Those who are [led] astray
While I have added my own thoughts, the credit for this argument belongs to others, yet it is one that bears thinking about by non-Muslims and Muslims alike.
The opening prayer of the Quran (1.6-7), the Fatiha or Opening, is as follows:
Guide us to the Straight Way
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians)
This is taken from http://www.noblequran.com/translation/
The Islamic perspective on the “people of the Book” is certainly not a friendly one if I read this correctly. Yet, how do we know that Allah is not deceiving the Muslims, and deceived Mohammed?
We know Mohammed was fooled by Satan into delivering false revelations; the story of the Satanic Verses is an unpopular and embarrassing subject for many Muslims even today.
The Quran does inform us that “Allah is the best of deceivers”. So can we take Allah at his word?
Let’s try this on for size:
1. Allah deceives people into thinking that Jesus was crucified, as per this verse and others:
Surah 4:157 “That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Apostle of Allah’ – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not.”(Yusuf Ali translation)
2. Allah thus promotes a foundational act of the religion he condemns.
3. Allah teaches Muslims to harshly judge the Christians who believe in Jesus for believing in the deception that Allah himself perpetrated.
Surely Allah works in mysterious ways.
From this we conclude that Allah is a deceiver. This is directly stated in the Quran.
To conclude. What other deceptive acts has this deceiving Allah committed, and who else has he deceived?
Islam’s denies of the Bible’s doctrines of and about the actual nature of Jesus is blasphemous. For Islam denies that Jesus is the Son of God. That is the Son of God the Father. Likewise, Islam denies the Jesus is God the Son. What blasphemy! For the Bible does, indeed, teach that Jesus is the Son of God, Matthew 3:16,17. First John 2:22 23. As well as hat Jesus is God the Son, Hebrews 1:8. First John 5:20. As a former Muslim who is now a Christian had explained “In the Son, the real issue of belief is certainty entering the Kingdom of heaven in the life and the full Deity of God lives in Him. He therefore is able to transfer people to the heavenly kingdom and unite them with God.” [1] The last three words, “them with God” meaning God the Father. The Bible confirms this about the Deity of the Son. The Bible teaches “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Colossians 2:9. [N.I.V.] Therefore, in the Light of the Bible, Islam is a false religion, Isaiah 8:20. John 14:6.
[1] ISLAM AND THE SON OF GOD by Daniel Shayesteh page 222
//Guide us to the straightway: The way of those on whom you have bestowed your grace, not (the way) of those who earned your anger (such as the Jews) nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians)//
When we meditate for a minute on Jesus prayer we will come to know the flaws in the above prayer to Allah, the most Beneficent the, the most Merciful.
“Our Father who is in heaven, Holy be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
“Our Father who is in heaven” Just as we say ‘My father is in London’ Jesus introduce his Father. While the word ‘Father’ brings God much closer to our heart, it could be the first word of globalisation – slowly breaking the barriers of caste, creed and race make us closer to each other. When he exhorts all of us to call God as ‘Abba Father’ he is building a Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man among the human beings.
“Your Kingdom come”, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” – It implies that an opposing power rules this world. There is misery and sufferings. We know this power is Satan, as Jesus once said “The ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me” (John 14:30). We read Satan, as the boss of this world, has the audacity to demand Jesus to prostrate and worship him. (Mathew 4:9)
“Give us this day our daily bread” – God is our Dad and we can ask our daily requirements and discus our issues.
Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us: Jesus diplomatically put a knot that we cannot seek forgiveness from God and receive peace of mind unless we forgive the sins of others.
And lead us not into temptation – Temptations are all around us. Can I cross the road safely? Should I take the next glass of beer? Should I respond to the woman who winks at me? Should I show to this person who am I? Any slack approach will lead us to hospital, Police station or even death.
But deliver us from evil. – The evil refers of course, Satan
Jesus’ prayer, applicable to any person from any part of the world, was extemporaneous, when disciples casually asked Him to ‘teach us to pray’.
Only the chosen people will acknowledge the divinity of Jesus.