By Chaud
This PDF by Ergun is all about false propaganda , the title "Islam vs Grace" suggests that somehow Islam has no grace , this stems from Ergun Caner's ignorance of religion and the concept of grace in Islam.
There is a the concept of grace in Islam ; The Qur'an describe God as good. Speaking of Allah's favor, grace and kindness, the Qur'an uses words derived from the Arabic roots RDW[روض], FDL[فضل], LTF[لطف] and N'M[نِعَم]. According to the Qur'an Allah(swt) manifests his grace in spiritual and material blessings bestowed upon human beings. Allah is the constant giver (surah 3:6; 38:8; 52:28). Allah shows his common grace in the creation of man and all other creatures, including the angels (surah 15:29-35; 17:72; 38: 71-85).
One of the 99 excellent names of Allah(swt) is "Ar-Rahman" [الرحمن] which means "The Compassionate, The Beneficent, The Gracious" (source) ,The Qur'an emphasizes over and over again that Allah is "Merciful", the "sum of all that is good." Surah 7:156 even says "My mercy comprehends all."This common grace of Allah, his benevolent kindness towards creation.
One of the 99 excellent names of Allah(swt) is "Ar-Rahman" [الرحمن] which means "The Compassionate, The Beneficent, The Gracious" (source) ,The Qur'an emphasizes over and over again that Allah is "Merciful", the "sum of all that is good." Surah 7:156 even says "My mercy comprehends all."This common grace of Allah, his benevolent kindness towards creation.
Ergun fails to realize this , and thus he comes up with his ridiculous publication.
Under the title in Ergun's PDF you will see "ISLAM AND SALVATION BY WORKS" , one of the biggest misunderstandings of Islam ! only ignorant fools utter this , well I guess Ergun falls into that category.
Salvation in Islam depends on FAITH AND WORKS (GOOD DEEDS) , works without faith is meaningless , and faith without good deeds in hypocrisy (unless there are certain circumstances that prevent doing the works) , Sura 103 of the Quran teaches explicitly the concept of salvation in Islam:
Under the title in Ergun's PDF you will see "ISLAM AND SALVATION BY WORKS" , one of the biggest misunderstandings of Islam ! only ignorant fools utter this , well I guess Ergun falls into that category.
Salvation in Islam depends on FAITH AND WORKS (GOOD DEEDS) , works without faith is meaningless , and faith without good deeds in hypocrisy (unless there are certain circumstances that prevent doing the works) , Sura 103 of the Quran teaches explicitly the concept of salvation in Islam:
1. By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
2. Verily Man is in loss,
3. Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.
Does this sound like salvation by works ? verse 3 gives the first condition for salvation "faith" , it is the first requirement for anyone who wants to be saved , you don't even need reach this Sura , its written all over the Quran ! and somehow this "former devout Sunni Muslim" did not know this.
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
I've already shown the concept of salvation in Islam , and our salvation is not "based" on the scales , Ergun is so ignorant of Islam he only knows a few words and concepts , he knows the term "scales" , he searched the Quran for it and labeled it as our concept of salvation.
All Muslims know that the Shahada (our creed) and our faith outweighs any bad deed (except for shirk) , as long as you are sincere ,you have faith and proved that faith through your works , you are saved.
The 2 verses Ergun quotes are not an explicit teaching of salvation, they are narrating to us what will happen on the day of judgment.
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"Salvation based on a lifetime confession of faith in Allah and his messenger Muhammed (Surah 1:2-4).........Salvation based on a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.(Romans 10:9-13)"
Notice what Ergun did , he is making sure that the word "personal" is used in the Christian side of the comparison and uses the word "life long" with the Islamic side , does this man even know the conditions of the Shahada ? The Shahada is meaningless without these critical conditions :
1-Al-`Ilm [العلم]: Knowledge of the meaning of the Shahadah, its negation and affirmation.
2-Al-Yaqeen [اليقين]: Certainty – perfect knowledge of it that counteracts suspicion and doubt.
3-Al-Ikhlaas [الإخلاص]: Sincerity which negates shirk.
4-Al-Sidq [الصدق]: Truthfulness that permits neither falsehood nor hypocrisy.
5-Al-Mahabbah [المحبة]: Love of the Shahadah and its meaning, and being happy with it.
6-Al-Inqiad [الإنقياد]: Submission to its rightful requirements, which are the duties that must be performed with sincerity to God (alone) seeking His pleasure.
7-Al-Qubool [القبول]: Acceptance that contradicts rejection.
The second part of the Shahada carries several conditions as well:
1-To believe in the Prophet and in whatever he said and conveyed in his message as the seal of the prophets.
2-To obey him in whatever he commanded.
3-To stay away from or avoid whatever he commanded Muslims not to do.
4-To follow or emulate him in our 'ibadah (worship), akhlaq (manners), and way of life.
5-To love him more than you love yourself, your family and anything else in this world.
6-To understand, practice, and promote his Sunnah in the best way possible, without creating any chaos, enmity or harm.
All these conditions prove that the Muslim shahada is as personal as anything else.
Note : Ergun Caner does not know the Shahada as proven over here.
The verse Ergun refers to have nothing to do with the topic in hand , they does not mention prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
4. Master of the Day of Judgment. (Sura 1:2-4)
I have no idea why he referred to these verses , perhaps to give an impression that he can refer to something in order deceive the simple Christian reader.
"God is impersonal; therefore, obedience to the five pillars is most important.(Surah 2:277) "
We do not believe that God is impersonal and I am sick of this argument ! Christian Islamophobes , just because you believe that God committed suicide on a cross does not make him a personal God , you can claim and claim and claim , that will never make it true , you can call what you have a relationship , but Jesus never called it that nor do the 4 gospels , unlike what we find in the Quran :
"It was We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than his jugular vein." (Qur'an 50:16)
In a hadith Qudsi , Allah says if a believer comes to him walking , he comes to him running , if this is not a personal relationship I do not know what is , but it is defiantly not cosmic child abuse and murder.
The verse Ergun refers to actually refutes his whole case , Sura 2:277
"Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
This verse actually teaches the concept of salvation in Islam , there is the belief , the deeds , and the reward , I agree with the Ergun that this verse teaches that the pillars of Islam are important , but the pillars mean nothing if there is no faith.
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"God is personal and incarnate; therefore,relationship with our Heavenly Father is most important (Isaiah 9:6; John 20:28)"
Why did Ergun mention Isaiah 9:6 ? This verse does not prove that God is incarnate nor does it point to Jesus, for a detailed analysis of Isaiah 9:6 please read this.
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"Unconditional love based on the blood of Jesus Christ.(Romans 5:8)"
As a Muslim I do not claim that Allah (swt) loves everyone equally , but the claim that God unconditionally loves everyone is ABSURD , it's not logical nor is it biblical.
If God loves everyone unconditionally , why did he create hell ? why did he order the death of women and children in the Old Testament ? Does God love satan ? Does God love serial killers ? Christians might try to argue that God hates the sin not the sinner , well the bible does not support this claim at all.
4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
with you the wicked cannot dwell.
5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;
you hate all who do wrong.
6 You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
the LORD abhors. (Psalm 5:4-6)
23 You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. (Leviticus 20:23)
13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Romans 9:13)
What a great all loving God !
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"Heaven is pictured as men sitting on couches being served wine by perpetual virgins.
(Surah 4:57)"
This is only one image out of many , where are the verses on the gardens , the comfort , the hadiths ? yes Muslim men will be served wine and will enjoy MARRIAGE in heaven , so will women.
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"Allah only saves those whom he wants. (Surah 14:4)..........God saves all those who will receive Jesus Christ as Savior.(2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2; Luke 19:10)"
Lets quote the verse
"4. We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom."
Now the context is clear , Allah saves and leaves astray based on their reaction to his revelation , how is the different from the Christian perspective ?
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"Salvation is never guaranteed (outside of jihad and martyrdom).(Surah 3:157; Hadith 1.35)"
How many times do I have to explain the concept of salvation in Islam ? we as Muslims have the assurance that we are saved , because the promise of God is true and he promised salvation to all those have faith , but salvation is conditional , you must die a Muslim in order to be saved that is why we don't walk around shouting "we are saved !" , we do not know the future , perhaps I might commit apostasy , shirk , blasphemy....etc , only arrogant people like most evangelical Christians can make this absurd claim , because it contradicts the bible when it says :
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:2)Paul puts a condition for salvation , you must hold to the word he preached in order to be saved , this is not different from the Islamic perspective of conditional salvation.
Ergun Caner's PDF says :
"Muhammed himself did not know his eternal destiny. Why follow a man who does not know God’s plan for his eternal life? (Hadith 5.266)"
This claim is as false as it gets ! please consult this amazing article by Bassam Zawadi.
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