ISLAM & THE MUSLIMS
                                                                                    Blessing or Burden
                                                                                    YOU be the Judge

                                                                                Sura 21“The Prophets”
                                                                                             By
                                                                                     John W. Bailey


In Sura 21 Muhammad mentions a few of the Biblical prophets of the Old Testament. He mentions Abraham “Of old we gave unto Abraham his direction, for we knew him worthy.” He makes mention of Lot, Isaac and Jacob in Sura 21:71-73 “And we brought him (Abraham) and Lot in safety to the land which we have blessed for all human beings: And we gave him Isaac and Jacob as a farther gift, and we made all of them righteous: We also made them models who should guide others by our command, and we inspired them with good deeds and constancy in prayer and almsgiving, and they worshipped us.”

Noah, King David & King Solomon are mentioned in the Sura. “And remember Noah when aforetime he cried to us and we heard him, and delivered him and his family from the great calamity;” “And David and Solomon; when they gave judgment concerning a field when some people’s sheep had caused a waste therein; and we were witnesses of their judgment.”

An important mention is made of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist and Mary and Jesus in verse 89-91 “And Zacharias; when he called upon his Lord saying, ‘O my Lord, leave me not childless: but there is no better heir than Thyself. So we heard him, and gave him John, and we made his wife fit for child-bearing.” “And her (Mary) who kept her maidenhood, and into whom we breathed our spirit, and made her and her son (Jesus) a sign to all creatures.” J.M. Rodwell’s note to this particular section of the Sura says “It is quite clear from this passage that Muhammad believed in the Immaculate and miraculous conception of Jesus.”

Muhammad in this Sura also continues to speak of the destiny of those who do not believe his words. “Did the infidels (Jews & Christians) but know the time when they shall not be able to keep the fire of hell from their faces or from their backs, neither shall they be helped! But it shall come upon them suddenly and shall confound them;…”

Islam, blessing or burden? You be the judge of it all!