Rebuttal to Sam Shamoun's Article, "The Quran Also Agrees: Jesus Is the Most High!"

by

 

Bassam Zawadi

 

 

Sam Shamoun's article can be located here. We request that the readers first read Shamoun's article.

 

I would have to say that Shamoun's argument is surprisingly weaker than the rest of his arguments.

 

He argues that since Jesus ascended the highest to the heavens in the literal sense, as opposed to any other Prophet, we can conclude that Jesus is "the highest" in the sense of glory and honor compared to the rest of the Prophets.

 

The logic in and of itself is weak, as one can see from the beginning.

 

We ask Shamoun the following question...

  

Why does it necessarily imply that one being raised to the sky literally above others makes one's status and honor also raised above others? Why does it necessarily imply that one being higher in elevation also means that he is higher in glory and status?

  

I am curious to see where Shamoun is deriving his logic.

 

Why does Shamoun not also say that the angels are 'most high' because they also ascend to the heavens to Allah?

  

Surah 70:4

 

The angels and the spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years:

  

Why doesn't Shamoun also say that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is 'most high' because he also ascended to the heavens to Allah? (Read about the Prophet's journey here)

 

Shamoun may argue that Muhammad (peace be upon him) might only have ascended temporarily; however, Jesus (peace be upon him) has been right next to Allah even until now.

 

Some may say that Jesus (peace be upon him) is with Allah in the heavens. This is true if what is meant is that he is up above the earth. However, this does not mean that Jesus is right next to Allah.

 

The evidence suggests that Jesus (peace be upon him) is in the second heaven: 

 

Saheeh Bukhari

 

Volume 4, Book 55, Number 640:

 

Narrated Malik bin Sasaa:

 

That the Prophet talked to them about the night of his Ascension to the Heavens. He said, "(Then Gabriel took me) and ascended up till he reached the second heaven where he asked for the gate to be opened, but it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'I am Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' He replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' He said, 'Yes.' When we reached over the second heaven, I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and Jesus who were cousins. Gabriel said, 'These are John (Yahya) and Jesus, so greet them.' I greeted them and they returned the greeting saying, 'Welcome, O Pious Brother and Pious Prophet!;' " 

 

So Jesus (peace be upon him) is not next to Allah instead he is below Allah in the second heaven. Also, he is there with his cousin Yahya (peace be upon him). So why should Jesus (peace be upon him) then be singled out for being 'most high' if he is up in the heavens?

 

Shamoun says:

 

as well as on refuting the Quran's claim that Jesus was no more than a human being

 

How Christians can make someone divine out of almost anything is beyond me. They make him divine for being born from a virgin, from the miracles he makes by the power of God, and by quoting him out of context. We have this 'Jesus ascending to heaven makes him divine' argument. This is becoming amusing.

 

Even if Jesus (peace be upon him) is up with Allah in heaven, HOW DOES THAT MAKE HIM DIVINE? Isn't it possible that he is just a highly exalted human being? Plus, eventually, all Muslims will be in heaven in the presence of God. Will that make them divine as well?

 

 

Conclusion: Shamouns' argument is weak, as usual.

 

 

 

 

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