IS THE GOD OF ISLAM (ALLAH S.W) THE SAME AS THE GOD OF CHRISTIANS (JEHOVAH)?

INTRODUCTION

For more than twenty years now, it has become common to hear in lectures conducted by Islamic scholars, which have spread in various parts of the world, especially in East and Central African countries. These scholars teach communities through the Quran and the Bible by saying that there is only one God. They say that God in Hebrew is called Jehovah, in Arabic Allah, in English God, and in Swahili Mungu. Therefore, they claim that the God Allah as taught in the Quran is the same as Jehovah as taught in the Bible. These lectures conducted by Muslims have become widespread, for example, in Tanzania there are many groups, one of which is called Al-Marid International Propagation Center. They have written on their banner quoting from the Bible, words written by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:4-6. The words they quoted say, "There is one Lord, one faith... one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." When I visited Morogoro town, at the airport area, I saw a mosque with these words from Ephesians 4:4-6 written on it. When I visited Nairobi in Kenya, I also saw many groups conducting lectures, and one of them is called Kibera Islamic Propagation Centre. They have written a message on their banner saying, "Let the Bible speak for itself," quoting this verse from the Gospel of John 8:32, "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Thus, you will see that these Islamic scholars teach the community using the Quran and the Bible, saying that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is Jehovah. They spread this teaching through Radio, Pamphlets, Lectures, books, and Video and Audio tapes. This has caused some Christians to leave their faith and convert to Islam. Some other Christians, although they have not changed their religion, believe this. The important question for every Christian to ask is, is it true that the God Allah as narrated in the Quran is the same as Jehovah as taught in the Bible? I urge you to follow this lesson carefully to know the truth...

MAIN PARTS OF THIS LESSON ARE AS FOLLOWS...

1. The arguments of Muslims saying Allah is Jehovah.

2. Is the name of God according to the Quran and the Bible the same?

3. Is the chief angel of Allah the same as Jehovah's?

4. Who is the creator, Allah or Jehovah?

5. The city chosen by Allah, is it the same as Jehovah's?

6. How does Allah teach about purifying the soul, is it the same as Jehovah?

7. Is Jehovah's heaven the same as Allah's?

8. What is the end of those who worship Allah?

1. The Arguments of Muslims Saying Allah is Jehovah

Islamic scholars say that the God Allah is Jehovah because the prophets of God according to the Bible and the Quran taught by saying that there is only one God. And they read these verses...

What Prophet Moses said:

Deuteronomy 6:4
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."

What Prophet Isaiah said:

Isaiah 45:18,21
"For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it... I am the LORD, and there is no other. A righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides Me."

What Prophet David said:

Psalms 86:10
"For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God."

What Jesus said:

John 17:3
"And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

What Paul said:

1 Corinthians 8:4
"Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God but one."

Here, Islamic scholars say that all prophets according to the Bible teach that there is only one God. What did Muhammad (s.a.w.) teach about God? They read these verses from the Quran...

Quran 41:6 Surah Ha-Mim Sajdah (The Prostration)
"Say, 'I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your God is one God...’"

Here, the scholars say that just as all prophets taught about one God, so did Muhammad.

Quran 29:46-47 Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider)
"And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, 'We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.' And thus We have sent down to you the Book. And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture believe in it. And among these [people of Makkah] are those who believe in it. And none reject Our verses except the disbelievers."

Here, Islamic scholars say that the books of the Torah and the Gospel do not contradict the Quran, and these books were given to the Jews and Christians, and the God of Muslims and Christians is one.

Is this argument true? I will answer this later.

Responses about One God

If you quickly look at how these Islamic scholars compare the verses of the Quran and the Bible, you might be convinced to believe what they teach, but it is good to study in depth according to the Quran and the Bible and then see if there is any truth in their teachings that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is Jehovah. Remember, the God we worship warned us Christians by saying...

Exodus 20:1-3
"And God spoke all these words, saying, 'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.'"

This warning from our God about having no other gods implies that there are other gods worshipped by people. Because in the Bible the word "God" in Hebrew "Elohim" and in Greek "Theos" is mentioned 3979 times, but false gods are mentioned 271 times. Some of these false gods are:

• Dagon (Judges 16:23)

• Baal (1 Kings 18:21)

• Artemis of the Ephesians (Acts 19:24-28)

Additionally, when we read the Quran, it also mentions various gods that were worshipped in Mecca, such as:

Quran 53:19-20,23 Surah An-Najm (The Star)
"19. So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? 20. And Manat, the third - the other one? 23. They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what their souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance."

Therefore, we see that there are many gods that are worshipped, and everyone who worships relies on that god and says there is one. For example, those who worshipped Dagon said he was one god, those who worshipped Baal said he was one god, those who worshipped Artemis said she was the great goddess. Likewise, the prophets served one God named Jehovah, and Muhammad worshipped one god named Allah. What I want to teach the community to know is whether Allah is Jehovah.

2. Is the Name of God According to the Quran and the Bible the Same?

One fundamental thing that identifies anything or anyone, be it a person, animal, or anything, is a name. Therefore, to know if the God worshipped by Muslims is the same as the one we Christians worship, we must look at the name. Is it the same?

Quran 17:110 Surah Bani Israil (The Children of Israel)
"Say, 'Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names.'..."

Here we see that Allah teaches Muslims to call upon Him by the name Allah or the Most Merciful. Reading the Quran, we see the name Allah mentioned 2866 times. Remember, the Quran has 30 Juzus and 114 Surahs. So the God worshipped by Muslims according to the Quran is named Allah.

The name of the God worshipped by Christians is this:

Exodus 6:2-3
"God spoke to Moses and said to him, 'I am Jehovah. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah I did not make myself known to them.'"

Here we see that the God we Christians worship identifies His name as Jehovah. In the Bible, the word or name "LORD" in English translates to Jehovah, indicating a very holy name of God. This name is mentioned 6751 times in the Bible. Remember, the Bible has a total of 66 books, 1189 chapters, and 31,102 verses.

3. Is the Chief Angel of Allah the Same as Jehovah's?

If Allah is Jehovah, then it is clear that the chief angel would also be the same. If not the same, then the chief angels are different. Let's first look at how Allah narrates in the Quran, and he says...

**Quran 81:19-21 Surah At-Takwir (The Over

throwing/The Folding Up)**
"Indeed, the Quran is a word conveyed by a noble messenger (Gabriel), Who is possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position], Obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy."

The explanation of these verses inside the Quran teaches that the noble messenger and the one obeyed in the heavens is Gabriel, who is the chief of all angels.

The chief angel of the God Jehovah is this:

Jude 1:9
"But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'"

Here we see the verses clearly teaching that the chief angel of the God named Allah is called Gabriel, while the chief angel of our God Jehovah is called Michael. The question is: Since these angels are different, is Allah the same as Jehovah? To know more about the differences between the angels, get a copy of the lesson: "Is Gabriel the Same as Jibril?" We have that lesson; get a copy.

4. Who is the Creator, Allah or Jehovah?

Everyone who follows religion believes that God is the creator who created humans, animals, and all we see and do not see. So it is appropriate to look at what is said by Jehovah about creation and what Allah says. Do their statements agree or differ?

Who Was Man Created in the Image of?

Allah says this:

Quran 112:1-4 Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Purity/The Sincerity)
"Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"

According to this verse, Allah says that God neither begets nor is born and that there is no one comparable to Him. Jehovah says this about man...

Genesis 1:26-27
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Here we see that our God Jehovah created man in His own image, but Allah says there is no one comparable to Him. The question for you, the follower: Is Allah Jehovah? Please read these verses to know more (Genesis 5:1-2, 9:6, 1 Corinthians 11:7, Colossians 1:15, 3:10, Acts 17:28-29, James 3:9). You might ask, "In what way does God resemble me?" Know that God is Spirit (John 4:24) and He gave us the breath (spirit of life) (Genesis 2:7). Moreover, God is the Father of our spirits (Hebrews 12:9), and He says our spirits belong to Him (Ezekiel 18:4, Numbers 16:22).

Swearing by God about Creation

Quran 91:1-7 Surah Ash-Shams (The Sun)
"By the sun and its brightness, And by the moon when it follows it, And by the day when it displays it, And by the night when it covers it, And by the sky and He who constructed it, And by the earth and He who spread it, And by the soul and He who proportioned it."

Quran 92:1-3 Surah Al-Lail (The Night)
"By the night when it covers, And by the day when it appears, And by [the One] who created the male and the female."

Here we see that Allah swears by the sky and He who constructed it, by the earth and He who spread it. Who is this spreader of the earth and the builder of the sky? The Quran continues to narrate...

Quran 45:22 Surah Al-Jathiyah (The Kneeling)
"And Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth..."

Quran 44:7-8 Surah Ad-Dukhan (The Smoke)
"[He is] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, if you should be certain. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers."

Here we see that Allah, through the Quran, says that Allah created the heavens and the earth, and again he says there is no deity except Him. The builder of the sky and the spreader of the earth says this...

Isaiah 44:24
"Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, 'I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself and spreading out the earth all alone.'"

Our God Jehovah says, "I make all things." (Read Isaiah 45:6-7, 11-12, Jeremiah 27:5). Surely Jehovah is the creator of all things.

Did God Jehovah Swear by the Things He Created like Allah?

Isaiah 45:22-23
"Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance."

Hebrews 6:13-16
"For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.' And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute."

Here we see that our God Jehovah does not swear by any person or the things He created, like Allah swears, but Jehovah says, "I swear by Myself." You can also read how Jehovah swore by Himself in these verses: (Isaiah 14:24 and Genesis 22:16).

5. The City Chosen by Allah, Is It the Same as Jehovah's?

The City of Allah:

Quran 27:91 Surah An-Naml (The Ants)
"I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), who made it sacred and to whom belongs all things..."

Quran 3:96 Surah Aal-Imran (The Family of Imran)
"Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds."

Quran 106:3-4 Surah Quraysh (The Quraysh)
"So let them worship the Lord of this House (the Kaaba), Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear."

Thus, we see that Allah is the Lord of the Kaaba according to these verses, and the Kaaba is in Makkah. Through these verses, we see that Allah, the god worshipped by Muslims, has chosen the city of Makkah as his holy city, and Muhammad (s.a.w) was commanded to worship the Lord of this city of Makkah, who is Allah.

What city did our God Jehovah choose? Continue reading...

The City Chosen by Our God Jehovah Is This...

2 Chronicles 6:4-6
"He said, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hands, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’"

The Scriptures do not mention any other city chosen by our God here on earth except the city of Jerusalem. (See 2 Chronicles 12:13, Ezra 6:12; 7:15,27; Psalms 26:8; Zechariah 2:12)

Through these verses, we see that our God Jehovah, His chosen city is Jerusalem. The name Jerusalem is in Hebrew and means "foundation of peace." Even when the Israelites were far from the city of Jerusalem, they knelt and faced Jerusalem. (See Daniel 6:10). The city chosen by Jehovah is Jerusalem, and the city chosen by Allah is Makkah. And this is the difference between the city of Allah and Jehovah.

6. How Does Allah Teach about Purifying the Soul, Is It the Same as Jehovah?

Allah teaches this...

Quran 53:32 Surah An-Najm (The Star)
"Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones - indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure..."

Quran 12:53 Surah Yusuf (Joseph)
"And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil,

except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

According to the Quran, Allah instructs people not to purify themselves and again says, "I do not purify myself." This is very surprising!

Our God Jehovah says this about purifying the soul, i.e., holiness:

Isaiah 43:3
"For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place."

Here we see that God says, "I am the Holy One." This is also a descriptive name for our God Jehovah. In Hebrew, it is called "Kadosh." The Prophet Isaiah has written that God is Holy 32 times. For a quick reference, read Isaiah 40:25, 48:17, and 57:15. Moreover, because our God Jehovah is holy, He instructed us thus...

Leviticus 11:44
"For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth."

The Apostle Peter instructs us thus:

1 Peter 1:15-16
"But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

The Apostle Paul also instructed to purify the soul and be holy (2 Corinthians 7:1). You can also read this instruction to be holy in Leviticus 19:2, 20:26.

Therefore, we see that Jehovah commands us to purify our souls to be holy, but Allah commands Muslims not to purify their souls.

Question for you, the follower: Is Allah Jehovah?

7. Is Jehovah's Heaven the Same as Allah's Paradise (Heaven)?

Jehovah's Heaven:

Luke 20:34-36
"Jesus said to them, 'The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.'"

These Scriptures assure Christians that when we are resurrected and enter heaven, there will be no marriage because we will have spiritual bodies (1 Corinthians 15:43-54). Additionally, the Scriptures teach us that the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Our God teaches clearly that in heaven in His kingdom, there is no hunger or thirst or sun to beat down on us (Revelation 7:16-17).

Allah's Paradise or Heaven will be like this:

i. Mansions

Quran 39:20 Surah Az-Zumar (The Groups)
"But those who have feared their Lord will have chambers, above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in [His] promise."

ii. Rivers of water, milk, wine, honey, and fruits

Quran 47:15 Surah Muhammad
"The description of Paradise, which the righteous are promised, is that in it are rivers of water unaltered, rivers of milk the taste of which never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of purified honey, in which they will have from all kinds of fruits and forgiveness from their Lord. [Are they] like those who abide eternally in the Fire and are given to drink scalding water that will sever their intestines?"

iii. They will have women of certain kinds and bird meat

Quran 56:15-23 Surah Al-Waqi'ah (The Inevitable) - I quote verses 21-23 only
"And meat of fowl, from whatever they desire. And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes, The likenesses of pearls well-protected."

Quran 37:48-49 Surah As-Saffat (Those who set the Ranks)
"And with them will be women limiting [their] glances, with large, [beautiful] eyes, As if they were [delicate] eggs, well-protected."

Quran 37:44-46 Surah As-Saffat (Those who set the Ranks)
"They will be on thrones facing each other. Circulated among them will be a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring, White and delicious to the drinkers."

Through these verses, we have seen that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, the god worshipped by Muslims, has promised to admit Muslims into paradise (heaven) where they will have rivers of water, rivers of milk, wine, and honey. They will also have fruits, bird meat, and will be married off to women with large eyes like ostrich eggs and others with large eyes like cups.

The surprising thing is when we read the book of Hadith, because the faith of Islam is also built on the books of Hadith. Read...

Quran 42:10 Surah Ash-Shura (The Consultation)
"And in anything over which you disagree - its ruling is [to be referred] to Allah. [Say], 'That is Allah, my Lord; upon Him I have relied, and to Him I turn back.'"

When we read the book of Hadith of the Prophet called Sunan Ibn Majah vol 5 page 546 Hadith No: 4337, there are these explanations:

Narrated Abu Umama: The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said Allah will not allow anyone to enter paradise but Allah the Mighty and Glorious will marry him with seventy-two wives. Two will be virgins (Huris) with big eyes, and seventy will be his inheritance from the people (husbands) who were thrown into Hellfire. Each one of them (the women) will have a pleasant vagina, and the man’s sexual organ will not bend down (during intercourse) but will last long.

In English, this Hadith reads:

Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said Allah will not admit anyone into Paradise but Allah the Mighty and Glorious, will marry him with seventy-two wives. Two will be from virgins (Huris) with big eyes, and seventy will be his inheritance from the people of Hellfire. Each one of them will have a pleasant vagina, and the man’s sexual organ will not bend down (during sexual intercourse) but will last long.

This is what Allah, the God of Muslims, has promised. This is something that surprises a Christian greatly because what is taught by Allah is not found at all with our God Jehovah. Here on earth is where there is wine, fruits, bird meat, marrying, mansions, cars, rivers, seas, and other things.

Consider, who is this Allah?

8. What Is the End of Those Who Worship Allah?

We know that Christians will live with our God Jehovah forever (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and Revelation 21:3-7). Thus, our God is eternal. But when we read the Quran and the Hadith of Muhammad, the Prophet of the Muslims, we see these teachings...

Quran 51:56 Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds)
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

Quran 6:128 Surah Al-An'am (The Cattle)
"And [mention, O Muhammad], the Day when He will gather them all and say, 'O company of jinn, you have misled many of mankind.' And their allies among mankind will say, 'Our Lord, we benefited from each other, and we have reached our term which You appointed for us.' He will say, 'The Fire is your residence, wherein you will abide eternally, except for what Allah wills. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing.'"

In these verses, we see that the jinn along with all people will be thrown into the fire. How about Allah? When we read the book of Hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w) called Sahih al-Bukhari Vol: VI Hadith No: 371. Page 353, there are these words:

Quran 50:30 Surah Qaf (The Letter Qaf)
"On the Day We will say to Hell, 'Have you been filled?' and it will say, 'Are there any more?'"

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "People will be thrown into the (Hell) Fire and it will say, 'Are there any more (to come)?' until Allah puts His Foot over it and it will say, 'Qat! Qat!' (Enough! Enough!)"

In English, this Hadith reads:

Allah's statement: It (Hell) will say, "Are there any more (to come)?" (50:30). Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "People will be thrown into the (Hell) Fire and it will say, 'Are there any more (to come)?' (50:30) till Allah puts His Foot over it and it will say, 'Qat! Qat!' (Enough! Enough!)"

In this verse, we see that Allah, the god of Muslims, asks Hell if it is full, and Hell will ask Allah, "Are there any more?" This question implies that

Hell was not yet full.

The explanation of this Hadith confirms that Allah will place His foot in Hell, and then Hell will say, "Enough! Enough!" meaning it is full with the act of Allah putting His foot there. This is completely different from our God Jehovah, who has prepared Hell specifically for the wicked, the devil, and his angels. Please read these verses: Matthew 25:41, 46, Revelation 20:10, 21:8.

All these verses show that the end of the wicked, the devil, and his angels is in the lake of fire. Question for you, dear friend, who is Allah?

I hope that through the Quran, the Bible, and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, you have been able to learn in depth that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, the god worshipped by Muslims, is not Jehovah, the God we Christians worship.

Shalom

Dr. Max Shimba for Max Shimba Ministries Org