Prophets:
How they are Treated in the Bible and the Quran
Distinction between Nabi & Rasool
It will be useful for us at the start of this discourse to understand the difference between the Titles of Nabi (Prophet) & Rasool (Messenger) in the Islamic Context.
Islamic belief holds that Each and Every Prophet sent by God was given a Revelation either by way of a fullsome Book or a short form in the way of a parchment. All of them are guide books.
To begin with, these guide books were meant solely for the guidance of the Prophet concerned in how to conduct their life.
later on as human population expanded, some of these Prophets who were given substantial revelations, were then “selected” and “Sent” and “instructed” to Teach and Expound those revelations to their families, neighbours and Tribes. These are known as Rasools (Messengers).
Thus, every Rasool (Messenger) is a Nabi but not every Nabi is a Rasool.
The verse of the Quran that Testifies to Prophet Mohammad’s dual role of being a Prophet(Nabi) and a Messeneger(Rasool) states this in the following words that:
Prophets by Definition are the conveyors of God’s Message and as such they are Guided and as doers of good they are rewarded by God. So, there is no way that any one of them will drink themselves to nudity, or worship Other Gods besides the God whose message they are delivering or ask people to worship other deities besides God or fornicate or commit incest as seems to be trend to attribute such offences to them by the human authors of a present day scripture put on the lips of Jesus. If this scripture was truly the word of God rather than being a human venture which it most likely appears to be, then God will not accuse his own messengers of such serious crimes which would draw sever punishment in a worldly human court.
Many Prophets in the Bible have been degraded as worshippers of False Gods and the Bible also alledges that some of them committed incest, rape and adultery. Are we then to believe that some of the Prophets of God, (God Forbid) fail to come up to the standards of behaviour…? If so, then why is the Bible Eulogising them at some places referring to quotes from them and then at some other places it is debasing the same Prophets describing in some graphic details their alleged raunchy behaviour including such abhorrent acts such as Rape, Incest and Adultery , very strange indeed…!!!! Debauchery and such degrading behaviour run contrary to the concept of Prophethood in every respect.
The Quran testifies to the Pious nature of all the prophets in the following verses:
2:130 And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous.
Thus, the religions conveyed by various Prophets including Prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad were the same message including the religion of Abraham. The Quran emphasises the originality of the Faiths of the various Prophets be it of Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus and Mohammad –Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon all of them. They all called for steadfastness in Religion and preached against making divisions within their religion.
Worship as preached by all the Prophets (including by Jesus the Son-of-Mary) was that of Allah, however, this becomes very hard to follow for those who worship other things than Allah. But for those who incline towards Allah then He draws such people nearer to him and depending on the sincerity of the efforts of the travellers on the path towards Allah He selects the best of such to himself.(Quran 42 :13)
Prophet Mohammad describing his Miraculous Night Journey to Paradise where he met the various Prophets at different levels of Paradise states as follows:
Malik bin Sasaa said that Allah’s Apostle described to them his Night Journey saying, “While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here.” I asked Al-Jarud who was by my side, “What does he mean?” He said, “It means from his throat to his pubic area,” or said, “From the top of the chest.” The Prophet further said, “He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled (with Belief) and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me.” (On this Al-Jarud asked, “Was it the Buraq, O Abu Hamza?” I (i.e. Anas) replied in the affirmative). The Prophet said, “The animal’s step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal’s sight. I was carried on it, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven.
When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel answered, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has Muhammad been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’
Meeting With Adam
The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam there. Gabriel said (to me). ‘This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.’ Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel answered, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel answered in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened.
Meeting With Jesus(Issa) and John The Baptist (Yahya)
When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and ‘Issa (i.e. Jesus) who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said (to me), ‘These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.’ So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’
Meeting With Joseph (Yousef)
Then Gabriel ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!’ The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Joseph. Gabriel said(to me), ‘This is Joseph; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’
Meeting With Idris.
Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!’
The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Idris. Gabriel said (to me), ‘This is Idris; pay him your greetings.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’
Meeting With Aaron (Harun)
Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fifth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked. ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is! So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Harun (i.e. Aaron), Gabriel said, (to me). This is Aaron; pay him your greetings.’ I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’
Meeting With Moses
Then Gabriel ascended with me to the sixth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked. ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative. It was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’
When I went (over the sixth heaven), there I saw Moses. Gabriel said (to me),’ This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ When I left him (i.e. Moses) he wept. Someone asked him, ‘What makes you weep?’ Moses said, ‘I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.’
Meeting With Abraham (Ibrahim)
Then Gabriel ascended with me to the seventh heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked,’ Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!’
So when I went (over the seventh heaven), there I saw Abraham. Gabriel said (to me), ‘This is your father; pay your greetings to him.’ So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.’
Ascend To Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (The utmost Boundary)
Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary) Behold! Its fruits were like the jars of Hajr (i.e. a place near Medina) and its leaves were as big as the ears of elephants. Gabriel said, ‘This is the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary). Behold! There ran four rivers, two were hidden and two were visible, I asked, ‘What are these two kinds of rivers, O Gabriel?’ He replied,’ As for the hidden rivers, they are two rivers in Paradise and the visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.’
The Sacred House and The First Enjoining of Prayers For Muslims, and Milk, a similitude for the Islamic Faith
Then Al-Bait-ul-Ma’mur (i.e. the Sacred House) was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel remarked, ‘This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following.’ Then the prayers were enjoined on me: They were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses who asked (me), ‘What have you been ordered to do?’ I replied, ‘I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.’ Moses said, ‘Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah, I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers’ burden.’ So I went back, and Allah reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to Allah and He reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses he said the same, I went back to Allah and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back to Allah and was ordered to observe five prayers a day.
When I came back to Moses, he said, ‘What have you been ordered?’ I replied, ‘I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.’ He said,’ Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your follower’s burden.’ I said, ‘I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah’s Order.’ When I left, I heard a voice saying, ‘I have passed My Order and have lessened the burden of My Worshipers.”
Many people don’t know that John The Baptist also is a very highly revered Prophet in Islam known to Muslims by the name Yahya.
Old and Barren yet they still had a miraculous baby.
Like Jesus, Prophet John’s Birth was also announced by an Angel, and again like Jesus he (John) is accorded the status of a “Word” from God, and Like Jesus once again, John’s Birth was also by way of a miracle because his father Zakariya had reached an advanced age when it was not possible to father any offspring and besides Zakariya’s wife had also gone barren, so from the worldly point of view there was no chance of them producing any child. However, despite these drawbacks, Zakariya had a Faith and Trust in God far above most people of his days for he still stood up in prayer and supplicated to God to Grant him a Goodly Offspring, so fats is God’s response to the supplications of pious people that whilst Zakariya was still standing in prayer in the chamber, Angel Gabriel (Known to Muslims by the name Gibra’eel) descend with the good news announcing the birth of a son whose name was also assigned as Yahya who would confirm the word from Allah and who will be Lordly, Chaste and a PROPHET of the Righteous, But such is the feeble human mind, that after showing supreme Trust in Allah of Supplicating for a Son despite his advanced age and despite the fact that his wife was barren, he then let slip his guard, and as the Angel announced the glad tidings of a son to hi he then wondered How he could have a son because of his advanced age and the baroness of his wife, the Angel then replied: Allah does what he wills. Whenever, God wishes for something He just says to it BE AND IT COMES INTO EXISTANCE.
John the Baptist Beheaded
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
6On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much
7that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
10and had John beheaded in the prison.
11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
In comparison, this is how Quran talks about Prophet Yahya (John The Baptist) & Other Prophets.
3:39 While he was standing in prayer in the chamber, the angels called unto him: “(Allah) doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya, witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah, and (be besides) noble, chaste, and a prophet,- of the (goodly) company of the righteous.”
3:46 “He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”
3:114 They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous.
29:27 And We gave (Abraham) Isaac and Jacob, and ordained among his progeny Prophethood and Revelation, and We granted him his reward in this life; and he was in the Hereafter (of the company) of the Righteous
6:85 And Zakariya and John, and Jesus and Elias: all in the ranks of the righteous:
9:75 Amongst them are men who made a covenant with Allah, that if He bestowed on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity, and be truly amongst those who are righteous.
16:122 And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the Righteous.
21:75 And We admitted him to Our Mercy: for he was one of the Righteous.
21:86 We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.
29:27 And We gave (Abraham) Isaac and Jacob, and ordained among his progeny Prophethood and Revelation, and We granted him his reward in this life; and he was in the Hereafter (of the company) of the Righteous.
37:112 And We gave him the good news of Isaac – a prophet,- one of the Righteous.
68:50 Thus did his Lord choose him and made him of the Company of the Righteous.
Prophet Mohammad had met Prophet Yahya (John The Baptist) during his miraculous Night Journey to Paradise. He narrated this meeting in the following words:
Meeting With Jesus(Issa) and John The Baptist (Yahya)
When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and ‘Issa (i.e. Jesus) who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said (to me), ‘These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.’ So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, ‘You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.’
Now Let us look at How the Bible has treated some of the Prophets:
In Genesis 9:23-24
Noah is shown to have been drunk to the point of being naked in front of his grownup sons. The actual verse from Genesis describes this alleged scene in the following way:
“And Shem and Japhet took a garment, and laid it upon their shoulders and walked backwards(as if to avoid the embarrassment of seeing their father naked) and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him” …
What appears is, that the Biblical narration is trying to suggest that the sons of Noah were more pious than Noah himself in that they tried to cover his nakedness by a garment and they tried to avoid seeking his nakedness by walking backwards.
Do you really believe that a Prophet of God can be drunk out of his mind whilst his sons show much more etiquettes and piety and try to cover the Prophet’s nudity?
This is what the Quran Says About Prophet Noah known to Muslims as Prophet Nooh…
3:33 Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ‘Imran above all people,-
4:163 We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah
and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.
6:84 We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good:
7:59 We sent Noah to his people. He said: “O my people! worship Allah. ye have no other god but Him. I fear for you the punishment of a dreadful day!
9:70 Hath not the story reached them of those before them?- the People of Noah, and ‘Ad, and Thamud; the People of Abraham, the men of Midian, and the cities overthrown. To them came their apostles with clear signs. It is not Allah Who wrongs them, but they wrong their own souls.
11:32 They said: “O Noah! Thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatens us with, if thou speaks the truth!?”
11:25 We sent Noah to his people (with a mission): “I have come to you with a Clear Warning:
11:36 It was revealed to Noah: “None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.
11:42 So the Ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest): “O my son! Embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!”
11:45 And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: “O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!”
11:48 The word came: “O Noah! Come down (from the Ark) with peace from Us, and blessing on thee and on some of the peoples (who will spring) from those with thee: but (there will be other) peoples to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from Us.”
11:89 “And O my people! let not my dissent (from you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of the people of Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lot far off from you!
12:109 Nor did We send before thee (as apostles) any but men, whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what the end of those before them was? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand?
14:9 Has not the story reached you, (O people!), of those who (went) before you? – of the people of Noah, and ‘Ad, and Thamud? – And of those who (came) after them? None knows them but Allah. To them came apostles with Clear (Signs); but they put their hands up to their mouths, and said: “We do deny (the mission) on which ye have been sent, and we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which ye invite us.”
16:43 And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
17:3 O ye that are sprung from those whom We carried (in the Ark) with Noah! Verily he was a devotee most grateful.
17:17 How many generations have We destroyed after Noah? and enough is thy Lord to note and see the sins of His servants.
19:58 Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of ((Allah)) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.
21:7 Before thee, also, the apostles We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
21:25 Not an apostle did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.
21:76 (Remember) Noah, when he cried (to Us) aforetime: We listened to his (prayer) and delivered him and his family from great distress.
22:42 If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the peoples before them (with their prophets),- the People of Noah, and ‘Ad and Thamud;
23:23 (Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, “O my people! worship Allah. Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?”
25:37 And the people of Noah,- when they rejected the apostles, We drowned them, and We made them as a Sign for mankind; and We have prepared for (all) wrong-doers a grievous Penalty;-
26:116 They said: “If thou desist not, O Noah! thou shalt be stoned (to death).”
26:105 The people of Noah rejected the apostles.
26:106 Behold, their brother Noah said to them: “Will ye not fear ((Allah))?
29:14 We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin.
33:7 And remember We took from the prophets their covenant: As (We did) from thee: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant:
37:75 (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.
37:79 “Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!”
38:12 Before them (were many who) rejected apostles,- the people of Noah, and ‘Ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes,
40:5 But (there were people) before them, who denied (the Signs),- the People of Noah, and the Confederates (of Evil) after them; and every People plotted against their prophet, to seize him, and disputed by means of vanities, therewith to condemn the Truth; but it was I that seized them! and how (terrible) was My Requital!
40:31 “Something like the fate of the People of Noah, the ‘Ad, and the Thamud, and those who came after them: but Allah never wishes injustice to his Servants.
42:13 The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah – the which We have sent by inspiration to thee – and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
50:12 Before them was denied (the Hereafter) by the People of Noah, the Companions of the Rass, the Thamud
51:46 So were the People of Noah before them for they wickedly transgressed.
53:52 And before them, the people of Noah, for that they were (all) most unjust and most insolent transgressors,
54:9 Before them the People of Noah rejected (their apostle): they rejected Our servant, and said, “Here is one possessed!”, and he was driven out.
57:26 And We sent Noah and Abraham, and established in their line Prophethood and Revelation: and some of them were on right guidance. But many of them became rebellious transgressors.
66:10 Allah sets forth, for an example to the Unbelievers, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lut: they were (respectively) under two of our righteous servants, but they were false to their (husbands), and they profited nothing before Allah on their account, but were told: “Enter ye the Fire along with (others) that enter!”
71:26 And Noah, said: “O my Lord! Leave not of the Unbelievers, a single one on earth!
71:1 We sent Noah to his People (with the Command): “Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Penalty.”
71:21 Noah said: “O my Lord! They have disobeyed me, but they follow (men) whose wealth and children give them no increase but only Loss.
Genealogy of Jesus Planned generations in advance.
The Genealogy and Chronology of the Birth of Jesus had been worked out generations in advance when his Grand Mother was found to be with a child she thought it would be a baby boy, and in line with that expectation of those days, she had Vowed to dedicate that “male” child to the service of God, however, God’s plans were worked out well in advance and God’s knowledge is not always known or comprehended by human beings, so when Jesus’ Grand Mother gave birth, she was very surprised to find that she had delivered a “Female” child MARRY who as we all know very well, then in turn gave birth to Jesus, and Jesus’ Grand mother even raised the matter of this un-expected turn of events with God. The unfolding of these events is described in the Quran in the following way:
3:35 Behold! a woman of ‘Imran said: “O my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things.”
3:36 When she was delivered, she said: “O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!”- and Allah knew best what she brought forth- “And no wise is the male Like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected.”
3:37 Right graciously did her Lord accept her: He made her grow in purity and beauty: To the care of Zachariah was she assigned. Every time that he entered (Her) chamber to see her, He found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Mary! Whence (comes) this to you?” She said: “From Allah. for Allah Provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure.”
66:12 And Mary the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants).
SOLOMON: in The Bible.
The Bible accuses Solomon not only of having a large Harem but also of worshipping Gods other than the One and True God. It is incredible that the Bible is on the one hand honouring some one as a Prophet but with a slight of hand is accusing the same Prophet of having illicit relations with women to whom he is not legally married. With what frame of mind did the authors of the Bible decide to level this accusation on to a man chosen by God? did it not occur to them that, had this been true then God would not have chosen such a man to be his Prophet on earth, besides, are the authors of the Bible not aware of the divine power of working out plans that do not imply a random selection from amongst men for the post of a Prophet but they often indicate a well thought out plan worked out in some cases generations before.
SOLOMON in The Quran:
The Quran mentions a letter that Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) wrote to the Queen of Saba (Sheba) inviting her to embrace Islam. As is the custom in every faith, correspondences and documents start with a religious incantation which reflects the faith of the writer, and this letter which Prophet Sulaiman(Solomon) wrote started with the Pronouncement that “This Letter from Sulaiman, Is In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful” Quran…
27:30 “It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful”.
These words “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, and Most Merciful…” being the very first verse of the Quran is also the pronouncement made ahead of any venture or undertaking by Muslims. The fact that even Prophet Sulaiman(Solomon) was making this Pronouncement at the head of his letter indicates the Muslim Claim that All Prophets came to teach the same Religion of Unity of God the Creator and Sustainer.
This Commonality of Faith of All the Prophets is highlighted frequently in the Quran. In respect of Prophets Sulaiman(Solomon) and his father Dawood (David) it confirms the knowledge that was grated to them and it refers to the worship offered by them and the favours showered on them which were more than those granted to most other believers of their time. The Praise and Prayers to Allah offered by Sulaiman (Solomon) and Dawood (David) are quoted in the following verse of the Quran…
27:15 We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: “Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!”
One of the miracles vouchsafed by Allah to Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) was that he was able to converse with animals birds and insects, being able to speak to each in their own speech and fully able to understand what each were saying to one another so that he could interact with them and conduct his affairs with due consideration to their feelings. This amazing ability of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) is mentioned in the Quran in the following verse.
27:16 And Solomon was David’s heir. He said: “O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)”
Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) held sway over not just men and animals but he had command over Jinns(Genies) as well. This is mentioned in the Quran in the following verse….
27:17 And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts, – of Jinns (Genies) and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.
The ability that Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) had of understanding the speech of Animals, Birds and Insects is the central theme of a beautiful story when on one occasion, he and his hosts were marching during a journey when their approach was seen by a colony of ants who feared that due to their tiny size they might not be seen by the column of marching soldiers who could therefore crush them under their feet without even being aware that they have done so, one of the ants raised an alarm about the impending danger. Even though the volume of conversations between ants is at a frequency below the level of audibility of humans, because of the gift granted by Allah to Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), not only could he hear that alert given out by the ant to all the other ants in the colony but he could also understand it’s speech such that he smiled and was amused by the speech of that ant. Most other people in such a situation, would be puffed up with pride at their ability to not only hear but understand as well the conversations between ants, but not so Sulaiman (Solomon), despite all the gifts and prowess, as a true Prophet of Allah he was humbled by all the powers that were granted to him such that he supplicated to God for being ordained to be Grateful for all the favours granted not only to him but to his parents as well and asked Allah to ensure that he does deeds that will please Allah and that he sought to be admitted to the company of those servants of Allah who are doers of right deeds, a goal that can achieved only by those who have been enveloped by God in His Mercy.
The Quran narrates this beautiful story of the ants and Prophet Sulaiman’s (Solomon’s) humility and his supplication to Allah for Righteousness in the following verses.
27:18 At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: “O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it.”
27:19 So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: “O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants.”
The Story of the Letter that prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) wrote to the Queen of Saba (Sheeba) starts with a muster that Sulaiman took of the persons, animals, birds Jinns (Genies) under his command. At this gathering he found that the bird hoopoe was absent, so he enquired about the bird who was not far away. Turning up at the gathering, the hoopoe explained his absence by narrating where he had been and what it had seen.
The bird stated that it had been to Saba (Sheeba) where he saw a Queen ruling over that land. The people of Saba, said the bird, had been provided with plenty of every thing that they needed, and the towering glory of all their wealth and possessesions was a most magnificent throne that it had ever seen belonging to the Queen. However, the material wealth of those people was not due to a favour from God for their piety, but most likely was as a punishment from God blind folding them to the errors of their ways for they were given to worshipping the Sun apart from Allah. This was a boon to Satan who ensured that they remained on the misguided path by making their deeds pleasing to them ensuring that they were kept away from God’s path, and because of their subservience to Satan, they received no guidance from Allah. Thus, Satan ensured that those people of Saba (Sheeba) did not worship Allah, when it is Allah who manifests what He chooses to manifest from amongst those things that are hidden in the heavens and the earth, and it is indeed Allah who knows all that people conceal in their hearts and minds and records also what people choose to reveal. And, whilst Queen Sheeba’s throne may be magnificent by human and creature perceptions, but the magnificence of God’s Throne is beyond any one’s comprehension and it is the Throne that is Most Supreme, for He God is One and He is Incomparable.
The above, is narrated by Allah in the following verses of the Quran….
27:20 And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: “Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?
27:22 But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: “I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba (Sheeba) with tidings true.
27:23 “I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.
27:24 “I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah. Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive no guidance,-
27:25 “(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.
27:26 “(Allah)!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!”
Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) decides to send a letter to the Queen of Sheeba.
On hearing the hoopoe’s tale, Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) decides to send a letter to the Queen of Sheeba. He gives that letter to the Hoopoe and asks him to deliver it to her, instructing the Hoopoe to draw back from the Queen and her people and wait to see what answer is given to that letter in return.
When the Queen of Sheeba sees the letter, she finds it contains the following words
“It is from Sulaiman: In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most merciful. Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission to the true religion.”
The Queen finds the contents of that letter so interesting that she decides that it deserves to be treated with respect and she shows it to her Ministers and sought their advice on the contents. It had been her custom to never decide on anything except in their presence and after seeking their advice.
Her prosperity, wealth and the magnificence of her throne sent her thoughts wandering about the practice of Kings who when they entered a country would behave by despoiling it making the noblest of it’s people the meanest, in her mind she was thinking aloud and wondered, should she accept Sulaiman’s (Solomon’s) then is this how she should behave as well?
There was however one other well established practice that has been maintained throughout various eras, and that was to exchange emissaries first to test the water before posturing aggressively or taking any large scale invasive action. Queen Sheeba opted for that tradition. She decided to send Ambassadors with impressive gifts to Prophet Sulaiman. The implied message through those impressive gifts was that she was powerful and wealthy and able to overwhelm most.
When her ambassadors arrived at Prophet Sulaiman’s place bearing the gifts, they got an entirely different reaction from him which was at odds with what they were expecting from him. Sulaiman being a Prophet of Allah knew well that He ALLAH is the ultimate provider of every thing to every one, and that which Allah can give is far superior to all the gold, silver and every precious material on earth put together.
As an act of brinkmanship, Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) then decided to get to himself one of the prime item of possessions of Queen Sheeba, namely her magnificent throne.
Addressing his Chiefs, he asked for volunteers for the task of seizing and delivering to him the throne of Queen Sheeba. Such a momentous task was well beyond the capabilities of even the most powerful of military commanders. The task involved not only seizing of the throne, but to deliver it to Prophet Sulaiman before the arrival of the Queen and her entourage – a task beyond the capabilities of human venture.
However, Prophet Sulaiman had command over Jinns (genies) as well, and the Jinns can perform miraculous tasks (only with the permission of Allah) like moving of mountains and they are able to travel at speeds greater than the speed of light, but even amongst Jinns the powers possessed can vary from one Jinn to another. Hence, one of the Jinns who was called Ifrit, present in the armoury of Prophet Sulaiman offered to do the task before the assembly in which this matter was being discussed arose, However, another of the Jinn who was more knowledgeable claimed that he could perform the task even quicker than that, this Jin offered to seize the throne of Queen Sheeba and bring it to Prophet Sulaiman before the twinkling of the eye, and he did just that.
When Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) saw the Throne of Queen Sheeba placed before him, he said:
“This is by the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour !” (Quran 27 : 40)
The above events are narrated in the Quran in the following verses:
27:27 (Solomon) said: “Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!
27:28 “Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return”…
27:29 (The queen) said: “Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me – a letter worthy of respect.
27:30 “It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:
27:31 “‘Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'”
27:32 She said: “Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence.”
27:34 She said: “Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave.
27:35 “But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors.”
27:36 Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: “Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift!
27:38 He said (to his own men): “Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?”
27:39 Said an ‘Ifrit, of the Jinns: “I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted.”
27:40 Said one who had knowledge of the Book: “I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!” Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour !”
Arrival of Queen Sheeba At Prophet Sulaiman’s Palace:
Prophet Sulaiman wanted to test if Queen Sheeba is in receipt of divine guidance or not, so he asked the Jinn (genie) who had brought the throne of the Queen to transform it beyond all recognition. The idea behind this was that if Queen Sheeba was in receipt of divine guidance, then she would instantly recognize and acknowledge the fact that her throne had been transported from her palace and brought before Prophet Sulaiman in an instant.
It appears that the transformation took place not just of her throne, but the process of transformation had begun to take hold in Queen Sheeba herself. In testimony to the divine guidance that was to be her destiny, as she travelled to meet with Prophet Sulaiman, she was informed through divine inspiration that her throne was being whisked from her own palace and brought to Prophet Sulaiman in the winking of an eye surpassing her own prowess, power and glory. A major element of any divine inspiration is that it instils within the person, tremendous humility and an instantaneous recognition that all events take place only with the will of God. So, even though it was initiated due to the wish of Prophet Sulaiman and executed by a Jinn (Genie), the instantaneous transporting of her throne was only due to the enabling of that to happen by Allah without
Magnificence of Prophet Sulaiman’s Palace.
whose will and approval nothing happens, for whenever Allah wishes for something to happen He just says to it BE and it happens or comes into existence. This transformation of Queen Sheeba manifested itself in her being prepared for what was to happen soon.
Thus, as Queen Sheeba arrived at Prophet Sulaiman’s Palace, he pointed to her throne and asked if she recognized it? She replied that her throne was just like that one. She then informed Prophet Sulaiman that she had been blessed with divine inspiration informing her of the transporting of her throne. She then acknowledged the Supremacy of ALLAH by informing Prophet Sulaiman that she along with her entire entourage have decided to embrace Islam. This was an accomplishment of the original purpose of Prophet Sulaiman’s letter to her inviting her to embrace Islam (Quran 27 : 31).
The Magnificence of Prophet Sulaiman’s Palace was such that even it’s floors were paved with slabs of glass with streams of water running beneath them whilst in some parts of the palace the floors were made of Sandalwood with intricate inlaid patterns of gold-leaf and silver-leaf depicting floral artwork, and if this was the level of beauty in just the floors than it is not hard to imagine the beauty of the rest of the palace.
As Queen Sheeba was invited in to the palace, she thought she was walking through streams of water, so, in order to prevent the hemline of her skirt from getting wet she slightly lifted her skirt up and then realised that she was actually walking over superbly clear glass slabs beneath which there were streams of water running through. It then dawned on her that “Reality” can be very different from one’s perceptions. Reality, as she then rightly concluded is that ALL Power rests with ALLAH who is the Lord of Supreme Power and Lord of the all the Worlds, and then in acknowledgement she testified to this by embracing Islam worshipping the Lord of Sulaiman and of all the other Prophets and of Every one else as well.
This transformation of Queen Sheeba is narrated in the Quran in the following verses:
27:41 He said: “Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance.”
27:42 So when she arrived, she was asked, “Is this thy throne?” She said, “It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah (in Islam).”
27:43 And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah. for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith.
27:44 She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: “This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass.” She said: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds.”
Aaron In The Bible
The Biblical accusation against Aaron (Prophet Haroon to Muslims) is that he was the one who fashioned the Golden Calf for the Israelites to worship. Exodus at 32:4 states as follows:
“And he [Aaron] received them [Golden Earrings] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a Golden Calf: and they said, These be thy Gods, O Israel, which, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.”
What is striking about the above quotation from Exodus is, that whilst it was Moses who delivered the people from the Pharaoh and his Hosts, the human authors of the Bible are granting credit for that to the Lifeless creatures the Calves which the Israelites themselves built with their own hands and then put the blame for the creation of the Claves onto Aaron (Haroon To Muslims)
Aaron In Islam
The Muslim Name of Aaron is Haroon.
He is from the line of the Prophets which include Noah(Nooh to Muslims) Abraham(Ibrahim to Muslims), Ishmael(Ismail to Muslims), Isaac(Ishaq to Muslims), Jacob(Yaqoob to Muslims), David(Dawood to Muslims), Solomon(Sulaiman to Muslims), Job(Ayoob to Muslims), Joseph(Yousef to Muslims), Moses(Musa to Muslims) and Aaron(Haroon to Muslims).
6:84 We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good:
10:75 Then after them sent We Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our Signs. But they were arrogant: they were a people in sin.
21:48 In the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the criterion (for judgment), and a Light and a Message for those who would do right,-
26:48 “The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”
37:114 Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,
37:120 “Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!”
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