BISMILA-HIR RAHMA-NIR RAHIM
Assalamu’alaikum
We wish you Heaven’s, Eternal Peace! Should Islam keep the Seventh-Day Sabbath “Sabt” as a day of rest upon which one reframes from any work? Many in Islam believe that the Ten Commandments, written with the “finger of Allah,” are to be obeyed. What many have overlooked is the fact that one of these “Ten Commandments” has been forgotten. Even most Christians who claim that they follow the Book (Holy Books of the Bible) do not heed one of the Commandments as written in the Taurat. In fact, many Christians look upon these sacred laws for humanity with abhorrence or scorn. First, we want to discuss what the Ten Commandments are? Are we to live by these laws today? We want to take a close look at what the Ten Commandments really are. They are written in the Taurat in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 of the (Holy Books) and throughout the Injeel of the Bible Scriptures. Remember what has been revealed in the Honored Qur’an that the Taurat given to Moses and the Injeel given to Isa al-Masih (Christ the Messiah) were for our admonition. These are for guidance, light and are the criterion of the judgment. See: Sura 2:53 Al-Baqara, Sura 3:3 Aal-E-Imran, Sura 21:48 Al-Aniva, Sura 10:94 Yunus, Sura 5:44 Al-Maeda
These ayats are only some of the many references made in the Honored Qur’an in respect to the Holy Books of the Bible Scriptures (Taurat and Injeel).
Example of Ibrahim
Many today feel that Ibrahim, from long ago, was a man who Honored Allah with all his heart. He has therefore become a type of pattern for us to follow. He is well known as the “Imam to the Nations” Sura 2:124 Al-Baqara.
The Holy Books (Bible Scriptures) tells the following about Ibrahim and how he viewed Allah’s Ten Commandments. In Taurat Genesis 26:5, “…Abraham [Ibrahim] obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
This verse in the Taurat tells us that the Ten Commandments of Allah were followed by Ibrahim, who lived long before the time of Moses. This also tells us that men of ancient times well knew of this same law which was again repeated to Moses on the towering heights of Mount Sinai.
Sura 7:145 Al-Baqara Moses was commanded to:
”hold these (Allah’s Laws) with firmness.”
If Ibrahim is considered to be the “Hanif” of those who are insincerity drawing close to Allah, then we would do well to follow the example of Ibrahim in also keeping the Ten Commandments of Allah. Simply put, this means Ibrahim kept the Seventh day of the week as a ‘rest’ day in honor of Allah.
“The Finger of Allah”
The story of the Ten Commandments is recorded in the Taurat (Exodus 20). As the children of Israel delivered from Egyptian bondage came into the wilderness, Moses (Musa) was instructed to come up to Mount Sinai. While he was there, he was given two tablets of stone upon which were written the Ten (words) Commandments by the finger of Allah. Exodus 31:18 & Deuteronomy 9:10
“And for their covenant, we raised over them (the towering height) of Mount (Sinai); and (on another occasion) we said: “Enter the gate with humility”; and (once again) we commanded them: “Transgress not in the matter of the sabbath.” And we took from them a solemn covenant.”
Sura 4:154 An-Nisa
This commandment from Allah tells us to rest upon the Seventh Day of the week in Honor of Allah, the Creator of Heaven and earth. This special day was set aside to help us remember that Allah created all things in six days. In the clearest words of the Honored Qur’an, it is written that the Sabbath is not to be transgressed; in fact, in the following sura, a “curse” was pronounced by Allah upon those who were ‘Sabbath-breakers.’
“O ye People of the Book! believe in what We have (now) revealed, confirming what was (already) with you, before We change the face and fame of some (of you) beyond all recognition, and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers, for the decision of Allah must be carried out.” Sura 4:47 An-Nisa
Why would the Sabbath-breakers be cursed by Allah? And others could break the Sabbath? That would mean that Allah has different sets of laws for different people! No, Allah has one set of Laws for all time. Ibrahim lived long before there was a Jew and the Holy Books say He kept Allah’s Laws.
Allah’s Laws were for all people, at all times and in all places upon earth.
Example of Isa al-Masih
Perhaps from one who was “nearest to Allah” Sura 3:45 Aal-E-Imran, we can learn the truth about the Sabbath and if it is still in effect today! We have the example of Isa al-Masih, who was sent down from Allah, who was the Word from Allah. To Isa, al-Masih was given the Injeel. In Sura 3:45, Aal-E-Imran tells us that the Word from Allah came through Isa al-Masih, who was held in Honor. From the lips of Him who was sent down, we have the record that…Isa on the Sabbath day taught in the synagogue. (Injeel) Mark 1:21 “And they went into Capernaum, and straightway on the sabbath day he [Isa al-Masih] entered into the synagogue, and taught.”
Yet some would argue that the Sabbath was made only for the Jews…but the Word from Allah, Isa, said the following: (Injeel) Mark 2:27 “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:”
Some would rather want to twist or misquote this verse to read ‘Jew’ instead of ‘man.’ But there it is in plain language that Isa al-Masih was sent down from Allah and among those nearest to Allah and held in honor. Sura 3:45 has indeed told us that ‘the Sabbath was made for man.’ That man means humankind. Yet how many of the believers heed this message from Allah? Do men not find their own business more important than the business of Allah and on His Holy Day the Seventh of the week (Saturday), which is called ‘Sabt’? Many treat the Holy Books as if they were a ‘smorgasbord’ where you pick and choose what you like. Choosing some and rejecting the rest. Is this not what has happened in our world today? Where is the earnest seeker for truth? Who among men place the affairs of Allah foremost and seek with all their heart to know His will? In the Injeel Luke 4:4, it reads: “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God [Allah].” So it is not left with us to pick and choose.
Does Allah change?
We have the record that upon the towering heights of Mount Sinai, the Words of the Ten Commandments were not only written upon stone by the finger of Allah.
“And We ordained laws for him in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): “Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts….” Sura7:145 Al-Araf
Not only with His finger, but the words were spoken by Allah Himself! (Taurat) Deuteronomy 5:22 “These words the LORD [Allah] spake unto all your assembly in the mount [Sinai] out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me [Moses].”
Again referring to the same laws… Exodus 20:1 “And God [Allah] spake all these words, saying.”
Thus Allah not only spake the Words, but He also wrote the Words so that we make no mistake. Below is quoted the Word from Allah.
The Sabbath Law as recorded in (Taurat) Exodus 20:8-11 ‘Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.’ Notice, dear reader Allah blessed the day and hallowed it.
Will Allah alter or change the Laws which have gone out of His mouth? To this, we simply answer by the Word from Allah…Zabur (Psalms 89:34) “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Also recorded in:
I Chronicles 17:27 “Now, therefore, let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed forever.” Now it is our choice whether we follow and render full submission to His will, or are we like the unbelievers who disregard Allah’s Will? May we be found among the faithful is our wish for you, dear reader. Remember, a Muslim is submitted to Allah’s Word without question; would this not include the Seventh-Day Sabbath?
DivineIslam’s Qur’an Viewer software v2.913
Bible scriptures from King James Version
“Transgress not… the Sabbath.”
Sura 4:154
An-Nisa
End of Series No. 07