Judge by the Gospel | Quran 5:47 | Misunderstood Quranic Verses | Dr. Shabir Ally

Summary

In this episode of 'Let the Quran Speak,' Dr. Shabir explains the meaning behind Quranic verse 5:47, which has been misinterpreted by some Christian audiences. The verse, 'Let the people of the Gospel judge by that which Allah has revealed therein,' is explored in its context, showing that it does not endorse Christian theological claims such as Jesus being the Son of God. Dr. Shabir emphasizes that the verse refers to following the judgment found in the scriptures of each community—whether the Torah, Gospel, or Quran—within their respective contexts, highlighting freedom of religion and legal autonomy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The verse from Surah 5, verse 47 of the Quran is often misunderstood in Christian-Muslim discussions, particularly regarding the belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
• 😀 The verse instructs the people of the Gospel to judge by that which Allah has revealed in it, but this doesn't mean they should follow all aspects of the Gospel, which may contain both divine revelation and other materials.
• 😀 The Quran refers to 'the Gospel' in the singular (Injil), despite there being four different Gospel texts in the Christian tradition, which creates ambiguity in interpreting which Gospel the verse refers to.
• 😀 There is a debate over the 'gospel message,' with various interpretations existing, including Paul's reference to 'my gospel,' which may not align with other Christian interpretations of the message of Jesus.
• 😀 The verse should be understood in context. In Surah 5, verses 44-47, there is a scenario where followers of the Torah bring a case to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for judgment, highlighting the Quran's recognition of the Torah and its judgment system.
• 😀 The Quran critiques the hypocrisy of people who, despite claiming to follow the Torah, come to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for judgment, implying that if they truly believed the Torah contained God's judgment, they should have used it.
• 😀 The verse is not a command for Muslims to accept the Christian theological concepts of Jesus as the Son of God, Lord, and Savior, but rather, it reflects the freedom of religion, allowing different communities to follow their own laws and scriptures.
• 😀 The verse emphasizes that people can judge according to their own religious laws, offering religious freedom to the Jewish and Christian communities in the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• 😀 The verse addresses the judgment of cases, not theological disputes, and focuses on legal rulings based on the scriptures each community follows, like the Torah for Jews and the Gospel for Christians.
• 😀 Dr. Shabir explains that the Quran’s mention of judgment by the Gospel should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Christian beliefs about the divinity of Jesus, but as a reflection of legal processes within the context of the time.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video regarding Quranic verse 5:47?

The main issue discussed is the misunderstanding of Quranic verse 5:47, which some Christian viewers interpret as supporting the idea that Muslims must accept the Christian Gospel as a source of judgment. The video explains the correct interpretation, highlighting that the verse is not making a theological statement but rather addressing legal judgments in a specific historical context.

How do some Christians misunderstand Quranic verse 5:47, and why is this view incorrect?

Some Christians misunderstand the verse by claiming that it requires Muslims to accept the Gospel's teachings, such as the divinity of Jesus. This interpretation is incorrect because the verse, in context, refers to judging legal matters according to each community's own scriptures, not to adopting the theological claims of those scriptures.

What is the significance of the word 'Injil' (Gospel) in the Quran, according to Dr. Shabir?

Dr. Shabir explains that the Quran refers to the Gospel as 'Injil' in the singular, suggesting that there is one unified Gospel, not necessarily the four distinct Gospels in the Christian Bible. This is important because it influences how the Quran addresses the concept of judgment according to the Gospel.

Why does the Quran refer to the Gospel in the singular ('Injil') instead of the plural?

The Quran refers to the Gospel in the singular to emphasize that there is one essential message or revelation from God, even though there are multiple Gospels in Christian tradition. This distinction is key to understanding the verse's meaning in the Quranic context.

What is the historical context behind Quranic verse 5:47 that helps clarify its meaning?

The historical context involves a situation where Jewish communities brought legal cases, such as one involving adultery, to the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran is addressing the right of these communities to judge based on their own scriptures, such as the Torah or Gospel, rather than forcing them to accept Islamic law.

How does Dr. Shabir compare the situation in the Quran with the Gospel of John?

Dr. Shabir compares the Quranic situation with a similar story in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is asked to judge a woman caught in adultery. In both cases, the figures involved—Jesus and Muhammad—are seen as giving the option for the communities to judge based on their own religious laws rather than imposing another law on them.

What does the Quran suggest about religious freedom in the context of legal judgments?

The Quran emphasizes religious freedom, suggesting that non-Muslim communities can judge their cases based on their own religious laws. Muslims are only required to follow the Quran's guidance, but others are not obligated to follow Islamic legal rulings unless they are part of the Muslim community.

What does Dr. Shabir say about the application of the verse to theological beliefs such as the divinity of Jesus?

Dr. Shabir stresses that the verse does not address theological issues, such as the divinity of Jesus. Instead, it is concerned with legal judgments. The verse should not be interpreted as requiring Muslims to accept the Christian view of Jesus as the Son of God and Savior.

How does the Quran view the Torah and the Gospel in relation to the judgment of legal matters?

The Quran views the Torah and the Gospel as containing divine guidance and judgment in legal matters. It respects these scriptures, but the Quran allows people to follow their own religious laws and judgments in such contexts, provided they believe in the legitimacy of their scriptures.

What message does Dr. Shabir convey about the role of the Prophet Muhammad in the context of verse 5:47?

Dr. Shabir explains that the Prophet Muhammad, as a leader, would judge legal cases according to the Quran for the Muslim community. However, non-Muslim communities could judge their own cases according to their scriptures, highlighting the principle of religious autonomy in the Quranic approach.