Lady Fatima, peace to you, and to other muslims reading this.
Let me start by comparing what the Bible and the Qur'an our Holy Books, say about Christianity that agree with each other, so that we can come to a starting point in our discussions
Both the Bible and the Qur'an are uncompromising in their denunciation of sin. Both have an unforgivable sin which cannot be forgiven. In the Qur'an sin is seen as disobeying God's will. This disobedience is due to both an ignorance of divine law and the inherant weakness of man's nature. (Surah 4:48) and there fore man needs the revelation of God, which is a light on our way, as well as God's help to to be able to work in the right way. (Surah 1:5-7)
Both the Bible and the Qur'an teach that man is answerable for his own sins
The Bible also speaks of sin as disobeying the will/law of God ( 1 John 3:4)
Now though, we come to a very real difference in our understanding. Without discussing the sin of disobedience that was Adam's sin, the Bible teaches that even thinking something that disobeys God's will, is actually seen, as committing that sin. (mark 5:21-22) and that was taught by Jesus Himself.
Now, the Qur'an teaches that good and noble deeds out weigh even the bad deeds done, and therefore the Muslim believer has a very good chance of being accepted into paradise at the will of Allah.
But the Bible teaches that even the good things we do are like filthy rags next to the holiness of God.
Where in the Qur'an God appears generous in his treatment of our good deeds, even at the expense of his holiness and justice... he even appears to tolerate evil and overlook sin.
However, the God of the Bible He is not so indulgent. He does not tolerate sin in any form, nor does he put up with evil. Our good works do not remove his anger against sin, nor do they make up for our bad deeds.
Sin to the Christian is way more than just breaking God's Law. What we do outwardly as human beings, reflect what we are on the inside, deep in our hearts. Yes, sin involves breaking God's law, but it also reflects on our general disposition in relation to God. It speaks of a broken relationship with him, and a life that is characterised by a desire to be independent of him.
Let's see what this means
Al-Quddus, The Most Holy is the 5th name for God in Islam. He is most Holy, for in Him there is no imperfection.
The 41st name for God in Islam is Al-Hasib, the Reckoner, the one who gives the satisfaction. References in the Qu’ran suggest that as a reckoner, God keeps careful tally of all you say and do, so when it comes time for judgment, your account will be evident.
Al-Muhsi, the Reckoner, is the 58th name for God in Islam. The Islamic religion is all about works, about what man can do to make himself right with God.
At-Tawwab, the granter and accepter of repentance, is the 80th name for God in Islam. Repentance involves a complete reversal from specific behavior, and includes the element of guilt and personal responsibility.
If I say I love and submit to God, yet do not see that my sin hurts him and makes him angry, am I showing true submission? If I hope my good deeds will out weigh my bad deeds, I'm turning my back on the justice of God.. and assuming I can make Him who is the Almighty, the one without compare change his mind.
As a Christian, I see the same attributes as you do in God.. He is indeed the most Holy... but in the old testament it states in Exodus, that so great is His holiness that any human approaching him would die. He gave specific instructions to Moses to keep the people away from the mountain when He gave the Commandments or they would surely die. When Isaiah and others of the prophets saw God in visions, they trembled in fear as His absolute holiness revealed just how sinful they were and how absolutely hopeless to do anything about it. A true encounter with the holiness of God, brings the true believer to their knees in total submission to God, and a total dependence on Him
Both the Bible and the Qur'an speak of a day of Judgement, a day of reckoning. The Qur'an speaks of it in relation to submission to Islam, the Bible speaks of it in relation to man's sin, and the total inability of anything sinful to enter the presence of the most holy God. My day of reckoning as a believer is the day when every deed I have ever done will have to be given an account of.. and it's not just the deeds themselves, but my heart attitude to God Himself that is judged...
Both the Bible and the Qur'an speak of the need to change our entire thinking when we become believers... the Qur'an speaks of repentance and the Bible speaks of the need for repentance. Repentance means not only to be sorry for the sin we have committed, but to turn totally away from it in the opposite direction.
The Bible and the Qur'an both speak of God as the Judge.. yet, here the comparison ends.. For the God of the Bible is totally transcendant, totally worthy of praise and complete dependance on and change of behaviour for. The Qur'an gives lip service to this, but in reality, the God of the Qur'an changes His mind, overlooks sin and nothing but shirk, is considered unforgivable.
So you see, even without Adam's sin, mankind still are not able to meet the righteous requirements of the law of God.. both the Qur'an and the Bible speak of a Holy and Transcendent God, yet only in Christianity is this God allowed to be true to Himself and never change his mind or attitudes about sin.
The Allah of Islam lowers His holy state in order to accomodate sinful man into a paradise, which unlike the Christian heaven, does not then lead to worship of Him, but to all manner of lustful activities with beautiful virgins, and a warning three times in the hadith, that most women will end up in hell. Muhammed said that womean are bad omen.."
From this is would seem that His forgiveness extends more to men than to women..
yet.. the Bible teaches that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
The Bible teaches that men and women are created equal and stand equally condemned before God
The Bible teaches that even our good deeds are like filthy rags and the only way we can stand unshamed and uncontaminated on the day of judgement is not based on what we do, but only on the grace of God alone.. How did He reveal that grace? In Jesus Christ.
So you see Lady Fatima, as a Christian woman, I have a knowledge of my place before God, and an assurance as a woman, that when I die, I will not go to hell, but will have eternal life. That is not based only on Adam's sin,(which I have not discussed here) but on my own personal sin , for which both the Qur'an and the Bible state I am personally condemned and deserving of eternal punishment. The God of the Bible is for me in a ver personal way Ar-Rahman. The Most Compassionate, the Beneficent, the Gracious, and Ar-Rahim. The Merciful.
You see, I'm not made right in God's eyes by doing right.. I am right in God's eyes for believing right.. and with that comes assurance of an eternity worshipping Him, that you particularly as a Muslim woman do not have.. but that even Muslim men can only hope for.
I remain in peace with you and hope we can continue this discussion
Carol