Put a couple tablespoons of olive oil in an 8 inch pan on medium heat
Put in 4 eggs making sure not to break the yolk
Sprinkle salt and pepper. Cumin is good, too.
Using a flipper, inspect the bottom of the eggs along the perimeter occasionally until it’s slightly brown and the egg pancake, if you will, is firm. Personally, I like my egg yolks half cooked.
Remove to a plate
Eating method
Personally, I don’t like to break the yolk cuz that’s messy. I’d eat the egg white separately and each entire egg yolk separately.
Let’s say you’ve taken a screenshot of some text and you’d like to highlight part of the text. By using different blending modes, this becomes an easy task. Here’s how to do it.
1. Open the screenshot containing text in Photoshop and select the text you want to highlight
2. Create a new layer and fill it with yellow
3. Change the blending mode to darken or any other one you like to create the highlighted text.
I’ve tried various types of tillers that you can rent from Home Depot. The light duty mantis tillers and mid tine are really only good for soft dirt.
MTA Rear Tine Tiller (Model # FRC800K1A-656912)
This tiller is heavy duty and can break up hard clay BUT both the wheels and the tines move forward so unless the tines are partially underground breaking the dirt, you can easily be pulled forward and lose control of the machine. Though this is a heavy duty machine, I find it less easy to control compared to the Barreto Hydraulic tiller.
Barreto Hydraulic Tiller (Model # E1320HX)
This tiller is big and heavy but it’s easy to use, easy to control, and will destroy clay and hard dirt. The rear tines move in the opposite direction of the wheels so the machine never runs away from you moving you forward out of control. It’s the most expensive to rent, but the time savings and ease of use make it worth it. I personally recommend this tiller over all the others.
Last week I made an egg sandwich with spinach, smoked sliced beef brisket, cheddar cheese and ciabatta bread. It was good but messy as the ingredients kept falling out as I’d eat it. Also, it wasn’t easy tasting all of the ingredients with every bite since they’d move around while holding the sandwich.
Since the sandwich would end up all mixed up in your mouth and stomach, I figured why not just mix all the ingredients up in a pan. It turns out this was not only much easier to cook and eat but also tastier as you could taste more of the ingredients.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
pita bread (available at Costco)
potatoes (optional)
pre-cooked tater tots
pre-cooked chopped baby potatoes
chopped tomatoes
diced onions
diced red, green and yellow bell pepper (can get it pre-diced and frozen)
diced jalapeno peppers
baby spinach
shredded cheddar cheese
pre-cooked smoked sliced beef brisket (available at Costco)
3 eggs
maybe broccoli?
Instructions:
If the bread is a bit hard, warm it up in the microwave for 50 secs to soften it.
Pour / spray cooking on in a pan and turn the heat up to medium
Put in all ingredients except eggs and mix for a minute or so
Put in eggs and mix for a minute.
I prefer my eggs half cooked with the yolk still wet so I’d turn off the heat and transfer everything to a play in time for the yolk to remain wet.
To eat, you can stuff the pita bread with the egg scramble though it may be hard separating the two sides of the bread without breaking it. Otherwise, just rip pieces of pita bread and scoop up some of the eggs scramble with it as you would for curry.
To save time in the morning, prepare everything the night before.
Add all ingredients except eggs in a zip lock bag and put in freezer
In the morning, transfer frozen ingredients to a bowl and defrost in microwave
Do you have to wash your feet in wudhu (ablution) or can you wipe it?
Many Muslims, especially Sunnis, believe that they must wash their feet when performing wudhu. However, the Quran makes it clear that the feet are to be wiped. Consider verse 5:6.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your hands to the elbows and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles. (5:6)
As you can see, any reasonable person would understand the above verse to indicate that the feet are to be wiped and not necessarily washed. If it were so important for believers to wash their feet instead of wipe them, it would make sense for God to have grouped the feet part of the verse with the face and hand washing part instead of with the head-wiping part. Or, God could have added the word “wash” right before the word “feet” to make it clear that the feet must be washed.
How many steps are there in performing ablution (wudhu)?
Most Muslims think there are more than 4 steps to perform ablution (wudhu). However, the Quran makes it very clear in verse 5:6 that there are exactly 4 steps:
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your hands to the elbows and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles. (5:6)
Some Muslims insist that you must do more such as wash the inside of your mouth, clear your nostrils, wipe your neck, etc. Though it’s probably okay to do these things, one must not say that these additional steps are required since nowhere in the Quran does it require them. Believing that these extra steps are required and telling others that these extra steps are required constitutes belief in an Islamic law that God never approved. Therefore, to be safe and correct, one should not add to the steps clearly specified in the Quran and just stick to the 4 steps. If one feels that they need to wash their mouths or clear their nostrils or wipe their necks, they can do that before performing ablution (wudhu). They can also take a bath or shower before performing ablution (wudhu) as well.
How many times must you perform each step in ablution (wudhu)?
Most Muslims think that they must perform each step of ablution (wudhu) three times as if doing it less or more than three times invalidates the ablution. However, the Quran never mentions a specific number of steps required to perform ablution. Therefore, you are free to perform each step as many times as you want. Also, you are forbidden from telling others that they are required to perform each step a specific number of times since God never required any specific number.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your hands to the elbows and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles. (5:6)
Following is proof that Muslims must study the Quran in an effort to understand it and that simply deferring matters of Islamic to other people, e.g. the Ulama, is not allowed.
Is it better to memorize the Quran or to read the Quran?
Many Muslims go through the huge effort of memorizing the Quran, even if they don’t speak Arabic. In general, many Muslims are also very impressed to hear of someone who has memorized the entire Quran. Sadly, when you ask these people if they understand what they memorized, they say they don’t understand it. In other words, many of these people have managed to memorize the sounds of the Arabic Quran without understanding the meaning of what they’ve spent so much time trying to memorize. According to verse 2:2, the Quran is a guide for people who believe in God.
Then do they not study / think deeply about / understand (yatadabbaruna) the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? (47:24)
While there is nothing wrong with memorizing the Quran, it should be clear that understanding the meaning of the Quran should be a priority. After all, how can you be guided by a book that contains guidance if you don’t understand what you are reading, let alone have memorized?
Is it better to read the Arabic Quran or a translation?
Many non-Arabic-speaking Muslims diligently read the Arabic Quran throughout their lives. Sadly, most of them have no idea of the meaning of the words they read. As such, it doesn’t seem fitting to even say that they are “reading” the Quran since “reading” implies an understanding of the words being read. As such, a possibly more appropriate description of their actions is that they are “making the sounds of the Arabic Quran.” The word Qur’an is an Arabic word that translates to “Reading” in English. It is called as such because it’s supposed to be read. In addition to reading it, God expects you to think deeply about it and understand it (47:24).
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah – (2:2)
Obviously, in order to be “guided”, you need to understand the meaning of the guide. And obviously, you can understand a guide if you don’t understand the language of that guide. Therefore, it should be obvious that non-Arabic speakers will benefit most from reading a translation of the Quran to satisfy verse 47:24 and be “guided.” People don’t magically get guidance by reading a book they don’t understand. If one feels it important to read the Arabic Quran, they can read both the Arabic version and a translated version side by side.
Are you allowed to sing the Quran?
Many Muslims think that it is better to recite the Quran with a certain intonation. The resulting effect can be somewhat like they are singing a song with or without instruments.
There doesn’t appear to be any ruling against singing the Quran. However, one should keep in mind the purpose of the Quran and what God expects everyone to do with it. As stated earlier, the Quran is a book of guidance (2:2) and God expects everyone to read, understand, and think deeply about it (47:24).
QURAN — UNDERSTANDING
The Quran forbids you from following or believing in something without understanding it
In verse 17:36, God clearly tells people not to follow and believe in what they have no knowledge of. For example, if someone tells you that Muslim men are forbidden from wearing gold and silk, then you shouldn’t just believe what they say, regardless of whether they are learned scholars or imams. You must know what you are doing so that you are not guilty of becoming a blind believer. Examples of blind believers are idol worshippers of the time of Prophet Abraham. When Abraham proved to them, including his own father, that the idols were not God, and told them to stop worshipping them, they refused saying that they wanted to continue worshipping whatever their forefathers worshipped, even though they had no proof that their idols were God.
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned. (17:36)
As a Muslim, do you have to understand the Quran?
Many Muslims believe that they can just read the Quran without understanding and thinking deeply about its verses. However, God says in verse 47:24 that you are expected to study and think deeply about its verses. The expectation that you understand the Quran is so serious that not doing it is as if your heart was locked up. This expectation is very rational. After all, if you don’t understand the Quran, then your practice of Islam would be based on assumption rather than proof. Furthermore, since verse 17:36 forbids you from blindly following what people tell you without your own personal knowledge or proof of a matter, one obvious way to acquire knowledge of Islamic matters is by studying and thinking deeply about the Quran.
Then do they not study / think deeply about / understand the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? (47:24)
Note the keyword “yatadabbaruun” in this verse which is defined in the Edward Lane’s Lexicon as follows (highlighted).
QURAN — FOLLOWING / JUDGING BY OTHER THAN IT
God forbids people from following any law except God’s laws in the Quran
This is understandable and is proven in verse 6:114. The Quran is the word of God. Other books, e.g. the book of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings (hadith), are not from God but from humans (e.g. indirectly via a chain of people who claim they heard Muhammad say something). Muhammad is not God. Muhammad has no right or authority to make Islamic law. And God never gave Muhammad the authority to make Islamic law as we will prove below.
[Say], “Then is it other than Allah I should seek as judge while it is He who has revealed to you the Book explained in detail?” … (6:114)
Whoever judges by other than the Quran, they are wrongdoers and Kafir (disbelievers)
Many people, usually very religious people, like to tell others that something is haram. Unfortunately, their justification of their statements is based on the supposed sayings of Prophet Muhammad (hadith) and not the Quran. For example, some people tell others that men are forbidden from wearing gold and silk. This information is found in the hadith but you will never find it in the Quran. According to verse 5:45, these people who judge by the hadith think that they are doing the right thing and are very religious but in actuality, God considers them wrongdoers.
… And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers. (5:45)
In addition to being wrongdoers, in verse 5:44 God even considers them to be disbelievers (kafir). This verse indicates that
God sent down the Torah
The prophets, Jewish rabbis and scholars used it to judge the Jews
There is no mention of the man-made Jewish Talmud book containing supposed sayings (hadith) of prophet Moses nor opinions of rabbis to be used in place of or in conjunction with the Torah for matters of Jewish law. The same, obviously, would apply to the Quran.
Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah ] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers. (5:44)
Regarding matters of religion, do not follow or believe in hadith besides the Quran
Verses 45:6 and 77:50 should be sufficient proof for everyone that only the Quran, which is God’s sayings (hadith) should be followed and believed in. Any saying (hadith) after that should not be believed in let alone followed as supplementary or overriding laws in the Quran.
People who convert to Submission (Islam) are told to say the following sentence:
أشهد أن لا إله إلاَّ الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله
I bear witness that there is no god but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is God’s messenger.
While it is true that Muhammad was a messenger of God, we must not forget that he was not the only messenger of God and that all messengers of God are to be treated equally (2:136). Many Submitters (Muslims) today think of Muhammad exclusively or as a superior messenger compared to all other messengers. For example, in mosques you will often find Muhammad’s name next to God’s name and nowhere will you find the names of the other messengers including Abraham, the founder of Submission (Islam). When Submitters (Muslims) pray, near the end of the prayer they often ask for blessings on both Muhammad and Abraham. However, this too seems limiting considering that true believers must treat all messengers equally. According to verse 3:13, God tells us how to bear witness in submission to Him.
God witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge – [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (3:18)
This verse doesn’t mention Muhammad. This makes sense since we know from 22:78 that Submitters (Muslims) existed before Muhammad existed, e.g. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and many of their followers.
In verse 27:44, we see an example of how the ruler of Sheba converted to Submission (Islam) and become a Submitter (Muslim). All she said was, “I submit to God, Lord of the Worlds.”
She was told, “Enter the palace.” But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, “Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass.” She said, “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to God, Lord of the worlds.” (27:44)
We also know from 49:14 that one can be a Submitter (Muslim) before being a Believer (Mu’min).
The desert Arabs say, “We believe!” Say, “Do not say you believe; but only say, ‘We have submitted our wills to God (as Submitters / Muslims),’ as belief has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey God and His Messenger, He will not deprive you anything of your deeds: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (49:14)
Therefore, becoming a Submitter (Muslim) only requires belief in one God regardless of their belief in God’s angels, messengers, and scriptures. Verse 2:285 gives us the requirements for one to be a Believer (Mu’min).
“The messenger believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believes in God and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers – We make no distinction between any of His messengers – and they say: We hear, and we obey. …. ” (2:285)
Therefore, better testimonies that don’t violate verses 2:136 and 2:285 are:
Testimony to be a Submitter (Muslim)
I bear witness that there is no god but God.
Testimony to be a Submitter (Muslim) and a Believer (Mu’min)
I bear witness that there is no god but God.
I bear witness to the existence of God’s angels.
I bear witness that God revealed scriptures including, but not limited to, the Torah, Injil, and the Quran.
I bear witness that Muhammad and many others before him including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, were messengers of God.
Submitters (Muslims) existed before Muhammad’s time
Many Muslims today believe that Muhammad was the first Muslim (submitter). However, below is proof that many people were Muslims (Submitters) way before Muhammad was even born.
And recite to them the news of Noah, when he said to his people, … I have been commanded to be of the Submitters (Muslims).” (10:71-72)
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Is’haq (Isaac), Ya’kub (Jacob) and Ya’kub’s sons were Submitters (Muslims)
And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham? … When his Lord said to him, “Submit”, he said “I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.” And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], “O my sons, indeed God has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims.” Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac – one God. And we are Submitters (Muslims) [in submission] to Him.” (2:130 – 133)
…. I am Joseph, …… My Lord …. You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Submitter (Muslim) and join me with the righteous.” (12:90-101)
Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) was a Submitter (Muslim)
But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, “Who are my supporters for [the cause of] God?” The disciples said,” We are supporters for God. We have believed in God and testify that we are Submitters (Muslims). (3:52)
People who believed in the previous scriptures (Torah, Injil) were Submitters (Muslims)
Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it – they are believers in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, “We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Submitters (Muslims).” (28:52-53)
God named people before Muhammad’s time Submitters (Muslims)
… [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. God named you “Submitters” (“Muslims”) before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation (the Quran)] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to God. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. (22:78)
Shema Yisrael (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל)
The key part of testimony to be a submitter (Muslim) is “there is no god but God”. Note that this statement regarding the oneness of God is often found in the Quran and matches the Shema Yisrael. The Shema Yisrael is found in the Torah in Deuteronomy 6:4.
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד
Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4)
According to Wikipedia, the Shema is a centerpiece of morning and evening Jewish prayers. Observant Jews consider the Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah (religious commandment). It is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night.
… [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. God named you “Submitters” (“Muslims”) before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation (the Quran)] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to God. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. (22:78)
Prophet Muhammad was not original or any more special than the other messengers
Say (O’ Muhammad), “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.” (46:9)
Muhammad was specifically told to follow the religion of Abraham
And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to God while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And God took Abraham as an intimate friend. (4:125)
Muhammad’s sole mission was to deliver the message (the Quran)
And whether We show you part of what We promise them or take you in death, upon you (O Muhammad) is only the [duty of] notification (of the Quran), and upon Us is the account. (13:40)
But if they turn away – then We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification (of the Quran). And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from us, he rejoices in it; but if evil afflicts him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful. (42:48)
And there is not an animal moving in the earth nor a bird flying on its wings, but they are a nation like you; We have left out nothing in this Book – then towards their Lord they will be raised. (6:38)
Since God says the Quran is “complete” and He “left out nothing”, then followers must accept this and not argue that it is incomplete and therefore the hadith are necessary.
SAME RELIGION BUT DIFFERENT WAYS AND PRACTICES
Origin of names of religions
Many people nowadays think of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as three completely different religions that all originate from Abraham. However, Judaism and Christianity are actually just incorrectly modified versions of Islam (Submission).
Judaism is named as such because it originates from the Hebrew word Yehudah (Judah)”. Source
Judah is the name of an ancient kingdom in present-day southern Israel. Source
Christianity is named as such because it is based on the name of its leader, Jesus Christ. Christianity grew out of Judaism and began as a Second Temple Judaic sect in the mid-1st century. Source
Christ comes from the Greek word χριστός (chrīstós), meaning “anointed one”. The word is derived from the Greek verb χρίω (chrī́ō), meaning “to anoint.” In the Greek Septuagint, christos was used to translate the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Mašíaḥ, messiah), meaning “[one who is] anointed”. Source
Unlike Judaism and Christianity, Islam (Submission) is not named after a kingdom such as Saudi Arabia or a person such as Muhammad. If it did, it might be called Saudi Arabianism or Muhammadism.
As explained above,
Islam is a word that has a meaning which is “to submit (to one true God).”
As a meaningful word, Islam can be translated as “Submission” in English and “Penyerahan” in Indonesian.
Jesus Christ (Prophet Jesus) was a Muslim (3:52)
The People of the Book (Jews and Christians) were actually followers of Islam (Submission) as they were also called Muslims (Submitters). (28:52-53)
Jews and Christians wrongfully divided their original religion of Submission (Islam) (21:92-93)
The Quran always references Jews and Christians as
Jews (Yahuud) (e.g. 5:82)
Christians (Nasaara) (e.g. 5:82) Note that Nasaara is an Arabic word which, according to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, means Nazarenes, i.e. people from Nazareth.
Children of Israel (e.g. 17:2)
People of the Book (Ahli-l-kitaab) (e.g. 3:199)
The Quran never mentions that the Jews follow a separate religion called Judaism and that the Christians follow a separate religion called Christianity.
Most Jews don’t believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah and most Christians don’t believe that Muhammad is the final messenger of God. However, at the time of Muhammad, there were some Jews and Christians who did believe in Muhammad and the revelation to him (the Quran).
And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in God, in the revelation to you (Muhammad), and in the revelation to them (Torah, Injil), bowing in humility to God …. (3:199)
Though Judaism and Christianity originally were no different than Abraham’s religion of Submission (Islam), they have changed a lot, e.g. Christians now believe that Jesus is the son of God, which is clearly a violation of Submission (Islam) as stated in the Quran (4:171)
The religion of Noah, Muhammad, Abraham, Moses and Jesus is the same
He has ordained for you of religion (Arabic: Deen) what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus – to establish the religion and not be divided therein …. (42:13)
The message given to Noah, Muhammad, Abraham, Moses and Jesus was the same
Nothing is said to you, [O Muhammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is a possessor of forgiveness and a possessor of painful penalty. (41:43)
Correct Jews, Christians and Muslims are all muslims who share the same God
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.” (29:46)
“Deen” (religion) vs “millat” (ways / practices of a religion)
Many Muslims use verse 2:120 to infer that the Jews and Christians follow a different religion.
And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their form of religion (Arabic: Millatahum). Say, “Indeed, the guidance of God is the [only] guidance.” If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against God no protector or helper. (2:120)
However, you will see a difference between verse 42:13 and 2:120 in that 42:13 uses the word “deen” whereas verse 42:13 uses the word “millatahum”.
The word “deen” means “religion” whereas the word “millat”, in the context of verse 2:120, means “way of belief or form of religion.” According to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, we see this definition as follows:
The word “millat” is also in verse 16:123 where prophet Muhammad was told to follow Abraham’s “form of religion” (millat).
Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the form of religion (Arabic: millat) of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with God. (16:123)
Abraham’s “way” (millat) is the correct way of God’s religion
In other words, people can be part of the same “deen” (religion” but their way / form (“millat”) may be different. The correct way, according to verse 16:123, is the way of Prophet Abraham. This “way”, according to this verse, is to not join anything with God including partnerships, idols, and intercessors. This “way” applies to Muslims, Christians and Jews.
Torah (Arabic: Tawrah) a book which was communicated by God to Moses on Mount Sinai in 1280 BCE over the course of 40 days
Injeel / Gospels Injeel is likely wisdom given to Jesus which was later likely written by his apostles and became known as the Gospels
Psalms (Arabic: Zabuur) given to David
Quran a book which was communicated by God via the Holy Spirit Gabriel to Muhammad gradually from 610 CE when Muhammad was 40 years old until his death in 632 CE. The first revelation came when Muhammad was in a cave called Hira on the mountain Jabal Al-Noor near Mecca.
What scriptures Jews, Christians, and Muslims follow
Jews Jews follow the Jewish Bible. The Jewish Bible is also called the Tanakh which includes the Torah.
Christians Christians follow the Christian Bible. The Christian Bible consists of 2 parts: Old TestamentNew TestamentThe Old Testament includes the Jewish Bible / Tanakh and, depending on Christian denomination, some other books. The New Testament includes various books including the Injeel (Gospels).
Muslims Muslims follow the Quran.
Torah
The Torah is part of the Jewish Tanakh. The Tanakh is also the Christian Old Testament. Tanakh is an acronym of the first Hebrew letter of the 3 subdivisions of the Masoretic texts which are
Torah (which means “teachings”, also known as the 5 Books of Moses or Pentateuch)
Nevi’im (which means “prophets”)
Ketuvim (which means “writings”)
As such, Tanakh is often spelled as TaNaKh. Tanakh is also called “mikra” which means “that which is read”.
The 10 Commandments
The 10 Commandments are a set of principles followed by Jews and Christians. They appear twice in the Torah. They were also written on stone tablets which Moses had when he came down from spending 40 days on Mt. Sinai.
You shall have no other Gods but me.
You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.
Respect your father and mother.
You must not commit murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not give false evidence against your neighbor.
You must not be envious of your neighbor’s goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.
The 613 Commandments
There have been many attempts to codify and enumerate the commandments contained in the Torah. The most popular enumeration is the 613 Commandments by Maimonides.
Tanakh
The Tanakh was mostly written in Hebrew. Following is the list of books in each subdivision of the Tanakh.
Torah (teaching) – 5 books
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Nevi’im (prophets) – 8 books
The former prophets
Joshua
Judges
Samuel
Kings
Latter Prophets
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets (considered one book)
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Ketuvim (writings) – 11 books
Poetic books
Psalms
Book of Proverbs
Book of Job
Five Scrolls
Song of Songs or Song of Solomon (Passover)
Book of Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes
Book of Esther
Other Books
Book of Daniel
Book of Ezra—Book of Nehemiah
Chronicles
Old Testament
The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible and mostly matches the Jewish Bible. It was written by various authors over a period of centuries.
New Testament
The New Testament is the second of two parts of the Christian Bible. The New Testament discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity. It was written in Greek and completed before 120 AD. The books in the New Testament consist of 4 parts as follows.
Gospels (good news / glad tidings) – 4 books Narratives of the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus
The Gospel of Matthew Ascribed to the Apostle Matthew. This gospel begins with a genealogy of Jesus and a story of his birth that includes a visit from magi and a flight into Egypt, and it ends with the commissioning of the disciples by the resurrected Jesus.
The Gospel of Mark Ascribed to Mark the Evangelist. This gospel begins with the preaching of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus.
The Gospel of Luke Ascribed to Luke the Evangelist, who was not one of the Twelve Apostles, but was mentioned as a companion of the Apostle Paul and as a physician.[17] This gospel begins with parallel stories of the birth and childhood of John the Baptist and Jesus and ends with appearances of the resurrected Jesus and his ascension into heaven.
The Gospel of John Ascribed to John the Apostle. This gospel begins with a philosophical prologue and ends with appearances of the resurrected Jesus. It is about Jesus’s miracles.
Acts of the Apostles A narrative of the apostles’ ministry and activity after Christ’s death and resurrection, from which point it resumes and functions as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke.
Epistles– 21 letters 21 letters, often called “epistles” from Greek “epistole”, written by various authors, and consisting of Christian doctrine, counsel, instruction, and conflict resolution;
Apocalypse (The Book of Revelation) A book of prophecy, containing some instructions to seven local congregations of Asia Minor, but mostly containing prophetical symbology, about the end times.
Earliest Jewish Bible (Tanakh) manuscript
The Aleppo Codex (c. 920 CE) and Leningrad Codex (c. 1008 CE) were the oldest Hebrew language manuscripts of the Tanakh. In 1947 CE the finding of the Dead Sea scrolls at Qumran pushed the manuscript history of the Tanakh back a millennium from the two earliest complete codices. Before this discovery, the earliest extant manuscripts of the Old Testament were in Greek in manuscripts such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. Out of the roughly 800 manuscripts found at Qumran, 220 are from the Tanakh. Every book of the Tanakh is represented except for the Book of Esther; however, most are fragmentary. Notably, there are two scrolls of the Book of Isaiah, one complete (1QIsa), and one around 75% complete (1QIsb). These manuscripts generally date between 150 BCE to 70 CE.
Earliest Christian Old and New Testament manuscript
There are two manuscripts that are considered to be the oldest.
Codex Vaticanus (The Vatican Book)
Text: Old and New Testament Date: c. 300–325 Script: Greek Found: At the Vatican It lacks most of the book of Genesis, Hebrews 9:14 to the end, the Pastoral Epistles, and the book of Revelation.
Codex Sinaticus (The Sinai Book)
Text: Old and New Testament Date: c. 330–360 Script: Greek Found: In Sinai in1844 at St. Catherine’s Monastery About half of the Old Testament survived along with a complete New Testament. A digital copy is available online at http://www.codexsinaiticus.org.
Earliest Quran manuscript
One of the earliest Quran manuscripts is the Birmingham manuscript. It only contains parts of chapters 18 and 20. It was radiocarbon dated to 568 and 645. For comparison, prophet Muhammad lived from 570 to 632. Following is a part of the Birmingham manuscript on the right and the equivalent 21st century Quran on the left. The text matches almost perfectly.
However, notice also that the Birmingham manuscript doesn’t include short vowel markings or harakaat.
The 7 Laws of Noah (Noahide Laws)
These are a set of laws which, according to the Jewish Talmud, were given to Noah’s three sons for all of humanity (Children of Noah). They are similar to the 10 Commandments.
Quran: the last scripture (book)
Since prophets get scriptures (books) and Muhammad was the last prophet, therefore the Quran, which is the scripture (book) given to Muhammad must be the last scripture (book).
Like “Islam” which is an Arabic word that means “Submission”, the word “Quran” is an Arabic word that means “reading” or “recitation.” Based on Arabic grammar, some may argue that it means intense or continuous reading / recitation.
Oral tradition
Islamic Hadeeth
Many Muslims believe that the Quran must be supplemented by the hadeeth or oral sayings / tradition of the prophet Muhammad.
Ḥadīth is the Arabic word for speech, report, account, narrative. Unlike the Qur’an, not all Muslims believe Ahadith accounts (or at least not all ahadith) are divine revelation, and ahadith were not written down by Muhammad’s followers immediately after his death but several generations later (at least 200 years later) when they were collected, collated and compiled into a great corpus of Islamic literature. A small minority of Muslims called Quranists reject all Ḥadīth.
Oral Torah and the Jewish Talmud
Similarly, Jews believe that the Torah consists of two parts, the written Torah which makes up the 5 Books of Moses, and the oral Torah which are sayings of Moses.
According to Jewish tradition, the Oral Torah was passed down orally in an unbroken chain from generation to generation until its contents were finally committed to writing following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE when Jewish civilization was faced with an existential threat.
The major repositories of the Oral Torah are the Mishnah, compiled between 200–220 CE by Rabbi Yehudah haNasi, and the Gemara, a series of running commentaries and debates concerning the Mishnah, which together are the Talmud, the preeminent text of Rabbinic Judaism. In fact, two “versions” of the Talmud exist: one produced in Jerusalem c. 300–350 CE (the Jerusalem Talmud), and second, more extensive Talmud compiled in Babylonia and published c. 450–500 CE (the Babylonian Talmud).
Following is a list of names of prophets and messengers and their scriptures based on the information available in the Quran. There may be more prophets and messengers that just weren’t mentioned in the Quran.
Adam
Adam is often regarded as the first prophet but the Quran never specifically says that he was a prophet. However, the Quran in verse 3:33 does mention that Adam was special similar to Noah and Abraham.
Idris / Enoch
He was a prophet (19:56)
Nuh / Noah
He was a prophet (6:89, 4:163) and a messenger (26:107)
He was sent to the people of Noah (26:105)
Hud
He was a messenger (26:125)
He was sent to the people of Ad (7:65)
Saleh
He was a messenger (26:143)
He was sent to the people of Thamud (7:73)
Ibrahim / Abraham
He was a prophet (19:41, 4:163) and a messenger (9:70)
He was sent to the people of Abraham (22:43)
He was given the “Scrolls of Abraham” (87:19)
Ibrahim was not a Jew or a Christian (3:67)
Lut / Lot
He was a prophet (6:85-89) and a messenger (37:133)
He was sent to the people of Lot (7:80)
Ismail / Ishmael
He was a prophet (19:54, 4:163, 6:85-89) and a messenger (19:54)
Is’haq / Isaac
He was a prophet (19:49, 4:163)
Ya’kub / Jacob / Israel
He was a prophet (19:49, 4:163, 19:58)
Yusuf / Joseph
He was a messenger (12:50)
Ayyub / Job
He was a prophet (4:163)
Shuaib / Jethro
He was a messenger (26:178)
He was sent to the people of Midian (7:85)
Musa / Moses
He was a prophet (19:51) and a messenger (19:51)
He was sent to Pharoah and his establishment (43:46)
He was given the Torah (53:36)
Harun / Aaron
He was a prophet (19:53, 4:163)
Dhul-Kifl / Ezekiel
He was a prophet (21:85-86 chapter of the “prophets”)
Dawud / David
He was a prophet (17:55, 4:163) and a messenger (4:163)
He was given the Zabur (Psalms) (17:55)
Sulaiman / Solomon
He was a messenger (4:163)
Ilyas / Elijah
He was a messenger (37:123, 6:85-89)
He was sent to the people of Ilyas (37:124)
Al Yasa / Elisha
He was a messenger (6:85-89)
Yunus / Jonah
He was a prophet (6:85-89, 4:163) and a messenger (37:139)
He was sent to the people of Yunus (10:98)
Zakariya / Zechariah
He was a prophet (6:85-89)
Yahya / John
He was a prophet (3:39, 6:85-89)
Isa / Jesus / The Messiah
He was a prophet (19:30, 4:163, 6:85-89) and a messenger (4:171)
He was sent to the Children of Israel (61:6)
He was given the Injil (Gospel) (57:27)
His other name was The Messiah (3:45)
Muhammad / Ahmad
He was a prophet (33:40) and a messenger (33:40)
He was sent to the Arabs (42:7) for all of mankind (7:158)
His other name was “Ahmad” (61:6)
He was given the Quran (42:7)
The Quran was revealed in Arabic
because God wanted to make it easy for Muhammad as an Arabic speaker (19:97)
so that Muhammad could warn his local community of Arabs (42:7)
because if it was in another language, the local Arabs would not believe in it (41:44)
The Arabic Quran was revealed to Arabs because if it was revealed to non-Arabs, they would not have believed in it (26:198-199)
Prophets and messengers are not the same thing
This is proven based on the wording used in verse 22:52.
Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then God sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. … (22:52)
What is a messenger?
By definition, a messenger is someone who brings or shares a “message”. In the context of the Quran, a messenger shares or relates the message of the Quran.
The role of a messenger
According to verse 6:48, a messenger’s job is to only “give good news” and to “warn”.
And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. So whoever believes and reforms – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (14:4)
Each messenger was given the same message
The message that was revealed before the Quran is the same as what was revealed in the Quran. This is proven in verse 41:43.
Nothing is said to you, [O Muhammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is a possessor of forgiveness and a possessor of painful penalty. (41:43)
Each messenger received a revelation to worship the one God
And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, “There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.” (21:25)
A messenger was sent to every community
Verse 16:36 indicates that messengers are sent to every community / nation. Since new communities / nations existed after Muhammad’s time, then there must be messengers after Muhammad died.
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship God and avoid Taghut.” (16:36 part)
Each messenger spoke the language of his people
Verse 14:4 indicates that a messenger speaks the language of his people. Prophet Muhammad only spoke Arabic and he was sent as a messenger for his Arabic-speaking people. Since there are many other languages besides Arabic, there must be many other messengers besides Muhammad, both before and after Muhammad died.
And We did not send any messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly; …. (14:4)
Messengers relate God’s verses
In verse 7:35, God tells the Children of Adam (all of mankind) that there will be multiple messengers from among humans rehearsing God’s verses. There is no mention of an end of the messengers. Therefore, certain people who rehearse God’s verses after prophet Muhammad died can be a messenger.
O children of Adam, if there come to you messengers from among you relating to you My verses, then whoever fears God and reforms – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (23:51)
We have made some of these messengers to excel the others among them are they to whom God spoke, and some of them He exalted by rank / degrees; and We gave clear miracles to Jesus son of Mary, and strengthened him with the Holy spirit. … (2:253)
And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to David We gave the book [of Psalms]. (17:55)
Believers in God and His messengers must consider all messengers equal
Christians celebrate Prophet Jesus’ birthday and they consider him superior to all other prophets. Likewise, some of today’s Submitters (Muslims) celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday and almost all Submitters (Muslims) consider Muhammad superior to all other prophets. Although God favored some messengers over others, God expects everyone to see all messengers as equal including Prophet Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Say: We believe in God and that which had been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus, and that which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him. (2:136)
Related verses: 2:285, 3:84, 4:152, 17:55
Multiple messengers have existed at the same time for the same community
In Quran verse 36:14, God sent two messengers to a town but people denied them so He sent a third messenger to strengthen them. The three messengers coexisted and worked together.
When We sent to them two but they denied them, so We strengthened them with a third, and they said, “Indeed, we are messengers to you.” (36:14)
We also see plurality of messengers who came to other communities / nations.
“The people of Noah rejected the messengers” (26:105) “The Ad (people) rejected the messengers” (26:123) “The Thamud (people) rejected the messengers” (26:141) “The people of Lut rejected the messengers” (26:160)
The Quran is the last book of God and Muhammad is the last prophet
Scriptures are only given to prophets. Since Muhammad is the last prophet, the Quran is the last scripture.
Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing. (33:40)
Conclusion
Based on the analysis above, we can summarize as follows:
A prophet is shares good news, warns, and is given a book (scripture)
A messenger only shares good news and warns by relating verses in books (scriptures) given to prophets
Muhammad is the last prophet
Multiple messengers can exist for any given community / nation both before, during, and after Muhammad’s time
