they were adapted.
What is important to understand is that this does not refer to a discontinuity of the faith, as
all Anbiya were sent by Allah, but rather the revelations the tools for propounding the
faith were adapted according to circumstances. However, the message, meaning and
1Al-Majalis al-Hatimiyah, Syedna Hatim bin Ibrahim RA, (Manuscript dated 1295H.) :
: ( )
2Risala al-Waziya fi Maalim al-Deen wa Usoolohu, Syedna Hamiduddin al-Kirmani
RA
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objectives were always the same. They may have differed in their exterior form, but at their
core they remained the same.
Therefore, yes, the Dawoodi Bohra faith of today, upholds and remains true to the essence of
all the divine revelations. Their message and meaning is embodied in the teachings of all the
Aimmat and Duat and followers of the faith live their lives accordingly.
Injeel/BibleInjeel/BibleInjeel/BibleInjeel/Bible
The Injil is mentioned several times in the Quran and is referred to as one of the many books
revealed by Allah to his prophets. As such, the existence of the Injil as the book of Allahcannot be refuted. The question really should be what formdoes the Injil take. Christians see
the Bible as a library of sorts, complete with its own poetry, prose, narratives, stories and
songs. However, Imam Mustansirs Baab ul Abwaab, Syedna Al Moaiyyad al Shiraazi,
provides a distinct definition as to what exactly is the Injil3:
The Injil is not Allahs verbatim word, as is the Quran, rather the Injil comprised of just four
kalema words which Isa then taught four of his disciples. These four kalema formed the
basis on which they essentially created a body of work, comprising of the scriptures, which
collectively, became to be known as the Injil. Isa AS provided the essence which served as
the source material for the apostles to build upon4.
3Kitab Asas al-Taweel, Syedna al-Qadi al-Numan RA
(.
:(4
Al-Majalis al-Moayyediya Majlis 44, Majlis 176, Majlis 190, Majlis 209, Majlis 257, Majlis 344, Majlis 388, Syedna
al-Moayyed al-ShiraziRA
.
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What is perhaps more pertinent to understand, is that the Word of Allah is not the
revealed book as such, but rather the Prophet/Nabi is himself, the embodiment of the Word
of Allah. Each one is the Word or Kalema/Kitaab ul Allah himself. This is clearly argued by
Syedna Al Qazi Al Noman in Asaas ul Taweel. It is through each Nabi that Allah
communicates his message and it is through virtue of his presence and existence that Allahs
message is transmitted to his people. By definition therefore, it is the Nabi and not the kitaab
per se, the Kitaab of Allah.
In that sense, what is contained in the New Testament or the Old Testament for that matter,
is not necessarily the exact words of Isa, but rather the compilation of the works of multiple
authors. The question therefore is the accuracy of the Injil. The veracity of the content
which Christianity, today, as a whole, recognises, is not one which can easily be determined.
However, what is apparent is that each Christian denomination recognises a different version
of the Bible. What one must note is that the sheer editions and varieties of the Bible today, is
ample evidence that the Bible, as recognized by Christians today, cannot be deemed the true
Injil, as otherwise there would only be one version. There may be aspects of it which come
close to reflecting the true revealed scripture, but to accept it as anything further than that,
would be a judgemental error. Syedna Qazi al Noman states clearly that what Christians hold
to be the Bible does not even bear any resemblance to its origin5. As previously mentioned, as
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5
:
.
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within every sect of religion, people chose to interpret divine scriptures independently of
those very Anbiya who were entrusted with the ensuring the sanctity of original text and its
accurate interpretation6.
The original Injil, as intended by Isa and his Hawaareeyeen is preserved within Imam ul
Zaman and by virtue, within every Dai. Whether there is an actual physical copy of the
accurate Injil is a question which only Moula TUS himself can answer. However, whether
there needs to be a physical copy to authenticate the existence of a bonafide copy of the true
Injil, is questionable, given that its true meaning and message is already preserved in the
Imam and Dai.
If the Injil is understood in this light, the question of whether and how and when Christiansmisinterpret the real Injil, becomes irrelevant, for it is apparent that the real Injil is not a
book but rather the one who is the true Word of Allah. The Quran becomes meaningless if
not conjoined with the acceptance of the one to whom it was revealed. This is true for every
kitaab which was revealed. The real Injil then becomes Imam ul Zaman, for he, in himself
encompasses the Word of Allah and all that has been revealed to mankind through every
Nabi from time immemorial. It is he who preserves the sanctity of the true message of Allah
and it is through his actions and instructions that that message is communicated to all of us.
In the time of his seclusion, it is his Dai through whom we can understand that message.
TTTTorah & Zuburorah & Zuburorah & Zuburorah & Zubur
The Torah is the book of Musa (Moses) and Zubur is that of Dawood (David). This has been
clearly indicated in the Quran7. Furthermore, Fatemi scholars have made various references
6There is ample historical evidence of how Christians from the time of early Christianity, have adapted, edited,
transalated what was considered by them to be the Bible. For example, by many Christians own admission, the
New Testament is an anthology, a collection of Christian works written in the common Greek language of the first
century, at different times by various writers, who were early Jewish disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. In almost all
Christian traditions today, the New Testament consists of 27 books. The original texts were written in the first and
second centuries of the Christian Era, most likely in Koine Greek, which was the common language of the Eastern
Mediterranean from the Conquests of Alexander the Great (335323 BC) till the evolution of Byzantine Greek (c.
600). All of the works which would eventually be incorporated into the New Testament would seem to have been
written no later than around 150 AD.
A good overview of the history of the Bible and its format, according to mainstream Christianity, can be found in
the link provided here. One can easily see how the original Injeel has been metamorphosed into innumerable
versions. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/texts/bible.shtml
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As alluded to previously, the exoteric form of all the revealed scriptures may contain
contradictions and conflicts. However, their esoteric meanings remain consistent. Having
understood true nature of the divine scriptures as previously discussed, it is apparent that the
Quran served as the final, most comprehensive and all encompassing revelation in a long line
of revealed scriptures, in the same way that Rasulullah was the final Natiqand with him, the
prophecies of the past were sealed.
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Part BPart BPart BPart B
Prophecies relating to the coming of IsaProphecies relating to the coming of IsaProphecies relating to the coming of IsaProphecies relating to the coming of Isa
Fatemi sources chronicle a number of prophecies concerning the advent of Nabi Isa AS, of his
conception, birth, life, ministry and death.10 The Quran itself dedicates a complete chapter to
Mariam AS (Mary) as well as other references to Isa throughout its chapters. Suffice to say
that the Fatemi accounts differ in many aspects from other Christian sources. The Quran has
compared the birth of Maulana Isa AS with that of Maulana Adam AS.11 Fatemi sources have a
unique explanation for both. The Rasail Ikhwan al-Safa and other Fatemi texts describe the
life and times of Maulana Isa AS and his mission12.
The question of whether these prophecies pertaining to the coming of Isa AS correspond
with what is accounted for in the New Testament, is irrelevant now that we have established
that contemporary accounts of the New Testament are fundamentally flawed. Generally
speaking, every Nabi since Adam AS, have foretold of the Anbiya which followed them. The
most important prophecy is of course the coming of Rasulullah AS and which is accounted
for in the Torah, Injil and other books. This is clearly mentioned in several places in the
Quran.
The crucifixion of Isa is a fact, which Syedna Al Qazi Al Noman has clearly indicated in his
works. There is a reference in the Quran which states that Isa was not killed nor crucified,
but rather people believed this to be the case13. This is not necessarily meant in a factual
sense, but more in a metaphorical sense. Isa AS said to those who crucified him that they
would kill his body and not his soul; it is in this sense that he was not killed or crucified. In
a waaz delivered by Moulana Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS, Moula recounts Isas shahadat:
Isa was crucified.nails were driven into his hands and his feet. His sacred body remained
on the crucifix from midday till the late afternoon..Isa had asked for water to quench his
10Kitab Muntaza al-Akhbar Vol.1, Sheikh Qutub Bhai. One of the interesting facts mentioned is that the duration of
Maulatuna MariyamsAS
pregnancy was only six months.11
Al-Quran al-Kareem (3:59)12
Kitab al-Himma, Syedna al-Qadi al-NumanRA
and Kitab Tanbih al-Gafileen, Syedna Hatim bin IbrahimRA
13 -
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thirst and instead was given vinegar. Isa sought shahadat (martyrdom) and when he was
buried, the sun was eclipsed and tremors shook the earth.14
Resurrection of every human beings body and soul on the Day of Judgement is a basic tenet
of all monotheist religions. The elevation of Maulana Isa AS to the heavens is similar to the
elevation of IdreesAS and IbrahimAS. The resurrection is also a historical reality. In yet
another waaz, Moula narrated it thus: After Isas death, he appeared on Mount
Zaitoon..Isa had already informed of his reappearance beforehand..Shamoon (Simon)
and his other disciples were also present.Isa spoke with them and asked Shamoon what he
thought Isa was, to which Shamoon replied, You are not God, yet you are not of flesh and
blood. Shamoon instructed all those who were present to look in every direction and when
they did, they saw that Isa was everywhere.15 This relates to the specific resurrection of Isa,
but Fatemi esotericism also highlights the resurrection of people during the Day of
Judgement.
14
)--:(
15 ..
.
.
--:( )
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Many texts mention and explain the reasons behind the deliberate celibacy adopted by
Maulana Isa AS. For instance Syedna al-Qadi al-Numan in his esoteric work, Kitab Taweel al-
Daaim has discussed this at length in the context of fasting. Miyasaheb Saifee Saheb in Kitab
al-Najah has also described the celibate state preferred by Maulana Isa AS with a careful
analysis of the reasons which led him to do so. Maulana Isa AS was celibate and never married
and thus had no offspring.
The resurrection is also a historical reality. In yet another Waaz, Moula narrated it thus:
After Isas death, he appeared on Mount Zaitoon..Isa had already informed of his
reappearance beforehand..Shamoon (Simon) and his other disciples were also present.Isa
spoke with them and asked Shamoon what he thought Isa was, to which Shamoon replied,
You are not God, yet you are not of flesh and blood. Shamoon instructed all those who
were present to look in every direction and when they did, they saw that Isa was
everywhere. This relates to the specific resurrection of Isa, but Fatemi esotericism also
highlights the resurrection of people during the Day of Judgement. The detail of this can be
found in various texts, subject to Raza (permission) from Moula.
The Status of the ApostlesThe Status of the ApostlesThe Status of the ApostlesThe Status of the Apostles
The Hawareyeen, as the Apostles are know, were the disciples chosen by Isa. Christian and
Islamic sources say there were twelve original Hawareyeen. The number corresponds with
the number of disciples chosen by other Anbiya and Aimmat to propagate their teachings.
The disciples of Maulana Isa AS are mentioned both in esoteric and general Fatemi works.
Rasail Ikhwan al-Safa also describe the background of some of them and their missions. They
were instructed to travel and preach to various nations and prepare for the advent of the last
Messenger, Rasulullah SA. Some of them were martyred and others died of natural causes. The
Apostles are referred to in the Quran as well as other Fatemi texts which detail the nature ofthe relationship between them and Isa and his specific instructions to them.16
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Syedna Hamiduddin al-Kirmani RA 17 mentions some of the writings ascribed to the disciples
as being authoritative and trustworthy. However it is clear that his reference is to the
uncorrupted original writings.
The main role of the Apostles was to act as the disciples of Isa. They sought to assist in his
mission to bring people closer to Allah, through their own teachings and by their own
actions. Syedna Al Qazi Al Noman does refer, albeit briefly, to the betrayal of some of them.
Their teachings would be trusted as long as they remained steadfast and true to Isa. What is
important is that the message of Isa AS, as well as all the other prophets before him, are all in
perfect harmony with the essence of what Rasulullah AS brought. The forms may differ and
vary, but the message and faith at the heart of it, is one which is consistent and unified and is
indicative of a common purpose, for the source is one.
17Risala al-Waziya fi Maalim al-Deen wa Usoolohu, Syedna Hamiduddin al-Kirmani RA
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Part CPart CPart CPart C
The Coming of Rasulullah and the Advent of IslamThe Coming of Rasulullah and the Advent of IslamThe Coming of Rasulullah and the Advent of IslamThe Coming of Rasulullah and the Advent of Islam
All the Anbiya based their code of laws (Shariat) on the same basic principle of Tawheed.
The laws, practices and form of worship differed, but the essential meaning was uniform.
Fatemi texts elaborate that all previous Shara'ih were developments leading to the final form
of Islam, which alone is the final and complete code of life, similar to the foetal development
of a child; each revelation, each Nabi and each Shariah, sought to build on the foundations of
its predecessor, not to negate it, even though that may be the perception.
The Fatemi creed holds that the coming of the major Anbiya (Nutaqa) like Maulana Nooh AS,
Maulana Ibrahim AS, Maulana Musa AS, Maulana Isa AS and Maulana Mohammed SA was
heralded and foretold in the scriptures and writings of the Anbiya and Aimmat preceding
them. After the passing of each of Anbiya, the true followers remained a small minority and
were persecuted for their beliefs. However, through the correct understanding of revealed
scriptures and teachings of each Nabi, they knew of the coming of each subsequent Nabi.
Fatemi chronicles narrate and report how some individuals and groups welcomed the
mission of Musa AS, Isa AS and Rasulullah SA wholeheartedly. The coming of Isa AS was
anticipated and awaited by the true followers from Musa's AS era. Similarly, there were those
of Isa's AS mission who welcomed Rasulullah SA despite the majority of Christians who
rejected the prophecies relating to the arrival of RasulullahSA.
Thus the true followers of Musa AS entered the mission of Maulana Isa AS; the ones abstaining
remained part of the sects of Judaism; the true followers of Isa AS accepted Rasulullah SA while
the abstaining majority adhered to their own brand of Christianity, dividing and subdividing
into numerous sects.
Many Fatemi texts dealing with the history of the Dawat like Sherh al-Akhbar and Uyun al-
Akhbar, chronicle how certain wise and learned ecclesiastics from amongst the followers ofIsa AS awaited the advent of Rasulullah SA in various parts of the world18. On learning of the
18Prominent examples are that of Buhaira the monk and Waraqa bin Nawfal. The latter was a relative of Khadija
AS, Rasulullahs AS wife and he encouraged her to get married to him, as he had evidence that Rasulallah AS was
the Nabi whose coming had been prophesised in Christian scriptures.
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beginning of his mission they hastened towards him and after giving the traditional oath
remained in his service. Others reached Madina after Rasulullahs SA demise and entered the
Dawat at the hands of his Wasi. There are numerous accounts of many true Christians who
entered Imanand served Dawat faithfully. A certain percentage of the Shia was composed of
earlier true Christians. However their number was small as the majority was composed of
pagan polytheists who refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Imamat. The historical
records also narrate how the true Christians presented scrolls of writings in their possession
predicting the forthcoming mission of Rasulullah SA to Maulana Ali AS when they
encountered him. Syedna Moayyid has argued in depth as to how and why those Jews and
Christians who rejected the legitimacy of the Isa and Rasulullah respectively, were flawed in
their logic. They assumed that they Isa and Rasulullah sought to abrogate and erase thefaith of their predecessors, whereas in actuality, they sought to build on their predecessors
foundations19.
):(
19
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With specific reference to Moulana Abdul Muttalib and Moulana Abdullah, they were the
descendents of Ibrahim AS. They were Imams in their own right and were on the right path.
( ) :