Introduction 6 Position of this Study 7

Conclusion

The differences in attitudes towards women between Islam and Judaism and Christianity are stark indeed.

The Quran teaches that women are possessions and are regarded as a financial asset. Within the home they are required to engage in the same tasks as women of other faiths, yet the restrictions placed on them are highly burdensome and often counter-productive.

Islamic attitudes towards women go much further towards total obedience and subservience, with any wrongdoing being dealt with by allowing for violence towards her. This vagueness of the Quran on this issue leaves the door open to personal interpretation as to what level of violence is appropriate.

Women are regarded as having little worth, being totally separated from the world which men dominate. They are required to be covered so as not to inflame the desires of other men, so trust is an obvious issue.

The comparison between the Quran and the Bible generally, leaves the reader in no doubt that in the Jewish and Christian faiths, women have purpose, value and respect. In the Islamic faith, women are seen as possessions, their value is often seen only in terms of their ability to produce children and work in the household. They are oppressed in many ways and are more like a possession than a family member.

It is a very unhappy fact that the vast majority of Muslim women in the various countries across the world, are still treated in exactly this way. For them, nothing has changed.

Chapter 4: Intercession with the Father

Surah 2:122

Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper. (120) Those unto whom We have given the Scripture, who read it with the right reading, those believe in it. And whoso disbelieveth in it, those are they who are the losers. (121) O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures. (122) And guard (yourselves) against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will compensation be accepted from it, nor will intercession be of use to it; nor will they be helped. 
This verse from the Quran is quite explicit about what will happen on judgement day. We have already seen previously that according to Islam, salvation comes through many things such as works during a lifetime. Here in this scripture is the warning that on the day of judgement, there is:

• 
  “no soul will in aught avail another” – no stand in
  
• 
  “nor will compensation be accepted from it” – no ransom
  
• 
  “nor will intercession be of use to it” – no intercession
  
• 
  “nor will they be helped” – no help
  

From an Islamic perspective then, not even the prophet Muhammad can help you on the day of judgement. It is clear that if you have not earned your place in “heaven” then you can expect no mercy.

It is quite interesting to note that this quote seems to follow the teaching of the Bible (in a negative sense) as these four concepts are ones that are quite prominent teachings of the Christian Church. It seems plausible to consider that the writer had a significant knowledge of Christian doctrine, and went to some lengths to ensure that the work of Christ is well and truly renounced by Allah.

It seems unlikely that an illiterate man such as Muhammad would have had sufficient knowledge of Christian doctrine to be the author of this quote. So we are left with a decision to make. Either the Quran is the transcribed words of the god Allah, or someone at some time, made it all up. I will let you decide.

What does the Bible have to offer on this subject? Let us begin with Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he hath poured out his soul unto death:
and he was numbered with the transgressors;
and he bare the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

The prophetic Book of Isaiah has a lot to say about the coming of the Christ, but this scripture, written some 2000 years before Muhammad was born, spoke about One who was to be a sacrifice, baring the sins of many and would make intersession for all transgressors. Once again we see the exact opposite of that presented by Islam.

I include now some scriptural references that fulfil the Old Testament prophesies, but also highlight how Jesus fulfils all that Allah rejects:
Matthew 20:28

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1Timothy 2:6

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death:
O death, I will be thy plagues;
O grave, I will be thy destruction:
repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Hebrews 7:25

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Jesus is the unchangeable priesthood, He paid a ransom for ALL our sins by his death and he intercedes for us with the Father. So Jesus did everything. Why then, having done this great work, as witnessed by so many, would God come 600 or so years later and do another work which was totally in opposition to the first?

Of course the answer is simple. Being surrounded by Jews and Christians, Muhammad created a religion of counter-attack. After all, in war, when you find yourself living among your enemy, the best way to counter-attack is to mix in, lull them into a false sense of security through disguise and guile, finding their weaknesses. Then attack.

By inventing this false religion, Muhammed (or his followers) he was attempting to disable the greatest weapon that the Jews and the Christians had at their disposal, the Word of God.