Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Clot a Lump
The Clot a Lump
“…then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,”
(Surat Al-Mu'minûn (The Believers): 14)
By: Dr. / Zaghloul El-Naggar
These miraculous words appear at the beginning of Surat Al-Mu'minun. This Surah was revealed in Makkah and has a total of 118 ayahs excluding the basmallah (invocation of the name of Allah (SWT)). The Surah was named as such due to the fact that it refers to the believers and describes some of their characteristics, which Allah (SWT) approves of and asks from His servants.
Tenets of faith in the Surah:
Faith in Allah (SWT), His angels, books, Messengers, the day of judgement and in jannah (paradise) and hell. Moreover, one should believe that only the believers, whom the Surah describes, will enter jannah.
Complete belief and certainty that Allah (SWT) created man from soil. He has prearranged the consecutive stages of development through which the embryo goes through inside the womb until it reaches its final and complete form. The Surah also describes how believers firmly believe that life will be followed by death, after which one will be resurrected to be judged and rewarded with either eternal life in jannah or hellfire. This is all because man was not created without purpose and will surely return to the Creator.
Belief that Allah (SWT) is the Creator of the seven heavens, seven earths and all that is in or on them. He (SWT) is the one who sends rain from the sky and has allowed us to live on this earth. He (SWT) is able to take it all away if He so wishes. Furthermore, Allah is the Creator of all the plants and living beings, and is the All-Knowing.
Surrendering to the oneness of the message received from the heavens. This involves believing in the brotherhood between the Prophets and Messengers who were all involved in the same da’wa (missionary activity) that called for people to believe in the Oneness of the Creator (SWT), i.e. that He has no partner, child nor competitor. Allah (SWT) also distinguishes in the Surah between His attributes and those of His creation, and emphasizes that He (SWT) is Incomparable. þ
The firm belief that Allah (SWT) knows all that is seen and unseen, is the Best of Providers, is the One who blesses us with life and takes it away from us, and is the Lord of the throne. Associating partners with Allah (SWT) is disbelieving, and disbelievers eventually will loose.
Belief that, once dead, there is no returning until the Day of Judgment. During this period, those who have died are in a state of barzakh (a state that acts a barrier between death and resurrection) where they await the blowing of the trumpet. After the first blow, all those on earth will die, and after the second, all the dead will be brought back to life.
Firm belief that the successful ones are those whose scales will be heavy on the Day of Judgment (with good deeds), and that those whose scales are light will be sent to eternal hellfire.
þ
Signs of creation in Surat Al-Mu’minun:
Reference to the creation of man from soil (an extract of clay).
A thorough description of the stages of development of the fetus, starting from a nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge), to an ‘alaqa (clot of blood), to a mudgha (lump of flesh) and finally, to bones encompassed by flesh. The end result is another human being. This was revealed at a time when it was thought that a new-born started its development as a miniature version of itself as a result of either a drop of maternal menstrual blood or paternal semen. It was believed that size was the only difference between the first day of the fetus’ existence and the day of birth. We now know that the change in the length of the fetus that occurs from one stage to another is of only a few millimeters, and sometimes of even a fraction of a millimeter. The fact that the Holy Qur’an accurately describes these stages of development, without the availability of modern technology or any form of imaging devices at the time of revelation, is a clear sign of the miraculous nature of the Qur’an.
The mentioning of the seven heavens. This is an unseen fact that modern science cannot establish due to the vastness of the universe, its seemingly infinite dimensions, and its ongoing expansion to which only Allah (SWT) knows the end.
A reference to the sending of rain from the sky, as decreed by Allah (SWT), to be stored inside the earth. This was the first indication that rain is the origin of the water found in the earth’s crust; a fact discovered by scientist at the end of the 18th century, more than eleven centuries after the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. It is evident that these conclusions were based on the Islamic heritage that was translated into Latin and Greek.
An established link between the sending of rain from the sky and the growth of plants from the soil, the formation of gardens of date palms and vines, as well as the growth of other fruitful trees and harvests.
A description of the olive tree and its production of oil and seasoning for us to eat, especially the olive trees grow on Mount At-Tour (in Sinai Peninsula). þ
A reference to the creation of cattle and its importance, which only could be noticed by those who contemplate. Cattle are of great use to us. Along with several other things, cattle produce milk, provide us with meat and provide us with a means of terrestrial transportation, just like boats provide us with a means of transportation on water.
The precedence of hearing senses over those of sight and intellect or comprehension. Recent observations in newborns have shown that, in fact, hearing precedes any of the other senses.
Reference to the changes in the day and night indicate the assertion of the spherical shape of the earth, its rotation around its axis and its orbit around the sun.
Mentioning a number of Prophets and Messengers and giving an accurate account of the fate of their people. Historical and archeological studies of some of these peoples have confirmed what was mentioned in the Qur’an. Among these Prophets are Nuh (Noah), Musa (Moses), Harun (Aaron) and Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary).
Each of these ten points needs to be separately addressed in detail; therefore, I will choose one of these points to discuss. I will elaborate on the second point, which is that concerning the clot mentioned in the ayah that can be translated as,
“Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,” (Surat Al-Mu'minûn (The Believers): 14).
Linguistic evidence in the Glorious Qur’an
The word mudgha was mentioned three times in the Qur’an; once in the fifth ayah of Surat Al-Hajj, and twice in the 14th ayah of Surat Al-Mu’minun. The word in Arabic means a lump of incompletely developed flesh of a size big enough to be chewed. This is why Allah (SWT) named the stage following the clotting of the blood as such. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “...then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones,” (Surat Al-Mu'minûn (The Believers): 14).
Allah (SWT) also said what can be translated as, “O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge i.e. the offspring of Adam), then from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) then from a little lump of flesh - some formed and some unformed (as in the case of miscarriage)” (Surat Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage):5).
The Arabic word mudgha and its derivatives provide a great deal of detail about that specific stage of development. The derived word mudagha is what remains in the mouth after chewing, whereas the word madighan refers to the mandible (jawbones) needed for the mastication of food or for aiding the process. Additionally, the word mudgha also means what has been chewed, refers to something that teeth have chewed and left visible marks on; marks that change in the process of chewing due to the repetitive act.
http://www.elnaggarzr.com/en/main.php?id=94
Twelve Proofs that Muhammad is a True Prophet
Twelve Proofs that Muhammad is a True Prophet
Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
Originally published by IANA
---------------------------------------
My brothers and sisters everywhere! With this essay, I am not singling out the adherents of Islam - to which I ascribe - but rather I am writing this essay to every man and woman throughout the whole world.
I ask Allah that He facilitates tat this essay reaches every ear, falls under the sight of every eye, and is understood by every heart...
Muhammad the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth.
My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) is Allah's Messenger in reality and truth. The evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.
Among these proofs:
1. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he was known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran that we now have between our hands. This Koran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and in the Gospel sent down to Jesus. Neither the Jews or Christians were able to belie him regarding anything that he said.
2. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad foretold, as if he was reading the future from an open book.
3. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also brought an Arabic Koran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Koran challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Koran. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Koran.
Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace, beauty, and splendor of this Glorious Koran.
4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah.
5. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.
Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him. Anyone of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him, even if but once.
6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history.
Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him. They do such with full hearts and true love for him.
7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in all his doings by those who believe in him.
Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept; purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.
Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life.
During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet have fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to the Prophet's way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger liked.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad repeat those praises of Allah, special prayers, and invocations that he would say during each of his actions during day and night, like: what he would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house, entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad fully perform-even to the minute detail-every act of worship-like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage-as this Noble Messenger (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) taught and as he himself performed.
All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble Messenger as their example, as if he was standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.
8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet.
9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet has been followed by individuals from all races, colors and peoples. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Muhammad out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.
Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (may Allah's blessings peace be upon him), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed this Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) have done so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following this Prophet. Despite all this harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion.
My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet was truly and really Allah's messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about Allah without knowledge.
10. With all this, Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up.
Muhammad described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers or the wise could ever describe Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability, knowledge, and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and Who possesses such perfect mercy.
Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad brought for all spheres of human activity - like buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.
11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom,, morals, good manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought.
In a full and complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one' parents, relatives, fiends, family, humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a similar teaching.
All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring an) of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he received from the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.
12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who sent down this great law and upright religion.
The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him).
Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq
Originally published by IANA
---------------------------------------
My brothers and sisters everywhere! With this essay, I am not singling out the adherents of Islam - to which I ascribe - but rather I am writing this essay to every man and woman throughout the whole world.
I ask Allah that He facilitates tat this essay reaches every ear, falls under the sight of every eye, and is understood by every heart...
Muhammad the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth.
My brothers and sisters everywhere! You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) is Allah's Messenger in reality and truth. The evidences that show his veracity are abundant. None but an infidel, who out of arrogance alone, could deny these signs.
Among these proofs:
1. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) was raised illiterate, unable to read or write, and remained like that till his death. Among all his people, he was known as being truthful and trustworthy. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of Religion or any previously sent Message. He remained like that for his first forty years. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran that we now have between our hands. This Koran mentioned most of the accounts found in the previous scriptures, telling us about these events in the greatest detail as if he witnessed them. These accounts came precisely as they were found in the Torah sent down to Moses and in the Gospel sent down to Jesus. Neither the Jews or Christians were able to belie him regarding anything that he said.
2. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also foretold of everything that would occur to him and his community after him, pertaining to victory, the removal of the tyrannical kingdoms of Chosroes [the royal title for the Zoroastrian kings of Persia] and Caesar, and the establishment of the religion of Islam throughout the earth. These events occurred exactly as Muhammad foretold, as if he was reading the future from an open book.
3. Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) also brought an Arabic Koran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity. The Koran challenged those eloquent and fluent Arabs of his time, who initially belied him, to bring forth a single chapter like the Koran. The eloquent Arabs of his day were unable to contest this Koran.
Indeed, till our day, none has ever dared to claim that he has been able to compose words that equal-or even approach-the order, grace, beauty, and splendor of this Glorious Koran.
4. The life history of this Noble Prophet was a perfect example of being upright, merciful, compassionate, truthful, brave, generous, distant from all evil character, and ascetic in all worldly matters, while striving solely for the reward of the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah.
5. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. This love reached such a degree that any of his companions would willingly sacrifice his (or her) self, mother or father for him.
Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him. Anyone of those who believe in him would ransom his own family and wealth to see him, even if but once.
6. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history.
Nor has the entire earth known of anyone whom every morning and evening, and many times thereafter throughout the day, is thought of by those who believe in him. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him. They do such with full hearts and true love for him.
7. Nor has there every been a man on earth whom is still followed in all his doings by those who believe in him.
Those who believe in Muhammad, sleep in the manner he slept; purify themselves (through ablution and ritual washing) in the manner he purified himself; and adhere to his practice in the way they eat, drink, and clothe themselves.
Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life.
During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet have fully adhered to his teachings. With some, this has reached the degree that they desire to follow and adhere to the Prophet's way in his personal matters regarding which Allah has not sought of them to adhere to in worship. For example, some will only eat those specific foods or only wear those specific garments that the Messenger liked.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad repeat those praises of Allah, special prayers, and invocations that he would say during each of his actions during day and night, like: what he would say when he greeted people, upon entering and leaving the house, entering and leaving the mosque, entering and leaving the bathroom, going to sleep and awaking from sleep, observing the new crescent, observing the new fruit on trees, eating, drinking, dressing, riding, traveling and returning from travel, etc.
Let alone all that, all those who believe in Muhammad fully perform-even to the minute detail-every act of worship-like prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage-as this Noble Messenger (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) taught and as he himself performed.
All of this allows those who believe in him, to live their lives in all aspects with this Noble Messenger as their example, as if he was standing before them, for them to follow in all their doings.
8. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet.
9. Since his day, in every region of the earth and during every period, this Noble Prophet has been followed by individuals from all races, colors and peoples. Many of those who followed him were previously Christians, Jews, pagans, idolaters, or without any religion. Among those who chose to follow him, were those who were known for their sound judgment, wisdom, reflection, and foresight. They chose to follow this Noble Prophet after they witnessed the signs of his truthfulness and the evidences of his miracles. They did not choose to follow Muhammad out of compulsion or coercion or because they had adopted the ways of their fathers and mothers.
Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet (may Allah's blessings peace be upon him), chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed this Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) have done so not to acquire some material benefits. Indeed many of his followers have suffered the greatest forms of harm and persecution as a result of following this Prophet. Despite all this harm and persecution, this did not turn them back from his religion.
My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet was truly and really Allah's messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood or spoke about Allah without knowledge.
10. With all this, Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up.
Muhammad described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection. Neither the philosophers or the wise could ever describe Allah like such. Indeed it is impossible to imagine that any human mind could conceive of an existing being that possesses such complete ability, knowledge, and greatness; Who has subdued the creation; Who has encompassed everything in the universe, small or large; and Who possesses such perfect mercy.
Nor is it in the ability of any human being to place a perfect law based upon justice, equality, mercy and objectivity for all human activity on earth like the laws that Muhammad brought for all spheres of human activity - like buying and selling, marriage and divorce, renting, testimony, custody, and all other contracts that are necessary to uphold life and civilization on earth.
11. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom,, morals, good manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought.
In a full and complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one' parents, relatives, fiends, family, humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects. It is impossible for the human mind alone to grasp all of that teaching or come with a similar teaching.
All of that unequivocally indicates that this Messenger did not bring an) of this religion from his own accord, but that it was rather a teaching and inspiration that he received from the One Who created the earth and the high heavens above and created this universe in its miraculous architecture and perfection.
12. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. All of that indicates that He who created the heavens and the earth is the One Who sent down this great law and upright religion.
The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him).
Wonderful Qur'an site (Reciter + translate to different languages
While browsing the Internet ,I found this magnificent site
The site has a lot of advantages such as
Written interpretation of the meanings of the Qur'an such as English, French, German, Indonesian and other language
Reading of the English translation
Reading of the Qur'an by different Reciter Abdul Basit, Alshorim AlSudais, Al-Ajmi, Aallasi
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran
http://www.mp3quran.net/ajm.html
http://www.youtubeislam.com/search_result.php?page=1&search_type=&search_id=Quran&sort=viewnum
The site has a lot of advantages such as
Written interpretation of the meanings of the Qur'an such as English, French, German, Indonesian and other language
Reading of the English translation
Reading of the Qur'an by different Reciter Abdul Basit, Alshorim AlSudais, Al-Ajmi, Aallasi
http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran
http://www.mp3quran.net/ajm.html
http://www.youtubeislam.com/search_result.php?page=1&search_type=&search_id=Quran&sort=viewnum
THE WOMAN'S STATUS IN CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM
THE WOMAN'S STATUS IN CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM
This page was created to compare a woman's status as seen in Christianity and Islam.
The sources are mainly the Bible, Quran, and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.
The First Woman / Eve Christianity (Bible)
"When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it...Then the man (Adam) and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He (Adam) answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." And he (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman (Eve) you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." To Adam he (God) said, "Because you listen to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life."
Genesis 3:6-17
Islam (Quran)
(God said):"O Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as you wish: but do not approach this tree, or you run into harm and transgression." "Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them (Adam and Eve), bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he (Satan) said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live for ever." "And he (Satan) swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser." "So by deceit he brought about their (Adam and Eve) fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy to you?" "They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if You do not forgive us and do not bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost"
Quran 7:19-23
Female Gender vs. Male Gender
"...if a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days...but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..."
Leviticus 12:2-5
"To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills.
Quran 42:49 "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-Fire."
Prophet Mohammed
The Female Spiritual Essence
"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare." "Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things-while I was still searching but not finding- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all."
Ecclesiastes 7:26-28
"And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said: 'O my Lord! build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong," "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)."
Quran 66:11-2 "Heaven is at the feet of the mothers."
Prophet Mohammed
Menses
"When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening."
Leviticus 15:19-23
Ali asked the Prophet Mohammed if when a man and a woman make love then their clothes stick to them from the sweat of their bodies, or if when a woman has her period her clothes stick to her body, are the clothes considered unclean?
The Prophet replied: "No, the uncleanness is only in the semen and the blood."
Prophet Mohammed
Sexual Relation During Her Menses
"Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period."
Leviticus 18:19
"They ask you concerning women's courses (period). Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: so keep away (of making love) from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean..."
Quran 2:222
A Woman's Right to Education
"let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law, and if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for woman to speak in the church."
1Corinthians 14:34-35
Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and Muslim woman.
Prophet Mohammed
Right to Inheritance
"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter...'"
Numbers 27:8
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, -a determinate share."
Quran 4:7
Dressing Modesty / Head Covering
"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head"
1 Corrinthians 11:3-6 "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God"
1 Timothy 2:9-10
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Quran 33:59 ...they (believing women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women...or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..."
Quran 24:31
Polygamy
"After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him."
2 Samuel 5:13 "He (Solomon) had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines..."
1 Kings 11:3 "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah."
Genesis 4:19 "If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first-born son be hers that was hated: then it shall be, when he maketh..."
Deuteronomy 21:15 "if he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall her not diminish."
Exodus 21:10
"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one... to prevent you from doing injustice."
Quran 4:3
Prohibition in Marriage
"Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living."
Leviticus 18:18
"Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: -your mothers, daughters, sisters...and two sisters (the wife and her sister) in wedlock at one and the same time..."
Quran 4:23
Divorce
"...Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
Mark 10:11-12
"O Prophet! When you do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Lord..."
Quran 65:1
The Divorcee & Widow
"...who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
Matthew 5:32 "'The woman he (the priest) marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people.'"
Leviticus 21:13-4
"If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you (marrying widows) if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner..."
Quran 2:234
The Respect of Parents
"Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them(his parents) and was obedient to them..."
Luke 2:51 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death."
Mark 7:10 "Each of you must respect his mother and father..."
Leviticus 19:3
"He (God) has made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable."
Quran 19:32 "And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail (pains of childbirth) upon travail his other bore him, and in two years was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal."
Quran 31:14
http://www.geocities.com/window2islam/misconceptions/chartwoman.html
This page was created to compare a woman's status as seen in Christianity and Islam.
The sources are mainly the Bible, Quran, and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.
The First Woman / Eve Christianity (Bible)
"When the woman (Eve) saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband (Adam), who was with her, and he ate it...Then the man (Adam) and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He (Adam) answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." And he (God) said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman (Eve) you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." To Adam he (God) said, "Because you listen to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life."
Genesis 3:6-17
Islam (Quran)
(God said):"O Adam! You and your wife dwell in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as you wish: but do not approach this tree, or you run into harm and transgression." "Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them (Adam and Eve), bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he (Satan) said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest you should become angels or such beings as live for ever." "And he (Satan) swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser." "So by deceit he brought about their (Adam and Eve) fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy to you?" "They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: if You do not forgive us and do not bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost"
Quran 7:19-23
Female Gender vs. Male Gender
"...if a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days...but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..."
Leviticus 12:2-5
"To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female children to whomever He wills and bestows male children to whomever He wills.
Quran 42:49 "He who is involved in bringing up daughters, and accords benevolent treatment towards them, they will be protection for him against Hell-Fire."
Prophet Mohammed
The Female Spiritual Essence
"I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare." "Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things-while I was still searching but not finding- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all."
Ecclesiastes 7:26-28
"And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Pharaoh: behold she said: 'O my Lord! build for me, in nearness to You, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Pharaoh and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong," "And Mary the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)."
Quran 66:11-2 "Heaven is at the feet of the mothers."
Prophet Mohammed
Menses
"When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening. anything she lies on during her period will be unclean, and anything she sits on will be unclean. Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whoever touches anything she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening. Whether it is the bed or anything she was sitting on, when anyone touches it, he will be unclean till evening."
Leviticus 15:19-23
Ali asked the Prophet Mohammed if when a man and a woman make love then their clothes stick to them from the sweat of their bodies, or if when a woman has her period her clothes stick to her body, are the clothes considered unclean?
The Prophet replied: "No, the uncleanness is only in the semen and the blood."
Prophet Mohammed
Sexual Relation During Her Menses
"Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period."
Leviticus 18:19
"They ask you concerning women's courses (period). Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: so keep away (of making love) from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they are clean..."
Quran 2:222
A Woman's Right to Education
"let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law, and if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for woman to speak in the church."
1Corinthians 14:34-35
Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim man and Muslim woman.
Prophet Mohammed
Right to Inheritance
"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter...'"
Numbers 27:8
"From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large, -a determinate share."
Quran 4:7
Dressing Modesty / Head Covering
"Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head...If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head"
1 Corrinthians 11:3-6 "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God"
1 Timothy 2:9-10
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Quran 33:59 ...they (believing women) should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women...or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex..."
Quran 24:31
Polygamy
"After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him."
2 Samuel 5:13 "He (Solomon) had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines..."
1 Kings 11:3 "And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah."
Genesis 4:19 "If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the first-born son be hers that was hated: then it shall be, when he maketh..."
Deuteronomy 21:15 "if he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall her not diminish."
Exodus 21:10
"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one... to prevent you from doing injustice."
Quran 4:3
Prohibition in Marriage
"Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living."
Leviticus 18:18
"Prohibited to you (for marriage) are: -your mothers, daughters, sisters...and two sisters (the wife and her sister) in wedlock at one and the same time..."
Quran 4:23
Divorce
"...Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
Mark 10:11-12
"O Prophet! When you do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately) their prescribed periods: and fear Allah your Lord..."
Quran 65:1
The Divorcee & Widow
"...who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
Matthew 5:32 "'The woman he (the priest) marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people.'"
Leviticus 21:13-4
"If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days: when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you (marrying widows) if they dispose of themselves in a just and reasonable manner..."
Quran 2:234
The Respect of Parents
"Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them(his parents) and was obedient to them..."
Luke 2:51 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death."
Mark 7:10 "Each of you must respect his mother and father..."
Leviticus 19:3
"He (God) has made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable."
Quran 19:32 "And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail (pains of childbirth) upon travail his other bore him, and in two years was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to your parents: to Me is (your final) Goal."
Quran 31:14
http://www.geocities.com/window2islam/misconceptions/chartwoman.html
The Status Of Women In The Bible And In Early Christianity
How the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) generally viewed women:
Women's behavior was extremely limited in ancient times, much as the women of Afghanistan during the recent Taliban oppression. They were:
Unmarried women were not allowed to leave the home of their father.
Married women were not allowed to leave the home of their husband.
They were normally restricted to roles of little or no authority.
They could not testify in court.
They could not appear in public venues.
They were not allowed to talk to strangers.
They had to be doubly veiled when they left their homes. 1
In the Hebrew Scriptures, women were generally viewed in a negative light:
Women were considered inferior to men:
Genesis 1:27 to 3:24: In the first creation story (Genesis 1:27) God is described as creating man, both male and female at the same time: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." 2 This might be interpreted as implying equality between the two genders.
But in the second creation story, (Genesis 2:7) God formed only a man: "...the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Realizing that he needed a helper (Genesis 2:18), God marched all of the animals past Adam (Genesis 2:19-20) looking for a suitable animal. Finding none suitable, God created Eve out of one of Adam's ribs. The term "helper" has historically been interpreted as implying an inferior role for Eve, although some modern interpreters believe that the word can mean a companion of equal status. "...the Hebrew word translated "helper" is used twenty-one times in the Old Testament: twenty of these cases refer to help from a superior." (3) In Genesis 2:27, Adam later asserts his authority over Eve by naming her: "...she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." In ancient times, one was believed to have authority over a person or thing by naming it.
Genesis 3:16: Adam's role is to be Eve's master. The King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and Revised Standard Version (RSV) use the term "rule" to describe Adam's role over Eve: "...thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." The Living Bible uses the term "master". The Modern Language Bible uses "dominate". By implication, all of their descendents are would have the same power imbalance between spouses.
A man could marry (literally "become the master of the woman") as often as he desired. In Genesis 4:19, Lamech became the first known polygamist when he took two wives. Subsequent men who took multiple wives included: Esau with 3 wives; Jacob: 2; Ashur: 2; Gideon: many; Elkanah: 2; David: many; Solomon: 700 wives of royal birth; Rehaboam: 3; Abijah: 14. Jehoram, Joash, Ahab, Jeholachin and Belshazzar also had multiple wives.
Genesis 16:2 : Sarah gave permission to her husband Abraham to engage in sexual intercourse with her maid, Hagar: "Sarai said unto Abram...I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her." Presumably this was done without the consent of Hagar, who had such a low status in the society of the day that she was required to submit to multiple rapes at her owner's command.
Genesis 19:8: The men of Sodom gathered around Lot's house, and asked that he bring his two guests out so that the men can "know" them. This is frequently interpreted as a desire to gang rape the visitors, although other interpretations are possible. Lot offers his two virgin daughters to be raped instead: He is recorded as saying: "I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes." Yet, even after this despicable act, Lot is still regarded as an honorable man, worth saving from the destruction of the city. Allowing one's daughters to be sexually assaulted by multiple rapists appears to be treated as a minor transgression, because of the low status of the young women. More details on Genesis 19.
Genesis 21:10: A man could simultaneously keep numerous concubines. These were sexual partners of an even lower status than a wife was. As implied in this verse she could be dismissed when no longer needed: Sarah is recorded as saying: "...Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." Abraham had two concubines; Gideon: at least 1; David: many; Nahor: 1; Jacob: 1; Eliphaz: 1; Gideon: 1; Caleb: 2; Manassah: 1; Saul: 1; David: at least 10; Rehoboam: 60; Solomon: 300; an unidentified Levite: 1; Belshazzar: more than 1.
In Exodus 1:15-16, the Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill all Jewish boys at birth, because of the threat that they might pose to the kingdom. "And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live." The girls, being considered less important, were not seen as a threat; they were allowed to live.
Exodus 20 & 21: This is perhaps the most misogynistic pair of chapters in the Bible. A number of verses describe a woman as the property of her father. At marriage, her ownership was transferred to her new husband: Exodus 20:17 lists the last of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." It is important to realize that a manservent and a maidservant were male and female slaves. They were not a hired butler and maid. The tenth commandment forbids coveting your neighbor's house, wife, male slave female slave, animals or anything else that the neighbor owns. The wife is clearly regarded as equivalent to a piece of property.
Exodus 21:2-4: "If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing....If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself." A slaveowner was permitted to give a woman to his male slave as a wife. There is no indication that women were consulted during this type of transaction. After serving six years, he would leave, but his wife and children would remain slaves of the slaveowner. Again, there is no indication that the woman was consulted on this arrangement,
Exodus 21:7: "And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do." A father could sell his daughter as a slave. Even though a male slave is automatically given his freedom after 6 years, a female slave remained a slave forever.
Exodus 22:16-17: The first seventeen verses of Exodus 22 deal with restitution in case of stealing, or damage to, a person's property. Verses 16 and 17 deal with the case of a man who seduces a virgin. This was viewed as a property offense against the woman's father. The woman was expected to marry the seducer. If her father refused to transfer ownership of his daughter to the seducer, the latter was required to required to pay money to her father. The money would be in compensation for the damage to the father's property - his daughter. It would be difficult for a non-virgin to marry.
Exodus 21:22-25 describes a situation in which two men are fighting and one hits a pregnant woman. If the woman has a miscarriage because of the blow, the man is punished as the husband decides and must pay a fine for their act - not to the woman, but to her husband, presumably because he has been deprived of a child. The woman had no involvement. Exodus 21:22: "...he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine."
Exodus 23:17 states that only men are required to take part in the feasts of unleavened bread, of harvest and of ingathering: "Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD."
Leviticus: This book deals mainly with the duties of the priesthood, the Levites. Women were not allowed to become priests.
Leviticus 12:1-5 Quotes God as stating that a woman who has given birth to a boy is ritually unclean for 7 days. If the baby is a girl, the mother is unclean for 14 days. "If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days...But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..." It would appear that the act of having a baby is a highly polluting act. To give birth to a girl is twice as polluting as is giving birth to a boy.
In Leviticus 18:20 adultery was defined as a man having sexual intercourse with his neighbor's wife. "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her." Leviticus 20:10 "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." Deuteronomy 22:23 extends this prohibition to a man sleeping with a woman who is engaged to be married. If a man has an affair with an unmarried woman, the act is not considered adultery. Married men were free to visit prostitutes. A man who committed adultery did not commit a wrongful act against his own wife, but rather against his male neighbor.
Leviticus 27:6 A child aged 1 month to five years of age was worth 5 shekels if a boy and 3 shekels if a girl. "And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver."
Numbers 3:15 shows that a census counted only male infants over the age of one month, boys and men. "Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them." Females were not considered worthy of being included.
Numbers 5:11-31 describes a lengthy magical ritual that women were forced to perform if their husbands suspected them of having had an affair. A priest prepared a potion composed of holy water mixed with sweepings from the floor of the tabernacle. He proclaimed a curse over the potion and required the woman to drink it. If she were guilty, she would suffer greatly: her abdomen would swell and her thighs waste away. There is no similar magical test for husbands suspecting of having an affair with another woman.
In Numbers 27:8-11, Moses describes the rules of inheritance that God has stated. If a man dies, his son inherits the estate; his daughter gets nothing. Only if there is no son, will his daughter inherit. If there are no children, then the estate is given to the man's brothers; his sister(s) get nothing. If he had no brother, the estate goes to his nearest male relative. "...If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family...."
Numbers 30 describes that a vow taken by a man is binding. But a vow taken by a woman can be nullified by her father, if she is still living in her family of origin, or by her husband, if she is married.
Deuteronomy 21:10-13 describes how a soldier can force a woman captive to marry him without regard for her wishes. "When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife."
Deuteronomy 22:13-21 requires that a woman be a virgin when she is married. If she has had sexual relations while single in her father's house, then she would be stoned to death. There were no similar virginity requirements for men. "If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid....if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you."
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 requires that a virgin woman who has been raped must marry her attacker, no matter what her feelings are towards the rapist. "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife...."
Deuteronomy 24:1 describes the procedure for obtaining a divorce. This can only be initiated by the husband, not by the wife: "When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house."
Deuteronomy 25:5-10: states that if a woman is widowed, she would be required to marry her former brother-in-law. This was called a "levirate" marriage. Their first-born son will later be considered to be the son of the deceased husband. The man could refuse to marry her. Women were not given a choice in the matter. " If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her."
Deuteronomy 25:11: If two men are fighting, and the wife of one of them grabs the other man's testicles, her hand is to be chopped off. There is no penalty if a male relative were to grab the other man. "When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets. Then thou shalt cut off her hand..."
Judges 19:16-30 describes an event similar to Genesis 19. Some men in the city wanted to "know" a visiting Levite. The owner of the house offered his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine so that the men could rape them. Verse 24 states: "Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing." The man sent his own concubine outside to the gang, who proceeded to serially rape her. She died of the attacks. The man only learned of her death when he was leaving the house in the morning and stumbled across her body. The woman was clearly considered expendable and of little value.
2 Chronicles 36:23 mentions the Second Temple which was constructed after some Jews returned from exile in Babylon. It was rebuilt by Herod late in the 1st century BCE. One of its features was women's court, considered the least sacred area. Next was the court of the Israelites (reserved for males), then the court of the Priests, and finally the Temple itself. The courts were laid out in this order to separate the women as far as possible from the Temple.
During the Second Temple period, women were not allowed to testify in court trials. They could not go out in public, or talk to strangers. When outside of their homes, they were to be doubly veiled. "They had become second-class Jews, excluded from the worship and teaching of God, with status scarcely above that of slaves." 3
Related essay on this web site:
Old Testament passages describing women: in negative terms;
as equal to men; &
as leaders
References:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlink is not necessarily still valid today.
"Women in the Bible," BibleUfo.com, at: http://www.bibleufo.com/
Quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. This is not the easiest translation to use, because many words have changed meaning since 1611 CE when the translation was completed. However, it is free of copyright restrictions and thus is legal for us to use.
B.M. Metzger & M.D. Coogan, "The Oxford Companion to the Bible", Oxford University Press, New York, NY, (1993), P. 806 to 818
Women's behavior was extremely limited in ancient times, much as the women of Afghanistan during the recent Taliban oppression. They were:
Unmarried women were not allowed to leave the home of their father.
Married women were not allowed to leave the home of their husband.
They were normally restricted to roles of little or no authority.
They could not testify in court.
They could not appear in public venues.
They were not allowed to talk to strangers.
They had to be doubly veiled when they left their homes. 1
In the Hebrew Scriptures, women were generally viewed in a negative light:
Women were considered inferior to men:
Genesis 1:27 to 3:24: In the first creation story (Genesis 1:27) God is described as creating man, both male and female at the same time: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." 2 This might be interpreted as implying equality between the two genders.
But in the second creation story, (Genesis 2:7) God formed only a man: "...the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Realizing that he needed a helper (Genesis 2:18), God marched all of the animals past Adam (Genesis 2:19-20) looking for a suitable animal. Finding none suitable, God created Eve out of one of Adam's ribs. The term "helper" has historically been interpreted as implying an inferior role for Eve, although some modern interpreters believe that the word can mean a companion of equal status. "...the Hebrew word translated "helper" is used twenty-one times in the Old Testament: twenty of these cases refer to help from a superior." (3) In Genesis 2:27, Adam later asserts his authority over Eve by naming her: "...she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." In ancient times, one was believed to have authority over a person or thing by naming it.
Genesis 3:16: Adam's role is to be Eve's master. The King James Version (KJV), New International Version (NIV), and Revised Standard Version (RSV) use the term "rule" to describe Adam's role over Eve: "...thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." The Living Bible uses the term "master". The Modern Language Bible uses "dominate". By implication, all of their descendents are would have the same power imbalance between spouses.
A man could marry (literally "become the master of the woman") as often as he desired. In Genesis 4:19, Lamech became the first known polygamist when he took two wives. Subsequent men who took multiple wives included: Esau with 3 wives; Jacob: 2; Ashur: 2; Gideon: many; Elkanah: 2; David: many; Solomon: 700 wives of royal birth; Rehaboam: 3; Abijah: 14. Jehoram, Joash, Ahab, Jeholachin and Belshazzar also had multiple wives.
Genesis 16:2 : Sarah gave permission to her husband Abraham to engage in sexual intercourse with her maid, Hagar: "Sarai said unto Abram...I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her." Presumably this was done without the consent of Hagar, who had such a low status in the society of the day that she was required to submit to multiple rapes at her owner's command.
Genesis 19:8: The men of Sodom gathered around Lot's house, and asked that he bring his two guests out so that the men can "know" them. This is frequently interpreted as a desire to gang rape the visitors, although other interpretations are possible. Lot offers his two virgin daughters to be raped instead: He is recorded as saying: "I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes." Yet, even after this despicable act, Lot is still regarded as an honorable man, worth saving from the destruction of the city. Allowing one's daughters to be sexually assaulted by multiple rapists appears to be treated as a minor transgression, because of the low status of the young women. More details on Genesis 19.
Genesis 21:10: A man could simultaneously keep numerous concubines. These were sexual partners of an even lower status than a wife was. As implied in this verse she could be dismissed when no longer needed: Sarah is recorded as saying: "...Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." Abraham had two concubines; Gideon: at least 1; David: many; Nahor: 1; Jacob: 1; Eliphaz: 1; Gideon: 1; Caleb: 2; Manassah: 1; Saul: 1; David: at least 10; Rehoboam: 60; Solomon: 300; an unidentified Levite: 1; Belshazzar: more than 1.
In Exodus 1:15-16, the Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill all Jewish boys at birth, because of the threat that they might pose to the kingdom. "And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live." The girls, being considered less important, were not seen as a threat; they were allowed to live.
Exodus 20 & 21: This is perhaps the most misogynistic pair of chapters in the Bible. A number of verses describe a woman as the property of her father. At marriage, her ownership was transferred to her new husband: Exodus 20:17 lists the last of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." It is important to realize that a manservent and a maidservant were male and female slaves. They were not a hired butler and maid. The tenth commandment forbids coveting your neighbor's house, wife, male slave female slave, animals or anything else that the neighbor owns. The wife is clearly regarded as equivalent to a piece of property.
Exodus 21:2-4: "If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing....If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself." A slaveowner was permitted to give a woman to his male slave as a wife. There is no indication that women were consulted during this type of transaction. After serving six years, he would leave, but his wife and children would remain slaves of the slaveowner. Again, there is no indication that the woman was consulted on this arrangement,
Exodus 21:7: "And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do." A father could sell his daughter as a slave. Even though a male slave is automatically given his freedom after 6 years, a female slave remained a slave forever.
Exodus 22:16-17: The first seventeen verses of Exodus 22 deal with restitution in case of stealing, or damage to, a person's property. Verses 16 and 17 deal with the case of a man who seduces a virgin. This was viewed as a property offense against the woman's father. The woman was expected to marry the seducer. If her father refused to transfer ownership of his daughter to the seducer, the latter was required to required to pay money to her father. The money would be in compensation for the damage to the father's property - his daughter. It would be difficult for a non-virgin to marry.
Exodus 21:22-25 describes a situation in which two men are fighting and one hits a pregnant woman. If the woman has a miscarriage because of the blow, the man is punished as the husband decides and must pay a fine for their act - not to the woman, but to her husband, presumably because he has been deprived of a child. The woman had no involvement. Exodus 21:22: "...he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine."
Exodus 23:17 states that only men are required to take part in the feasts of unleavened bread, of harvest and of ingathering: "Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD."
Leviticus: This book deals mainly with the duties of the priesthood, the Levites. Women were not allowed to become priests.
Leviticus 12:1-5 Quotes God as stating that a woman who has given birth to a boy is ritually unclean for 7 days. If the baby is a girl, the mother is unclean for 14 days. "If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days...But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks..." It would appear that the act of having a baby is a highly polluting act. To give birth to a girl is twice as polluting as is giving birth to a boy.
In Leviticus 18:20 adultery was defined as a man having sexual intercourse with his neighbor's wife. "Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her." Leviticus 20:10 "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." Deuteronomy 22:23 extends this prohibition to a man sleeping with a woman who is engaged to be married. If a man has an affair with an unmarried woman, the act is not considered adultery. Married men were free to visit prostitutes. A man who committed adultery did not commit a wrongful act against his own wife, but rather against his male neighbor.
Leviticus 27:6 A child aged 1 month to five years of age was worth 5 shekels if a boy and 3 shekels if a girl. "And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver."
Numbers 3:15 shows that a census counted only male infants over the age of one month, boys and men. "Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them." Females were not considered worthy of being included.
Numbers 5:11-31 describes a lengthy magical ritual that women were forced to perform if their husbands suspected them of having had an affair. A priest prepared a potion composed of holy water mixed with sweepings from the floor of the tabernacle. He proclaimed a curse over the potion and required the woman to drink it. If she were guilty, she would suffer greatly: her abdomen would swell and her thighs waste away. There is no similar magical test for husbands suspecting of having an affair with another woman.
In Numbers 27:8-11, Moses describes the rules of inheritance that God has stated. If a man dies, his son inherits the estate; his daughter gets nothing. Only if there is no son, will his daughter inherit. If there are no children, then the estate is given to the man's brothers; his sister(s) get nothing. If he had no brother, the estate goes to his nearest male relative. "...If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family...."
Numbers 30 describes that a vow taken by a man is binding. But a vow taken by a woman can be nullified by her father, if she is still living in her family of origin, or by her husband, if she is married.
Deuteronomy 21:10-13 describes how a soldier can force a woman captive to marry him without regard for her wishes. "When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife."
Deuteronomy 22:13-21 requires that a woman be a virgin when she is married. If she has had sexual relations while single in her father's house, then she would be stoned to death. There were no similar virginity requirements for men. "If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid....if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you."
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 requires that a virgin woman who has been raped must marry her attacker, no matter what her feelings are towards the rapist. "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife...."
Deuteronomy 24:1 describes the procedure for obtaining a divorce. This can only be initiated by the husband, not by the wife: "When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house."
Deuteronomy 25:5-10: states that if a woman is widowed, she would be required to marry her former brother-in-law. This was called a "levirate" marriage. Their first-born son will later be considered to be the son of the deceased husband. The man could refuse to marry her. Women were not given a choice in the matter. " If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her."
Deuteronomy 25:11: If two men are fighting, and the wife of one of them grabs the other man's testicles, her hand is to be chopped off. There is no penalty if a male relative were to grab the other man. "When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets. Then thou shalt cut off her hand..."
Judges 19:16-30 describes an event similar to Genesis 19. Some men in the city wanted to "know" a visiting Levite. The owner of the house offered his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine so that the men could rape them. Verse 24 states: "Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing." The man sent his own concubine outside to the gang, who proceeded to serially rape her. She died of the attacks. The man only learned of her death when he was leaving the house in the morning and stumbled across her body. The woman was clearly considered expendable and of little value.
2 Chronicles 36:23 mentions the Second Temple which was constructed after some Jews returned from exile in Babylon. It was rebuilt by Herod late in the 1st century BCE. One of its features was women's court, considered the least sacred area. Next was the court of the Israelites (reserved for males), then the court of the Priests, and finally the Temple itself. The courts were laid out in this order to separate the women as far as possible from the Temple.
During the Second Temple period, women were not allowed to testify in court trials. They could not go out in public, or talk to strangers. When outside of their homes, they were to be doubly veiled. "They had become second-class Jews, excluded from the worship and teaching of God, with status scarcely above that of slaves." 3
Related essay on this web site:
Old Testament passages describing women: in negative terms;
as equal to men; &
as leaders
References:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlink is not necessarily still valid today.
"Women in the Bible," BibleUfo.com, at: http://www.bibleufo.com/
Quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. This is not the easiest translation to use, because many words have changed meaning since 1611 CE when the translation was completed. However, it is free of copyright restrictions and thus is legal for us to use.
B.M. Metzger & M.D. Coogan, "The Oxford Companion to the Bible", Oxford University Press, New York, NY, (1993), P. 806 to 818
THE 3 YEARS OF JESUS' MINISTRY
THE 3 YEARS OF JESUS' MINISTRY....TRUTH...OR SUN-MYTH?
We know the year that the New Testament depicts that Jesus began his ministry since Luke specifies the year Jesus went to the river Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist.
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberias Caesar" (Luke 3:1).
Luke again give us the age of Jesus when he first began his ministry.
Luke 3:23 Jesus, now about 30 years old travels from his home-town of Nazareth in Galilee
If one reads the Gospels then he is struck by the purely legendary accounts of Jesus' nativity and childhood. It is only after this that we come to the public period of his life. It must be remembered that the sayings and deeds attributed to Jesus existed only in an oral form for at least four decades or longer after his death before they were put into writing in the now missing Q and the gospel of Mark. One should expect that these oral traditions to have passed through many different persons before reaching their written form. We find the first quote of one of the Synoptic Gospels no earlier than 180 A.D. with Irenaeus. As it that is not problematic enough, there was no guarantee whatsoever that the early compilers of Jesus' words and deeds knew how to differentiate the authentic from the fictitious accounts. That becomes our task as inheritors of the Roman New Testament.
Modern scholars teach us that the Gospel of Mark is the earliest of the four gospels and was definitely composed from traditional (not direct eye-witness) sources which already contained mistakes regarding the culture and geography of Palestine.
Answer for yourself: What should we learn from the Gospel of Mark containing such inaccuracies? Basically we be very careful in reading Mark and be wary that we do not accept as historical what is mythical. In fact, uncertainties abound regarding the events described by the gospels regarding Jesus’ period of ministry.
An example of this uncertainty is in the actual duration of the ministry of Jesus. While it is not stated explicitly in any of the four gospels, we can gather allusions to the actual length of time Jesus went about preaching by looking for internal clues within these documents.
Answer for yourself: Are you aware that the Synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke disagree as to the length of time of Jesus ministry when compared to the Gospel of John?
A reading of the synoptics reveals to the astute reader ONLY ONE celebration of the Passover and that at no point in the earlier narratives was it hinted that even a year had gone by. This shows us that Jesus career lasted, at the utmost, a single year.
In John's gospel however, we find that three Passover festivals were mentioned to have occurred during the ministry of Jesus:
John 2:13 13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (KJV)
John 6:4 4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. (KJV)
John 11:55 55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. (KJV)
These 3 passages show us that the writer of the Gospel of John disagreed with the writers of the Synoptic Gospels in that he thought that Jesus' career lasted three years (C. H. Guignebert, Jesus, 1956: NY. University Books, p. 205).
From the material derived from Mark's gospel, it has been calculated that three to four weeks would suffice for everything related in Mark, with the exception of Mark 1:13 where Jesus was said to be in the wilderness for forty days (D.E. Nineham, Mark: The Pelican New Testament Commentaries, Penguin, 1963, revised, p. 35). This limits the length of Jesus ministry to only about two months and definitely less than one year. Other estimates range from a few months to the full three years of the Johanine itinerary (C. H. Guignebert, Jesus, 1956: NY. University Books, p. 211). The truth is that even such a basic information as the duration of his ministry is no longer available to us. The contradictory information derived from the gospels only served to underline this scarcity of certain knowledge about the ministry of Jesus.
For the purpose of our study I want to elaborate upon a three-year ministry of Jesus as depicted by the writer of the Gospel of John. At the heart of our study we must remember we are examining the mythos of Jesus Christ and in particular the importance of the sacred number 33 which is derived from a 3 year ministry of Jesus which, according to Luke, began when Jesus was 30 years of age.
The number 33 is a number that connects directly with the zodiac & the movement of the sun around it. As mentioned above in prior articles, the sun takes 2,160 years to pass backward through one sign of 30 degrees of a sign of the Zodiac. Now this number 2160 or its shorter version 216, is a number that turns up in megalithic construction throughout the world. It was encoded into most of the cyclopean structures, to represent the Serpent or Sidereal Cults who were the Magi, or astrologers. Now it takes 2,160 years for the sun to clear a house as we have seen. In degrees this is 30. But the sun enters at the 30th degree but is not totally clear until the 33rd degree, as it is of a certain size also.
Answer for yourself: Is this why the New Testament says the ministry of the Christ begins at 30 & finishes at 33? If it can be proven that the depiction of the "Jesus Story" is nothing but the path of the Sun through the Zodiac then this makes perfect sense and is in keeping with the symbolism of the Zodiac.
Today we have lost this knowledge but if read by one of the Ancient priest of Egypt or even one of the early Gnostic Jews or Gentile Gnostics this would not have escaped their attention. This reference would have been unmistakable to anyone aware of the secrets of astrology. The number is connected to the initiation of the 'sun' of god not 'son,' passing through the zodiac.
Answer for yourself: Is this why the Freemasonic lodges also utilize the number? Most definitely. That is why they have a 33 degree Mason attainment. There are also 33 vertebrae in the spinal column.
Of course one article does not a proof make so we continue our study to stack up the host of evidence that proves our point that the depiction of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the "Jesus Story" in the New Testament is a "literalization" of the path of the Sun through the Zodiac.
We know the year that the New Testament depicts that Jesus began his ministry since Luke specifies the year Jesus went to the river Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist.
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberias Caesar" (Luke 3:1).
Luke again give us the age of Jesus when he first began his ministry.
Luke 3:23 Jesus, now about 30 years old travels from his home-town of Nazareth in Galilee
If one reads the Gospels then he is struck by the purely legendary accounts of Jesus' nativity and childhood. It is only after this that we come to the public period of his life. It must be remembered that the sayings and deeds attributed to Jesus existed only in an oral form for at least four decades or longer after his death before they were put into writing in the now missing Q and the gospel of Mark. One should expect that these oral traditions to have passed through many different persons before reaching their written form. We find the first quote of one of the Synoptic Gospels no earlier than 180 A.D. with Irenaeus. As it that is not problematic enough, there was no guarantee whatsoever that the early compilers of Jesus' words and deeds knew how to differentiate the authentic from the fictitious accounts. That becomes our task as inheritors of the Roman New Testament.
Modern scholars teach us that the Gospel of Mark is the earliest of the four gospels and was definitely composed from traditional (not direct eye-witness) sources which already contained mistakes regarding the culture and geography of Palestine.
Answer for yourself: What should we learn from the Gospel of Mark containing such inaccuracies? Basically we be very careful in reading Mark and be wary that we do not accept as historical what is mythical. In fact, uncertainties abound regarding the events described by the gospels regarding Jesus’ period of ministry.
An example of this uncertainty is in the actual duration of the ministry of Jesus. While it is not stated explicitly in any of the four gospels, we can gather allusions to the actual length of time Jesus went about preaching by looking for internal clues within these documents.
Answer for yourself: Are you aware that the Synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke disagree as to the length of time of Jesus ministry when compared to the Gospel of John?
A reading of the synoptics reveals to the astute reader ONLY ONE celebration of the Passover and that at no point in the earlier narratives was it hinted that even a year had gone by. This shows us that Jesus career lasted, at the utmost, a single year.
In John's gospel however, we find that three Passover festivals were mentioned to have occurred during the ministry of Jesus:
John 2:13 13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (KJV)
John 6:4 4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. (KJV)
John 11:55 55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. (KJV)
These 3 passages show us that the writer of the Gospel of John disagreed with the writers of the Synoptic Gospels in that he thought that Jesus' career lasted three years (C. H. Guignebert, Jesus, 1956: NY. University Books, p. 205).
From the material derived from Mark's gospel, it has been calculated that three to four weeks would suffice for everything related in Mark, with the exception of Mark 1:13 where Jesus was said to be in the wilderness for forty days (D.E. Nineham, Mark: The Pelican New Testament Commentaries, Penguin, 1963, revised, p. 35). This limits the length of Jesus ministry to only about two months and definitely less than one year. Other estimates range from a few months to the full three years of the Johanine itinerary (C. H. Guignebert, Jesus, 1956: NY. University Books, p. 211). The truth is that even such a basic information as the duration of his ministry is no longer available to us. The contradictory information derived from the gospels only served to underline this scarcity of certain knowledge about the ministry of Jesus.
For the purpose of our study I want to elaborate upon a three-year ministry of Jesus as depicted by the writer of the Gospel of John. At the heart of our study we must remember we are examining the mythos of Jesus Christ and in particular the importance of the sacred number 33 which is derived from a 3 year ministry of Jesus which, according to Luke, began when Jesus was 30 years of age.
The number 33 is a number that connects directly with the zodiac & the movement of the sun around it. As mentioned above in prior articles, the sun takes 2,160 years to pass backward through one sign of 30 degrees of a sign of the Zodiac. Now this number 2160 or its shorter version 216, is a number that turns up in megalithic construction throughout the world. It was encoded into most of the cyclopean structures, to represent the Serpent or Sidereal Cults who were the Magi, or astrologers. Now it takes 2,160 years for the sun to clear a house as we have seen. In degrees this is 30. But the sun enters at the 30th degree but is not totally clear until the 33rd degree, as it is of a certain size also.
Answer for yourself: Is this why the New Testament says the ministry of the Christ begins at 30 & finishes at 33? If it can be proven that the depiction of the "Jesus Story" is nothing but the path of the Sun through the Zodiac then this makes perfect sense and is in keeping with the symbolism of the Zodiac.
Today we have lost this knowledge but if read by one of the Ancient priest of Egypt or even one of the early Gnostic Jews or Gentile Gnostics this would not have escaped their attention. This reference would have been unmistakable to anyone aware of the secrets of astrology. The number is connected to the initiation of the 'sun' of god not 'son,' passing through the zodiac.
Answer for yourself: Is this why the Freemasonic lodges also utilize the number? Most definitely. That is why they have a 33 degree Mason attainment. There are also 33 vertebrae in the spinal column.
Of course one article does not a proof make so we continue our study to stack up the host of evidence that proves our point that the depiction of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and the "Jesus Story" in the New Testament is a "literalization" of the path of the Sun through the Zodiac.
Meaning of Islam Articles of Faith
Introduction to Islam
1. Meaning of Islam
Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, submission and obedience.
In the religious sense, Islam means the complete submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.
Everything and every phenomenon in the world, other than humankind, is administered totally by God-made laws; they are obedient to God and submissive to his laws. Therefore they are in a state of Islam.
Humankind possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he/she is invited to submit to the good will of God, obeying His law, i.e. become a Muslim.
Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's Prophets and Messengers including Noah, Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed (may the peace and blessing of God be upon them).
Islam's message has been restored and manifested in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammed (peace be upon him).
Allah in the Arabic language refers to God, or more accurately: The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Almighty, Omnipotent, Most Compassionate and Merciful.
2. Articles of Faith
1. A muslim believes in One God, Supreme, Eternal, Infinite, Mighty, Compassionate and Merciful. Creator and Provider.
God is free from all dependents yet all are dependent on Him. God neither begets nor was begotten and there is none comparable unto Him. He has no sons or daughters, father or mother. None equivalent to Him.
God is the Lord of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race.
God is high and supreme but He is very near to the pious, thoughtful believers. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them real peace, happiness, knowledge and success.
God is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Appreciative, the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace.
God creates in humans the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feeling and sentiments to be kind and humane. God's blessings are countless.
God asks us to know Him, to remember Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our own benefit.
2. A Muslim believes in all Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination.
All messengers and prophets were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind.
These include Noah, Abrahim, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed (peace be upon them). Their message is the same; Islam, and it came from the One and the Same source: God.
3. A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete in their original form; the Scrolls of Abrahim, the Torah revealed to Moses, Psalms to David, Gospel to Jesus, and the Quran to Muhammed (peace be upon him).
Revelations were given to guide people to the right path of God.
Today, the books before the Quran do not exist in their original form. They are in-part lost, corrupted or concealed. Weakness in the early period of Judaism and Christianity are partly responsible.
The Quran reiterates, reinforces and completes the message of previous scriptures. It is the only authentic and complete book of God. No scholar has questioned the fact that the Quran today is the same as it was more than 1400 years ago.
4. A Muslim believes in the angels of God.
5. A Muslim believes in the Day of Judgement.
This world as we know it will come to an end and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records.
People with good record will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to God's Heaven. People with bad records will be justly punished and cast in to Hell.
Some people who commit sins, neglect God and indulge in immoral activities, seem superficially prosperous in this life, but absolute justice will be performed on the Day of Judgement.
6. A Muslim believes that the purpose of life is to worship God.
3. Application of Faith
God has ordained four major exercises of faith, some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required at least once in a lifetime.
1. Prayer
It is a matchless and unprecendented formula of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined.
The meaning of prayer is many-fold: It is a lesson of discipline, a practice in devotion and remembrance of God, a safeguard to indecency, an expression of gratitude and repentance to God, a demonstration of true equality and fellowship, a course of inner peace and stability.
Obligatory prayers include the five daily prayers, the Friday's noon and congregational prayer, and the funeral prayer.
2. Fasting
Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking and sexual relations from the break of dawn till sunset. It is performed once a year for the duration of the lunar Islamic month of Ramadan.
It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches one the principal of sincere devotion to God.
3. Charity (Zakah)
Zakah refers to the annual amount which a Muslim with means must distribute among the needy and the poor
Zakah has a deep humanitarian and socio-political value; for example it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption.
Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possessions, it does not tolerate greedy capitalism.
Every Muslim, male and female at the end of the year must give Zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5% on the net savings after paying expenses, taxes, etc.
4. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime is obligatory upon every mentally, physically and financially fit Muslim.
It is the largest annual convention of faith on earth (more than 2.5 million in 1995). Muslims from every corner of the globe assemble to demonstrate the unity of humankind in response to the call of God.
Peace is the dominant theme. Peace with God, with one's soul, with one another, with all living creatures. To disturb the peace in any way is strictly prohibited.
Hajj commemorates the Divine rituals observed by Prophet Abrahim and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of God; the Ka'bah. It is performed in the remembrance of the grand assembly on the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before God.
4. Islam is a Complete, Comprehensive Code of Life.
Islam is the God-given system of life based on Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.
Islam brings man close to God, taking into consideration his material and spiritual demands, thus elevating his spiritual status and controlling his physical desires.
Islam extends its sense of organization to all walks of life: individual and social behaviour, labour and industry, economice and politics, national and international relations, and so on.
Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between citizen and state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism. Examples:
1. Spiritual Life: Prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, love for God and His Messenger, love for truth and humanity, hope and trust in God and doing good for the Sake of God.
2. Intellectual Life: Islam demands faith in God on the basis of knowledge and research and leaves wide open all fields of thought before the intellect to penetrate as far as it can reach. The Quran itself is a rich source of knowledge about the universe.
3. Personal Life: Purity and cleanliness, a healthy diet, proper clothing, proper behaviour, and healthy sexual relations within marriage.
4. Family Life: Since the family is the backbone of society, Islam builds the family on solid grounds that are capable of providing continuity, true security, mature intimacy, sincere reciprocity and moral gratification. Marriage is a strong bond and a commitment to life itself, to society, and a dignified, meaningful survival of the human race. Motherhood is more cherished than fatherhood.
5. Social Life: Man is ordained by God to extend his utmost help and kindness to other family members, relations, and neighbours. There is no superiority on account of class, race, gender, origin or wealth. The unity of humanity is not only its origin but also its ultimate aims.
6. Economic Life: Earning one's living through decent labour is not only a duty but a great virtue as well. Earning is one's private possession. The individual is responsible for the prosperity of the state and the state is responsible for the security of the individual. One comes to this world empty-handed and departs empty-handed. The real owner of things is God alone. One is simply a trustee.
7. Political Life: The sovereignty in the Islamic state belongs to God; the people exercise it by trust from Him to enforce His laws. The ruler is chosen from the best qualified citizens by the people to administer justice, provide security, etc., through consultation, within the Laws ordained God. A religious hierarchy or clergy does not exist. Non-Muslims are entitled to full protection and freedom to practice their religion.
War is only justified if state security is endangered. During war, destruction of crops, animals and homes, killing non-fighting women, children and aged people are forbidden.
http://www.islamnow.com/docs/introislam.html
1. Meaning of Islam
Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, submission and obedience.
In the religious sense, Islam means the complete submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.
Everything and every phenomenon in the world, other than humankind, is administered totally by God-made laws; they are obedient to God and submissive to his laws. Therefore they are in a state of Islam.
Humankind possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he/she is invited to submit to the good will of God, obeying His law, i.e. become a Muslim.
Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's Prophets and Messengers including Noah, Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed (may the peace and blessing of God be upon them).
Islam's message has been restored and manifested in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammed (peace be upon him).
Allah in the Arabic language refers to God, or more accurately: The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Almighty, Omnipotent, Most Compassionate and Merciful.
2. Articles of Faith
1. A muslim believes in One God, Supreme, Eternal, Infinite, Mighty, Compassionate and Merciful. Creator and Provider.
God is free from all dependents yet all are dependent on Him. God neither begets nor was begotten and there is none comparable unto Him. He has no sons or daughters, father or mother. None equivalent to Him.
God is the Lord of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race.
God is high and supreme but He is very near to the pious, thoughtful believers. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them real peace, happiness, knowledge and success.
God is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Appreciative, the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace.
God creates in humans the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feeling and sentiments to be kind and humane. God's blessings are countless.
God asks us to know Him, to remember Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our own benefit.
2. A Muslim believes in all Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination.
All messengers and prophets were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind.
These include Noah, Abrahim, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammed (peace be upon them). Their message is the same; Islam, and it came from the One and the Same source: God.
3. A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete in their original form; the Scrolls of Abrahim, the Torah revealed to Moses, Psalms to David, Gospel to Jesus, and the Quran to Muhammed (peace be upon him).
Revelations were given to guide people to the right path of God.
Today, the books before the Quran do not exist in their original form. They are in-part lost, corrupted or concealed. Weakness in the early period of Judaism and Christianity are partly responsible.
The Quran reiterates, reinforces and completes the message of previous scriptures. It is the only authentic and complete book of God. No scholar has questioned the fact that the Quran today is the same as it was more than 1400 years ago.
4. A Muslim believes in the angels of God.
5. A Muslim believes in the Day of Judgement.
This world as we know it will come to an end and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records.
People with good record will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to God's Heaven. People with bad records will be justly punished and cast in to Hell.
Some people who commit sins, neglect God and indulge in immoral activities, seem superficially prosperous in this life, but absolute justice will be performed on the Day of Judgement.
6. A Muslim believes that the purpose of life is to worship God.
3. Application of Faith
God has ordained four major exercises of faith, some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required at least once in a lifetime.
1. Prayer
It is a matchless and unprecendented formula of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined.
The meaning of prayer is many-fold: It is a lesson of discipline, a practice in devotion and remembrance of God, a safeguard to indecency, an expression of gratitude and repentance to God, a demonstration of true equality and fellowship, a course of inner peace and stability.
Obligatory prayers include the five daily prayers, the Friday's noon and congregational prayer, and the funeral prayer.
2. Fasting
Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking and sexual relations from the break of dawn till sunset. It is performed once a year for the duration of the lunar Islamic month of Ramadan.
It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches one the principal of sincere devotion to God.
3. Charity (Zakah)
Zakah refers to the annual amount which a Muslim with means must distribute among the needy and the poor
Zakah has a deep humanitarian and socio-political value; for example it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption.
Although Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possessions, it does not tolerate greedy capitalism.
Every Muslim, male and female at the end of the year must give Zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5% on the net savings after paying expenses, taxes, etc.
4. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime is obligatory upon every mentally, physically and financially fit Muslim.
It is the largest annual convention of faith on earth (more than 2.5 million in 1995). Muslims from every corner of the globe assemble to demonstrate the unity of humankind in response to the call of God.
Peace is the dominant theme. Peace with God, with one's soul, with one another, with all living creatures. To disturb the peace in any way is strictly prohibited.
Hajj commemorates the Divine rituals observed by Prophet Abrahim and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of God; the Ka'bah. It is performed in the remembrance of the grand assembly on the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before God.
4. Islam is a Complete, Comprehensive Code of Life.
Islam is the God-given system of life based on Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.
Islam brings man close to God, taking into consideration his material and spiritual demands, thus elevating his spiritual status and controlling his physical desires.
Islam extends its sense of organization to all walks of life: individual and social behaviour, labour and industry, economice and politics, national and international relations, and so on.
Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between citizen and state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism. Examples:
1. Spiritual Life: Prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, love for God and His Messenger, love for truth and humanity, hope and trust in God and doing good for the Sake of God.
2. Intellectual Life: Islam demands faith in God on the basis of knowledge and research and leaves wide open all fields of thought before the intellect to penetrate as far as it can reach. The Quran itself is a rich source of knowledge about the universe.
3. Personal Life: Purity and cleanliness, a healthy diet, proper clothing, proper behaviour, and healthy sexual relations within marriage.
4. Family Life: Since the family is the backbone of society, Islam builds the family on solid grounds that are capable of providing continuity, true security, mature intimacy, sincere reciprocity and moral gratification. Marriage is a strong bond and a commitment to life itself, to society, and a dignified, meaningful survival of the human race. Motherhood is more cherished than fatherhood.
5. Social Life: Man is ordained by God to extend his utmost help and kindness to other family members, relations, and neighbours. There is no superiority on account of class, race, gender, origin or wealth. The unity of humanity is not only its origin but also its ultimate aims.
6. Economic Life: Earning one's living through decent labour is not only a duty but a great virtue as well. Earning is one's private possession. The individual is responsible for the prosperity of the state and the state is responsible for the security of the individual. One comes to this world empty-handed and departs empty-handed. The real owner of things is God alone. One is simply a trustee.
7. Political Life: The sovereignty in the Islamic state belongs to God; the people exercise it by trust from Him to enforce His laws. The ruler is chosen from the best qualified citizens by the people to administer justice, provide security, etc., through consultation, within the Laws ordained God. A religious hierarchy or clergy does not exist. Non-Muslims are entitled to full protection and freedom to practice their religion.
War is only justified if state security is endangered. During war, destruction of crops, animals and homes, killing non-fighting women, children and aged people are forbidden.
http://www.islamnow.com/docs/introislam.html
Love in Quran & Hadith
Love in Quran & Hadith
-----------------
Compiled by Dr. Mohamed I. Elmasry
sponsored by
The KW Islamic Association
Ontario, Canada.
No Copyright
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Quran
"And yet there are some people,
who replace God with rivals,
loving them as God is loved.
But the believers love God more intensely"
(2:165)
"It was made attractive to people,
the love of things they crave;
women, sons, heaped-up heaps of gold and silver,
branded horses, cattle and will-tilled land.
But that is for the enjoyment of this worldly life,
But God, with Him is the beautiful homecoming"
(3:14)
"Say: If you love
your fathers, your sons, your brothers,
your spouses, your family ties,
the wealth you have gained,
the business you fear would decline, and
the dwellings of which you are fond,
more than you love God,
His messenger and
striving for God's cause (Jehad),
then wait until God
brings about His decision,
as God does not guide
those who are ungodly"
God loves:
those who do good deeds (2:195)
those who ask Him for forgiveness (2:222)
those who purify themselves (2:222)
those who are God-fearing (3:76)
those who are steadfast (3:146)
those who trust Him (3:159)
those who act justly (5:42)
those who strive for His cause (61:4)
those who follow His Prophet (3:31)
God does not love:
the aggressors (2:190)
the disbelievers (3:32)
those who inflict injustice (3:57)
evil (5:64) and evil doers (2:205)
those who are arrogant (4:36)
those who spend lavishly (6:141)
"You will not attain righteousness,
unless you give of that which you love" (3:92)
"They (the disbelievers) love this worldly life
more than the Hereafter" (16:107)
"O you believe ..
God has made you love the Faith,
and made it so beautiful in your hearts,
and has made you hate disbelief,
immorality and rebelliousness.
These are the righteous.
This is grace and bounty,
from God, as God is All-knowledgeable
and All-Wise" (49:6-8)
"Say (O Mohammed) "If you do love God,
follow me,
God will love you,
and forgive your sins,
as God is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful". (3:31)
"O you believe ..
Do not you love that God
Would forgive you?" (24:22)
------------------------------------
From the Hadith
"God Almighty said: If My servant loves to meet
Me, I love to meet him, and if he hates to meet
Me, I hate to meet him." (narrated by Bukhari)
"God loves kindness when you deal with any
matter" (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
"You will not enter Paradise until you have faith
and you will not have faith until you love one
another. Do you want me to tell you
something you can do to make you love one
another? Make it a habit to greet one another
with "Asalamu Alaykum" - peace upon you".
(narrated by Muslim)
"Give gifts to each other, as this will make you
love one another." (narrated by Muslim)
"The most loved person by God Almighty on the
Day of Judgement and nearest to Him is a just
ruler. And the most hated person by God
Almighty on the Day of Judgement and farthest
from Him is an unjust ruler."
(narrated by Tirmizi)
"If a Muslim loves his Muslim brother, he should
inform him." (narrated by Tirmizi)
God would say on the Day of Judgement:
"Where are those who love each other for the sake of My glory? Today I will shelter them with My shade, as there is no shade today except My shade"." (narrated by Muslim)
"God Almighty said: "My servant draws near to Me with nothing more loved by Me than the acts of worship that I have enjoined upon him. My servant continues to try to draw near to Me with more devotion, until I love him. When I love him, I will be his hearing with which he hears, his sight by which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, his feet on which he walks. When he asks Me for something, I will respond and when he takes refuge in Me, I will grant it to him. I do not hesitate in doing anything I intend to do as much as I hesitate in seizing the soul of My faithful servant; he hates death and I hate hurting him. But death is a must for him"."
(narrated by Bukhari)
"If God would love his servant He would call Archangel Gabriel and tell him "I love this person, therefore love him." And Gabriel would love him and call out in the heavens "God loves this person, therefore love him." And the inhabitants of the heavens would love him. Then he would be embraced by the people of this world. But if God would abhor his servant, He would call Gabriel and tell him "I abhor this person, therefore abhor him". And Gabriel would abhor him and call out in the heavens " God abhors this person, therefore abhor him." And the inhabitants of the heavens would abhor him. Then he would be abhorred by the people of this world." (narrated by Muslim)
"God Almighty said "I am as My servant expects Me to be. I am with him if he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I would remember him to Myself. And if he remembers Me in a gathering, I would remember him in a gathering, which is even better. And if My servant draws near to Me by a hand's span, I would draw near to him by an arm's length and if he draws near to Me by an arm's length, I would draw near to him by a fathom's length. And if My servant comes to me walking, I would go to him speeding." (narrated by Bukhari)
"A strong believer is better and more loved by God Almighty than a weak believer, although both bear goodness. Thus, seek eagerly what benefits you the most and seek God's help. Do not show weakness in your struggle and if something bad happens to you, do not say "if I had done so and so, then such and such would not have happened", but say "it was my destiny and God has allowed what He wished" , because the word 'if' in this context would open the door for Satan to work on you."
"A man came to the Prophet (may God's peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him "O God's Messenger, tell me of something I do to win God's love and people's love". The Prophet answered "Do not love this world, God would love you and do not have a longing for whatever people have, people would love you".
(narrated by Ibn-Majah)
"Visit one another from time to time, your love for each other will increase."
(narrated by al Bazzar)
"None of you will truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself".
(narrated by Bukhari)
"Whoever loves for God's sake, hates for God's sake, gives for God's sake and withholds for God's sake has a perfect faith."
(narrated by Abo Dawood)
"There are three characteristics whoever has them will taste the sweetness of faith: that God and His Messenger are more loved by him than everything else, that he loves or does not love a person only for God's sake and that he would hate to revert into disbelief just as he would hate to be thrown into fire." (narrated by Bukhari)
"There are seven whom God will shade with His shade on the Day when there is no shade except His; a just ruler, a youth who grew up in the worship of His Lord, a man whose heart is attached to mosques, two men who love each other only for God's sake, meeting and parting for that love, a man who resists the call of a woman of noble birth and beauty to commit fornication, but he refuses and says "I fear God", a man who gives charity secretly so that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given and a man whose eyes flood with tears whenever he remembers God in private."
(narrated by Bukhari)
"When a man asked the prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, "O Messenger of God, when will the Day of Judgement be?", the Prophet replied, "What have you prepared for it?" he said, "I have not prepared for it a great deal of prayer, fasting nor charity, but I love God and His Messenger intensely," the Prophet said, "You will be with those whom you love."
(narrated by Bukhari)
http://www.islamnow.com/docs/lovequran.html
-----------------
Compiled by Dr. Mohamed I. Elmasry
sponsored by
The KW Islamic Association
Ontario, Canada.
No Copyright
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the Quran
"And yet there are some people,
who replace God with rivals,
loving them as God is loved.
But the believers love God more intensely"
(2:165)
"It was made attractive to people,
the love of things they crave;
women, sons, heaped-up heaps of gold and silver,
branded horses, cattle and will-tilled land.
But that is for the enjoyment of this worldly life,
But God, with Him is the beautiful homecoming"
(3:14)
"Say: If you love
your fathers, your sons, your brothers,
your spouses, your family ties,
the wealth you have gained,
the business you fear would decline, and
the dwellings of which you are fond,
more than you love God,
His messenger and
striving for God's cause (Jehad),
then wait until God
brings about His decision,
as God does not guide
those who are ungodly"
God loves:
those who do good deeds (2:195)
those who ask Him for forgiveness (2:222)
those who purify themselves (2:222)
those who are God-fearing (3:76)
those who are steadfast (3:146)
those who trust Him (3:159)
those who act justly (5:42)
those who strive for His cause (61:4)
those who follow His Prophet (3:31)
God does not love:
the aggressors (2:190)
the disbelievers (3:32)
those who inflict injustice (3:57)
evil (5:64) and evil doers (2:205)
those who are arrogant (4:36)
those who spend lavishly (6:141)
"You will not attain righteousness,
unless you give of that which you love" (3:92)
"They (the disbelievers) love this worldly life
more than the Hereafter" (16:107)
"O you believe ..
God has made you love the Faith,
and made it so beautiful in your hearts,
and has made you hate disbelief,
immorality and rebelliousness.
These are the righteous.
This is grace and bounty,
from God, as God is All-knowledgeable
and All-Wise" (49:6-8)
"Say (O Mohammed) "If you do love God,
follow me,
God will love you,
and forgive your sins,
as God is All-Forgiving, All-Merciful". (3:31)
"O you believe ..
Do not you love that God
Would forgive you?" (24:22)
------------------------------------
From the Hadith
"God Almighty said: If My servant loves to meet
Me, I love to meet him, and if he hates to meet
Me, I hate to meet him." (narrated by Bukhari)
"God loves kindness when you deal with any
matter" (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
"You will not enter Paradise until you have faith
and you will not have faith until you love one
another. Do you want me to tell you
something you can do to make you love one
another? Make it a habit to greet one another
with "Asalamu Alaykum" - peace upon you".
(narrated by Muslim)
"Give gifts to each other, as this will make you
love one another." (narrated by Muslim)
"The most loved person by God Almighty on the
Day of Judgement and nearest to Him is a just
ruler. And the most hated person by God
Almighty on the Day of Judgement and farthest
from Him is an unjust ruler."
(narrated by Tirmizi)
"If a Muslim loves his Muslim brother, he should
inform him." (narrated by Tirmizi)
God would say on the Day of Judgement:
"Where are those who love each other for the sake of My glory? Today I will shelter them with My shade, as there is no shade today except My shade"." (narrated by Muslim)
"God Almighty said: "My servant draws near to Me with nothing more loved by Me than the acts of worship that I have enjoined upon him. My servant continues to try to draw near to Me with more devotion, until I love him. When I love him, I will be his hearing with which he hears, his sight by which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, his feet on which he walks. When he asks Me for something, I will respond and when he takes refuge in Me, I will grant it to him. I do not hesitate in doing anything I intend to do as much as I hesitate in seizing the soul of My faithful servant; he hates death and I hate hurting him. But death is a must for him"."
(narrated by Bukhari)
"If God would love his servant He would call Archangel Gabriel and tell him "I love this person, therefore love him." And Gabriel would love him and call out in the heavens "God loves this person, therefore love him." And the inhabitants of the heavens would love him. Then he would be embraced by the people of this world. But if God would abhor his servant, He would call Gabriel and tell him "I abhor this person, therefore abhor him". And Gabriel would abhor him and call out in the heavens " God abhors this person, therefore abhor him." And the inhabitants of the heavens would abhor him. Then he would be abhorred by the people of this world." (narrated by Muslim)
"God Almighty said "I am as My servant expects Me to be. I am with him if he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I would remember him to Myself. And if he remembers Me in a gathering, I would remember him in a gathering, which is even better. And if My servant draws near to Me by a hand's span, I would draw near to him by an arm's length and if he draws near to Me by an arm's length, I would draw near to him by a fathom's length. And if My servant comes to me walking, I would go to him speeding." (narrated by Bukhari)
"A strong believer is better and more loved by God Almighty than a weak believer, although both bear goodness. Thus, seek eagerly what benefits you the most and seek God's help. Do not show weakness in your struggle and if something bad happens to you, do not say "if I had done so and so, then such and such would not have happened", but say "it was my destiny and God has allowed what He wished" , because the word 'if' in this context would open the door for Satan to work on you."
"A man came to the Prophet (may God's peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him "O God's Messenger, tell me of something I do to win God's love and people's love". The Prophet answered "Do not love this world, God would love you and do not have a longing for whatever people have, people would love you".
(narrated by Ibn-Majah)
"Visit one another from time to time, your love for each other will increase."
(narrated by al Bazzar)
"None of you will truly believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself".
(narrated by Bukhari)
"Whoever loves for God's sake, hates for God's sake, gives for God's sake and withholds for God's sake has a perfect faith."
(narrated by Abo Dawood)
"There are three characteristics whoever has them will taste the sweetness of faith: that God and His Messenger are more loved by him than everything else, that he loves or does not love a person only for God's sake and that he would hate to revert into disbelief just as he would hate to be thrown into fire." (narrated by Bukhari)
"There are seven whom God will shade with His shade on the Day when there is no shade except His; a just ruler, a youth who grew up in the worship of His Lord, a man whose heart is attached to mosques, two men who love each other only for God's sake, meeting and parting for that love, a man who resists the call of a woman of noble birth and beauty to commit fornication, but he refuses and says "I fear God", a man who gives charity secretly so that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given and a man whose eyes flood with tears whenever he remembers God in private."
(narrated by Bukhari)
"When a man asked the prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, "O Messenger of God, when will the Day of Judgement be?", the Prophet replied, "What have you prepared for it?" he said, "I have not prepared for it a great deal of prayer, fasting nor charity, but I love God and His Messenger intensely," the Prophet said, "You will be with those whom you love."
(narrated by Bukhari)
http://www.islamnow.com/docs/lovequran.html
The True Jesus
The True Jesus
Quranic Quotations
-------------------------------------------
1- His Miraculous Birth
"And when she (Mary's mother) gave birth,
she said, "My Lord, I have given birth
to a female,"
but God knows what she had given birth to,
a male is not like a female,
"and I have named her Mary,
and I ask You to protect her
and her offspring, from the accursed Satan".
And her Lord accepted her (Mary),
with gracious favour,
and He caused her to grow up in purity,
Zachariah taking care of her.
When Zachariah used to enter her sanctuary
to see her, he found she had supplies.
He said, "O Mary, how has this come about to you?"
She said, "This is from God,
God provides whoever He wishes,
without measure."3:36-37
"And the angels said, "O Mary, God has chosen you
and purified you and chosen you above
the women of all nations.
O Mary, devote yourself to your Lord,
prostrate and bow alongside those who bow"."3:42-43
"And the angels said, "O Mary, God gives you
the glad tidings of a Word from Him.
His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary,
highly honoured in this world and in the Hereafter,
He shall talk to people when he is in the cradle,
and when he is of old age,
and he will be one of the righteous.
And God will teach him the Book,
Wisdom, the Torah and the Injeel (God's Revelation to Jesus).
And he will be a Messenger to the
Children of Israel, telling them
"I have come to you with a sign from your Lord.
I will create for you
from clay, a figure of a bird,
and when I breathe into it, it will turn into a bird,
with God's permission. I will also cure the blind
and the leper and bring life to the dead
with God's permission.
I will also inform you of what food you eat
and what food you store in your homes.
Surely, in all that there is a sign for you,
if you do believe.
And I came to you to confirm the Truth
of the Torah that was before me,
and to make lawful certain things which
were forbidden unto you.
And I came to you with a sign from your Lord,
so fear God and obey me.
Surely God is my Lord and your Lord,
so worship Him,
as this is the straight way."3:45-51
"And mention in the Book,
Mary when she withdrew from her people,
to an eastern place,
and she placed a veil apart from them,
We sent her Our angel,
who appeared to her as a person,
totally human.
She said to him, " I take refuge in
the All-Merciful from you,
Come not near if you fear God"
He said, "I am only a Messenger from your Lord,
to announce to you the gift of having a perfect son"
She said, "How shall I have a son
while no human has touched me and I am not unchaste?"
He said, "It will be, your Lord has said
"That is easy for Me and We will make
him a sign (of our creation) to all people,
and a mercy from Us, all is a matter
which has been decreed."
After she conceived him,
she withdrew with him to a distant place.
And the pains of childbirth drove her to
the trunk of a date-palm,
and she said, "I wished I was dead and
became a forgotten thing before this day."
But (a voice) cried to her from beneath,
Don't feel sad,
for your Lord has placed a brook at your feet.
And shake the trunk of the date-palm towards you,
fresh ripe dates will drop on you.
So eat, drink and comfort yourself and be glad.
And when you see any human being,
then say, "I have vowed to the All-Merciful
a fast not to talk today to any human being".
And when she carried him (Jesus) to her people,
they said, "O Mary, you have
surely committed a monstrous thing.
O kinswoman of Aaron, your father was no evil man,
Nor was your mother a woman unchaste !"
So Mary pointed to her child.
They said, "how can we talk to someone
who is a baby in the cradle ?!"
But the baby said, "I am indeed
God's servant and He has given me the Book
and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed
wherever I may be, and enjoined Salah (prayer) upon me
and to give Zakah (charity) as long as I live.
And He has made me kind to my mother,
and has not made me arrogant nor rebellious.
And may God's peace be upon me the day I was born,
the day I die and the day I will be raised up alive."
That was Jesus, son of Mary,
it was a statement of Truth,
about which people will continue to dispute.
It is not befitting for God to take a son.
Glory be to Him,
When He decrees a thing, He but says to it 'Be'
and it is.
Verily God is my Lord and your Lord,
so worship Him and Him alone,
as this is the straight path."19:16-36
2- His Message
"We (God) gave Moses the Book,
and after him We sent a succession of Messengers.
And We gave Jesus, son of Mary,
clear signs and supported him
with the Holy Spirit.
Yet every time a Messenger comes to you
with what you do not fancy,
you become arrogant;
some of them you reject
and some of them you kill."2:87
"These are God's verses
which We (God) recited to you (O Muhammed),
as the Truth,
and indeed you are one of the Messengers.
Those Messengers, We endowed them with bounty,
and raised some in rank.
Some spoke to God,
and some were raised to higher degrees (of honour),
and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs,
and supported him with the Holy Spirit.
Had God willed, succeeding followers of these Messengers,
would not have fought one another,
after the clear signs that had come to them.
But they chose to differ;
Some believed and some disbelieved.
Had God willed, they would not have
fought one another,
but God does what He wants."2:252-253
3- His Miracles
"God said, "O Jesus, son of Mary,
recount My blessings upon you,
and upon your mother;
when I assisted you with the Holy Spirit.
You spoke to people from the cradle,
and when you were of old age.
And I taught you the Book, Wisdom,
the Torah, and the Injeel.
And you created out of clay, a figure of a bird,
by My permission.
and you breathed into it, and it was turned into a bird,
by My permission.
And you cured the blind and the leper,
by My permission.
And you brought forth the dead,
by My permission.
And I fended off the Children of Israel from you,
when you brought them clear signs,
while the unbelievers among them said
"this is but sheer magic!"
And when I inspired the disciples,
"Believe in Me and in My Messenger,"
they said, "We believe . And You
bear witness that we are
among those who submit to God (Muslims).
And when the disciples asked,
"O Jesus, son of Mary,
Can your Lord send down to us,
a table from heaven?"
He said, "Fear God, if you are believers,"
They said "We wish to eat from it,
and to affirm our hearts in knowing
that you told us the Truth,
and that we ourselves would be its witnesses.
And Jesus, son of Mary said,
"O God, our Lord,
send us down from heaven a table,
that would provide a festival
for our first and last person,
and would provide a miraculous sign from You.
Provide for us, You are the best Provider."
God said, "Verily, I will send it down,
unto you all.
But, if any of you would disbelieve,
after that,
I will punish him with such a punishment,
that I have not punished any other being."5:110-115
4- His Death
"And they said, "We have killed the Messiah,
Jesus, son of Mary, God's Messenger,"
But they neither killed him nor crucified him,
even though it appeared so to them.
And those who differ concerning him,
surely are full of doubt;
they have no firm knowledge of him,
except by following conjecture,
as they are not certain that they have killed him.
Nay, God has raised him up to Him,
God is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."4:157-158
5- His Nature
"Christ, son of Mary,
was no more than a Messenger,
like Messengers that passed away before him.
His mother was a saint,
but both had to eat food.
Observe how We make clear to them Our signs,
and observe how they turn away from the Truth.
Say "Would you worship,
an inferior being other than God,
with no power to harm or benefit you ?"
But God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing".5:75-76
"Indeed, Jesus, in God's view is like Adam,
He created him of dust,
then He said unto him 'Be',
and he was.
The Truth comes from
your Lord alone,
do not be among the doubters."3:59-60
6- The Church Dogma
"Certainly they disbelieve (in the Truth) who say:
"God is the Messiah, son of Mary",
For the Messiah said,
"O Children of Israel,
worship God, my Lord and your Lord".
Verily whoever takes an associate with God,
God shall prohibit him from entering Paradise,
and Hellfire will be his home;
wrong-doers shall have no helpers.5:72
"Certainly they disbelieve (in the Truth) who say:
"God is the Third of Three,"
for no God is there but One God.
If they do not refrain from what they say,
painful torment will afflict those
among them who disbelieve.
Will they not turn to God and pray
for His forgiveness ?
God is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate."5:73-74
"Certainly they disbelieve (in the Truth) who say:
"God is the Messiah, son of Mary,
Say "who then shall over-rule God in any way,
if He ever wants to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary,
and his mother and all those who are on earth ?
To God belongs the Kingdom of Heavens and Earth,
and all that is in between,
He creates what He wills,
God is capable of everything."5:17
"They (who follow the Church Dogma) took the Messiah,
son of Mary, as lord, apart from God,
although they have been commanded
to worship non other than the One God.
There is no God but He,
all glory be to Him,
above whatever they take as an associate."9:31
"Say: "O people of the Book, do not go to extremes
in your religion beyond the Truth.
And do not follow the whims of those people
who went astray before, and led many astray,
and now again have gone astray
from the truthful way."5:77
7- The Truth
"And when God said, "O Jesus, son of Mary,
have you told people, "take me and my mother
as two gods, apart from God?"
Jesus said, "Glory be to You,
never could I say what I have no right to say,
Had I said it, you would indeed have known,
You know what is within me,
and I do not know what is within You,
as You are the Knower of the Unseen.
I only said to them what You have commanded me:
"Worship God, my Lord and your Lord".
And I was a witness over them,
while I was among them;
but when You did take me up,
You were Yourself the Watcher over them,
You are a Witness over everything.
If You punish them, they are Your servants,
and if You forgive them,
You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
And God said, "this is the day on which
the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness,
with gardens that have rivers flowing beneath,
dwelling in them forever,
as God was well pleased with them,
and they were well pleased with Him;
indeed this is a supreme achievement.
To God alone belongs the Kingdom of the
Heavens and Earth and all that is in them,
He is capable of everything."5:116-120
"O Mankind,
Verily, the Messenger (Muhammed) has brought you
The Truth from your Lord,
Therefore, believe (in God, in His Messenger and in
the Truth) for your own good,
but if you disbelieve,
(You will not harm God's Kingdom),
As to God belongs all that is in
the Heavens and Earth,
God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
O People of the Book (Christians),
Do not make up exaggerations in your faith and
say nothing about God except the Truth.
Christ; Jesus the son of Mary,
is only God's Messenger,
(who has been created by God through) His Word
(Be) given to Mary and
a spirit (which was given) by Him.
Therefore, believe in God and all His Messengers.
Do not speak of (and believe in) the trinity and
refrain (from speaking of and believing in the
trinity), for your own good. God is the only one God,
All Glory be to Him, (far Exalted is He) above
having a son,
as to Him belongs all that is in the Heavens,
and all that is in and on Earth.
Sufficient is God as the only guardian,
(looking after the affairs of the whole Universe;
He does not need a son).
Never did Christ feel too proud to be
God's worshipper and servant,
nor do the angels who are near (God).
Whoever feels too proud and arrogant to worship
and serve Him (should know that),
He will summon them all
(on the Day of Judgement);
As for those who believed and
did good deeds, God will grant them
their just and full rewards and
will give them yet more out of His bounty,
Whereas those who felt too proud
to worship God,
He will punish them with
a painful torment and
they will find none other than God to protect
and help them."4:170-173
"Say: He is God, the One God,
the Eternal, the Absolute,
He has not begotten,
and has not been begotten,
and none is equal to Him."112:1-4
"And We never sent a Messenger before you
without revealing to him:
'There is no deity but I,
therefore serve and worship Me.'
But they say: 'The All-Merciful has taken a son,'
Glory be to Him,
they are but honoured servants,
they speak not before He speaks,
and they act as He commands."21:25-27
"Whoever invokes any other diety
with God, without having proof,
his accountability is with his Lord,
Surely the disbelievers shall not prosper."23:117
"To Him (God) belongs the Kingdom
of the Heavens and the Earth,
no son has He begotten,
nor has He a partner in His Kingdom,
it is He who created everything,
and ordained them perfectly.
Yet they have taken, apart from Him, gods
that create nothing and themselves are created,
and have no power to hurt or profit themselves,
nor have they power over death,
nor life, nor resurrection."25:2-3
"Dispute not (O Muslims) with the People of the Book,
Save in the fairer manner,
except those of them that do wrong.
And say "we believe in the revelation
which has been sent down to us,
and that which has been sent down to you,
our God and your God are ONE,
to Him we have surrendered in Islam"."29:46
http://www.islamnow.com/docs/truejesus.html
----------------------------------
For further information
please contact your nearest Mosque
or Islamic Centre
or write to:
Dr. M.I.Elmasry
c/o K-W Islamic Association
402 Clairbrook Crescent
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 5V7
Quranic Quotations
-------------------------------------------
1- His Miraculous Birth
"And when she (Mary's mother) gave birth,
she said, "My Lord, I have given birth
to a female,"
but God knows what she had given birth to,
a male is not like a female,
"and I have named her Mary,
and I ask You to protect her
and her offspring, from the accursed Satan".
And her Lord accepted her (Mary),
with gracious favour,
and He caused her to grow up in purity,
Zachariah taking care of her.
When Zachariah used to enter her sanctuary
to see her, he found she had supplies.
He said, "O Mary, how has this come about to you?"
She said, "This is from God,
God provides whoever He wishes,
without measure."3:36-37
"And the angels said, "O Mary, God has chosen you
and purified you and chosen you above
the women of all nations.
O Mary, devote yourself to your Lord,
prostrate and bow alongside those who bow"."3:42-43
"And the angels said, "O Mary, God gives you
the glad tidings of a Word from Him.
His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary,
highly honoured in this world and in the Hereafter,
He shall talk to people when he is in the cradle,
and when he is of old age,
and he will be one of the righteous.
And God will teach him the Book,
Wisdom, the Torah and the Injeel (God's Revelation to Jesus).
And he will be a Messenger to the
Children of Israel, telling them
"I have come to you with a sign from your Lord.
I will create for you
from clay, a figure of a bird,
and when I breathe into it, it will turn into a bird,
with God's permission. I will also cure the blind
and the leper and bring life to the dead
with God's permission.
I will also inform you of what food you eat
and what food you store in your homes.
Surely, in all that there is a sign for you,
if you do believe.
And I came to you to confirm the Truth
of the Torah that was before me,
and to make lawful certain things which
were forbidden unto you.
And I came to you with a sign from your Lord,
so fear God and obey me.
Surely God is my Lord and your Lord,
so worship Him,
as this is the straight way."3:45-51
"And mention in the Book,
Mary when she withdrew from her people,
to an eastern place,
and she placed a veil apart from them,
We sent her Our angel,
who appeared to her as a person,
totally human.
She said to him, " I take refuge in
the All-Merciful from you,
Come not near if you fear God"
He said, "I am only a Messenger from your Lord,
to announce to you the gift of having a perfect son"
She said, "How shall I have a son
while no human has touched me and I am not unchaste?"
He said, "It will be, your Lord has said
"That is easy for Me and We will make
him a sign (of our creation) to all people,
and a mercy from Us, all is a matter
which has been decreed."
After she conceived him,
she withdrew with him to a distant place.
And the pains of childbirth drove her to
the trunk of a date-palm,
and she said, "I wished I was dead and
became a forgotten thing before this day."
But (a voice) cried to her from beneath,
Don't feel sad,
for your Lord has placed a brook at your feet.
And shake the trunk of the date-palm towards you,
fresh ripe dates will drop on you.
So eat, drink and comfort yourself and be glad.
And when you see any human being,
then say, "I have vowed to the All-Merciful
a fast not to talk today to any human being".
And when she carried him (Jesus) to her people,
they said, "O Mary, you have
surely committed a monstrous thing.
O kinswoman of Aaron, your father was no evil man,
Nor was your mother a woman unchaste !"
So Mary pointed to her child.
They said, "how can we talk to someone
who is a baby in the cradle ?!"
But the baby said, "I am indeed
God's servant and He has given me the Book
and made me a Prophet. And He has made me blessed
wherever I may be, and enjoined Salah (prayer) upon me
and to give Zakah (charity) as long as I live.
And He has made me kind to my mother,
and has not made me arrogant nor rebellious.
And may God's peace be upon me the day I was born,
the day I die and the day I will be raised up alive."
That was Jesus, son of Mary,
it was a statement of Truth,
about which people will continue to dispute.
It is not befitting for God to take a son.
Glory be to Him,
When He decrees a thing, He but says to it 'Be'
and it is.
Verily God is my Lord and your Lord,
so worship Him and Him alone,
as this is the straight path."19:16-36
2- His Message
"We (God) gave Moses the Book,
and after him We sent a succession of Messengers.
And We gave Jesus, son of Mary,
clear signs and supported him
with the Holy Spirit.
Yet every time a Messenger comes to you
with what you do not fancy,
you become arrogant;
some of them you reject
and some of them you kill."2:87
"These are God's verses
which We (God) recited to you (O Muhammed),
as the Truth,
and indeed you are one of the Messengers.
Those Messengers, We endowed them with bounty,
and raised some in rank.
Some spoke to God,
and some were raised to higher degrees (of honour),
and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs,
and supported him with the Holy Spirit.
Had God willed, succeeding followers of these Messengers,
would not have fought one another,
after the clear signs that had come to them.
But they chose to differ;
Some believed and some disbelieved.
Had God willed, they would not have
fought one another,
but God does what He wants."2:252-253
3- His Miracles
"God said, "O Jesus, son of Mary,
recount My blessings upon you,
and upon your mother;
when I assisted you with the Holy Spirit.
You spoke to people from the cradle,
and when you were of old age.
And I taught you the Book, Wisdom,
the Torah, and the Injeel.
And you created out of clay, a figure of a bird,
by My permission.
and you breathed into it, and it was turned into a bird,
by My permission.
And you cured the blind and the leper,
by My permission.
And you brought forth the dead,
by My permission.
And I fended off the Children of Israel from you,
when you brought them clear signs,
while the unbelievers among them said
"this is but sheer magic!"
And when I inspired the disciples,
"Believe in Me and in My Messenger,"
they said, "We believe . And You
bear witness that we are
among those who submit to God (Muslims).
And when the disciples asked,
"O Jesus, son of Mary,
Can your Lord send down to us,
a table from heaven?"
He said, "Fear God, if you are believers,"
They said "We wish to eat from it,
and to affirm our hearts in knowing
that you told us the Truth,
and that we ourselves would be its witnesses.
And Jesus, son of Mary said,
"O God, our Lord,
send us down from heaven a table,
that would provide a festival
for our first and last person,
and would provide a miraculous sign from You.
Provide for us, You are the best Provider."
God said, "Verily, I will send it down,
unto you all.
But, if any of you would disbelieve,
after that,
I will punish him with such a punishment,
that I have not punished any other being."5:110-115
4- His Death
"And they said, "We have killed the Messiah,
Jesus, son of Mary, God's Messenger,"
But they neither killed him nor crucified him,
even though it appeared so to them.
And those who differ concerning him,
surely are full of doubt;
they have no firm knowledge of him,
except by following conjecture,
as they are not certain that they have killed him.
Nay, God has raised him up to Him,
God is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."4:157-158
5- His Nature
"Christ, son of Mary,
was no more than a Messenger,
like Messengers that passed away before him.
His mother was a saint,
but both had to eat food.
Observe how We make clear to them Our signs,
and observe how they turn away from the Truth.
Say "Would you worship,
an inferior being other than God,
with no power to harm or benefit you ?"
But God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing".5:75-76
"Indeed, Jesus, in God's view is like Adam,
He created him of dust,
then He said unto him 'Be',
and he was.
The Truth comes from
your Lord alone,
do not be among the doubters."3:59-60
6- The Church Dogma
"Certainly they disbelieve (in the Truth) who say:
"God is the Messiah, son of Mary",
For the Messiah said,
"O Children of Israel,
worship God, my Lord and your Lord".
Verily whoever takes an associate with God,
God shall prohibit him from entering Paradise,
and Hellfire will be his home;
wrong-doers shall have no helpers.5:72
"Certainly they disbelieve (in the Truth) who say:
"God is the Third of Three,"
for no God is there but One God.
If they do not refrain from what they say,
painful torment will afflict those
among them who disbelieve.
Will they not turn to God and pray
for His forgiveness ?
God is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate."5:73-74
"Certainly they disbelieve (in the Truth) who say:
"God is the Messiah, son of Mary,
Say "who then shall over-rule God in any way,
if He ever wants to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary,
and his mother and all those who are on earth ?
To God belongs the Kingdom of Heavens and Earth,
and all that is in between,
He creates what He wills,
God is capable of everything."5:17
"They (who follow the Church Dogma) took the Messiah,
son of Mary, as lord, apart from God,
although they have been commanded
to worship non other than the One God.
There is no God but He,
all glory be to Him,
above whatever they take as an associate."9:31
"Say: "O people of the Book, do not go to extremes
in your religion beyond the Truth.
And do not follow the whims of those people
who went astray before, and led many astray,
and now again have gone astray
from the truthful way."5:77
7- The Truth
"And when God said, "O Jesus, son of Mary,
have you told people, "take me and my mother
as two gods, apart from God?"
Jesus said, "Glory be to You,
never could I say what I have no right to say,
Had I said it, you would indeed have known,
You know what is within me,
and I do not know what is within You,
as You are the Knower of the Unseen.
I only said to them what You have commanded me:
"Worship God, my Lord and your Lord".
And I was a witness over them,
while I was among them;
but when You did take me up,
You were Yourself the Watcher over them,
You are a Witness over everything.
If You punish them, they are Your servants,
and if You forgive them,
You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
And God said, "this is the day on which
the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness,
with gardens that have rivers flowing beneath,
dwelling in them forever,
as God was well pleased with them,
and they were well pleased with Him;
indeed this is a supreme achievement.
To God alone belongs the Kingdom of the
Heavens and Earth and all that is in them,
He is capable of everything."5:116-120
"O Mankind,
Verily, the Messenger (Muhammed) has brought you
The Truth from your Lord,
Therefore, believe (in God, in His Messenger and in
the Truth) for your own good,
but if you disbelieve,
(You will not harm God's Kingdom),
As to God belongs all that is in
the Heavens and Earth,
God is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
O People of the Book (Christians),
Do not make up exaggerations in your faith and
say nothing about God except the Truth.
Christ; Jesus the son of Mary,
is only God's Messenger,
(who has been created by God through) His Word
(Be) given to Mary and
a spirit (which was given) by Him.
Therefore, believe in God and all His Messengers.
Do not speak of (and believe in) the trinity and
refrain (from speaking of and believing in the
trinity), for your own good. God is the only one God,
All Glory be to Him, (far Exalted is He) above
having a son,
as to Him belongs all that is in the Heavens,
and all that is in and on Earth.
Sufficient is God as the only guardian,
(looking after the affairs of the whole Universe;
He does not need a son).
Never did Christ feel too proud to be
God's worshipper and servant,
nor do the angels who are near (God).
Whoever feels too proud and arrogant to worship
and serve Him (should know that),
He will summon them all
(on the Day of Judgement);
As for those who believed and
did good deeds, God will grant them
their just and full rewards and
will give them yet more out of His bounty,
Whereas those who felt too proud
to worship God,
He will punish them with
a painful torment and
they will find none other than God to protect
and help them."4:170-173
"Say: He is God, the One God,
the Eternal, the Absolute,
He has not begotten,
and has not been begotten,
and none is equal to Him."112:1-4
"And We never sent a Messenger before you
without revealing to him:
'There is no deity but I,
therefore serve and worship Me.'
But they say: 'The All-Merciful has taken a son,'
Glory be to Him,
they are but honoured servants,
they speak not before He speaks,
and they act as He commands."21:25-27
"Whoever invokes any other diety
with God, without having proof,
his accountability is with his Lord,
Surely the disbelievers shall not prosper."23:117
"To Him (God) belongs the Kingdom
of the Heavens and the Earth,
no son has He begotten,
nor has He a partner in His Kingdom,
it is He who created everything,
and ordained them perfectly.
Yet they have taken, apart from Him, gods
that create nothing and themselves are created,
and have no power to hurt or profit themselves,
nor have they power over death,
nor life, nor resurrection."25:2-3
"Dispute not (O Muslims) with the People of the Book,
Save in the fairer manner,
except those of them that do wrong.
And say "we believe in the revelation
which has been sent down to us,
and that which has been sent down to you,
our God and your God are ONE,
to Him we have surrendered in Islam"."29:46
http://www.islamnow.com/docs/truejesus.html
----------------------------------
For further information
please contact your nearest Mosque
or Islamic Centre
or write to:
Dr. M.I.Elmasry
c/o K-W Islamic Association
402 Clairbrook Crescent
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 5V7
The True Religion
THE RELIGION OF ISLAM
The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about the Islam is what the word “Islam” itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Conficianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of “Allah” and as such , its name represents the central principle of Allah’s “God’s” religion ; the total submission to the will of Allah “God”. The Arabic word “Islam” means the submission of surrender of one’s will to the only true God worthy of worship “Allah” and anyone who does so is termed a “Muslim”. The word also implies “peace” which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 1 in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.
Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God’s religion, Islam, was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qua’aan, Allah states the following:
“this day heve I perfected your religion for you completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”.
“if anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will it be accepted to Him” (Soorah Aal’imraan 3:85)
“Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but an upright Muslim” (Soorah aal’imraan 3:67)
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses’ people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, christ was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos which means the annointed. That is, Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title “Messiah”. The name “Jesus” on the other hand, is a latinized version of the Hebrew name Esau.
For simplicity’s sake, I will however continue to refer to Prophet Esau (PBUH) as Jesus. As for his religion, it was what he called his followers to. Like the prophets before him, he called the people to surrender their will to the will of Allah; (which is Islam) and he warned them to stay away from the false gods of human imagination.
According to the New Testament, he taught his followers to pray as follows: “Yours will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.
=====
THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM
Since the total submission of one’s will to allah represents the essence of worship, the basic message of Allah’s divine religion, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person , place or thing other than Allah. Since everything other than Allah, the creator of all things, is allah’s creation; it may be said that islam, in essence calls man away from the worsip of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man’s worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. If man prays to a tree which answered his prayers but Allah who allowed the circumstances prayed for to take place. One might say, “That is obvious,” however, to tree-worshippers it might not be. Similarly, prayers to Jesus, Buddha, or Krishna, to Saint Christopher, or Saint Jude or even to Muhammad (PBUH) , are not answered by them but are answered by Allah. Jesus did not tell his followers to worship him but to worship Allah. As the Qur’aan states:
“And behold Allah will say” “O Jesus the son of Mary! Did you say to man, Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah?” He will say : “Glory to you I could never say what I had no right (to say’)”
(Soorah al-Maa’idah-5:116)
Nor did he worship himself when he worshipped but rather he worshipped allah. This basic principle is enshrined in the opening chapter of the Qur’aan, known as Soorah Al-Faatihah, verse4:
“You alone do we worhip and from you alone do we seek help”.
Elsewhere, in the final book of revelation, the Qur’aan, Allah also said:
“And your Lord says:”call on Me and I will answer your (prayer). ”(Soorah mu’min 40;60)
It is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that allah and His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, no is His craton Him or a part of him.
This might seem obvious, but, man’s worship of creation instead of the Crator is to a large degree based on ignorance of this concept. It is the belief that the essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His divine deing is or was present in some aspects of His creation, which has provided justification for the worship of allah through his creation. However, the message of Islam as brought by the prophets of allah is to worship only Allah and to avoid the worship of his creation either directly or indirectly.
In the Qur’aan allah clearly states:
“ for we assuredly sent amongest every prople a prophet,(with the command) worship me and avoid false gods”(soorah Al-Nahi 16:36)
When the idol worshipper is questioned as to why he or she bows down to idols created by men, the invariable reply is that they are not actually worshipping the stone image, but Allah who is present within it. They claim that the stone idol is only a focal point for allah’s essence and is not in itself Allah! One who has accepted the concept of the presence of God’s being within His creation in any way will be obliged to accept this argument of idolatry. Whereas, one who understands the basic message of Islam and is implications would never concede to idolatry no matter how it is retinalized. Those who have claimed divinity for themselves down through the ages have often based their claims on the mistaken belief that allah is present in man. They merly had to assert that althrough Allah according to their false beliefs, is in all of uw. He is more present in them than in the rest of us. Hence, the claim, we should submit our will to them and worship them as they are either god in person or god concentrated within the person.
Similarly , those who have asserted the godhood of others after their passing have found fertile ground among those who accept the false belief of god’s presence in man. One who has grasped the basic message of Islam and its implications could never agree to wordhip another hman being under any circumstances. God’s religion in essence is a clear call to the wordhip of the Creator and the rejection of craton-worship in any form. This is the meaning of the motto of Islam:
“Laa Elaaha lllallaah”
(There is no god but Allah)
Its repetition automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and sincere belief in it guarantees one Paradise. Thus, the fina Prophet of Islam is reported to have said.” Any one who says: There is no god but allah and dies hlding that(belief) will enter paradise”.(Reported by Abu Dhar and collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).
It consisits in the submission to Allah as one God, yeilding to Him by obeying his commandments, and the denial of polytheism and polytheists.
====
THE MESSAGE OF FALSE RELIGION
There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosphies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah. How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differnces in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worsip to which they call, directly or indirectly. False religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Allah. They either claim that all mer are gods or that specific men were Allah or that nature is Alah or that Allah is a figment of main’s imagination.
Thus , it may ne stated that the basic message of false religion is that allah may be worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it god. For example, prophet Jesus invited his followers to worship allah but those who claim to be his followers today call people to worsip Jesus, claiming that he was Allah!
Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside India have taken him to be god and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.
By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the Qur’aan:
That which you worship besides Him are o nly names you and your forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority; The command belongs only to allah:
He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right religion, but most men do not understand”
It may be argued that all religious teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the worship of creation. Creation –worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creaton. Man was created to worship Allah alone as Allah has explicitly stated in the Qur’aan:
“I have only created Jlnns and men, that they may worship me”(soorah Zaareeyaat)51:56
consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this stae of idolar=try has sealed hos fate in the nenxt life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man:
“Verily allah will nor forgive the jining of partners with Him, but he may forgive (sins) less than that for whomesoever He wishes”(Soorah An-Nissa 4:48 and 1160)
======
THE UNIVERSITY OF ISLAM
Since the consequences of false religion are so grave, the true religion of Allah must be universally understandable and attainable, not confined to any people, place or time. There can not be conditions like baptism., bellief in a man, as a saviour etc., for a a believer to enter paradise. Within the central principle of Islam and in its definition. (the surrender of one’s will to God) lies the roots of Islam’s universality. Whenever man comes to the realization that Allah is one and distinct from His creation, and submits himself to Allah, he becomes a Muslim in body and spirit and is eligible for paradise. Thus, anyone at anytime in the most remote region of the world can become a Muslim, a follower of God’s religion, Islam, by merely rejecting the worship fo creation and by turning to Allah (God) alone. It should be noted however, that the recognition of and submisssion to Allah requires that one chooses between right and wrong and such a choice implies accountability. Man will be held responsible for his choices, and, as such, he should try his utmost to do good and avoid evil. The ultimate good being the wrship of Allah alone and the ultimate evil being the worship of His creation along with or instead of Allah. This fact is expressed int the final revelation as follows:
“Verily those who believe, those who believe, those who follow the Jewish(Scriptures), the Christians and the Sabians any who believe in Allah and the last day, and work righteousness shall have their Lord; They will not be overcome by fear nor grief”
(Soorah Al-Bagarah 2:62).
“If only they had stood by the law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that is evil.” (Soorah Al-Maa’idah 5:66)
====
RECOGNITION OF ALLAH
The question which arises here is, “How can all people be expected to believe in Allah given their varying backgrounds, societies and cultures? For people to be responsible for worshipping Allah they all have to have access to knowledge of Allah. The final revelation teaches that all mankind have the recognition of Allah imprinted on their souls, apart of their very nature with which they are created.
In Soorah Al-A’raaf, Verses 172-173 ; Allah explained that when he created Adam, He caused all of Adam’s descendants to come into existance and took a pledge from them saying. Am I not your Lord? To which they all replied, “Yes, we testify to it.”
Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He is their creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said, “That was in case you (manking) should say on the day of Resurrection, “Verily we were unaware of all this.” That is to say, we had no idea that You Allah, were our God. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship you alone. Allah went on to explain That it was also in case you should say, “Certainly it was our ancestors who made partners (With Allah) and we are only their descendants; will you then destroy us for what those liars did?” Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an inborn inclination to worship Him alone called in Arabic the “Fitrah”.
If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah in his own way, but but all children are affected by those things around them, seen or unseen. The prophet (PBUH) also said,”Each child is born in a state of “Fitrah”, then his parents make him a Jew,Christian or a Zoroastrian, the way an animal gives birth to an normal offspring. Have you noticed any that were born mutilated?”(collected by Al_Bukhaaree and Muslim).So,just as a child submits to the physical laws which Allah has put in nature, his sould also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is his Lord and Creator. But, his parents trty to make him follow their own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and allah does not hold him to account or punish him for this religion.
Throughout peoples lives from childhood until the time they die, signs are shown to them in all regions of the earth and in their own sould, until it becomes clear that thtere is only one souls, until it bcomes clear that there is only one true God (Allah). If the people are honest with themselves, reject their false gods and seek allah, the way will be made easy for them but if they continually reject Allah’s signs and continue to worship creation, the more difficult it will be for them to escape. For example, in the South Eastern region of the Amazon jungle in Brazil, South America, a primitive tribe erected a new hut to house their main idol Skwatch, representing the supreme God of all creation. The following day a young masn entered the hut to pay homage to the God, and while he was in prostration to what he had been taught was his Creator and Sustainer, a mangy old flea-ridden dog walked into the hut. The young man loked up in time to see the dog lift its hind leg and pass urine on the idol. Outraged, the youth chased the dog out of the temple, but when his rage died down he realized that the idol could not be the Lord of the universe. Allah must be elsewhere. He now had a choice to act on his knowledge and seek Allah, or to dishonestly go along with the false beliefs of his tribe. As strange as it may seem, that was a sign from Allah for that young man. It contained within it divine guidance that what he was worshipping was false.
Prophets were sent, as was earlier mentioned, to every nation and tribe to support man’s natural belief in Allah and man’s inborn inclination to worship Him as well as to reinforce the divine truth in the daily signs revealed by Allah. Although, in most cases, much of the prophets’ teachings became distorted, portions remained which point out right and wrong. For example, the ten commandments of the Torah, their confirmation in the Gospels and the existance of laws against murder, stealing and adultery in most societies.
Consequently, every soul will be held to account for its belief in Allah and its acceptance of the religion of Islam; the total submission to the will of Allah.
We Pray to Allah, the exalted, to keep us on the right pathto which He has guided us, and to bestow on us a blessing from Him, He is indeed the Most Merciful. Praise and gratitude be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessing be on prophet Muhammed, his Family, his companions, and those who rightly follow them.
The True Religion
http://www.islam4all.com/new_page_85.htm
The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about the Islam is what the word “Islam” itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Conficianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of “Allah” and as such , its name represents the central principle of Allah’s “God’s” religion ; the total submission to the will of Allah “God”. The Arabic word “Islam” means the submission of surrender of one’s will to the only true God worthy of worship “Allah” and anyone who does so is termed a “Muslim”. The word also implies “peace” which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 1 in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.
Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God’s religion, Islam, was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qua’aan, Allah states the following:
“this day heve I perfected your religion for you completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”.
“if anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will it be accepted to Him” (Soorah Aal’imraan 3:85)
“Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but an upright Muslim” (Soorah aal’imraan 3:67)
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses’ people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, christ was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name “Christ” comes from the Greek word Christos which means the annointed. That is, Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title “Messiah”. The name “Jesus” on the other hand, is a latinized version of the Hebrew name Esau.
For simplicity’s sake, I will however continue to refer to Prophet Esau (PBUH) as Jesus. As for his religion, it was what he called his followers to. Like the prophets before him, he called the people to surrender their will to the will of Allah; (which is Islam) and he warned them to stay away from the false gods of human imagination.
According to the New Testament, he taught his followers to pray as follows: “Yours will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.
=====
THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM
Since the total submission of one’s will to allah represents the essence of worship, the basic message of Allah’s divine religion, Islam is the worship of Allah alone and the avoidance of worship directed to any person , place or thing other than Allah. Since everything other than Allah, the creator of all things, is allah’s creation; it may be said that islam, in essence calls man away from the worsip of creation and invites him to worship only its Creator. He is the only one deserving man’s worship as it is only by His will that prayers are answered. If man prays to a tree which answered his prayers but Allah who allowed the circumstances prayed for to take place. One might say, “That is obvious,” however, to tree-worshippers it might not be. Similarly, prayers to Jesus, Buddha, or Krishna, to Saint Christopher, or Saint Jude or even to Muhammad (PBUH) , are not answered by them but are answered by Allah. Jesus did not tell his followers to worship him but to worship Allah. As the Qur’aan states:
“And behold Allah will say” “O Jesus the son of Mary! Did you say to man, Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah?” He will say : “Glory to you I could never say what I had no right (to say’)”
(Soorah al-Maa’idah-5:116)
Nor did he worship himself when he worshipped but rather he worshipped allah. This basic principle is enshrined in the opening chapter of the Qur’aan, known as Soorah Al-Faatihah, verse4:
“You alone do we worhip and from you alone do we seek help”.
Elsewhere, in the final book of revelation, the Qur’aan, Allah also said:
“And your Lord says:”call on Me and I will answer your (prayer). ”(Soorah mu’min 40;60)
It is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that allah and His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His creation or a part of it, no is His craton Him or a part of him.
This might seem obvious, but, man’s worship of creation instead of the Crator is to a large degree based on ignorance of this concept. It is the belief that the essence of Allah is everywhere in His creation or that His divine deing is or was present in some aspects of His creation, which has provided justification for the worship of allah through his creation. However, the message of Islam as brought by the prophets of allah is to worship only Allah and to avoid the worship of his creation either directly or indirectly.
In the Qur’aan allah clearly states:
“ for we assuredly sent amongest every prople a prophet,(with the command) worship me and avoid false gods”(soorah Al-Nahi 16:36)
When the idol worshipper is questioned as to why he or she bows down to idols created by men, the invariable reply is that they are not actually worshipping the stone image, but Allah who is present within it. They claim that the stone idol is only a focal point for allah’s essence and is not in itself Allah! One who has accepted the concept of the presence of God’s being within His creation in any way will be obliged to accept this argument of idolatry. Whereas, one who understands the basic message of Islam and is implications would never concede to idolatry no matter how it is retinalized. Those who have claimed divinity for themselves down through the ages have often based their claims on the mistaken belief that allah is present in man. They merly had to assert that althrough Allah according to their false beliefs, is in all of uw. He is more present in them than in the rest of us. Hence, the claim, we should submit our will to them and worship them as they are either god in person or god concentrated within the person.
Similarly , those who have asserted the godhood of others after their passing have found fertile ground among those who accept the false belief of god’s presence in man. One who has grasped the basic message of Islam and its implications could never agree to wordhip another hman being under any circumstances. God’s religion in essence is a clear call to the wordhip of the Creator and the rejection of craton-worship in any form. This is the meaning of the motto of Islam:
“Laa Elaaha lllallaah”
(There is no god but Allah)
Its repetition automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and sincere belief in it guarantees one Paradise. Thus, the fina Prophet of Islam is reported to have said.” Any one who says: There is no god but allah and dies hlding that(belief) will enter paradise”.(Reported by Abu Dhar and collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).
It consisits in the submission to Allah as one God, yeilding to Him by obeying his commandments, and the denial of polytheism and polytheists.
====
THE MESSAGE OF FALSE RELIGION
There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosphies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to Allah. How can one determine which one is correct or if, in fact, all are correct? The method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differnces in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worsip to which they call, directly or indirectly. False religions all have in common one basic concept with regards to Allah. They either claim that all mer are gods or that specific men were Allah or that nature is Alah or that Allah is a figment of main’s imagination.
Thus , it may ne stated that the basic message of false religion is that allah may be worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion invites man to the worship of creation by calling the creation or some aspect of it god. For example, prophet Jesus invited his followers to worship allah but those who claim to be his followers today call people to worsip Jesus, claiming that he was Allah!
Buddha was a reformer who introduced a number of humanistic principles to the religion of India. He did not claim to be God nor did he suggest to his followers that he be an object of worship. Yet, today most Buddhists who are to be found outside India have taken him to be god and prostrate to idols made in their perception of his likeness.
By using the principle of identifying the object of worship, false religion becomes very obvious and the contrived nature of their origin clear. As God said in the Qur’aan:
That which you worship besides Him are o nly names you and your forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no authority; The command belongs only to allah:
He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right religion, but most men do not understand”
It may be argued that all religious teach good things so why should it matter which one we follow. The reply is that all false religions teach the greatest evil, the worship of creation. Creation –worship is the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very purpose of his creaton. Man was created to worship Allah alone as Allah has explicitly stated in the Qur’aan:
“I have only created Jlnns and men, that they may worship me”(soorah Zaareeyaat)51:56
consequently, the worship of creation, which is the essence of idolatry, is the only unforgivable sin. One who dies in this stae of idolar=try has sealed hos fate in the nenxt life. This is not an opinion, but a revealed fact stated by Allah in his final revelation to man:
“Verily allah will nor forgive the jining of partners with Him, but he may forgive (sins) less than that for whomesoever He wishes”(Soorah An-Nissa 4:48 and 1160)
======
THE UNIVERSITY OF ISLAM
Since the consequences of false religion are so grave, the true religion of Allah must be universally understandable and attainable, not confined to any people, place or time. There can not be conditions like baptism., bellief in a man, as a saviour etc., for a a believer to enter paradise. Within the central principle of Islam and in its definition. (the surrender of one’s will to God) lies the roots of Islam’s universality. Whenever man comes to the realization that Allah is one and distinct from His creation, and submits himself to Allah, he becomes a Muslim in body and spirit and is eligible for paradise. Thus, anyone at anytime in the most remote region of the world can become a Muslim, a follower of God’s religion, Islam, by merely rejecting the worship fo creation and by turning to Allah (God) alone. It should be noted however, that the recognition of and submisssion to Allah requires that one chooses between right and wrong and such a choice implies accountability. Man will be held responsible for his choices, and, as such, he should try his utmost to do good and avoid evil. The ultimate good being the wrship of Allah alone and the ultimate evil being the worship of His creation along with or instead of Allah. This fact is expressed int the final revelation as follows:
“Verily those who believe, those who believe, those who follow the Jewish(Scriptures), the Christians and the Sabians any who believe in Allah and the last day, and work righteousness shall have their Lord; They will not be overcome by fear nor grief”
(Soorah Al-Bagarah 2:62).
“If only they had stood by the law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course; but many of them follow a course that is evil.” (Soorah Al-Maa’idah 5:66)
====
RECOGNITION OF ALLAH
The question which arises here is, “How can all people be expected to believe in Allah given their varying backgrounds, societies and cultures? For people to be responsible for worshipping Allah they all have to have access to knowledge of Allah. The final revelation teaches that all mankind have the recognition of Allah imprinted on their souls, apart of their very nature with which they are created.
In Soorah Al-A’raaf, Verses 172-173 ; Allah explained that when he created Adam, He caused all of Adam’s descendants to come into existance and took a pledge from them saying. Am I not your Lord? To which they all replied, “Yes, we testify to it.”
Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He is their creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said, “That was in case you (manking) should say on the day of Resurrection, “Verily we were unaware of all this.” That is to say, we had no idea that You Allah, were our God. No one told us that we were only supposed to worship you alone. Allah went on to explain That it was also in case you should say, “Certainly it was our ancestors who made partners (With Allah) and we are only their descendants; will you then destroy us for what those liars did?” Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an inborn inclination to worship Him alone called in Arabic the “Fitrah”.
If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah in his own way, but but all children are affected by those things around them, seen or unseen. The prophet (PBUH) also said,”Each child is born in a state of “Fitrah”, then his parents make him a Jew,Christian or a Zoroastrian, the way an animal gives birth to an normal offspring. Have you noticed any that were born mutilated?”(collected by Al_Bukhaaree and Muslim).So,just as a child submits to the physical laws which Allah has put in nature, his sould also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is his Lord and Creator. But, his parents trty to make him follow their own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. The religion which the child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and allah does not hold him to account or punish him for this religion.
Throughout peoples lives from childhood until the time they die, signs are shown to them in all regions of the earth and in their own sould, until it becomes clear that thtere is only one souls, until it bcomes clear that there is only one true God (Allah). If the people are honest with themselves, reject their false gods and seek allah, the way will be made easy for them but if they continually reject Allah’s signs and continue to worship creation, the more difficult it will be for them to escape. For example, in the South Eastern region of the Amazon jungle in Brazil, South America, a primitive tribe erected a new hut to house their main idol Skwatch, representing the supreme God of all creation. The following day a young masn entered the hut to pay homage to the God, and while he was in prostration to what he had been taught was his Creator and Sustainer, a mangy old flea-ridden dog walked into the hut. The young man loked up in time to see the dog lift its hind leg and pass urine on the idol. Outraged, the youth chased the dog out of the temple, but when his rage died down he realized that the idol could not be the Lord of the universe. Allah must be elsewhere. He now had a choice to act on his knowledge and seek Allah, or to dishonestly go along with the false beliefs of his tribe. As strange as it may seem, that was a sign from Allah for that young man. It contained within it divine guidance that what he was worshipping was false.
Prophets were sent, as was earlier mentioned, to every nation and tribe to support man’s natural belief in Allah and man’s inborn inclination to worship Him as well as to reinforce the divine truth in the daily signs revealed by Allah. Although, in most cases, much of the prophets’ teachings became distorted, portions remained which point out right and wrong. For example, the ten commandments of the Torah, their confirmation in the Gospels and the existance of laws against murder, stealing and adultery in most societies.
Consequently, every soul will be held to account for its belief in Allah and its acceptance of the religion of Islam; the total submission to the will of Allah.
We Pray to Allah, the exalted, to keep us on the right pathto which He has guided us, and to bestow on us a blessing from Him, He is indeed the Most Merciful. Praise and gratitude be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessing be on prophet Muhammed, his Family, his companions, and those who rightly follow them.
The True Religion
http://www.islam4all.com/new_page_85.htm
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