Debate Post: Moses of the Bible vs. Moses of the Qur’an — Where Did He Meet God?

Debate Post: Moses of the Bible vs. Moses of the Qur’an — Where Did He Meet God?

One of the most fascinating figures shared between the Bible and the Qur’an is Moses (known as Musa in Islam). However, while both scriptures acknowledge his prophetic mission and his encounter with God through a burning bush, there’s a stark difference in the details — especially regarding where this sacred event took place and what happened there.

Let’s lay it out clearly:

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Biblical Account (Exodus 3:1-6):

In the Bible, Moses encounters God at Mount Horeb, often identified as Mount Sinai. The passage reads:

“And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush… And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.”
(Exodus 3:2-5 KJV)

Key Facts:

• Location: Mount Horeb / Mount Sinai

• No mention of a valley named Tuwa or Tuha

• The emphasis is on the holiness of the ground at the burning bush, not a specific named valley.

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Qur'anic Account (Surah Taha 20:12-13):

In the Qur'an, the event takes place in a location called “the sacred valley of Tuwa”:

“Indeed, I am your Lord, so take off your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa. And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed [to you].”
(Surah 20:12-13)

Key Facts:

• Location: Valley of Tuwa

• God speaks directly, commanding Moses to remove his sandals

• No burning bush is mentioned in this particular passage

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Debate: Is the Qur'anic Account Historically Accurate?

Christian/Biblical Argument:

• There is no historical or archaeological record of a valley named Tuwa associated with Moses.

• The oldest and most consistent tradition, supported by Jewish, Christian, and early historical texts, places this event at Mount Horeb / Sinai.

• The Qur'anic account appears to retrofit a specific location (Tuwa) not found in earlier scriptures, raising questions about its originality and accuracy.

Muslim Defense:

• Muslims might argue that Tuwa is simply the name of the valley where Mount Sinai is located, and both accounts essentially describe the same event.

• They claim additional details in the Qur’an don’t necessarily contradict but complement earlier revelations.

Counterpoint:

• However, if both refer to the same event, why did the Biblical tradition — the earliest record — omit the name Tuwa?

• Furthermore, the Qur'an lacks the powerful imagery of the burning bush, which has rich symbolic and theological meaning in Judeo-Christian faith.

• This suggests either a loss or alteration of detail in the Islamic retelling, or a later invention of specific place names to create a distinct Islamic narrative.

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Conclusion:

The Biblical account of Moses’ encounter with God remains consistent in its geography and symbolism across centuries of tradition. The Qur'anic introduction of Tuwa lacks corroborating evidence and appears historically unsubstantiated outside Islamic texts.

Final Thought:
Was the Qur'anic mention of Tuwa a legitimate piece of previously lost information — or a narrative adjustment to reshape the Biblical story for a different theology?

What do you think? Share your views below and join the debate.

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Did Prophet Muhammad Pray While Wearing Shoes?

Debate Post: Did Prophet Muhammad Pray While Wearing Shoes? Should Muslims Criticize Christians for Praying with Shoes?

Background:
There’s been controversy in interfaith debates about praying with shoes on. Some Muslims criticize Christians for praying with shoes, claiming it’s disrespectful — yet historical Islamic sources show Prophet Muhammad himself prayed while wearing shoes. So, is this criticism fair?

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CLAIM:

Some Muslims mock Christians, saying it’s wrong to pray with shoes on, while defending their own practices and customs.

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EVIDENCE FROM ISLAMIC SOURCES:

Let’s examine what Islamic texts say about praying with shoes:

Book: Al-Ulu wal-Marjan page 179
Chapter: Permission to Pray with Shoes
Hadith 325:
Anas bin Malik (RA) narrated from Said bin Yazid Al-Azid (RA):

I asked Anas bin Malik, “Did the Prophet (SAW) pray while wearing his shoes?”
He replied, “Yes.” (Bukhari Hadith No. 383, Volume 1)

Another Source: Tafsir Bulugh al-Maram min Jam’i Adillat al-Ahkam
Page: 101, Hadith No. 171
Abu Said (RA) narrated:

The Prophet (SAW) said: “When any one of you goes to the mosque, he should look at his shoes; if he sees filth or impurity on them, he should clean them by rubbing them against the ground, then he may pray in them.”
(Abu Dawud, Ibn Khuzaymah graded it as Sahih)

Additional Hadith:
The Prophet reportedly said:

“Whoever finds a scorpion while praying should kill it with his left shoe.”
(As narrated in Mkweli Mwaminifu, Vol. 1-2, Hadith No. 188, p. 88)

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ARGUMENT FOR CHRISTIANS (AND RATIONALITY):

If Prophet Muhammad prayed in his shoes and even instructed Muslims to pray with shoes after checking for filth, then it’s unreasonable for Muslims to criticize Christians who may pray with shoes, especially in open or outdoor settings.
The logic here is simple: either praying with shoes is acceptable (as demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad himself) or it’s not — and if it was acceptable for Muhammad, then using it as an insult against Christians makes no sense.

Also — Muhammad encouraged killing a scorpion with a shoe during prayer. How could you do this if shoes are not worn in prayer?

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COUNTER-ARGUMENT FROM SOME MUSLIMS:

Some modern Muslims might argue that this was allowed in the early days of Islam when mosques were built on dirt floors, and it made sense practically. Today’s carpeted mosques maintain different hygiene standards, and shoes are left outside for cleanliness.

Response:
If this is a matter of cultural or environmental change, then it's fair for Christians, or any other faith, to adapt their prayer settings as appropriate to their culture and worship spaces without condemnation. It should not be a theological attack.

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CONCLUSION:

This debate highlights a double standard in some interfaith polemics. If historical Islamic practice permitted praying with shoes, modern criticism of Christians for similar practices is misplaced. What matters is the heart’s sincerity in worship, not footwear.

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Question to readers:
Do you think religious practices should evolve with context, or should they strictly follow their origins?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s debate it openly and respectfully.

#InterfaithDialogue #ReligiousDebate #ChristianityVsIslam #Muhammad #HadithTruth #PrayerTraditions #DebatePost

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#MUSLIMS CLAIM THAT THE CHRISTIAN GOD IS A HARLOT ACCORDING TO ISAIAH 23:17

But are these Muslim claims true?

MUSLIMS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES

As is often the case, Muslims continue to be deceived by their teachers and comfort themselves with the belief that they are on the path of salvation, insisting that the Bible is not the Word of God and only the Qur’an is.

One of the most blatant and misleading claims involves a passage in the book of Isaiah. These verses say:

"At the end of seventy years, Tyre will happen to be like the song of a prostitute: Take a harp, walk through the city, you forgotten harlot; play skillfully, sing many songs, so you will be remembered again. And it shall come to pass at the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her hire, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth." — Isaiah 23:15b-17

Muslims cling tightly to this scripture, mockingly saying, “See you Christians? Your God is a harlot. What kind of God is this to follow? Come to Allah.”

For careless Christians, scriptures like this can completely confuse them, making them think Christianity is a false religion — to the point some abandon their faith and convert to Islam, not realizing they are leaving eternal life for spiritual death.

This kind of false teaching is widespread among Muslims, spread through the internet, public debates, books, and other platforms. There are hundreds of Bible verses they have misrepresented and use to try and draw people away from the New Jerusalem. Have you fallen for one of these deceptions?

Historical Context:
After Babylon fell in 539 B.C., Phoenicia became a colony under the Medo-Persian Empire. The Persian ruler Cyrus the Great granted more freedom. Under this new administration, Tyre would attempt to revive its old trade business and reputation, much like a forgotten harlot walking the streets, playing a harp, and singing to attract new clients.

Would Tyre succeed? Yes — God would allow it. In time, the city would become so prosperous that by the end of the 6th century B.C., the prophet Zechariah would declare: “Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the mud of the streets.” — Zechariah 9:3

KEY QUOTE FROM ISAIAH 23:17:
"At the end of seventy years, the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire as a prostitute and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth."

When reading these verses quickly, it might seem like the words "He" and "will commit prostitution" refer to the LORD — but that is a misunderstanding. The subject is Tyre, not God.

In short: Muslims misinterpret this passage and others out of context. It speaks of a city, not of God. Claiming otherwise only exposes their poor grasp of scripture.

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Does the Sun Set in a Murky Pool in the Qur'an (18:86)?

Debate Topic: Does the Sun Set in a Murky Pool in the Qur'an (18:86)?

Position A: Yes, the Qur'an Literally Says It

Those who read Qur'an 18:86 plainly argue it clearly states that Dhul-Qarnayn reached the place where the sun "set in a muddy spring." The Arabic phrase مغرب الشمس (Maghriba al-shamsi) describes an actual, visible event. Early Islamic commentators like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari also took this literally — suggesting the sun appears to set into a muddy or murky body of water at the earth’s edge. Critics claim this reflects ancient, pre-scientific cosmology, proving the Qur'an's human origin and lack of divine knowledge.

Position B: No, It’s Just a Figure of Speech

Defenders of the Qur'an argue the verse is metaphorical — it’s describing what it appeared like to Dhul-Qarnayn. They claim the language reflects his perspective, not physical reality. In this view, just like saying “the sun rises” or “the sun sets” in modern speech, it describes an observation, not a literal event. They accuse critics of ignoring Arabic idiomatic expression and missing deeper spiritual meanings in the passage.

Question for the Audience:
Was the Qur'an describing physical cosmology, or was it using figurative language to capture human perspective? And if it's figurative, why did early Muslim scholars take it literally for centuries?

Your Thoughts? Drop your comments below and join the debate!

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Did Christians Ever Believe Mary Was Part of the Trinity?

DEBATE: Did Christians Ever Believe Mary Was Part of the Trinity?

Muslim Claim (from the Qur'an, Surah 5:116):
"And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, 'O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, “Take me and my mother as deities besides Allah?”'”

According to this verse, the Qur'an accuses Christians of believing in a Trinity made up of God, Jesus, and Mary.

Christian Response:
Let’s set the record straight: No official Christian doctrine has ever taught that Mary is part of the Trinity. The Christian Trinity has always been one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Mary, while highly honored as the mother of Jesus, is never worshipped as a deity in true Christian teaching.

Historical Fact Check:
Some scholars suggest the Qur'an may have been responding to heretical sects or local groups in Arabia with distorted beliefs, but these were never accepted by the global Christian Church.

Christian Creeds Say:

• Nicene Creed (325 AD): Belief in one God, the Father Almighty… one Lord, Jesus Christ… and the Holy Spirit. No mention of Mary as divine.

• Apostles’ Creed: Same structure, no deification of Mary.

Final Verdict:
Christians worldwide reject the claim that Mary is part of the Trinity. The Qur'an seems to either misunderstand Christian doctrine or address an obscure, unorthodox group.

Your Turn:
What do you think? Was this a misunderstanding by Muhammad, or was it a deliberate misrepresentation? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

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Why Was Jesus Circumcised If He Wasn’t Going to Marry?

It’s a question that pops up now and then — if Jesus wasn’t going to marry, why did he need to be circumcised?

The answer isn’t about marriage at all, but about identity, covenant, and fulfilling divine law.

According to Jewish tradition, circumcision was a physical sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants. Every male child in Israel was to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth — a command found in Genesis 17:10-14. This wasn’t about personal plans or future marriage; it was a spiritual and cultural identity marker, a symbol of belonging to the people of God.

When Jesus was born, he was fully Jewish and came to live under the Law of Moses. Luke 2:21 records that on the eighth day, Jesus was circumcised and officially named. This act was part of his mission to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 5:17). From birth, Jesus perfectly obeyed the law of God, so he could later serve as the flawless sacrifice for human sin.

The Apostle Paul highlights this truth in Galatians 4:4-5:

"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law."

In short, Jesus wasn’t circumcised because of marital expectations — it was about obedience, identity, and fulfilling the covenant requirements of God’s law.

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The Day 360 Gods Became One: The Origin of Allah

Before Islam claimed the Kaaba for itself, it was a shrine filled with 360 idols — one for every day of the lunar year. The people of Mecca worshipped these various gods, each believed to have its own power and domain. Among them was a deity called Allah, known as the chief god in the region.

Then came Muhammad, and everything changed.

In a move that shocked the Meccans, Muhammad declared that all these gods would be consolidated into one — Allah. This wasn’t just a call for monotheism; it was a merger of all deities into a single figurehead. The Qur’an captures their reaction in Surah 38:5:
"Has he made all the gods into one God? This is truly astonishing!"

In essence, Allah became the integral of those 360 gods — carrying traces of a pagan past now repackaged as monotheism. What was once a house of many idols was now declared a sanctuary for the one god named Allah.

This is a part of history often overlooked, but it reveals much about the origins of early Islamic belief and the transformation of religious identity in pre-Islamic Arabia.

Worth pondering: How did a god among many become the god of one?

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The Great Quran Thickness Illusion

Ever wondered why the Qur’an looks so impressively thick? Is it because it’s overflowing with profound, soul-stirring wisdom? Not quite. It’s actually a masterclass in book-padding. Let’s unpack this.

First, the Arabic script is enormous. Each letter practically shouts at you from the page. Then, they space out the lines so generously you could comfortably park a camel caravan between them. What could easily fit on a single page of normal print now balloons into five.

But wait — it gets better. Every page is printed in two languages: Arabic on one side and a translation on the other. Not for your convenience, mind you, but to bulk up the volume. Then come the endless footnotes and commentaries from modern scholars explaining what each verse “really means” — usually by circling around the same vague ideas again and again, like a director’s cut of a ten-minute short film stretched into a four-hour ordeal.

And don’t forget the obsessive ritual of adding “PBUH” or “SAW” after every mention of Muhammad, like a broken record. These constant add-ons aren’t in the original text — just more filler to weigh down the pages.

As for the paper? It’s not your average book stock. No, it’s thick, glossy, almost cardboard-like, making every page feel heavier than necessary. The entire production is designed to give the illusion of grand substance.

Now, imagine stripping away all the fluff: no oversized Arabic, no double columns, no redundant commentary, no endless PBUHs, and swapping in thin, Bible-style paper. The mighty Qur’an would shrink down shockingly fast — in fact, it’d probably end up smaller than the Book of Psalms or Isaiah alone.

And yet, Muslims confidently claim this slender, repetitious booklet somehow “completes” the Bible. In truth, it barely competes. A slim collection padded with formatting tricks and repeated phrases can’t replace the depth and richness of a divine library like Scripture.

The fact is, the thickness of the Qur’an isn’t evidence of heavenly wisdom — it’s the handiwork of human inflation, dressed up to look like more than it is.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY (THE GODHEAD): Understanding the Three Divine Persons in Heaven (1 John 5:7)

The doctrine of the Trinity — or the Godhead — teaches that within the one true, living God exists three distinct, co-equal, and co-eternal divine persons: the Father, the Word (the Son), and the Holy Spirit. This mystery of divine plurality within divine unity is affirmed in 1 John 5:7, which declares:

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

While this revelation was not fully preached or openly revealed during the era of the patriarchs of Israel, traces and foreshadowings of this divine truth were already present in the Old Testament narrative. A profound example is found in Genesis 18:1-5, when Abraham encountered three men near the oaks of Mamre.

Scripture records:

"And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him..." (Genesis 18:1-2)

Recognizing their divine nature, Abraham bowed down to the ground and addressed them as "My Lord" in the singular form — a subtle yet powerful indication of the plurality within the Godhead. Though three appeared, Abraham spoke to them as one divine being, prefiguring the Christian doctrine of one God in three persons.

Further glimpses of the Godhead in the Old Testament:

• In Genesis 1:26, God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” suggesting a divine plurality.

• Isaiah 48:16 reveals a triune presence: “And now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.” Here, the speaker identifies himself alongside both the Lord God and His Spirit.

Though fully articulated in the New Testament, the Trinity is embedded throughout the biblical narrative — culminating in Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

In conclusion:
The appearance of the three men to Abraham was not a mere happenstance but a divine manifestation, an Old Testament theophany symbolizing the eternal reality of the Godhead. While the fullness of the Trinity would be explicitly revealed through the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, its shadows and signs were present long before — testifying to the unchanging, triune nature of God through all ages.

Shalom,
Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

WHY DID ALLAH NEVER MENTION PALESTINE IN HIS QUR’AN?

Muslims, Allah told the Israelites to ENTER THE HOLY LAND — so why do you want the Palestinians, a people whom even Allah never acknowledged, to invade the land of Israel?

Muslims carry deep jealousy against Israel because Allah declared Israel as a sanctified land — and never said the same about Arabia. This is a disaster for Islam.

ALLAH SAYS:

Surat Al-Baqara 40
“O Children of Israel! Remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your covenant with Me, and I will fulfill My covenant with you, and fear Me alone.”

Allah continues to affirm that Israel carries His favor, yet not even for a single second do we read Palestine being mentioned — nor do we read of Arabs being favored.

ALLAH SAYS ISRAEL IS ABOVE ALL OTHER PEOPLES

Surat Al-Baqara 47
“O Children of Israel! Remember My favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you above all others.”

ALLAH CONFIRMS HE CHOSE ISRAEL ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE — INCLUDING THE ARABS
That’s why Arabs carry so much hatred toward the Israelites — because they themselves were not chosen.

As you’ve just read, Israel is favored and exalted above all others, including Palestine. This explains why the Arabs have no true standing before Israel.

Today, I want you to understand that Israel is a nation blessed by God, and no matter what the Arabs attempt, even their own Allah confessed that they would always follow behind Israel until the Day of Judgment.

ALLAH GAVE ISRAEL THE SCRIPTURE, JUDGMENT, AND PROPHETHOOD — AND FAVORED THEM ABOVE THE ENTIRE WORLD

Surat Al-Jaathiya 16
“And indeed We gave the Children of Israel the Scripture and judgement and prophethood, and provided them with good things, and preferred them above all other nations.”

So, Israel was given Prophethood, the Book, and Judgement. This is why the Arabs continually rebel against Israel’s commands.

Why didn’t Allah ever mention Palestine in the Qur’an?

God bless you richly.

It’s me, Max Shimba, servant of Jesus Christ
For Max Shimba Ministries Org
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