Be careful when expressing opinions

THE EDITOR: Mr Imran Hosein seems to suggest that Jesus died. He did not say whether it was on the cross or not, but if he accepts that Jesus was put on the cross, one can conclude that he died on it. Mr Hosein is misleading the public into believing what he is saying is from the Holy Qur’an. This is far from the truth, as there is nowhere in the Holy Book that “Allah took the soul of Jesus.” What it says is that “Allah lifted him (Jesus) unto Him (Allah).”

Maulana Muhammad Ali translates this verse as “Allah exalted him in His Presence” (4:158). In his footnote he writes, “Being exalted in the Divine Presence was opposed to being killed on the cross” (Fn 649). Was Jesus actually put on the cross? The Qur’an did not mention this nowhere in the Bible has it been clearly stated that Jesus was taken physically and put on the cross. As a result there are differences of opinion among Christian scholars as to what happened to him. One must bear in mind that Simon was forced to take the cross from Jesus and carry it. There is no record that it was taken back from Simon and given back to him. It could have been in the madness of the hour that Simon was crucified instead of Jesus. This appears to be possible, as the Qur’an mentions that “they did not crucify him nor did they kill him, but so it appeared to them.” (4:157). Mr Imran, in future should not put meanings in the Holy Words on the basis of his opinion, and when he wants to do so he should make it clear that what he is saying is his view, and not the Qur’anic verse.

DR WAFFIE MOHAMMED
Claxton Bay