The Arabic word used in these verses is "makr," which means deception or cunning. Many Islamic scholars and apologists try to soften this by translating it as "planner" or "schemer." However, the literal meaning involves deception. Qur’an 3:54 says: "And they (the unbelievers) planned to deceive, and Allah planned to deceive (the unbelievers), and Allah is the best of deceivers." In Qur’an 7:99, it warns: "Are they then safe from Allah's deception? No one feels safe from Allah's deception except those that shall perish." Again, in Qur’an 8:30, we see: "And (remember) when the unbelievers plotted deception against you (O Muhammad), to imprison you, or kill you, or expel you. They plotted deception, but Allah also plotted deception; and Allah is the best of deceivers."
As I transitioned to Christianity, these verses became increasingly troubling. How could the same God who is described as holy, righteous, and the epitome of truth in the Bible also be the “best of deceivers”? In John 8:44, Jesus makes a clear distinction: "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Here, deception is unequivocally attributed to Satan, not God.
The stark contrast between the Qur’anic description of Allah and the biblical description of God led me to question whether Muslims and Christians worship the same deity. It is a common refrain that Christians and Muslims both believe in one God, but the nature of that God is fundamentally different. In Christianity, God is truth—Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Truth is a core attribute of the Christian God, and it is impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
On the other hand, if Allah is described as a deceiver, even in the context of "outsmarting" or "plotting against" unbelievers, this presents a major theological divide. Can a God who deceives be considered a God of truth? This question drove me away from Islam and toward the Bible, where I found a God who never lies and whose plans are always transparent, righteous, and good.
Some Muslim scholars will argue that Allah’s deception is only against the wicked and that this makes His actions justified. Yet this still suggests that deception is part of Allah’s nature. By contrast, in Christianity, even though God may allow people to fall into deception (Romans 1:24-25), He Himself remains the source of truth, light, and grace.
When I left Islam in 2013, this issue was a significant factor in my decision. I could not reconcile the idea of a God who deceives with the God of the Bible, who embodies absolute truth. I found freedom in Jesus Christ, who calls us to walk in the light and to know the truth, for "the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
In conclusion, the question of whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God must be considered in light of these theological differences. If Allah is "the best of deceivers" and the Bible declares Satan as the father of lies, then the answer becomes clear: Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. The Christian God is unchanging in His truth and righteousness, while the Qur'an's depiction of Allah includes deception as part of his nature. For me, this was one of the defining realizations that led me away from Islam and toward the truth of Jesus Christ.
Citations:
- The Qur'an, 3:54, Sahih International Translation.
- The Qur'an, 7:99, Sahih International Translation.
- The Qur'an, 8:30, Sahih International Translation.
- John 8:44, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
- John 14:6, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
No comments:
Post a Comment