Sharing Our Paradoxes

Recognizing and Affirming the Paradoxes within Islam & Christianity

The Integrity of both Islam & Christianity

“Will they not think about this Qur’an? If it had been from anyone other than God, they would have found much inconsistency (ikhtilaf) in it.” Q. 4.82

“Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses.” Luke 11.17

Does integrity allow paradox?

Some authors look for proofs from history and science to show there are no contradictions in the Qur’an or the Bible.Their concern for apparent consistency prevents them from allowing paradox.But the presence of paradox in the Qur’an does not demolish the clear evidence of integrity and consistency.In fact, paradox is another sign of the greatness of God since paradox opens our minds to new ways of thinking and feeling.

The Bible and the Qur’anIt is well known that it is not

correct to compare the Bible with the Qur’an because the Word of

God in Christianity is primarily Jesus Christ. In what follows, I do not simply compare the Bible and the Qur’an but I compare similar

paradoxes that I have found in the tradition of Christianity as well as

in that of Islam.

Ten Paradoxes

1. God is both Father and

Judge

Christianity : God is the Father of all

“God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.” John 3.17 “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity.” Luke 15.20“In this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike.” Mat. 5.45The New Testament portrays God as offering salvation to everyone.

Christianity: God is our Judge

“For every unfounded word men utter they will answer on Judgement day.” Mat 12.36“He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.” Mat. 25.33“You shall be thrown down to hell.” Mat. 11.23, Mat. 13.49-50The Inquisition revealed the harsh, judgmental face of Christianity. In the past, the Church has denied that other religions were ways to salvation.

Islam : Allah is Compassionate

“God is most compassionate and most merciful towards people.”

Q. 2.143

“Anyone who does evil or wrongs his own soul and then asks God for forgiveness will find Him most forgiving and merciful.” Q. 4.110

Islam : Allah punishes

“God. . will forgive whoever He will and punish whoever He will: He has power over all things.” Q. 2.284, Q. 48.14“We shall send those who reject Our revelations to the Fire.” Q. 4.56“If anyone kills a believer deliberately. . . God is angry with him, and rejects him.” Q. 4.93“God is severe in punishing.” Q. 3.11Islamic punishments are carried out in some Muslim societies.

2. One way or many ways?

Christianity : One Way

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14.6“By this name and by no other (that) this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy.”

Acts 4.10“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.” John 3.16

Christianity : other Ways

“Nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. . . Many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the feast in the kingdom of heaven but the subjects of the kingdom will be turned out into the dark.” Mat. 8.10-11“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this.” Luke 7.9The teaching of Vatican II (Nostra Aetate)

Islam: there is only one true religion

“If anyone seeks a religion other than (islam) complete devotion to God, it will not be accepted from him.” Q. 3.85

“Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My blessing upon you, and chosen as your religion islam.” Q.5.3

Some Muslims would not accept that Christians and Jews were part of islam.

Islam: different ways

“The (Muslim) believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians – all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good – will have their rewards with their Lord.”

Q. 2.62“We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you; our God and your God are one (and the same).” Q. 29.46“We have assigned a law and a path to each of you. If God had wished, God would have made you a single nation.” Q. 5.48

3. Mission or Dialogue?

Christianity : mission as proclamation“Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Mat. 28.19“repentance. . . would be preached to all the nations.” Lk. 24.47Christian missionaries have understood evangelization in terms of proclamation.

Christianity : mission as dialogue

The Samaritan woman said: “You are a Jew. How is it that you ask me, a Samaritan, for something to drink? – Jews, of course, do not associate with Samaritans.” John 4.9Jesus said: “Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, ‘Peace to this house’.” Luke 10.5Today, Christian mission is understood in terms of interfaith harmony and reconciliation.Several forms of dialogue are practiced.

Islam : witness & call“We have made you (believers) into a just community, so that you may bear witness (to the truth) before others.” Q. 2.143“So let there be a body among you who may call to the good, enjoin what is esteemed and forbid what is odious. They are those who will be successful.” Q. 3.104da’wa began as a call to Muslims (intra-Muslim da’wa) but turned towards non-Muslims in response to the efforts of the Christian missionaries to make converts.

Islam : a relationship of dialogue

“Tell them: ‘O people of the Book, let us come to an agreement on that which is common between us’.” Q. 3.64,16.125, 88.21-22

(Cf. the recent document: A Common Word)“Do not argue with the followers of earlier revelation otherwise than in a most kindly manner – unless it be such of them as are bent upon evil-doing – and say: ‘We believe in that which has been bestowed from on high upon us, as well as that which has been bestowed upon you: for our God and your God is one and the same.” Q.29.46

4. The Ordinary Way

and the Perfect Way

Christianity : the ordinary way

“Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. . . . Not one dot, not one little stroke, shall disappear from the Law until its purpose is achieved.”

Mat. 5.17-18“What is written in the law? What do you read there?. . . Do this and life is yours.”

Luke 10.25-28The lives of holy men and women in the history of the Church is a witness to the possibility of holiness in the market place.

Christianity: a more perfect way

“If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees. . . .” Mat. 5.20Jesus said to the rich young man: “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor. . . then come, follow me.” Mat. 19.21“The one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Mat.18.1The development of mysticism and monasticism in the Church expresses a special calling and way of life.

Islam : the ordinary way

“This is My path, leading straight, so follow it, and do not follow other ways.”

Q. 6.153, Q. 6.161“We have assigned a law and a path to each of you.” Q. 5.48The five pillars of Islam indicate “the straight path” for all Muslims.Monasticism was rejected as being too extreme.

Islam : a more excellent way

“We have brought people a Scripture – We have explained it on the basis of true knowledge” Q. 7.52 (interpreted as mystical knowledge by some sufi Muslims). tariqa: the sufi path is not meant for all dhikr leads to greater intimacy with Godhadith: “Worship Me as though you can see Me and if you cannot see Me, know that I always see you.”ihsan: the beauty and excellence of Islam

5. Pardon or Retaliation?

Christianity : forgive & suffer

“Offer the wicked man no resistance.” Mat. 5.39

‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me?’ . . Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.’ Mat. 18.21-22 ‘Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.’ Mat. 26.52“Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23.34

Christianity : resist evil! “Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” Ps 144“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.” Mat. 10.34“Be cunning as snakes yet innocent as doves.” Mat. 10.17The event of the Crusades was just one example of the fact that Christians were ready to use military action to achieve their purposes.

Islam : pardon & forgo“The righteous, who. . restrain their anger and pardon people.” Q. 3.134“Forgive and forbear until God gives his command.” Q. 2.109“Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly.” Q. 4.135“If you raise your hand to kill me, I will not raise mine to kill you.” Q. 5.28“In the Torah We prescribed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, an equal wound for a wound: if anyone forgoes this out of charity, it will serve as atonement for his bad deeds.” Q. 5.45

Islam: resist oppression!“Permission is granted those (to take up arms) who fight because they were oppressed.” Q. 22.38“Fight in God’s cause against those who fight you, but do not overstep the limits.” Q. 2.190“Fighting is ordained for you. . .” Q. 2.216“To anyone who fights in God’s way, whether killed or victorious, We shall give a great reward.” Q. 4.74Jihad (as militant struggle) ‘in the way of God’ means fighting for the defence of religion.

6. A separate community yet not removed from other communities

Christians are called away from the world

“You did not choose me, no, I chose you.” John 15.16

“My choice withdrew you from the world.” John 15.19“Many are called but few are chosen.”

Mt. 22.14“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart.”

1 Peter 2.9 “You are God’s chosen race.” Col. 3.12

Faith appears in unexpected places

“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion.” Lk. 10.33“Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother, and sister and mother.” Mk. 3.35“It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.”

Lk. 17.18“The subjects of the kingdom will be turned out into the dark.” Mat 8.11

A community set apart“Remember God’s blessing on you and the pledge with which you were bound. . .” Q. 5.7“Who could be better in religion than those who direct themselves wholly to God. . ?”

Q. 4.125“(Believers), you are the best community singled out for the people.” Q. 3.110“Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you and favored you over other people.”

Q. 2.47

Muslims live together with others

“We. . . made you into races and tribes for you to get to know each other.” Q. 49.13“If God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but (He willed it otherwise) in order to test you”

Q. 5.48“(Messengers), this community of yours is one single community and I am your Lord, so serve Me.” Q. 21.9“We dispersed them over the earth in separate communities. . “ Q.7.16

7. Servants or

Friends of God?

Christians are servants of God and of each other

“My aim is to do not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” John 5.30“Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all.” Mark. 10.43-44“When you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are merely servants; we have done no more than our duty.”

Luke 17.10

Christians are children and even friends of God

“I shall not call you servants anymore. . . I call you friends.” John 15.15‘Father. . . I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants. . . ‘this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.’ Luke15.21-24“Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are.” 1 John 3.1

Muslims are the servants of God

“He grants His bounty to any of His servants He will.” Q. 10.107

“‘If you punish them, they are Your servants; if You forgive them, You are the Almighty, the Wise.’” Q. 5.118

“The servants of the Benevolent One are those who walk the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘peace’.” Q. 25.63

Intimacy between Allah and His servants

“We created man and . . . We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” Q. 50.16“The East and the West belong to God: wherever you turn, there is His face.”

Q. 2.115“(Prophet), if My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me.” Q. 2.186“God is close to (true) believers.” Q. 3.68,

cf. Q. 2.257, Q. 10.62“God took Abraham as a friend.” Q. 4.125

8. A Hard Road or

an Easy Road?

Christianity: the hard road

“Let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.” Luke 9.23“It is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Mat. 7.14“Try your best to enter by the narrow door.” Luke13.24“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18.25 Many Christians are called to give their lives as martyrs.

Christianity: the way made easy

“Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full.” Luke 14.23“I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10.10“My yoke is easy and my burden light.”

Mat. 11.30“Everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.” Luke 6.19

Islam demands struggle

“Strive hard in God’s cause with all the striving that is due to Him.” Q. 22.78 “As for those who believed and went into exile and struggled for the sake of God, and those who gave shelter and assisted, they are the ones who are really believers.”

Q. 8.74“A man receives only that for which he strives.” Q. 53.39

Islam : brings ease

“God wants ease for you, not hardship.” Q. 2.185“God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.” Q. 2.286“God wishes to lighten your burden; man was created weak.” Q. 4.28“He has chosen you and placed no hardship in your religion.” Q. 22.78

9. For or Against the World?

Christians : immersed in society

“God loved the world so much. . .” John 3.16“The Word was made flesh, he lived among us.” John 1.14“I am not in the world any longer, but they are in the world.” John 17.11“Whatever house you go into, let your first words be ‘peace to this house!’” Luke 10.5Christians immersed themselves in society through works of mercy.

Christians : wary of society

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you.” John 15.18“They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.” John 17.16“Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves.” Mat. 7.15The asceticism of the desert monks was an expression of their flight from the world.More recently, the “us and them” mentality is separating Christians from Muslims.

Muslims : in harmony with others

“Some of the People of the Book believe in God, in what has been sent down to you. . .” Q. 3.199“You are sure to find that the closest in affection towards the believers are those who say, ‘We are Christians’.” Q. 5.82“We sent Jesus. . . To confirm the Torah. . . We gave him the Gospel.” Q. 5.46, 5.44The age of convivencia in Spain and other historical periods show that Muslims and non-Muslims have lived in peace and harmony.

Muslims : wary of others“You (Prophet) are sure to find that the most hostile to the believers are the Jews and those who associate other deities with God.” Q.5.82“You are sure to hear much that is hurtful from those who were given the Scripture before you.” Q. 3.18 “You who believe, do not take the Jews and Christians as allies.” Q. 5.51Some Muslims use a literal understanding of such verses to isolate themselves from others

10. Are Womenequal partners or subservient to men?

Christianity: new dignity“God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” Gen.1.27“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘What? You are a Jew and you ask me, a Samaritan, for a drink?. . . At this point his disciples returned, and were surprised to find him speaking to a woman.” John 4.9 and 27“They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.” Mat. 19.6“There are no more distinctions between. . . male and female.” Gal. 3.28

Wives Obey Husbands

“Your yearning shall be for your husband, yet he will lord it over you.” Gen. 3.16The ideal wife, according to Proverbs 31.10-31, is subservient to her husband.“Supposing a man has taken a wife and consummated the marriage; but she has not pleased him. . .” Deuteronomy 24.1 “As the Church submits to Christ, so should wives to their husbands, in everything.”

Eph. 5.24

Muslim Men and Women“Men and women who have surrendered,

believing men and believing women obedient men and obedient women truthful men and truthful women enduring men and enduring women men and women who give in charity men who fast and women who fast. . . For them God has prepared forgiveness and a mighty reward.” Q.33.35

The Qur’an brought a new social and economic status for women. Cf. Q. 4.19

Relationship between Husbands & Wives

“Husbands have a degree (of right) over them.” Q. 2.228“If you fear high-handedness from your wives, remind them. . .” Q. 4.34“If a woman has reason to fear ill-treatment from her husband. . . it shall not be wrong for the two to set things peacefully to rights between themselves.” Q. 4.128Yet early tafsir and hadith literature disparages women.