Quran (القرآن) and Quran Tafsir with Islamic Shaykh Ali Gomaa (على جمعة): Evidence in Islam
Ali Gomaa discusses evidence in Islam.
In the last few episodes Ali Gomaa has been focusing on angels and it is clear he is not going to finish commenting on the entire chapter (surah). Maybe it would be better to refer to these episodes as Quranic theology and not interpretation (tafsir)? This is episode 17 of 19.
Ali Gomaa discusses Quran 6:9: angel Gabriel, proofs and evidence in Islam,
Quran 6:9
YUSUF ALI: If We had made it an angel, We should have sent him as a man, and We should certainly have caused them confusion in a matter which they have already covered with confusion.
PICKTHAL: Had we appointed him (Our messenger) an angel, We assuredly had made him (as) a man (that he might speak to men); and (thus) obscured for them (the truth) they (now) obscure.
SHAKIR: And if We had made him angel, We would certainly have made him a man, and We would certainly have made confused to them what they make confused.
Sheikh Ali Gomaa, the Angel Gabriel and importance of facts and evidence in Islam:
0:00-1:50
“In Surat Al-An’am in the Qur’an, Allah replies to the disbelievers who argue Prophet Muhammad asking him to let them see the angel who delivers the Prophet’s message and revelation, “And if We had made him an Angel, We would indeed have made him a man, and We would indeed have confounded for them whatever they are confounding.” Gomaa says, “When an angel is sent to Earth in his real image, it is for the purpose of torment and torture. If not, then this angel shall enter within the visible universe in the form of humans. Thus, their request will lose its main essence. They want to see the angel in his true form and to listen to him. This had sometimes happened with the Prophet (SAWS); to see Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) in his true form and listen to him. He said, “I went out and saw Jibril. His wings were blocking between the East and West.” If Jibril was to descent to Earth…for a reason other than revelation or punishment, then he shall enter within the visible universe transferred into a form of a man. Thus, what would they benefit?”
Ali Gomma discusses confusion
“If they saw that man, they would say that he is a stranger from the Prophet’s followers. There will be no miracle, no change, nothing. Confusion will remain their companion. Confusion is a mental status. A negative status. Its opposite is clarity, transparency, knowledge and honesty. Because when you are confused between two things, you mix them up and do not realize the realities in each of them and speak the untrue. Then, you become dishonest, not clear and not straightforward. Confusion is a status of crooked thinking. Its opposite is clarity which is the status of common sense.”
3:25-7:05
“Scholars have reflected on confusion as a trait of evil which confused people, conceals facts and disturbs sound thinking as an evil trait. When scholars wrote a book on such issue, they called it “Confusion Inflicted by Satan”. Satan confused people and distrubs their beliefs and makes them unable to think straight. Straight thinking means logical thinking and it tackles facts not illusions it works for the good not the evil. This person is seeking facts, not lusts, desires, impressions and narrow interests. Those are the causes of confusion to humans capriciousness and worldly interest are the reasons for confusion. Allah has repeatedly implicitly and explicitly ordered us to follow, evidence, argument, proof and certainty. Allah ordered us to think straight.”
Ali Gomma asserts that proof and evidence are the principles of Islam
“Many other religions and cultures do not stress such issue. The call for sound mind and straight thinking, the call for abandoning confusion and whims, abandoning personal interests and unwanted results. Why? Because proof and evidence are the principles of this religion. They are principles in both faith and the call for Islam.”
Quran, Confusion, Clarity, and the Crucifixion of Jesus
The Quran claims to be a clear book; however, the Quran is not clear in its denial of the historical event of Jesus’ death on the cross.
The angel that spoke to Muhammad contradicted previously validated revelation. He did this without proof or evidence. In fact, Muslims are “confused” and do not know or agree what really happened during the crucifixion. This confusion has also led to the kind of dishonesty as Ali Gomaa describes it above. One example of this confusion and dishonesty is when Muslims try proving Jesus did not die on the cross by appealing to the Gospel of Barnabas.
The opposite of confusion, according to Ali Gomaa, is clarity. And clarity is most definitely lacking in the Quran and Islam when it comes to the crucifixion.1
An-Nisa 4:157-158
157And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” — but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)]: 158But Allah raised him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.
Ali Gomaa stated, “Allah has repeatedly implicitly and explicitly ordered us to follow, evidence, argument, proof and certainty” (6:04-6:17). This is one reason Muslims should believe in Jesus and be baptized. The evidence, argument, proof, and certainty for Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection from the dead, and ascension into heaven is on the side of Christianity and not Islam.
You may also be interested to read:
Jesus’ Death on the Cross and the Quran
The Injil ≠ the Gospels
Related Quran Tafsir Posts:
- Quran 6:8-9, Continued Discussion about Angels (#16)
- Quran 6:10-11, Mocking and Irrational Thinking (#18)
Footnotes
- In the Bible, history is never revealed by angels but is always based upon eyewitness accounts passed down orally and by written record. Angels reveal the future, never the past. The Bible was written by 40 authors (from statesmen to fishermen) over the span of 1600 years (plus an even older oral history) in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe). By contrast, the Koran is based entirely upon what the prophet Mohammed said that an angel told him. His followers wrote down his teachings, and Muslims believe their writings were divinely inspired. Thus Mohammed suddenly, dramatically changed the historical records… (Matt Connally, “Holy Wars“)
