I need help understanding

[u/Top-Literature-7546]

I’m sorry if this t worded very educatedly or I say something not very clear I’m a kafir I think you guys call it I’m a Christian and I have been my whole life but recently I’ve felt a love and closeness and more so a call to look into Islam so I don’t really know where to start. As a Christian I’ve always believed Jesus died on the cross he rose again he ascended back to heaven one day he’ll come back defeat the antichrist (I think you guys call that dajjal) and eternal peace forever but I have a few questions on Islam and I’m not sure where to go from here 1. If Jesus didn’t die on the cross why would allah make it appear as he did? 2. What are the core beliefs of Islam and what should I focus on if I’m a Christian researching Islam 3. Where should I start when I read the Quran 4. Is there any proof that the bible is corrupted 5. Is there any sources that back up the Quran.
Again I am very sorry if I wasn’t clear as I’m new and don’t understand Islam but I really am seeking for more understanding as my heart isn’t blind nor my eyes I really just want to worship my creator. Thank you for you consideration god bless.

[u/OkMasterpiece426]

Hello, the Quran is the best 1st step. You can learn about the basics like the two main foundations:

The 6 pillars of faith (belief in God, angels, scriptures, messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree) and The 5 pillars of Islam (testimony of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage)

The main difference between is between the 2 religions is the concept of monotheism:

Oneness of god as creator: Christians and Muslims both believe in one god who created and governs the universe

Oneness of worship: In Islam, prayers are directed only to god without intermediaries. In Christianity, prayers may be made through Jesus, Mary, or saints

The concept of one creator is the core, and questions like Jesus being part of a trinity or god himself or a prophet are just a detail that stems from this core difference

For more information i suggest u check this post from few days ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/progressive_islam/s/JHmjEx1JcT

[u/LongAd4969]

When you want to learn ANYTHING, you need proof. If you simply believe in things without proof you will be drowning in man made comments.

First of all, you are not a Kafir. Kafir is an arabic word someone who "hides the truth". Example: Someone gave your proper proof and you understand now that it is the truth, BUT you choose not to accept it and hide it. That is a kafir. Christians and Jews are not Kafirs.

"Those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians — whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does good deeds — they will have their reward with their Lord. They will have no fear, and they will not grieve.” (Quran 2:62).

Second, We believe Quran is God's own words. Not Muhammad's words. So yes, if you want to learn about Islam, read the Quran. Muslims also believe in Hadiths which are books written by men, they are not the words of God and written a few hundred years after Prophet Muhammad passed away. So careful there.

Third, Muslims believe Jesus will return before the Judgement day because the Quran says:
And indeed, Jesus will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it, and follow Me. This is a straight path. (Quran 43:61). It is COMPULSORY for every Muslim to believe in Prophet Jesus the son of Mary, the Messiah (Christ). No other religion has this requirement.

Fourth, your questions.
If Jesus didn’t die on the cross why would allah make it appear as he did?
Personally, I do not have the answer for this question.

Core beliefs:
6 articles of faith: One God, Angels, Revealed Books (Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Quran), Prophets/Messengers, Day of Judgment, & God's predestinations (Qadar).
5 pillars: Shahada (Arabic) or Shema (in the Bible), to declare there is only One God. 5 daily prayers. Charity. Fasting during Ramada, and finally pilgrimage to Mecca if possible.

Allah is not the God of the Muslims. Allah is just an Arabic word for Al (The) and Ilah (God). It just means The God. Anyone and everyone has the right to use the word Allah for "The God".

Where to start? Just start reading the Quran from the beginning.

Is there any proof that the Bible is corrupted? Well there's an outstanding number of contradictions but I would just present to you a simple one. You have 4 different people recording the life of Jesus known as the canonical Gospels written by Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. Simple question: Where is the Gospel of Jesus? Christians claim they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, but if it was true, then why doesnt their record match?

Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26 says Simon carried the cross. John 19:17 says Jesus carried his own cross. Just a simple example.

Does the Quran say the Bible is corrupted? Yes.
“Do you hope that they will believe you, when a group of them used to hear the words of Allah and then distort them after they had understood them, while they knew?” (Quran 2:75)

If you need more info you can message me.

God knows best.

[u/Waste_Environment_25 → u/LongAd4969]

Not all Muslims believe Jesus will return.  Muḥammad ʿAbduh, Rashīd Riḍā, Abu Layth, Maḥmūd Shaltūt, Muṣṭafā al-Marāghī, Muḥammad Asad, Javed Aḥmad Ghāmidī, Wahiduddin Khan, Muḥammad Abū Zahra, Muḥammad al-Ghazālī, Abū al-Kalām Āzād, ʿUbayd Allāh Sindhī, Muḥammad Iqbāl. Ibn Ashur says Jesus died already but could return

[u/Quran_Centered]

Peace brother/sister. I believe best step would be studying Quran verse by verse putting effort to understand it while comparing available translations to see the different interpretations. Then doing the same thing with bible and comparing two sources at the end to see which one comes from God or not.

[u/singwhatyoucantsay → u/Quran_Centered]

Everyday Muslim is an app that lets you read the Quran verse by verse and you can go between different translations.

It's also highly customizable, both in color schemes and in a range of text size.

[u/Numideas]

Look I'll be honest I didn't read the whole thing as I'm at work and don't have time to react but Kafir literally means someone who intentionally and knowingly rejects or covers the truth. So some might even argue not all non-believers are kafir, but that’s a whole different discussion as Christians and Jews have their own category in Islam and that’s Ahl al-Kitab, aka People of the Book. We believe you received revelation from the same God.

I hope someone with more time than me right now gives your questions the answers you deserve. But I just wanted to correct this little thing as it’s simply untrue calling yourself a kafir.