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LESSON FIVE: THE QURAN'S TESTIMONY ABOUT THE FOLLOWERS OF ISA AL-MASIH
In this lesson we shall be looking at what the Quran says about those who, through the testimony and works of
Isa , are followers of the one true God, maker of heaven and earth. We shall see what religion they followed and something about their character and their future fate on the judgment day. We shall also look briefly at what the
Holy says on this subject.
1. The religion practiced by the followers of Isa.
a. 3:52 - When Isa found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of)
Allah?" Said the disciples: "We are Allah's helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are
Muslims.
1) Whose disciples are described in this passage?
2) In whom do they believe?
3) Isa's disciples bear witness that they are who?
Note: The last phrase of this verse is translated differently by different translators. The basic meaning is that they are
"submitted ones", having surrendered themselves to Allah.
b. 5:111 - And when I inspired the disciples, (saying): Believe in Me and
in My messenger, they said: We believe. Bear witness that we have
surrendered (unto Thee) "we are muslims".
c. Romans 12:1,2 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of Allah's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Allah--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Allah's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1) A Disciple of Isa is to offer what as a sacrifice to Allah?
2) Do you think the person who has offered his entire life as an offering to Allah is one who will live in submission to Him?
2. Their condition on the final day of Allah's judgment.
a. 2:62 - Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee,
Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward
is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
1) Three different People of the Book are mentioned in this verse. Who are they?
2) If these people maintain their belief in Allah and the last day and do right, then what two things will they not experience on the last day?
b. 3:55 - (And remember) when Allah said: O Isa! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who
disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve
until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.
Until the Day of Resurrection who will be set above those who disbelieve?
c. 5:68,69 - Say: "O People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Taurat, the , and all the revelation that
has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion
and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith.
d. 98:6,7 - Lo! Those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture
and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings. (And) lo! Those who believe and do good works are the best of
created beings.
e. John 5:24 - "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
1) Who is speaking in this last passage? (See vs. 19--"Isa gave them this answer")
2) Who sent Isa into the world?
3) Thus, the one who hears Isa's words and believes in Allah is assured of what?
f. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9 - All this is evidence that Allah's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of Allah, for which you are suffering. 6 Allah is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord
Isa is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know Allah and do not obey the of our Lord
Isa. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.
1) On the last day when Isa returns to earth he will punish whom?
2) How will they be punished?
3) Will the sincere disciple of Isa be included in that group?
3. Their relationship with Muslims.
a. 5:5 - This day are (all) good things made lawful for you. The food
of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food
is lawful for them. And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the
virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you (lawful for
you) when ye give them their marriage portions and live with them in
honour, not in fornication, nor taking them as secret concubines. Whoso
denieth the faith, his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the
Hereafter.
1) In this passage the relationship between Muslims and what other group is discussed?
2) What two things are mentioned as being lawful for Muslims?
b. 5:82 - Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find
the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt
thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men
devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not
arrogant.
4. Their characteristics.
a. 3:113-115 - Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a
portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all
night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. 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. Of the good that they do, nothing will be rejected of them;
for Allah knoweth well those that do right.
1) This passage talks about what people?
2) Among those people is found a group that does what? ---
3) This group is described as being among the who?
b. 5:82 - Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find
the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt
thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men
devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not
arrogant.
c. 57:27 - Then We caused Our messengers to follow in their footsteps;
and We caused Isa, son of , to follow, and gave him the , and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But
monasticism they invented - We ordained it not for them - only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance. So We
give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are
evil-livers.
What was in the hearts of the followers of Isa?
d. James 1:27 - Religion that Allah our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
1) Proper religion as taught by Isa does what for the helpless and weak?
2) A disciple of Isa should have what relation to the world?
e. Galatians 5:22,23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
5. Some personal questions.
a. What does the average person in Muslim society think about the followers of
Isa?
b. Why do you think they think that way?
c. What can you do to improve people's perception?
It is the Quran's testimony that the People of the Scriptures who follow the Scripture Allah gave them - that is, believe in Allah, the Last Day, etc. and do good - are accepted by Allah and need not fear the Judgment Day. The Disciples of
Isa comprise the largest group of the People of the Scripture. And it is the testimony of the that those who come to Allah through
Isa and show their faith by their good works need have no fear of the judgment day.
PRAISE BE TO ALLAH WHO REVEALED THE PATH OF LIFE THROUGH ISA AL-MASIH
In closing this lesson spend time in prayer praise Allah for giving to mankind His Word, the light for our path and direction for our lives. Thank Him too for sending
Isa, the Living Word of Allah and that through him we can come to know Allah and have the assurance of spending eternity in His presence.
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