An Overview of Mu Ḥajjat (Argumentation) of the Holy Qur an with Ahlul-Kitab In Relation to the Articles of Faith

Abstract

Muḥajjah or Ḥijaj (argumentation) is one of the numerous methods that the Qur an embarks upon to convey and disperse its mission. It is used basically to tackle the people of the Book and iron out some issues that the three religions; Jewish, Christianity and Islam differ on, in a way of evidencing and presentation of view, fact and points or proofs. That is, Muḥajjah is meant for presentation of evidence(s) and is not for quarrel, conflict and disagreement, as assumed by some writers. Hence, it should be launched here that, argument (Muḥajjah) is not an irritating and forbidden subject in Islam. The holy Qur an enters into it severally to establish fact, especially with the people of the divine Scriptures to falsify their wrong notions and misconceptions about the messages of the last revelation, Qur an. The typical example of this method of Muḥajjah of the holy Qur’Än with the people of the Scriptures is seen in the six articles of faith that are chosen as a case study. The six articles of faith that comprise belief in Allah, angels, prophets/messengers, divine Books, last Day of Judgment and destiny that this paper aims at expatiating and explaining the areas of difference over them between the three heavenly and monotheistic religions in light of the Qur anic content, context and debate.

Keywords: Ahlul-Kitab and Articles of Faith, Muḥajjah, Qur an.