[KENNETH MATIBA]

Islam's high regard for Mary is rooted in various texts of the Koran (Qur'an), including the following: "Behold! the angels said: 'O Mary! Allah has chosen you above the women of all nations'" (Surah 3:42). The purity of Mary in Islamic thought is equated with sinlessness. The Qur'an even affirms the Virgin Birth of Jesus, echoing Mary's response to the angel Gabriel from Luke's Gospel: "She said: 'O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?'" (Surah 3:47). Muslim theologians, however, do not explore the implications of Mary's sinlessness or the Virgin Birth. They do not want to pursue a line of thought that might lead to the affirmation that Jesus was divine, a very disturbing conclusion for the Muslim. Reference: Pages 61 & 62, "Inside Islam, A Guide for Catholics"

Add this dilemma about Mary to the fact that the Qur'an confused the sister of Moses by implication (Miriam) with Mary (lived 1500 yrs apart), the mother of Jesus 3 times --and one needs to seriously question Islam's and its Allah's credibility. Also, remember, Muhammad seemed to think that Jesus was Moses' nephew, the son of Moses' sister Mariam.

More Islamic Editing of their Qur'an:

In the Koran, Surah 53:19 says 'Have you considered "Al Lat" and "al-Uzza" and "Manat" the third other?' This passage was originally followed by the words 'Verily they are the exalted maidens and their intercession is to be hoped for'. The polytheistic Pagans of Mecca were delighted when Muhammad delivered this passage because it was a chant recited by the Qurash tribe as they circled the Ka'aba while worshipping these three principle goddess of pre-Islamic Mecca. This compromise also caused some companions to doubt Muhammad and leave his fold. "Al-Lat" was the most famous of the pre Islamic pagan gods. She was the chief goddess (and idol) of the tribe of Thakif at Taif, who tries to compromise with Muhammad, if only he could destroy their god "Al-Lat" for 3 years.

The earliest authority on the life of Muhammad (Ibn Hisham) claimed that these words were uttered by Muhammad at the "instigation of Satan" and are considered to the be Satanic Verses (not to be confused with Salman Rushdies' book).

When Muhammad realized that his attempt to appease the pagan Meccans was causing his followers to leave, he quickly made a slight alteration and a major omission to this passage by dropping the sentence about the exalted maidens. To make matters worse, Gabriel allegedly came to Muhammad and denied that he had revealed the word to him. ('Sirat'ul Rasool' as revised by Ibn Hisham, (vs. 239), and Tabari pp. 1 192). Muhammad retained the named of the goddesses, and added that it was unfair that God should have daughters while humans had sons (See Surah 53:19-23).

In fact, God does have a Son (begotten/not made).

Proverbs 30:4 (written 700 B.C./1323 yrs before Muhammad): "Who hath ascended up into heaven or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the Earth? What is His name, and what is His son's name, if thou canst tell?" Read here to find out.

Goodness & truth prevails

Islam would have Christians and Jews believe that this pagan Allah who insists on world domination and death to non-believers -- and who is the same god who offers Muslim terrorist martyrs hedonistic sex with virgins in heaven - is the same Christian and Jewish "holy God of the Book". Christians and Jews think that this is blasphemy.

Though present-day Jews and Christians are not all saints, there is no getting around the fact that neither of those religions has sprouted a contemporary movement aimed at world domination to be achieved by terror and war. That honor is reserved for the Muslim faith. It must be concluded, that the real problem, the baseline problem, lies with Satan's subtle lies found in the message (Qur'an); and also with the messenger (Muhammad).

Slavery is not a hallmark of the true God

Most individual Muslims may respect and honor women, but Islam doesn't! Several words Muhammad uses in his dishonorable Qur'an to describe women should be an "eye opener". The words “naghess al aghl” literally means defected witted person. It describes the intellectual capability of women in general. And the word “zaeefeh”, refers directly to female gender in contrast to men in ain a condescending way. It means “the weaker one” . Muhammad's Allah command this: “Give them their dowry for the enjoyment you have had of them as a duty” (Koran 4.24). In other words, a Muslim husband should live with his wife to satisfy his own need and pleasure. It is clearly understood in Islam, that if a woman disobeys her husband, it is usually necessary for her husband to stop having sex with her (temporarily) and for him to teach her "a lesson" by some form of physical punishment.