Latest revision as of 03:14, 15 November 2022

Rabbi Ben Abrahamson is Rabbinical Historian and founded the Al Sadiqin Institute to provide consultants for religious courts; Al Sadiqin provides expert witnesses concerning Halachic and Shari'ah law, legal systems interactions, historical development of religious/civil law; Advocates for Islam and Muslims, to be recognized and achieve their proper, respected place in Jewish law as Noahides; Al Sadiqin actively participates in Religious Diplomacy in areas of conflict in the Middle East and tension in the European Union and Africa.

Islam as a Noahide Religion/Torah Jews as Muslims: an Ancient Paradigm whose Time has Come

I. How Judaism views Muslims

1.Introduction to Noahidism, the seven laws are derived from the the verse "And the L-rd G-d commanded the man saying, of every tree of the garden you may freely eat" (Genesis 2:16). 1. Believing in the One and Only G-d 2. Respect for Almighty G-d (the prohibition of blasphemy) 3. Protecting life (do not murder) 4. Protecting the family (do not commit adultery) 5. The protection of property (do not steal) 6. Eating lawful meat (do not eat meat from a living animal) 7. Ensuring justice (the foundation of the courts that provide justice) 2.Noahides in Torah, Yireh Shomayim:

"Israel, trust in the L-RD; He is their help and their shield. House of Aaron, trust in the L-RD; He is their help and their shield. Those who fear the L-RD, trust in the L-RD; He is their help and their shield." (Psalm 115:9-11)

Let the Children of Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the Children of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let the G-d Fearers say: “His love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:2-4)

Prophecy is not limited to the Jewish people. "And he said, The L-RD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints (Prophets): from His right hand went a fiery law for them (sharia/covenant)." (Deuteronomy 33:2)

All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O L-RD, for they have heard the words You spoke. They shall sing of the ways of the L-RD, Great is the majesty of the L-RD! (Ps 138:4 5)

Know and understand that from the day when G-d created the world up to the moment when Israel departed from Egypt, G-d visited all the nations of the world, in turn, to offer them. His law, but they did not wish to accept it. Know too thât� in every generation, [Gentile] witnesses appear to attest this fact. These are Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar of Naama, [The friends of Job] job of the land of Uz, and last of all, Balaam son of Beor.[Eliyyabu Rabbah, 28(26); Eliyyabu Zuta, 11.Yalkut Shimoni, Ve�Zot ha�Berakha, 95 1.]

3.Yerei Shamayim, Ger Toshav, Theosebea, Muslamai

Everyone who accepts the Seven Laws and is careful to do them, this person is one of the Chasidei Umos HaOlam (very pious of the nations of the world), and he has portion in the world to come. (Laws of Kings and their Wars, Chapter 8:11)

The first Ger, Jethro. The first Ger Toshavs, the Children of Jethro also called the Kenites, in the Torah, everywhere the word "Kenite" used, it is translated to Aramaic as Salamai or Muslamai. This may refer to the great numbers of non-Jewish believers who came to sacrifice the Korban Shlamim in Jerusalem together with the Jews. Salamai, Musalamai, Muslims. This could be a clear indication in our literature that Islam is an ancient religion, dating back to second temple times, at least. And if Islam's roots are the same as what we call Bnei Noah, then it is much older, it is the religion of Noah, and Adam himself. "When it is recited to them they [the ahl-Kitab] say, 'We believe in it; it is the truth from our L-RD. We were already Muslims before it [the Qur'an] came.' (Surat al-Qasas 28,53)" 4.According to Rabbi Benamozegh we can see Muslims as Bnei Noah

5.Rabbi Soloveitchik’s benchmark essay “Confrontation”declares the limits of interaction between faith communities. We refrain from debating matters of doctrine and ritual that is particular to our faith community; joint endeavors are according the the Seven Laws, ie, the common good.

More at wikinoah.org

II. How Islam view Jews

1.Standard claims against Judaism today. a)Torah is corrupted b)Each prophet had its own time, Muhammad is last c)Jews killed the Prophets d)Jews worship Ezra e)Torah was abrogated, obsolete, replaced by Islam

2.Where did this come from

Ibn Hazm and the great debates with Christian leaders, the era of Shmuel HaNagid.

Misidentification: Al Jahiz refers to a Jewish group termed Saduqiyya (Sadducees) which are found in the Yemen, Syria, and Byzantine territory. He says their name stems from "a man whose name was Zadok (the student of Antigonus of Sokho), and that they held that 'Uzayr was the son of G-d.

Ibn Hazm records Al Saduqiyyh: This sect associates itself with a person called Saduq (Zadok). Differing with all other Jews, they regard Uzayr (Ezra) as the son of G-d. They live in Yemen. (Ibn Hazm's Kitab al-Fasl fi al-Milal wa al-Ahwa wa al-Nihal)

Torah translations: "Hear the word of Hashem, all Judah, that enter in at these gates to prostrate before Hashem.” (Jeremiah 7:2-3) in the Greek translation of the Torah (Septuagint) the word "to prostrate" is dropped.

"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. Everything that Hashem has said we will do and we will hear.: (Exodus 24:7) in the Samaritan Torah the words are changed to “we will hear and we will do”. “Among the Jews are those who distort words from their [proper] usages and say, "We hear and disobey" and "Hear but be not heard" and "Ra'ina," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said [instead], "We hear and obey" and "Wait for us [to understand]," it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few. (Surat l-Nisa 4:46)

3.Noahidism in the Quran

However, centuries of coexistence and sources from the Qur’an reveal a rich framework of mutual cooperation and respect. Those who believe, those who are Jews, and the Christians and Sabaeans (Tsabi derived from Toshavi), all who believe in Allah SWT and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their L-RD. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Surat Al-Baqara 2,62)

To each among you have we prescribed a Shariah (law) and Minhaj (custom). If Allah had so willed, He could have made you a single Ummah (people), but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth about the matters in which you are different; (Surat Al Maeda 5,48) "To every people [is given] a Law Giver [rasul]: when their Law Giver comes [before them] the matter will be judged between them with justice and they will not be wronged." (Surat Al-Yunus 10,47) Surely, if you perform the prayer, and pay the alms, and believe in My Messengers, honour and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath; …” Al Maeda 5:12-16

They believe in Allah and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good. (Surat Al-e-Imran 3,114)

"O Mankind! We created you from one male and one female, and made you into different nations and tribes only so you may know (lita’arafu) each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of G-d is the one who is most righteous. Truly G-d has complete knowledge of all things, and is fully aware." (Surat al-Hujurat 49:13)  To each is a direction in prayer to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, Allah will bring you Together. For Allah Hath power over all things. (Surat Al Baqara 2.148)

Noah is seen as a lawgiver in the Qur'an.

Surat Ash-Shura 42.13, "He has laid down the same religion for you as He enjoined on Noah: that which We have revealed to you and which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus: 'Establish the religion and do not make divisions in it.' What you call the associators to follow is very hard for them. Allah chooses for Himself anyone He wills and guides to Himself those who turn to Him." Surat Nooh 71:1, "We sent Noah to his People: 'Do thou warn thy People before there comes to them a grievous Penalty.'"

Surat Al-Isra' 1.17:22 Take not with Allah another object of worship; or thou (O man!) wilt sit in disgrace and destitution. — Prohibition of Idolatry #1 2.17:23 Thy L-RD hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. — Prohibition of Blasphemy #2 3.17:32 Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils). — Prohibition of Sexual Immorality #4 4.17:33 Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law). — Prohibition of Homicide #3 5.17:34 Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). — Prohibition of Theft #5 6.17:35 Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight: that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination. — Imperative of Legal System #7 7.17:36 And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). — Prohibition of Limb of a Living Creature #6 (see Surat al-Ma’ida 3, Surat al-Baqara 173 for direct prohibition. The prohibition of blood mentioned in 2:173; 5:3)

Interaction with the Jews [However] They are not all alike. Among the People of the Book there is an upright community who recite the revelation of Allah SWT during the night and fall prostrate before Him. They believe in Allah SWT and the Last Day, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, and vie with one another in good works. They are of the righteous. And whatever good they do, its reward will not be denied them. Allah SWT knows those who fear [Him]. (Surat Al-e-Imran3, 113-115)

The Qur'an expresses surprise that the Jews came to the Prophet for judgments instead of using their Torah. "And why do they come to you for a decision while they have the Torah, in which is the Decision of Allah SWT? Yet they turn back after that, and these are not the believers." (Surat Al-Maeda 5.43) "Oh People of the Book! You have no guidance [in life] until you maintain the observance of the Torah and the Gospel and that which has been revealed to you from your L-RD; and certainly that which has been revealed to you [O Muhammad] from your L-RD will make many of them [who do not observe the Torah or the Gospel's commandment to continue observing the Torah until Heaven and Earth pass away] to increase in rebellion and disbelief [in their aforementioned Scriptures]." - (Surat l-Maidah 5.68)

Commonalities Prayer

A)During the "Repetition of the Shemonah Esrei", the calculation of Rabbinic and Islamic Ra'akat's are the same. B) Saying Oseh Shalom at the end of prayers. C) Washing three times before prayer (wudu) corresponds to the three gates entered to bring a sacrifice. Thus a Muslim today, washing his hands three times, has a unbroken connection to Temple of Solomon. Calendar Correspondence of the Islamic and Jewish calendars; for example, the 9th of Av / Pilgrimage became the 9th of Dhu'al-Hijjah / Hajj; The 10th of Muharram/Tishrei was called Ashura/Aseri (Yom Kippur) and 1st was called Ras as Sana/Rosh Hashana, parallel between the Jewish counting of the Omer and Ramadan. Prohibitions against gossip, directive to give charity, derech eretz/”(strive to be) best in manners and character” (hadith), fasting, modesty…the list goes on.

But if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Book before you; certainly the truth has come to you from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the disputers. (Surat Yunus 10,94)

Applications Integrity is key, faithfulness to Torah is vital. Islam teaches tolerance of individuals’ struggle with faith and observance, but is uncompromising in the demand for integrity: “O You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah SWT, bearing witness with justice. Do not let prejudice for a people incite you into not being truthful. Be truthful! That is closer to faith. Heed Allah SWT (alone). Allah SWT is aware of what you do.” (Surat Al-Maidah 5,8) A Jewish state according to Torah will be respected and defended by traditional Muslims. Departure from public observance of Torah will feed into the side of Islam that declares Judaism as obsolete.