Gospel of Barnabas: Any added value to Islam?

The discovery of an old manuscript of the Gospel of Barnabas by the Turkish authorities raised the attention of the Vatican and kindled considerable debate all over the world. According to the official statement of the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Erturul Günay, the ministry was going to examine the copy, and will announce the results in the near future. Naturally, everybody is impatiently awaiting the display of those results. As Muslims, however, the falsity or truth of the Gospel is unimportant for many reasons.

The so-called Gospel of Barnabas is not recognized by the Christian denominations because it is considered inconsistent with the principles of Christianity. It is contrary to the religious and historical backgrounds of that religion since it teaches that Christ (peace be upon him) foretold the coming of a messenger, Mohammad (peace be upon him), after him, and, in line with Islamic belief, the Gospel treats Jesus as a human being, but not a God.  Therefore, the gospel was thwarted by Christians who believe only in those collected by the four apostles: Matthew, Luke, Mark and John. Some believe that the gospel was written in the fifteenth century by a Catholic monk who had recoiled from Christianity.

With the appearance of the Barnabas gospel, there is much talk in the media on whether the gospel in question is one of the original versions of the sacred book known as the Gospel of Barnabas or not. Regardless of its contents, I do personally look at this gospel as a book with nothing more than archaeological value. As Muslims, we do not need a copy of the gospel no matter where it comes from to tell us that Christ (PBUH) foretold the coming of our prophet Mohamed (Peace be upon Him).  Simply, because our holy Quran reads “And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, “O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.” (Surat A?-?af: 6). We have in the Quran and the Sunnah enough evidences sufficient to confirm our faith.

More than that, some people are naively counting on some scientific discoveries to prove the righteous beliefs and predictions stated in the holy Quran and the Hadith. Religion, I believe, is a matter of faith which requires belief more than proofs. Once we keep the faith in Islam as a true religion we should take all that is stated in the holy Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) for granted. It is no use looking for materials outside the Islamic religion to prove its credibility. I am not against scientific truths, but I believe that science is a process of right and wrong whereas the Quran content is absolutely true.

Those who are searching for anything to strengthen their faith are not already comfortable with the evidences and reassurances given by their religion. The essence of every religion is faith; and faith is loyalty to a supreme power that does not primarily rest on logical proof or material evidence.

By Larbi Arbaoui

Morocco World News

Taroudant, March 15, 2012

http://moroccoworldnews.com/2012/03/gospel-of-barnabas-any-added-value-to-islam/31377