Jesus, Son of Mary: A Palestinian's Journey from the Crescent to the Cross

By Akef Tayem

It makes no sense... but we believe it anyway!

Qur'an 5:46 says, "And in their footsteps we sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel."

As a Muslim I, too, rejected the Gospel because I was told the "authentic gospel" given to Jesus was lost.

Roman historians do not mention

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Nov 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647731328

Book preview

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Jesus, the Son of Mary

A Palestinian’s Journey From

the Crescent to the Cross

Akef Tayem

Trilogy Christian Publishers

TUSTIN, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2020 by Akef Tayem

All Quran quotations from the English translation of Yusuf Ali, one of Islam’s most trusted scholars and apologists. The web address for the online Quran quoted is: http://www.al-islam.org/Quran/.

All quotations from the Quran¹, Sunnan, and ahadith will be given the proper identification so they can be easily referenced.

To access the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS): Library of Congress Exhibition: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/scrolls/toc.html

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture references are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quotation designated (NET) is from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in USA.

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-64773-131-1

ISBN 978-1-64773-132-8 (ebook)

Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Review by American Author Association xi

Commonly Used Terms xv

Introduction xxix

*Jesus, the Son of Mary 1

*Muhammad (pbuh) Prophet of Islam 11

Has the Torah Been Altered? 27

Atonement for Sin According to the Qur'an 47

The Dead Sea Scrolls 85

The Search for the Suffering Messiah 109

Islam After the Death of *Muhammad 133

Have Islam's Apologists Failed? 165

God Equips Whom He Calls 187

The Garden of Eden—The Origin of Sin 207

The Origin of Writing and Man's Inherent Sinful

Nature 257

My Testimony 295

Endnotes 305

To contact the author, please visit:

www.SonsOfAbraham.com

Acknowledgements

Sid Roth,² my pit-stop manager:

You will never know the times I was on the verge of throwing in the towel, or perhaps you did. Your encouraging phone calls would come just in the nick of time. You even told me it was the best manuscript you have read on the topic. You encouraged me to stay the course, pursue the project, and finish the race. Such words, coming from a man of your stature, provided the fuel that kept my engine running. You must have sensed the difficulties, and just when I was about to run out of fuel, like a good pit-stop manager you would flag me in for a quick refuelling. You will always be in my thoughts and my prayers. Thank you.

Debi, my friend:

You encouraged me to tell my story in a book.

COMMENTARY BY FAISAL MALICK

To my dear brother in Christ Faisal Malick, a fellow Muslim who converted to the Christian Faith and who included my conversion testimony in his best-selling book 10 AMAZING MUSLIMS Touched by God. I will be forever indebted… Salam!

Faisal Malick, president of Covenant Life Ministries, Langley, BC Canada

Faisal Malick’s forward to my testimony as it is written in his book:

Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You… (Psalm 65:4)

It was a creative miracle that Jesus did for a young boy that so impacted Akef Tayem and drew him into a search for answers. Nothing in this world could stop or satisfy this hunger in his heart- not his family, education, or vocation. This miracle so marked his consciousness and captured his heart that he could not deny, even as a Muslim, that Jesus actually healed a boy. The miracle made Akef immediately aware of Jesus, and this is why he found himself suddenly weeping on his knees uncontrollably. God touched depths in his heart that he did not know even existed.

Review by American Author Association

www.americanauthorsassociation.com/Book%20

ReviewA%20Muslim,%20the%20Quran%20and%20Jesus%20the%2

Author: Akef Tayem

Title: A Muslim, the Quran, and Jesus the Son of Mary

Reviewer: W. H. McDonald, Jr. – AAA Founder

Reviewer: E. A. Kruger – Education Administrator

A Muslim’s Conversion to Christianity—

His Reasons Why

Some people will find author Akef Tayem’s outlook on the differences and historic foundations of the three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Islam and the Jewish faiths) rather unique and thought provoking. His book A Muslim, The Quran, And Jesus The Son of Mary (Subtitled: A Palestinians Journey from the Crescent to the Cross) is like nothing else out there in religious books. His comments and thoughts are the kind of thing that could put his own life at risk with certain groups in many places around the globe. He shows some courage in exploring the questions that he does in his book.

His thinking and explorations of the holy texts from all three religions have caused him to rethink some of the fundamental things about his own historic spiritual roots. The book is full of references and notes to explain his thought process as he takes you along on an educational tour of his former Muslim beliefs and how he has evolved and became a Christian.

This book is very scholarly written, and the author does a good job of educating the reader and presenting his views. He is full of passion and energy as he tackles what he sees as fabricated stories and mistaken beliefs about the missing Gospel that Jesus was given.

This book will give the reader a better understanding of not only the differences between the religions but also an awareness that they are all from the same foundation. This is not a book that would be considered light reading but if you had the time and were looking for more understanding about what is going on in the world today based on what people are being taught and what they are lead to believe.

Astounded. I was completely astounded at how this author took the three major world religions; Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and summed them up in a 333-page book. He not only explained the gist of these major religions but their origins and how they influenced each other’s beginnings. I found this most fascinating. His methodology is to be commended. He used a practical approach that I imagined most everyday people would use when undertaking such a path of self-discovery.

As an American living in a post 911 world, he also explains the religion we Americans fear most at this time. He does this in a detailed and understandable manner. Because of this, I am less afraid of the Islamic religion in the religious sense, I am however just as concerned as ever in its ideological lack of tolerance for other religions. Overall, this is a good theological read that is not overly complex in its explanations.

The added conversion of Mr. Tayem in the epilogue was courageous in the least. I can only imagine the pain he suffered from the backlash of his own family. The challenge of searching out one’s own spiritual beliefs in hopes of proving they are warranted of your personal devotion, is a daunting but necessary one. I recommend this book for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike in hopes of finding a common ground of respect of each other’s religions.

Commonly

Used Terms

NOTE: Please refer to this section for explanations to words and terms you may encounter, to better help you understand the essence of this book. For example: (Torah): The first five books of the Bible. Author Moses (common view).

(Old Testament): writings of the prophets³." 39 books; From the first book of Genesis to the last book of Malachi.

(Gospel): The story and sayings of Jesus, the son of Mary.

(Scripture): Old Testament (which includes the Torah) + the Gospel.

Is there a difference between Allah and God?

Before I proceed, I must address the difference between some of the names by which the Creator is referred to. The three monotheistic religions—Judaism, Islam, and Christianity—refer to the Creator by many different names.

Creator is referred to by more than twenty names in the Bible (God, Father, Elohim, Adonai, El, etc.’) and over one hundred in the Quran (ar-Rahman, ar-Rahim, al-Malik, al-Salam, etc.,). The most common name for the Creator in the Bible is God and Allah in the Quran.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE, and does it matter? There are different points of view whose detailed explanations are not within the purview of this book. Some Christian commentators/scholars believe there is a difference. Wrong. They confuse Al⁴ with Allah. Muslims say there is no difference. The following quote from the Quran, which is also the view expressed in the online Encyclodepia, ⁵Wikipedia, which makes the Islamist point:

[Quran 2:136] Say ye: We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in obedience).

The reader will notice I use the terms God and Allah interchangeably. To do otherwise would be confusing. You will better understand my dilemma as you read along. Note: The words and terms in the Glossary are purposefully not in alphabetical order. They were put in a specific sequence to use words and phrases with which the reader has already been acquainted to explain the next unfamiliar word or term.

Please refer to these pages as needed. Explanations of many words and phrases used frequently throughout this book are provided. Common Muslim terms such as Islam, Muslim, *Muhammad, Quran, Sunnah, hadith, etc., are defined for those unfamiliar with them as well as Christian terms, such as grace, inherent sin, Trinity, etc., for the Muslim reader.

*Muhammad⁶: (*Mohammed) The prophet and founder of Islam. Islam is the religion of the followers of *Muhammad. It means submission in Arabic. The prophet of Islam is mentioned by the name *Muhammad, four times in the Quran and once as ‘Ahmad.’

Muslim/s: (Islamists) The followers of Islam are known as Muslims.

Quran: (Qur’an, Al-Quran) The Islamic term al-Quran means the recitations, denoting its content. When referring to the physical bound volume, the correct term is Mushaf al-Quran. Islam teaches that *Muhammad received recitations by the archangel Gabriel while meditating in a cave in Mecca. According to tradition, these recitations, known as Sura, were written⁷ on whatever medium was available: skin parchments, bones, stones, etc. After the death of *Muhammad, they were compiled into a book sacred to all Muslims known as the Holy Al-Quran.

Sunnah (plural Sunnan): The eyewitness accounts of the deeds and sayings of *Muhammad.

Hadith: (plural aHadith) The accounts of two or more individuals’ testimony of sayings and incidents relating to *Muhammad.

Sharia: The written laws of do’s and don’ts by which each practicing Muslim should abide.

The Five Pillars of Islam: To be a Muslim one must diligently observe each one:

Shahada: The Islamic proclamation: La allah il’la allah, wa *Muhammad’l rassool Allah (There is no God except Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah).

Salat (Prayer): The prayer is performed five times a day. Shoes are forbidden while performing the prayer. One must always face Mecca when praying, which involves prostrating oneself.

Saum: (Fasting): During the month of Ramadan, all believers are expected to fast in the daylight hours – the sick are exempt.

Almsgiving: One must help the poor to the best of one’s ability.

Hajj (Pilgrimage): Every able Muslim must perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. It requires following the example of *Muhammad when he left Medina for Mecca.

Caliph, Caliphate: The title given to the leader of Islam following the death of *Muhammad. The first Caliph was Abu-Bakr - ⁸Sunni.

Ka’bah: (Kaaba, Kaba) The place in Mecca which houses the black stone. Muslims believe it was the first altar built by Abraham and his son Ishmael to worship God (Allah.) At the time of *Muhammad, the Ka’ba was home to over one hundred and thirty gods and goddesses, the leader of which was ⁹Al, who had three daughters/goddesses: Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and AL-Manat.

¹⁰Allah: Christian scholars are not in agreement as to who Allah is. As noted earlier, they confuse ‘AL’ the god of the Quraysh with ‘Allah,’ who, as the following Quranic verse shows, refers to the God of Abraham. Thus, in this manuscript, I will take the same position as encyclopaedia Wikipedia—Allah and God are one and the same.

[Quran 2:133]: Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob? Behold, he said to his sons: What will ye worship after me? They said: We shall worship Thy god and the god of thy fathers, of Abraham, Isma’il and Isaac, the one (True) Allah: To Him we bow (in submission)."

Night journey (Isra’ wal - Miraj): In a dream, *Muhammad rides on a beast accompanied by the archangel Gabriel as it flies him from Mecca to Jerusalem. *Muhammad then ascends to heaven where he meets and talks with Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. He is then taken to the seventh heaven, to the throne of Allah.

The ¹¹Book (Torah, Pentateuch, Law): The Quran uses the term the Book to mean a specific collection of books given to Moses by Allah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. According to Islam, other prophets were also given books: King David (Daud, in Arabic) was given the book of ¹²Wisdom (Psalms). Abraham was also given a book—tradition has it that sometime after his death, the book ascended back to heaven. The Torah is mentioned sixteen times in the Quran.

The Injeel (Injil) (gospel): Islam teaches that Allah gave Jesus the Injil (gospel), which has since disappeared. There are two views among Muslims as to how Allah gave Jesus the Injil. The first view is of a literal descent from heaven. The popular view is that the message came to *Jesus and He wrote it in a book known as the Injeel, which was lost. Not a single copy exists. The disappearance of the Injeel raises the question of how a book of such great significance to Jews, Muslims, and Christians would just disappear without a trace. You can read more about the disappearance of the Injeel in the chapter titled Have Islam Apologists Failed? The Quran mentions the Injil twelve times.

The Gospel/s: Muslims do not have a clear understanding of how many book/s comprise the Gospel/s. According to Christian doctrine, there is only one Gospel (Good News), narrated by four of Jesus’ Disciples: Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. They each recorded the sayings and deeds of *Jesus from their perspective. They are referred to as the "Gospel according to [the name of the respective author].

Abraham: Known as ‘Ibrahim’ in Arabic and ‘Avram’ in Hebrew. Jews and Arabs are brothers. (Thus, the name of my website, www.SonsOfAbraham.com). They have a common father, Abraham, who is referred to sixty-seven times in the Quran

David (Zaboor al ¹³Daud): King David, King Solomon’s father, is among the most favoured personalities in the Quran. Muslims believe Allah gave him the book of Wisdom (Psalms). King David, the author of Psalms is mentioned sixteen times in the Quran.

Moses (Musa): The foundation of Islam is based on the Book (Torah) given to Moses by Yahweh (another name for the Creator). Moses is referred to one-hundred and thirty-five times in the Quran.

The Torah: Please see explanation for the Book on the previous page.

The Tanakh (Old Testament): The thirty-nine books that comprise the Hebrew Scripture. The word ‘Ta-na-kh’ is derived from the Hebrew letters of its three components: Torah the law, Nevi’im the prophets, and Ketuvim the Writings.

The Law (Torah, Pentateuch, Taurat, Tawrat): Judeo/Christian scholars hold the view that Moses authored the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

History: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.

Stories, Poetry and Wisdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Songs of Solomon.

Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Judaism: Those who accept Yahweh as their God, believe in the Tanakh, and observe the Laws of Moses. See also Talmud.

Christians: The followers of the Christian faith. Christians, in Arabic, are referred to as the followers of Jesus the Christ (‘Isah Al Masi’h).

The Bible (sixty-six books according to protestants): It is the Holy Book of the Christian faith. It includes the Old Testament (thirty-nine books), and the New Testament (twenty-seven books). The Old Testament is the same as the thirty-nine books of the Hebrew Tanakh. The New Testament includes the four Gospels by Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, the book of Acts, several epistles by the early founding fathers, and the book of Revelation(s).

Grace: Is a Christian term and a tenet of the Christian faith. It means unmerited favour, as in gift. It is not earned and never deserved. Christians do not, and cannot, boast of earning their right to salvation, or that they deserve forgiveness from sin because of their good works – it is unmerited favour.

Inherent sin: This is also a Christian term. It refers to Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, which led to their fall from grace (favour) with God. Their descendants (all of mankind) acquired this sinful nature, thus the term, inherent. You can read more regarding the origin of writing and pictographs in the final chapter.

*Jesus (according to Christianity): In Arabic *He is referred to as ‘Isa iben Myriam’ (Jesus, son of Mary) and ‘Isa il Masich’ (Jesus the Christ.) *Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Christianity teaches that man’s nature is sinful (inherent sin). Man cannot redeem himself through works but is justified by faith in Jesus Christ who was crucified on the cross as a propitiation for sin and rose on the third day. He is the Son of God, and part of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The essence of Christianity can be summed up in John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus (Isa) is mentioned twenty-five times in the Quran.

Inerrancy: The belief that the Bible is the Word of God and that those who wrote it were directed to do so by the Holy Spirit.

The Talmud (Oral Law): The Talmud was the concept and creation of Rabbi ben Zakkai. It was written shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans. In this author’s view, it is a fabricated attempt (Rabbinical Judaism) to exclude the fundamental theme of the Torah; that of a suffering Messiah, and the shedding of blood for the remission of sin. The early leaders of Islam, following the death of Muhammad, seized on the opportunity presented by the controversy over the Talmud and presented it as proof that the Jews were in the