INTRODUCTION

My name is Akef Tayem. I am a Palestinian Arab born in Haifa Israel. I come from a devout Muslim family. My father was a wealthy merchant…. Please read chapter 1 for the rest of the story about my family, our refugee status, and my experience with Jesus, the Son of Mary.

All Muslims are required to read and follow the teachings in the following three sources: the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Hadith – In 'Glossary of Terms',

pages 243-247, you will find the explanations to words and terms mentioned in this book. It is greatly recommended that you briefly glance at it before reading the book. You can then refer to it as needed.

It explains Arabic terms such as Islam, Muslim, Muhammad, Quran, Sunnah, Hadith etc., to the English speaking reader. It also explains English terms such as Christian, born again, inherent sin, salvation etc., to the Muslim reader.

Of the three sources mentioned above the most reliable source, according to Islam, is the Quran, because it contains the recitations given to Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, by the archangel Gabriel (pronounced Gibril in Arabic). The Sunnah and Hadith were compiled within a 200-year period following Muhammad’s death, which perhaps explains why Muslims view them as secondary to the Quran in authority. This book is by no means intended as an expose on Islam. In the introduction section of the 500+ pages of my now-put-on-hold book titled ‘In Search of God’, I mention my desire to search the faiths whose roots are based on the God of Abraham.

Before the start of my research, I was well aware of two ‘basic truths’ a Muslim is taught at a very young age. As a matter of fact, if a Muslim is asked his opinion on the Gospels and the Torah (Old Testament), he will let it be known without any hesitation that neither is trustworthy because the ‘original gospel’ given to Jesus was lost, and the Torah has been altered. Why is that, and where is the source to these fundamental beliefs? As a child, I too was brought up taking the above beliefs for granted. Even as an adult, it never occurred to me to ask or search for the verses in the Quran, which the above beliefs were founded on.

It wasn’t until I started working on my book that I came across the references and reasons, for my, and every Muslims belief, that the Torah was altered and the ‘gospel’ given to Jesus was lost.

I was so bewildered and shocked by what I found out, that I felt an urgency to put on hold my original manuscript, for this book instead, which deals with several controversial issues concerning Islam, including the two ‘facts’ that every Muslim is taught at a very young age, (1) Not to accept what is written in the four gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John, because the ‘original gospel’ given to Jesus by God was lost, and (2) To stop reading the Torah (which Muhammad and his followers read and adhered to), because the Jews and the Christians altered some of the verses.

(1) THE MYSTERY OF THE DISAPPEARENCE OF THE PHANTOM GOSPEL – Islam’s answer to a book that never was!
According to Islam, Jesus was given a book called the Ingil (which means gospel, in Arabic) in the same manner that God gave the Torah to Moses:
[Quran 5:46] “And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.”

The reason we as Muslims, grow up with contempt against the writers of the Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John) is because we believe they tried to substitute the ‘now-lost-original-gospel’ which was written, ordained, and sent to Jesus by Allah, with four man-made substitutes – which is tantamount to forgery and blasphemy.

THE HAUNTING REALITIES I HAD TO FACE
How can a book of such great significance to so many people just vanish?
How is it possible not to have an account of this ‘gospel’ anywhere in the annals of man’s history?
Why didn’t the Roman historians of the time mention it? Why didn’t Josephus, who was so thorough in recording Jewish history, mention a single word about this alleged ‘book’?

And why do libraries around the world have other writings that preceded it by hundreds of years, such as the works of the Greek philosopher Socrates, the writings of Herodotus the historian, the writings of Buddha, and many, many more, yet they do not have a single copy of the alleged ‘book’?

Here is what boggles ones imagination. Obviously it would have been much easier to accept the concept of the ‘the lost book’, had the incident occurred in prehistoric times, before the advent of reading, writing, and copying. The fact is that this ‘book’ according to Muhammad and the Quran, existed in the latter part of the 6th century A.D, at the time when modern writing and copying was rampant all over the world! You see how the ‘lost gospel theory’ makes absolutely no sense – The complete story about the ‘lost gospel’ can be found in chapter six. At first I assumed that the case of the ‘lost Gospel’ was unintentional, some kind of a misunderstanding. But it was different with the case of the ‘altered Torah’. I found it to be a deliberate and calculated lie. I realize the impact of that word. I do not use it lightly.

I also realize I could have used a more ‘politically correct’ term instead; perhaps my frustration and anger prevented me from doing so. You, my Muslim brothers, whose interest is foremost in my heart and mind, will understand, I hope and pray, as you read on.

I traced the source and the individual who started the rumor, Caliph Abu Bakr, the first leader of Islam, following the death of Muhammad – A ‘Caliph’ to Muslims, is like the pope is to the Catholics

.I found something even more disturbing. There was a purpose and an agenda for the propagation of this lie. I could not just brush it off because it was very disturbing and raises many questions. Questions that became anathema to Islam’s commentaries and apologetics, because in their effort to justify them, they inadvertently found themselves in a quack mire of endless explanations that are vague, unfounded, and make absolutely no sense. They take us, the faithful, for granted…without any consideration for our dignity and integrity. They exercise no caution or restraint from insulting our intelligence.

Judge for yourself. Here is just one example of some words and terms (highlighted and underlined by me for emphasis) used by Mr. Yusef Ali (one of the most adored and respected Islamic apologetics) in his effort to make the case that the reference to the ‘Comforter’ in John 14:16 (”And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”) refers to Muhammad, and not to the Holy Spirit, as the Christians contend: A bdullah Yusuf Ali Glorious Qur’an Volume II Page 1540 #5439 ‘Ahmad’ or ‘Muhammad’, the Praised One, is almost a translation of the Greek word Pereclytos. In the present Gospel of John 14:16 and 25:26, and 26:7 the word ‘Comforter’ in the English version is for the Greek ‘Perakletos’, which means ‘Advocate’, ‘one called to the help of another, a kind friend’, rather than ‘Comforter’. Our doctors contend that Paracletos is a corrupt reading for periclytos, and that in the original saying of Jesus there was a prophecy of our holy prophet Ahmad by name. Even if we read Paraclete, it would apply to the holy Prophet who is Mercy for all creatures, and ‘most kind and merciful to the Believers.”

In his in depth explanation Mr. Ali stops short of quoting the entire 16th verse. He deliberately leaves out the last eight words (‘that he may abide with you for ever’); the reason is very obvious…the verse could not apply to Muhammad because he failed to ‘abide with you for ever’. Muhammad died in the arms of his beloved wife Aisha in 632 A.D:

“During his sickness, Allah's Apostle was asking repeatedly, "Where am I today? Where will I be tomorrow?" And I was waiting for the day of my turn (impatiently). Then, when my turn came, Allah took his soul away (in my lap) between my chest and arms and he was buried in my house.” (Volume 2, Book 23, Number 471: Narrated 'Aisha).

One cannot blame the average Muslim for accepting Mr. Yusuf Ali’s explanation because he or she is not aware of the full contents of John 14:16. The part that I find troubling is the fact that Mr. Ali is fully aware of the entire verse (judging by his comments, one can assume that he is very well versed in the Bible), yet he deliberately withheld that information from his readers. I find that to be dishonest and fraudulent.

One who is not aware of the significance of the verse might disagree with me at first and wonder why would Mr. Ali go to such an extreme. The answer is simple. John 14:16 is Islam’s strongest argument, that Muhammad has been foretold by Jesus Himself, Islam’s most revered prophet!

THE CASE OF THE ALTERED TORAH
It is interesting that Islam ‘discourages’ a Muslim from reading the Torah (Old Testament) even though Islam is founded upon the Torah, as is also the case with Judaism and Christianity:

“O Muhammad! do you not claim to be a follower of the religion of Abraham and of his faith, and do you not believe in that which we have of the Torah and do you not testify that it is truly from God? "He replied, `Yes, in truth, but you have invented new doctrines, and you deny that which is therein…and you conceal what you have been commanded to show to mankind…”
“Allah's Apostle said, "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one” (Volume 4, Book 55, Number 652: Narrated Abu Huraira)

The above quotes and many more like them, explain why Muhammad and his inner circle referred to the Torah on many occasions:

“The Prophet asked the Jews, "What do you (usually) do with them?” " They said, "We blacken their faces and disgrace them." He said, "Bring here the Torah and recite it…" (Volume 9, Book 93, Number 633: Narrated Ibn 'Umar)
It also explains why the early Muslims were in the habit of ‘asking’ the Jews and the Christians, ‘the people of the Scriptures’ about the writings in the Torah. Judging from the following comment by Abu Bakr, Islam’s first leader (Caliph) after the death of Muhammad, the practice must have been very common and widespread:

“Abdullah bin 'Abbas said, "O the group of Muslims! How can you ask the people of the Scriptures {Jews and Christians} about anything while your Book which Allah has revealed to your Prophet contains the most recent news from Allah and is pure and not distorted? (Volume 9, Book 93, Number 614: Narrated 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah).

At first I was not sure why Caliph Abu Bakr was uncomfortable with the idea that the Muslims were still interested in the Torah even after having their own book, the Quran. It wasn’t until further in my studies that I found out the reason why he so vehemently opposed the reading of the Torah. Abu Bakr goes on to make a very interesting statement in order to discourage the early Muslims from reading the Torah: “Allah has told you that the people of the Scriptures have changed some of Allah's Books and distorted it and wrote something with their own hands…”

What makes the above sentence interesting is the choice of words Abu Bakr uses. He is well aware of the fact that when a Muslim starts a sentence by saying “Allah has told you”, it is implied that he is quoting from the Quran, which a Muslim is trained from birth to obey and follow. The part I find troubling, which I believe should also be found troubling by all Muslims, is that the above verse is not in the Quran, and rightly so, otherwise it would contradict what the Quran said and what Muhammad taught.

If indeed the Quran made such a claim, Muhammad, the ‘author’ of the Quran would have said so, and would have prohibited his followers from reading it. If Abu Bakr was correct, then how could he explain the fact that Muhammad himself referred to the Torah? And why did he not produce the surah and aya (chapter and verse) in the Quran, to back up his claim?
While searching for that particular verse, I came across several verses that distinctly say that the Torah was distorted, and falsely interpreted, but not altered: [Qu’ran 3:78] “There is among them a section who distort the Book with their tongues: (As they read) you would think it is a part of the Book, but it is no part of the Book; and they say, "That is from Allah," but it is not from Allah: It is they who tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it!”

The following hadith collaborates what the the above verse in the Quran says: "He [Muhammad] replied, `Yes, in truth, but you have invented new doctrines, and you deny that which is therein…and you conceal what you have been commanded to show to mankind…” Now you can see how Mr. Abu Bakr’s statement, “Allah has told you”, is totally without merit, and contradicts the Quran. And if you are a Muslim, as I was at the time I came across this, and many other issues within Islam, perhaps you will sympathize with my earlier choice of words… my purpose is neither to offend nor distance the Muslim reader, but rather to bring some facts out into the open… that had a profound impact on my life…facts that caused me to forsake the religion of my youth.

As I continued my study, I became convinced that Islam’s hierarchy, after the death of Muhammad, embarked on a deliberate path to mislead his spiritually hungry, honest, and unsuspecting followers. In a frantic effort to salvage the religion of my youth I turned to Islam’s favorite apologetics just to find out that their commentaries were riddled with inconsistencies. I realize that I just made a contemptuous statement that will probably require my head on a platter. But let him who will draw the sword first explain to me how could Muhammad, who was so adamantly opposed to what he calls the ‘Christian invention’ of an intercessor, claim to be one himself? [Quran 7:53]." …In fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented {Jesus as Intercessor}, will leave them in the lurch….”

How could the same mouth that said; “Say: Glory to my Lord! Am I aught but a man,- a messenger” also say “…I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection): The Prophet said, " I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me… I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection)” Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331: Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Doesn’t the above Hadith violate the very basis of Islam that God does not require any intercessors?

[Quran 6:51] “Give this warning to those in whose (hearts) is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment) before their Lord: except for Him they will have no protector nor intercessor: that they may guard (against evil).”

It is important to note that I un-intentionally came across the above issues while doing research for my book. I did not set out to do so. I soon discovered more…it was simply too troubling to be left unexplained. I decided to write this book instead, to bring to the attention of my Muslim brothers and sisters the issues and inconsistencies that I encountered with Islam, the religion of my youth.

This book is the result of my God given right…a right given to every person…a right encouraged by the Quran, the Torah, and the Gospels; that ultimately the choice of ones faith is solely ones own responsibility: [Quran 12:6] Muhammad said: "Thus will thy Lord choose thee and teach thee the interpretation of stories (and events) and perfect His favour to thee and to the posterity of Jacob - even as He perfected it to thy fathers Abraham and Isaac aforetime! for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom."

(Old Testament / Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool;”

(New Testament / Matthew 7:7) Jesus said: “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you:”