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Can a person belong to two religions?
Harmonizing Christianity & Islam
By: B.A. Robinson
[Courtesy: http://www.religioustolerance.org/bemultfaith1.htm]
How one might harmonize Christianity and Islam:
Most faith groups require their adherents to follow a specific group of beliefs. Comparing beliefs between two faith groups within the same religion or between two religions will often produce conflicts. However, it is possible for some to harmonize liberal/progressive Christianity with the basic tenets of Islam. It remains impossible to harmonize Islam with Christian fundamentalist and other evangelical denominations.
For example, most conservative and mainline Christian denominations expect their followers to believe in certain cardinal beliefs, such as:
The Trinity: The belief that God is a unity consisting of three persons.
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The deity of Jesus,
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Jesus' bodily resurrection,
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The atonement as a result of the life, and particularly the death, of Jesus,
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The virgin birth, and
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The anticipated second coming of Jesus.
· Most conservative Christian faith groups also include:
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Personal salvation by grace,
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The inerrancy of the Bible
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God's inspiration of the Bible's authors,
However, many liberal Christians and Progressive Christians believe that the Bible contains God's Word but is not God's word in its entirety. They may point to passages in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that condoned and regulated human slavery, forced rape victims to marry their rapist, forced widows to marry their brother in law that described God ordering genocide, etc. They believe that God did not inspire the Bible's authors in the sense that he preserved them from including any errors in their writing. Rather, the authors wrote of their concepts of God, humanity, and the rest of the universe from within the limitations provided by their own culture and minimal scientific knowledge.
Many liberal and progressive Christians reject the concept of the Trinity and the deity of Christ, and believe as the original Christians did. During the early fourth decade CE, before the arrival of Paul, Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were the only known Christian movement. Their group was composed of reform Jews, and was founded by the followers of Jesus. They were led by James the brother of Jesus, and by Peter. They regarded Jesus as a great prophet, but as a human and not as a deity. They believed that God was single and indivisible. They engaged in animal sacrifices in the Temple, observed the Jewish holy days, followed kosher dietary laws and circumcised their male infants. By adopting the beliefs of these earliest Christians, rather than modern-day believers, it is much easier to harmonize Islam and Christianity. Two of the main beliefs of Islam:
That God is single and indivisible, and, that Jesus was a fully human, not divine, prophet, are shared both by Muslims and by these original Christians.
Potentially major stumbling blocks while harmonizing the two faiths involve the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as criteria for individual salvation:
Christians, throughout history, have believed that the Roman Army crucified Jesus, that he died, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. Most believe in the atonement -- that Jesus death gave some or all humans a path to salvation. Muslims believe, and the Qur'an teaches, that another person was crucified in Jesus' place.
[It is clarified that Qur’an does not teach that some one else was crucified (however Gospel of Jesus by Barnabas say so): According to Qur’an: “They even say: "We have killed the Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God." Whereas in fact, neither did they kill him nor did they crucify him but they thought they did because the matter was made dubious for them. Those who differ therein are only in doubt. They have no real knowledge, they follow nothing but merely a conjecture, and certainly they did not kill him. Nay! The fact is that God took him up to Himself. Allah is Mighty, Wise.”(Qur’an:4:157-158)]
They believe that God would never have allowed his greatest prophet up to that time to be executed. They do not believe that Jesus was resurrected. They do believe that Jesus ascended bodily to Heaven, but at a later time than Christians believe.
Many liberal and progressive Christians either reject or reinterpret the resurrection, ascension, salvation and atonement.
On the positive side, most Christians and all or essentially all Muslims believe in Jesus' virgin birth and anticipate his second coming.
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REV. ANN HOLMES REDDING, A MUSLIM - CHRISTIAN?
REV. REDDING'S HARMONIZATION OF ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY:
1. As noted elsewhere, Rev. Ann Holmes Redding was ordained as an priest of the Episcopal Church, USA in 1984. She has since accepted Islam and regards herself as following both religions. Rev. Ann Holmes Redding, 55, graduated from BrownUniversity, earned master's degrees from two seminaries, and received her Ph.D. in New Testament from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, NY. She felt called to the priesthood; in 1984, she was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church, USA. She will teach the New Testament as a visiting assistant professor at SeattleUniversity in the fall of 2007. She has a life goal to create an institute to study the three largest monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
2. In 2005-Fall, a Muslim leader gave a talk at St. Mark's Cathedral where Redding worked. She was moved by his prayer. During 2006-Spring, another Muslim leader taught a chanted prayer to God at a cathedral's inter-faith class. She began reciting the prayer daily. She began to study Islam intensely. in 2006-March, she became a Muslim by reciting the shahada -- "There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is his prophet."
3. She realizes that there are many Christians and Muslims who will not accept her decision. She says: "I don't care. They can't take away my baptism." Also, once she has said the shahada she became a Muslim. It would take a decision by a Muslim court to rule that she is not a Muslim.
4. She told the Diocese of Olympia’s Episcopal Voice newsletter that:
5. "... the way I understand Jesus is compatible with Islam[While some Christians and Muslims] think I must convert from one to the other, the more I go down this path the more excited I am about both Christianity and Islam. ... I was following Jesus and he led me into Islam, and he didn’t drop me off at the door. He's there too."
6. "For me to become a human being means to identify solely with the will of God. Islam gives me the tools to do that."
7. "We Christians, in struggling to express the beauty and dignity of Jesus and the pattern of life he offers, describe him as the 'only begotten son of God.' That's how wonderful he is to us. But that is not literal."
8. "When we say Jesus is the only begotten one, we are saying he’s unique in some way. Islam says the same thing. He’s the only human aside from Adam who is directly created by God, and he’s different from Adam because he has a human mother. So there’s agreement—this person is unique in his relationship to God."
9. "I agree with both because I do want to say that Jesus is unique, and for me, Jesus is my spiritual master." 4
10. She said that every day: "I pray not to cause scandal or bring shame upon either of my traditions." 1
She doesn't feel that she has to resolve all of the contradictions between the two faiths. She notes that people within a single religion often disagree on the details of belief.She adds: "So why would I spend time to try to reconcile all of Christian belief with all of Islam? At the most basic level, I understand the two religions to be compatible.That's all I need."
According to the Associated Press, Redding believes that:
1. The Trinity is a concept of God that is not to be taken literally.
2. She does not believe that Jesus and God are part of the same Godhead.
3. She regards Jesus as the son of God, in the sense that all humans are the children of God.
4. She believes that Jesus is divine in the sense that all humans are divine and that God dwells within all of us. [God is not part of human being in physical sense but closest to the human being, He says: “We created man, We know the prompting of his soul, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein.”(Qur’an;50:16)]
5. She does believe that the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were historical events. She recognizes that these beliefs conflict with the Qur'an. She said: "That's something I'll find a challenge the rest of my life."
Note: Following verses have been added for the information of reader:
“They even say: "We have killed the Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God “Whereas in fact, neither did they kill him nor did they crucify him but they thought they did because the matter was made dubious for them. Those who differ therein are only in doubt. They have no real knowledge, they follow nothing but merely a conjecture, certainly they did not kill him (Jesus). Nay! The fact is that God took him up to Himself. Allah is Mighty, Wise.”(Qur’an:4:157-158)
Divine Rescue of Jesus:
“When the soldiers with Judas drew near to the place where Jesus was, Jesus heard the approach of many people, wherefore in fear he withdrew into the house. And the eleven were sleeping. Then God, seeing the danger of his servant, commanded Gabriel;, Michael;, Rafael;, and Uriel;, his ministers, to take Jesus out of the world. The holy angels came and took Jesus out by the window that looks toward the South;. They bare him and placed him in the third heaven in the company of angels blessing God for evermore”. Gospel of Jesus by Barnabas, Chapter:215].
Judas Transformed:
Judas entered impetuously before all into the chamber whence Jesus had been taken up. And the disciples were sleeping. Whereupon the wonderful God acted wonderfully, insomuch that Judas was so changed in speech and in face to be like Jesus that we believed him to be Jesus. And he, having awakened us, was seeking where the Master was. Whereupon we marvelled, and answered: 'You, Lord, are our master; have you now forgotten us?' And he, smiling, said: 'Now are you foolish, that know not me to be Judas Iscariot!' And as he was saying this the soldiery entered, and laid their hands upon Judas, because he was in every way like to Jesus. We having heard Judas' saying, and seeing the multitude of soldiers, fled as beside ourselves. And John, who was wrapped in a linen cloth, awoke and fled, and when a soldier seized him by the linen cloth he left the linen cloth and fled naked. For God heard the prayer of Jesus, and saved the eleven from evil.[Gospel of Jesus by Barnabas, Chapter:216, http://thepeacemakers.page.tl]
6. She regards Jesus as her savior. She said that: "He has connected me with God."1
In adopting beliefs that conflict with traditional Christian concepts, she has almost certainly deviated from the doctrines of the Episcopal Church. A case can be made that she has violated her vows taken at her ordination, and that she could be charged with heresy.
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2-CAN A PERSON BELONG TO TWO RELIGIONS?
CAN A PERSON BELONG TO TWO RELIGIONS?
THE JOURNEY OF REV. ANN REDDING
REACTIONS BY OTHERS TO HER DECISION
Rev. Ann Redding says that:
"Coming to Islam was like coming into a family with whom I'd been estranged. We have not only the same God, but the same ancestor with Abraham."
She attends Friday services at a mosque, prays five times a day, and identifies herself as following two religions. She said:
"I am both Muslim and Christian, just like I'm both an American of African descent and a woman. I'm 100 percent both." 1
The Associated Press reports that:
"She says she felt an inexplicable call to become Muslim, and to surrender to God - the meaning of the word 'Islam'."
Redding describes her acceptance of her additional faith:
"It wasn't about intellect. All I know is the calling of my heart to Islam was very much something about my identity and who I am supposed to be. I could not, not be a Muslim. ... I think this thing that's happened to me can be a sign of hope."
Reactions by Theologians to her Religious Inclusion:
1. Her friends generally support her. But religious authorities hold mixed opinions. Many of the latter feel that beliefs taught by Islam and Christianity make the two religions mutually exclusive. Others believe that it is possible to interpret the tenets of the two faiths in such a way that a person can accept both faiths simultaneously:
2. Kurt Fredrickson, director of the doctor of ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, said: "There are tenets of the faiths that are very, very different. The most basic would be: What do you do with Jesus? I don't think it's possible [to be both, just like] ... you can't be a Republican and a Democrat."
3. Referring to one person being both a Muslim and a Christian, Hisham Farajallah, president of the Islamic Center of Washington said: "I don't know how that works."
4. Leaders at the Al-Islam Center of Seattle where she prays, believe differently. Programming director Ayesha Anderson said: "Islam doesn't say if you're a Christian, you're not a Muslim. Islam doesn't lay it out like that."
5. Officials at the Episcopal Church, USA do not know of any other of their priests who believes in a second faith along with Christianity. They indicated that it is the local bishop's responsibility to decide whether she can continue performing the functions of a priest.
6. Eugene Webb, professor emeritus of comparative religion at the University of Washington, said that it is possible to be both Muslim and Christian: He said: "It's a matter of interpretation. But a lot of people on both sides do not believe in interpretation. "
7. Ihsan Bagby is an associate professor of Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky. He notes that Islam tends to be a little more flexible on matters of belief. Muslims can have faith in Jesus, he said, as long as they believe in Mohammad's message.
8. Mahmoud Ayoub, professor of Islamic studies and comparative religion at TempleUniversity in Philadelphia, PA, notes that in Islam, God is one an indivisible and unique. He said: "The theological beliefs are irreconcilable. For Muslims to say Jesus is God would be blasphemy."
9. Most Muslims believe that belief in the Trinity is belief in polytheism 2 and is the most serious type of blasphemy against God.
10. Frank Spina, an Episcopal priest and professor of Old Testament and biblical theology at Seattle Pacific University, states: "I just do not think this sort of thing works. I think you have to give up what is essential to Christianity to make the moves that she has done. ... The essence of Christianity was not that Jesus was a great rabbi or even a great prophet, but that he is the very incarnation of the God that created the world.... Christianity stands or falls on who Jesus is." He also notes that Episcopal priests have taken vows of commitment to the doctrines of the church: "That means none of us get to work out what we think all by ourselves."
Reactions from Non-Theologians:
Doug Thorpe was a member of St. Mark's faith-formation committee with Redding. He has noted how her decision has deepened her spirituality. He feels that Redding is being called: "... by her very presence, [to be] a bridge person. And we desperately need those bridge persons."
"mOok" at mOokblogwrites: "Surely, given Christianity and Islam’s opposite positions on Jesus’ humanity, his Son-ship, his divinity, his crucifixion and his resurrection, if the way you 'understand Jesus is compatible with Islam', then by definition the way you understand Jesus is incompatible with the Christian faith."
"Honestly, this is the sort of stuff that I’d have expected to hear from Jade Goody or Helen Adams on Big Brother, not from a priest in the Christian Church who has a PhD! ..." "And news just in: it's possible for a fish to be a spaceship, a pizza to be a bicycle, a frog to be a sky scraper, a tomato to be an aqualung and a potato to be prime minister of Bulgaria." 3
Michael P.F. van der Galiën wrote on the Moderate Blog Network:"I think, from a theological perspective, that it is quite an interesting question: can one be both Muslim and Christian (at the same time)? My initial reaction is 'of course not.' However, when I thought about it for a while, I thought 'well, the way she explains it makes me think it is possible, in so far that it is all a matter of interpretation.' Redding has a somewhat different definition of what it means to be a Christian than I do, but I would not dismiss her views too easily. For one thing, many, many European Christians probably share her views."
"You could say that she has found a ‘middle-ground’ which makes it possible for her to say that she is both. Of course, this does not mean that Christians and Muslims who interpret their respective Holy Books a bit more literally than Redding does, cannot disagree with her and say that she is not a Christian / Muslim; it does, however, mean that she can defend her position. ..."
"It is a very interesting thought process. The result is, I guess, that more strict Christians will consider Redding to be Muslim, and stricter Muslims will consider her to be Christian. Then we have the group who are less strict and believe she can be both, and, lastly, some people will consider her to be neither." 5
References used:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today. Punctuation and spelling were corrected in the blog quotations.
Michael P.F. van der Galiën, "Episcopal Priest: 'I am both Muslim and Christian'," The Moderate Blog Network, 2007-JUN-17, at: http://www.blogowogo.com/
As of 2007-JUN-18, A Google search for redding islam christianity returned about 2,800 hits. Two days later, it reached 3,300.
Author: B.A. Robinson
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With addition of some scriptural reference
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God." (Jesus Christ, Mathew;5:9)
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3:JESUS CHRIST & THE BIBLE
JESUS CHRIST
AS IN THE BIBLE
A SUMMARY
Trinity:
The idea of Trinity was started by Paul but it was given a final shape by Athanesius in about 325C.E. Trinity is not mentioned in Bible. The Catholic Encyclopedia says "The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of Christian religion ... in the unity of Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these three Persons being truly distinct one from another. Thus in the words of Athanasian Creed; the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three but one God.”
This doctrine was not clearly grasped even by Athanasius. He says at another place that whenever he forced his understanding to mediate on the divinity of Jesus his toilsome and unavailing efforts recoil on themselves, that the more he wrote the less capable was he of expressing his thoughts. This confusion is explained away as "Mystery", yet the Bible says "God is not the author of confusion" (1Corinthians;14:33)
“True ‘Gospel of Jesus’ by his disciple and apostle Barnabas; Christ was a new prophet sent by God to the world. “According to the, apostle of Jesus the Nazarene, called Christ, to all them that dwell upon the earth desireth peace and consolation. Dearly beloved the great and wonderful God hath during these past days visited us by his prophet Jesus Christ in great mercy of teaching and miracles, by reason whereof many, being deceived of Satan, under presence of piety, are preaching most impious doctrine, calling Jesus son of God, repudiating the circumcision ordained of God for ever, and permitting every unclean meat: among whom also Paul hath been deceived, whereof I speak not without grief; for which cause I am writing that truth which I have seen and heard, in the intercourse that I have had with Jesus, in order that ye may be saved, and not be deceived of Satan and perish in the judgment of God. Therefore beware of every one that preacheth unto you new doctrine contrary to that which I write, that ye may be saved eternally. The great God be with you and guard you from Satan and from every evil. Amen”.(Barnabas: Opening).
"Jesus, having received this vision, and knowing that he was a prophet sent to the house of Israel, revealed to Mary his mother, telling her that he needs must suffer great persecution for the honor of God, and that he couldn't any longer abide with her to serve her." (Barnabas:10)
"And when he had said this, the crowed drew high, and when they knew him they began to cry out: ' Welcome to thee, O our God!' and they began to do him reverence, as unto God. Whereupon Jesus gave a great groan and said: ' Get ye from before me, O mad men, for I fear lest the earth should open and devour me with you for your abominable words!' Whereupon the people were filled with terror and began to weep."(Barnabas:92)
"Then Jesus, having lifted his hand in token of silence, said: ' Verily ye have erred greatly, O Israelites, in calling me, a man, your God. And I fear that God may for this give heavy plague upon the holy city.....I confess before heaven, ....that I am stranger to all that ye have said; seeing that I am man, born of a mortal woman, subject to the judgment of God, suffering the miseries of eating and sleeping, of cold and heat, like other men,.. Where upon when God shall come to judge, my words like a sword shall pierce each one (of them) that believe me to be more than a man," (Barnabas:93)
Begotten Son of God:
a) Jesus is said to be the only begotten Son of God.(John;3:18).
b) About David the Bible says "The Lord has said unto me Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee."(Psalm;2:3).
Son of God:
a) It is claimed that Jesus was one of the Trinity because he was the only son of God, but there are other sons of God mentioned in Bible.
b) “Thus says the Lord that, Israel is my son even, my first born”.(Exodus;4:22).
c) “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the Children of God”.(John;5:9).
d) “But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God”.(John;1:12).
e) “Seth which was the son of Adam which was the Son of God”.(Luke;4:41)
God as a Husband:
a) “For thy Maker is thy husband; the Lord of hosts is his name and thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel”.(Isaiah;54:5).
b) The Church is known as the Bride of Christ.
Other Relations of God:
“And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples and said; Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in the heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother”(Matthew;12:49,50)
Joint-Heirs with Christ:
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. . . . The Spirit itself bears witness with our Spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children," then heirs: heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together,(Romans 8:16-17).
Jesus Rebukes the Devils:
“Devils also came out of many, crying out, and, saying Thou art Christ the Son of God, And he rebuked him and suffered them not to speak”.(Luke;4:41)
Jesus was not Crucified, but Raised Up:
The contradictions in the crucifiction and resurrection claims have also been clarified in “Gospel of Jesus” according to disciple Barnabas:
a. "..Then God seeing danger of his servant, commanded Gabriel, Michael, Rafael and Uriel, his ministers, to take Jesus out of the world. The holy angels came and took Jesus out by the window that looketh toward the South..." (Brnabas:215).
b. "Judas truly did nothing else but cry out: 'God, why hast thou forsaken me, seeing the malefactor hath escaped and I die unjustly?' Verily I say that the voice, the face, and the person of Judas were so alike to Jesus, that his disciples and believers entirely believed that he was Jesus; wherefore some departed from the doctrine of Jesus; believing that Jesus had been a false prophet, and that by art magic he had done the miracles which he did: for Jesus had said that he should not die till near the end of the world; for that at that time he should be taken away from the world."(Brnabas:217)
Belief Manifest:
Jesus- The Prophet (Messenger) of God:
1. “Father is greater than I”(John;14:28).
2. “..Who is this? and the multitude said, This is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee”(Matthew;21:11).
3. “And they glorified God saying, that a great Prophet is risen up among us”(Luke;7:16,9:8, 9:19).
4. “And they said unto him, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God”.(Luke;24:19).
5. “We know that thou a teacher come from God”(John;3:2).
6. “Then these men, when they had seen the miracle, said This of truth is that Prophet that should come into the world”.(John;6:14,7:40).
Relations of God; Metaphorical Not Physical: All the human relations of God mentioned in the Bible, if taken in a metaphorical sense then there is no confusion. On the other hand if taken in a physical sense then it does not lead to Trinity but to Polytheism.
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COUSRSTESY:
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4: WHAT IS ISLAM?
WHAT IS ISLAM?
WHAT MUSLIMS BELIEVE IN?
By: Shaikh Ali Al-Tantawi
Islam is attainment of ‘peace’ through total surrender to the ‘Will and Commandments of God’. It is the faith preached by all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ and lastly by Muhammad (peace be upon them all). It is essential, in order to be accepted in the fold of Islam, that a man/woman declares his faith by pronouncing (Shahadah): “I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah (God) and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Prophet of God." Then he performs the worship, in four forms; daily five times prayers, Charity (Zakat) annually, Fasting (Soum one month in a year), Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca once in life if can afford).The perfect Muslim believes in the basic; principles of the Islamic faith which are:
o The marks of perfect faith are displayed clearly in the actions and behavior of the believer.
o The Islamic law (Shari’a) has ordained that man should first adopt all possible means and methods and should , then pray to God for positive results of his efforts.
o Reliance (Tawakkul) does not consist in sitting idle and setting aside the use of all methods and the laws of nature fashioned by God.
o The believer’s point of view is that religious ties are stronger than the blood ties and the bond of creed is more vital than the bond of lineage.
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Faith in the Day of Judgment
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Faith in Predestination
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Faith in the Unseen
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Faith in the Prophets (mentioned in Bible & Qur’an, including Jesus Christ)
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Faith in the Scriptures (The actual revelations to prophets like; Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus Christ and Muhammad, peace be upon them all)
More over the Muslims believe in what is stated in the Holy Qur’an regarding the creation of the paradise, earth and man. His behaviour and conduct in everyday life should reflect such a belief. A Muslim will therefore accept and abide by the Holy Qur’an, the authenticity of which he has no doubt. He will not be satisfied with reading it unless he can understand it, nor by reciting it melodiously without grasping its meaning. In fact he adopts it as a book of codes with which he can govern his daily life. He accepts what is declared to be lawful and refrains from what is forbidden. He acts on what it instructs, and abstains from what is not permitted. Other religions may be confined to their respective places of worship. Islam however is not confined to s the mosque. In fact its impact and influence pervades all places— the mosque, the home, the streets and government offices. It is a religion to be observed at times of war as well as peace. Islam is an unalienable factor in the life of every Muslim. He is guided by its teachings on every aspect of life. It informs him of what is lawful and what is forbidden.
All actions of a Muslim can be classified under one of the following five categories: Lawful, Recommended, Obligatory, Forbidden and Reprehensible. Whereas other religions may only include forms of worship and may not include politics and acquisition of knowledge that is not the case with Islam. Besides being a religion of worship, Islam also contains a set of civil and criminal codes of law; it includes international law, rules and regulations of administration, principles of ethics and the science of politics. You can open any book on Islamic Jurisprudence and you will find these topics discussed.
Worship:
Worshipin some religions may only take the form of prayer. But Islam includes every action done for the good of the people, with the intention of dedication to God in addition to prayer and fasting.
Seek Knowledge:
If religion is thought to be separate from the realm of knowledge, then Islam can be described as a religion of learning - because the very first word of Divine Revelation was "Read" (Recite). It did not say, "Fight" nor did it say, "Accumulate money and possessions" or, "Renounce the world". "Read" was the first word revealed in the Holy Qur’an, followed by a discourse on knowledge. The biggest gift God has granted to mankind is the gift of knowledge, knowledge of what man did not know. No other blessing can match it - be it in the form of wealth, physical strength or fame and glory.
It is necessary for every member of an Islamic society, with in his capability to acquire every area of knowledge. No other religion on earth except Islam considers the acquisition of knowledge as a religious duty. It therefore exhorts its followers to learn the sciences of chemistry, medicine, aviation, etc.
Wealth:
Islam is also the religion of' ‘riches'. God has described wealth as khair - 'good'. But man's attachment to wealth is described as follows: “And violent is he in his love of wealth.”(Qur’an;100:7). Muslims should therefore seek to be rich, but they should acquire their wealth lawfully, and this wealth should not become an obsession. Every Muslim should understand that wealth and everything else in this universe are at his disposal. He may seek to derive good from everything he finds around him. However, he should not become attached to what he finds and seek to glorify himself through it. If he does so, he will become a slave of wealth and consequently he will worship it besides God. God has made wealth as a means of benefit. But if you hoard your wealth, you become a slave and a captive of it, Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, "miserable is the slave of money."
Dress:
As for clothes, Islam considers all garments as a means of covering the body to protect it from different weather conditions. But, as with wealth, if you glorify your clothes and hoard them without wearing them, you become their slave. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) says, "Miserable is the person who is obsessed with his clothing."
Might & Splendor But Cruelty Not Permitted:
Islam is also a religion of might and splendor but it does not permit cruelty to anybody. It is also a religion of this world and the life hereafter: “Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the hereafter.”(Qur’an;2:201). Islam enjoins on its followers to be true to their faith and follow Divine guidance, while, at the same time, being the most advanced, sophisticated, strong, rich and well informed people in the world.
Convey the Message of Islam to Others:
Besides all this, every Muslim should be aware of another duty he should perform: to convey the Message of Islam to others, and to call others to the path of God with wisdom and beautiful preaching. He should not compel or force anyone to accept Islam: “Let there be no compulsion in religion.”(Qur’an;2:256). He should present the salient features of Islam in a way that appeals to both the head and the heart. Muslims should be living examples of the glorious principles of Islam. They should not present a perverted and distorted picture of Islam. The Muslim missionary should be a man or woman of intellectual qualities and one who understands the needs and response, mood and wavelength of those to whom he is talking.
Islam has Empirical Arguments and Proofs:
It must be kept in mind that Islam is not afraid of debate on any issue and it does not avoid discussions on intellectual plane. Islam has arguments and proofs for all matters. It also demands proof and argument form its opponents: “Say, "Bring forth your argument if you are telling the truth.”(Qur’an;2:111); “Whoever invokes another god besides God - about whose divinity he has no proof thereof..”Qur’an;23:117). It is impossible to give proof against the Oneness of God.
If such Muslim missionaries take up the task, the whole world will accept the religion of God. For God has revealed this religion and He will preserve it: “We have without doubt, sent down the message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).”(Qur’an;15:9).
Conclusion:
Islam will continue to exist, the future is for Islam (presently Islam is the fastest growing religion in Europe and North America, women are leading the men). However, it is now up to us Muslims to seek the privilege of spreading the Message of Islam and thus attain reward in this world and in the life hereafter. If we fail to do so God may assign this task to others who will come into the fold of Islam and take up the mission of preaching (dawah). May God the Almighty make us worthy of our religion and grant us success in our task. And may He pardon us and grant mercy to us. In conclusion our prayer is; ‘All praise be to God, Lord of all the Worlds!’
[An extract from translation of: “Ta’rif-e-Aam bi-Din il-Islam” By: Shaikh Ali Al-Tantawi.]
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5
5: INITIAL IMPACT OF ISLAM ON CHRISTIANITY
INITIAL IMPACT OF ISLAM ON CHRISTIANITY
The light of Islam (attainment of peace through submission to the Will of One God, preached by all messengers of God from Adam- Noah-Moses to Jesus) was illuminating the world from 610-632 C.E through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the descendent of Prophet Ishmael (eldest son of Abraham) as prophesied in the previous scriptures [Deuteronomy;18:18,19, Song of Solomon;5:16; John;16:12-14; 15:26; 16:7 also affirmed in Qur’an;6:20; 61:6; 3:71; 3:42-47. ‘Gospel of Jesus’ according to Branbas, Chapter:124, 136,220. Also in the Zoroaster, Buddhist and Hindu Scriptures: ‘Bhavishya Purana in the Prati Sarag Parv III Khand 3 Adhay 3 Shloka 5 to 8’; Bhavishya Purana in the Pratisarag Parv III Khand 3 Adhay 3 Shloka 10 to 27; Bhavishya Purana, Parv - III Khand 1 Adhay 3 Shloka 21-23; and Samveda Book II Hymn 6 verse 8].
Emperor Heraclius Invited to Islam:
After successfully establishing the Islamic state at Medina Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) invited the rulers and people of neighboring areas, to Islam including Eastern Roman emperor Heraclius (610-641 C.E). The letter and details are recorded in Sahih Bukhari Hadith Number:6, Volume:1, narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas. According to this Tradition (Hadith) the letter addressed to Heraclius reads:
"In the name of God the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of God and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and God will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you God's Statement:) 'O people of the scripture! (Jews and Chritians) Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but God and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside God (Allah). Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to God).' (Qur’an;3:64).
Heaculius called for the visiting Arab traders, Abu Sufyan (uncle of the Propeht, then a nonbeliever and his enemy) was on a buisness trip, he was produced in the court of the Emperor. After asking many questions about the Propeht and his message, Heaculius was convinced that Muhmmmad (peace be upon him) was a true messenger of God. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs (a town in Syria) and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend (from Rome) who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet.[Contemporary Pope Honorius I (Pope from 625 to 638 C.E) favoured Monothelitism; a formula proposed by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius.]
Then Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, 'O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).' (On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience. (When they returned) he said, 'What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.' The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith).
However Heraclius had sought in 638 C.E to placate Monophysite by promulgating the doctrine of Monothelitism. The victorious Muslims granted religious freedom to the Christian community in Alexandria, and the Alexandrians quickly recalled their exiled Monophysite patriarch to rule over them, subject only to the ultimate political authority of the conquerors. In such a fashion the city persisted as religious community under Arab Muslim domination more welcome and more tolerant than that of Byzantium.
The Monotheist Pope Honorius (625-638 C.E):
The Doctrine of One Mind-One God:
Pope Honorius (pope 625-638 C.E)was contemporary of Prophet Mohammed (peace be on him, preaching period: 610-632). He grasped the truthfulness of message of Islam [most likely through Emperor Heraclius] whose tenets he observed, were very much resembled those of Arius (monotheism preached by Jesus Christ). Thus he found the linkage between Islam and Christianity. In his letters he began to support the doctrine of 'One Mind', because if God has three independent minds the result would be chaos. The logical conclusion pointed to the belief in the existence of one God. This doctrine was not officially challenged for about half a century. In October 638C.E Pope Honorius died. In 680 C.E, i.e. 42 years after his death, a council was held in Constantinople where Pope Honorius was anathematized (cursed, condemned). This event is unique in the history of Papacy when a Pope was denounced by a succeeding Pope and the Church.
Emperor Leo Abolished Image-Worship:
The Byzantine Emperor Leo-III (717-741) surnamed Isauricus, undertook, in the face of so many difficulties, to purify the church of its detestable idols. Probably the creed of Islam and the success of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) greatly influenced Leo. Besides, there was a very general feeling among Christians in the East, that it was the increasing idolatry of the church that had brought down upon them the chastisement of God by the invasion of Muslims. The Christians were constantly hearing from both Jews and Muslims the odious name of idolaters. The great Iconoclastic Controversy evidently arose out of these circumstances. The Iconoclasts (those who rejected images) objected to icon worship for several reasons, including the Old Testament prohibition against images in the Ten Commandments (Exodus:20:4) and the possibility of idolatry. The defenders of icon worship insisted on the symbolic nature of images and on the dignity of created matter.
L. F. M. Sozzini (1525-1565 ) Challenged Trinity:
The next two personalities of this faith that deserve mention were members of the same family. L. F. M. Sozzini (1525-1565 C.E) was native of Siena. In 1547 C.E. he came under the influence of Camillo a Sicilian mystic. His fame spread in Switzerland. He challenged Calvin on the doctrine of Trinity. He amplified the doctrine of Arius, denied the divinity of Christ and repudiated the doctrine of original sin and atonement. The object of adoration according to him could only be the one and only one God.
Racovian Catechism:
Monotheistic Christianity:
Sozzini was followed by his nephew F. P. Sozzini (1539-1604 C.E). In 1562 C.E he published a work on St. John's Gospel denying the divinity of Jesus. In 1578 C.E he went to Klausenburg in Transylvania whose ruler John Sigisumud, was against the doctrine of Trinity. Here Bishop Francis David (1510-1579 C.E) was fiercely anti-Trinitarian. This led to the formation of a sect known as ‘Racovian Catechism’. It derives its name from Racow in Poland. This city became the stronghold of the faith of Arius.
Central to Socinus' teaching was the attainment of eternal life through the study of divinely revealed Scripture. He saw Christ as a real man, though without sin, who by his suffering taught men how to bear their own sufferings. In his view, faith is more than the belief that the teaching of Christ is true; it also results in repentance for sins and in an obedience that leads to eternal life.
A rationalist Christian group was formed in the 16th century that embraced the thought of the Italian-born lay theologian Faustus Socinus hence named Socinian. The Socinians taught a rationalist interpretation of the Scriptures, and they accepted Jesus as God's revelation but a mere man, divine by office rather than by nature; Socinians thus rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. One of the Socinians' central doctrines was that the soul dies with the body, but that the souls of those who have persevered in obeying Jesus' commandments will be resurrected. The Socinians also advocated the separation of church and state.
John Biddle (1615-62), an English Socinian, whose knowledge of the Greek text of the New Testament convinced him that the doctrine of the Trinity was not of scriptural origin, published his Unitarian convictions in Twelve Arguments Drawn out of Scripture . . . (1647) and other works; English readers, moreover, were exposed to Unitarian views through Socinian books published in the Netherlands.
Common Themes:
Theologian Earl Morse Wilbur (1866-1956) advanced the thesis, now widely accepted, that the history of Unitarianism in Poland, Transylvania, England, and America gains unity from certain common themes. These themes are freedom of religious thought rather than required agreement with creeds or confessions, reliance not on tradition or external authority but on the use of reason in formulating religious beliefs, and tolerance of differing religious views and customs in worship and polity. Their teachings historically have included the unity of God, the humanity of Jesus, mankind's religious and ethical responsibility, and the possibility of attaining religious salvation through differing religious traditions. They emphasize the authority of the individual's religious conviction, the importance of religiously motivated action for social reform, democratic method in church governance, and reason and experience as appropriate bases for formulating religious beliefs.
Trinitarians however has maintained hold upon major population not due to ideological superiority but due to aggressive missionary activities coupled social welfare projects like education, health, charity, material benefits along with coercion and persecution wherever feasible.
Christians Today:
Among the present-day Christians a large number of men and women still believe in one God. They are not always vocal. Due to the crushing power of the Churches they cannot express themselves and there is not much communication between them. However with the advancement in communication specially the cyber world, such groups have started to vent their views.
In the end it will be of interest to quote Athanasius the champion of Trinity. He says that: “Whenever he forced his understanding to meditate on the divinity of Jesus his toilsome and unavailing efforts recoil on themselves, that the more he wrote the less capable was he of expressing his thoughts”. At another place he pronounces his creed as:
“There is not three but ONE GOD”.
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6
6: BIBLE & PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
BIBLE & PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)
It is well known that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon) was an Arab form the tribe of Quraysh, the decedents of Prophet Ishmael the eldest son of Prophet Abraham. He was left in the wilderness (later developed in to city of Makka a religious and commercial centre) along with his mother Hager. They were miraculously saved through a spring of Zamzam and flourished. Later Abraham came to offer sacrifice of his only son Ishmael, but he was saved by God. Abraham built the first House of Worship of One God along with Ishmael, it is now known as Ka’ba (one direction of prayer for worship of One God (Allah) symbolizing the unity of Muslims). He also established the rites of Pilgrimage (Hajj). The advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been prophesized in the Old Testament as well as in New Testament directly and indirectly, some are mentioned below:
Old Testament:
1. God Calls Abraham:
“I will make thee a great nation and I shall bless thee, and make thy name great and thou shall be a blessing, and I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed”. (Genesis;12:2,3):
2. God Said To Hagar:
“I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold thou art with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.” (Genesis;17:10-12)
3. God Said To Abraham about Ishmael:
“As for Ishmael, I have heard thee; Behold I have blessed him, and make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, I will make him a great nation.” (Genesis;17:20-21)
4. Right of The First Born:
“If a man has two wives, one beloved another hated; and if the first born son be hers that was hated; then it shall be that when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved first born, before the son of the hated which is indeed the first born, by giving him the double portion of all that he hath; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of firstborn is his”. (Deuteronomy;21:15-17)
[Note.—Ishmael was 13/14 years old when Isaac was born.]
5. The Blessing of Moses:
“And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran (Arabic: Faran) came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in your hand: and they sat down at your feet; everyone shall receive of your words. Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob”. (Deuteronomy;33:2-4).
6. The Age of Peace:
“And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, you sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then you defiled it: he went up to my couch. Simeon and Levi are brothers; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. O my soul, come not into their secret; unto their assembly, my spirit, be not united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they dug down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise: your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father's children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, you are gone up: he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until SHILOH (Peace, Islam) comes; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be”.(Genesis;49:1-10)
7. The Vision of Isaiah:
“And he hath seen a chariot--a couple of horsemen, The rider of an ass, the rider of a camel, And he hath given attention--He hath increased attention!”(Isaiah;21:7) [Young’s Bible Literal Translation]. “He saw two riders one of them was a rider upon an ass, and the other rider was upon a camel, he harkened diligently with much heed.”(Isaiah;21:7) [Vulgate Bible]
8. Jesus-The Promised Rider Upon An Ass:
“And Jesus, when he had found a young donkey, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him”.(John;12:14-16)
9. Another Version Supporting the Above:
“Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes unto you, meek, and sitting upon a donkey, and a colt the foal of a donkey. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the donkey, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they sat him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he came into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.( Matthew;21:5-11)
WHO IS THE PROMISED RIDER UPON THE CAMEL? Obviously it refers to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)!
10. The Chosen Servant:
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth justice unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has established justice in the earth: and the coastlands shall wait for his law. Thus says God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which comes out of it; he that gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk in it: I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant to the people, for a light to the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images”.(Isaiah;42:1-8)
11. Prevail Against Jealous Enemies:
“Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar does inhabit: let the inhabitants of Sela sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the coastlands. The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, shout aloud; he shall prevail against his enemies.”(Isaiah;42:11-13)
12. Brethren; The Prophecy of Moses:
God speaks to Prophet Moses: "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and I will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not harken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him"(Deuteronomy; 18:18,19).
Relating this prophesy with Jesus is not correct as the analysis indicate that it is related with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): Among the prophets which followed Prophet Moses, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is most like Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) where as Jesus (peace be upon him) had nothing common with Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) except being a Jew and prophet, (In Christianity, Jesus is believed to be Son of God, one of the three persons of the Trinity). Moreover, being descendent of Prophet Ishmael, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is among the brethren of Jews, who was like Moses.
13. Similarities: Moses & Muhammad (PBUT):
Prophet Muhammad and Moses (peace be upon them) had a normal birth through father and a mother, while Jesus (peace be upon him) was miraculously born without any male intervention. (Mathew; 1:18 and Luke; 1:35 and also Qur'an;3:42-47). Both were married, had children and died natural deaths. Muhammad (peace be upon him) is from among the brethren of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) being descendent of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) through his sons Ishmael and Isaac (peace be upon them) respectively. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was unlettered, hence in verbatim repeated the revelations conforming phrase; “Words in the mouth”. Prophet Moses & Muhammad (peace be upon them) brought new laws and new regulations for their people, besides, both were accepted as messengers of God by their people in their lifetime. They ruled over their communities (as kings), they could inflict capital punishment where as Jesus (peace be upon them) said, "My kingdom is not of this world." (John; 18:36), Jesus was not accepted by most of his people in his life time: "He came unto his own, but his own received him not."(Gospel of John;1:11) and he (Jesus) did not bring any new laws, Jesus said; “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them..;”(Mathew;5:17-18).
14. Song of Solomon:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is mentioned by name in the Old Testament: “His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely(Muhammadim). This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."(Song of Solomon; 5:16). :"Hikko Mamittakim we kullo Muhammadim Zehdoodeh wa Zehraee Bayna Jerusalem."" In the Hebrew language ‘im’ is added for respect. Similarly ‘im’ is added after the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to make it Muhammadim. In English translation they have even translated the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as "altogether lovely", but in the Old Testament in Hebrew (dmxm), the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is present till now.
Prophesies in New Testament:
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) says:
1. Spirit of Truth, Glorify Jesus:
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth (referring to Muhammad) is come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me"(John; 16:12-14). [Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke verbatim the revelations received through angel Gabriel, (Qur’an), he also glorified Jesus Christ]
2. Comforter: Paracletos;:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Paracletos), that he may abide with you forever."(John; 14:16). [Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered the message of God, (Qur’an), which is available to Christians and all the humanity in original uncorrupted form for their peace and comfort till eternity.]
3. Witness to the Truthfulness of Jesus:
“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me;” (John; 15:26). [Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), bore witness of truthfulness of Jesus as messenger of God, he also glorified Jesus Christ]
4. Comforter to Come after Departure of Jesus:
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”(John;16:7). [Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), came six centuries after departure of Jesus Christ]
Referring these prophesies to ‘Holy Ghost’ is irrelevant, because as per Christian theology ‘Holy Ghost’ was already present (dove upon Jesus) and is considered as one of Trinity. Moreover what ‘new thing’ ‘Holy Ghost’ has brought after departure of Jesus Christ in last 2000 years? (‘Holy Ghost’ is believed to be guiding the Churches).
All these prophesies are clearly applicable to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As explained earlier, Ahmed" or "Muhammad" meaning "the one who praises" or "the praised one" is almost the translation of the Greek word par-ak'-lay-tos; Periclytos. In the Gospel of John;14:16, 15:26, and 16:7, Jesus (peace be upon him) actually prophesized “Ahmed” by name, word 'Comforter' in Greek Paracletos, Periclytos refers to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). God says in Qur’an: “Those to whom We have given the Scripture (their scholars) recognize this (Muhammad) as they know their own sons. Those who have lost their own souls refuse therefore to believe.”(Qur’an;6:20), "And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said, 'O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed.' But when he came to them with clear signs, they said, 'This is evident sorcery!”(Qur’an; 61:6). Ye People of the Book! Why do ye clothe truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while ye have knowledge?”(Qur’an;3:71).
Deductions:
From above it may be deduced that the prophet after Jesus Christ would be:
1. A rider upon a camel.
2. God’s servant (Abduho).
3. God's Elect (Mustafa).
4. Inhabitant of the villages of Prince Kedar, son of Ishmael.
5. His religion will be known as Shiloh(means; Peace-Islam).
6. His light will shine from Faran.
7. The scepter (A staff held by a sovereign as an emblem of authority or Ruling power or authority; sovereignty)of Judah will pass on to him.
8. God will put his words in his mouth.
9. He shall not fail and shall not break.
10.He will have similarities with Moses.
11.He shall be known as Comforter, Ahmad, or …Advocate.
It does not require the genius & wisdom of Socrates, Plato or Aristotle to conclude this is all about whome?
Change of Leadership of Mankind:
The Chosen Race:
The concept of a chosen race for all times is against the spirit of justice and fairness, as God says: “Remember that when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain commands, he fulfilled them. God said: "Surely, I will make you the leader of mankind." "What about my offspring?" Asked Abraham. "My Covenant," said God, "will not apply to the evil doers.”(Qur’an;2:124). Here the claim of the children of Israel as “Chosen People of God” by virtue of their decent from Abraham, who was made “a leader of mankind” by God, has been totally negated. The God makes it clear that the exalted status of Abraham was not something that would automatically confer a comparable status on this physical descendant, and definitely not on the sinners among them. God also took solemn pledge form the Children of Israel and those call themselves as Christians, but they broke it, God says: ““Remember God's favor to you and the covenant by which He bound you to Himself when you said: "We hear and we obey." Have fear of God; surely God knows the secrets of your hearts.”(Qur’an;5:7). “God accepted a covenant form the Children of Israel and appointed twelve chieftains from among them and said: "I am with you; if you establish Prayers (Salah) pay Alms (Zakah), believe in My Apostles, support them and give a generous loan to God (spend in charity), I will certainly forgive you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which the rivers flow. However, if any one of you, after this, violates this covenant, he will indeed go astray from the Right Way. Even after that, they broke their covenant; as a result, We laid on them Our curse and hardened their hearts. They tempered with words out of their context and neglected much of what they were enjoined. You will always find most of them deceitful except for a few of them. Yet forgive them and overlook their misdeeds. God loves those who are kind to others.” (5:12-13).
Israeli Transgression &Covenant Violation:
The Leadership and Prophethood in the progeny of Israel (Jacob) had continued for almost fifteen hundred years.However once the Israelites transgress the limits and violated the Covenant pledged with God by becoming proud, considering that; as Chosen People of God, their mistakes would be forgiven, hence they may indulge in non adherence to Commands of God, they killed their prophets, inserted changes in the scriptures, God says in Qur’an: “After them succeeded an (evil) generation: they inherited the Book but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world saying (for excuse): "(everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so) if similar vanities came their way they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not ascribe to God anything but the truth? And they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the home in the hereafter: will ye not understand?(Qur’an;7:169).
Jesus is mentioned in the Bible as saying: “If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did.” (Jhon;8:39). “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”(Mathew;3:9-10).
The Children of Israel (Jews) deviated from their Covenant, and those who followed Jesus Christ completely changed his message by incorporating the pagan concept of ‘Son of God’ and ‘Trinity’, hence the special status which was granted to them was withdrawn by God: “From those too who call themselves Christians We did take a Covenant but they forgot a good part of the Message that was sent them: so We estranged them with enmity and hatred between the one and the other to the Day of Judgment. And soon will God show them what it is they have done.”(Qur’an;5:14). Ultimately the Jews humiliated and planned to kill the Messenger of God, Jesus (peace be upon him), the son of Marry, this act of theirs put an end to the Covenant. After Jesus his followers transgressed all the limits and declared him Son of God and God, part of trinity. God says: “They indeed have disbelieved who say: Lo! God is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say : Who then can do aught against God, if He had willed to destroy the Messiah son of Mary, and his mother and everyone on earth? God’s is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He creates what He Will. And God is Able to do all things.”(Qur’an;5:17)
Shift of Leadership to Progeny of Ishmael:
The Last Messenger:
The prophesies of coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Bible were materialized six centuries after Jesus (peace be upon him), God shifted the leadership of humanity and Prophethood to the progeny of Ishmael (Arabs) the elder son of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) to revive ‘obedience to God’ (Arabic: Islam), the original faith of Abraham, God says: “O people of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Now Our Messenger (Muhammad) has come to you to reveal much of what you have concealed from the Holy Books and to pass over much which is no longer necessary. There has come to you from God a new Light and a clear Book (Qur’an), with which God will guide to the ways of peace all those who seek His good pleasure and bring them out of the depth of darkness into the light of His grace and guide them to the Right Way.” (Qur’an;5:15). Thus Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (571-632 C.E) the descendent of Isma’il was declared as the last prophet of God. He revealed Qur’an, the last Message of guidance upon Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Himself took the responsibility to guard it against corruption: “Surely We have revealed the reminder (Qur'an) and We will most certainly guard it (from corruption).” (Qur’an;15:9). Consequently from last 1400 years Qur’an is available to the mankind in its original form and will remain as such till eternity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preached the true religion of God which was sent down upon Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Isaac, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
Denial by Some Jews and Christians:
Most of the Jews and Christians responded negatively on the pretext that Muslims, the ignorant savages had concocted their own religion by copying Judaism and Christianity, and only an insane person would ever make such allegations. The truth obviously stands out, God says : "And when there came to them a messenger from God, Confirming what was with them, a party of the people of the book (Jews and Christians) threw away the book of God behind their backs as if (it had been something) they did not know" (Qur'an;2:101). "O Messenger! (Mohammad) Do no be grieved by those who vie with one another in the race to disbelief, of such as say with their mouths: "We believe" but their hearts believe not, and of the Jews: of them are those who listen eagerly to lies-listener to others who have not come to you. They change the words from their places; they say: If you are given this then take it, but if you are not given this then beware! He whom God dooms unto sin, you (by your efforts) will avail him naught against God. Those are they for whom the will of God is that He cleanse not their hearts; for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great torment". (Qur'an;5:41);"Then woe to those who write the book (of God) with their own hands and then say: 'This is from God', to traffic with it for a miserable price. Woe to them for what their hands do write and for the gain they make thereby" (Qur'an;2:79).
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was commanded by God: “And strive for God with the endeavor which is His right. He hath chosen you (Muhammad) and hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship; the faith of your father Abraham (is yours). He hath named you Muslims of old time and in this (Scripture; Qur’an), that the messenger may be a witness against you, and that ye may be witnesses against mankind. So establish worship, pay the poor due, and hold fast to God. He is your Protecting Friend. A blessed Patron and a blessed Helper!”(Qur’an;22:78).“O People of the Scripture(Jews & Christians)! Why will ye argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense?”(Qur’an;3:65). “Abraham was neither a “Jew” nor a “Christian”, but was one who turned away form all that is false, having surrendered himself unto God; and he was not of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside Him.”(Qur’an;3:67).“Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who believe (with him); and God is the Protecting Friend of the believers.” (Qur’an;3:68).
Historic Relationship:
Palestine including Jerusalem fell to the Muslim Arabs in 638 C.E. It was during the Muslim rule that a small permanent Jewish population was allowed to return to Jerusalem after absence of 500-years. The periods of Crusades witnessed massacres of Muslims and Jews alike during period of Christian occupation of Jerusalem. Jews enjoyed religious freedom, respect and authority in Muslims rule. Taking advantage of soft approach of the Ottomans and weakening of empire, in nineteenth century the numbers of Jews started to increase. Through intrigue, conspiracy, terrorism and active Englo-American and Western support, Zionist Jews have been able to establish their own state ; “Israel” in 1948 at the expense of Palestinians by expelling them from their native place. Qur’an mentions: “That is because God has never changed the blessings which He has bestowed on a people until they themselves changed the condition of their souls; verily God hears all and knows all.”(Qur’an;8:53). “Humiliation is pitched over them (like a tent) wherever they are found except when under a covenant (of protection) from God and from men; they draw on themselves wrath from God and pitched over them is (the tent of) destitution. This because they rejected the signs of God and slew the prophets in defiance of right; this because they rebelled and transgressed beyond bounds.”(Qur’an;3:112). “As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer; never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish”(Qur’an;7:170).
Conclusion:
The simple fact is even clearly evident from the canonical Bible, that Jesus Christ was the human, a Prophet, miraculously born to the Virgin Mary for the guidance of children of Israel. God granted him miracles, but he was rejected by majority of Jews. They tried to kill him through conspiracy but they failed because God saved His Prophet by raising Jesus Christ to Himself. The different stories about his death on the cross and resurrection are based on conjecture, marred with mystery. Simple followers of Jesus continued to adhere to the monotheistic teachings of Jesus Christ. However the later entrants like Paul, in order to attract the pagans of Greco-Roman empire incorporated the new doctrines like divinity of Jesus. It was opposed by true disciples like Barnabas, who were sidelined. The fierce struggle of survival between Christian groups continued till 325 C.E and later resulting in killing of millions.
The Trinitarians influenced Emperor Constantine, but, he was later inclined towards the monotheistic doctrine of Arius, finally he was baptized by Arian bishop. Thus Monotheism became the official religion. Constantine died in 337 C.E followed by Emperor Constantanius, he also accepted the faith of Arius (monotheism). Conference of Antioch (341 C.E) was the first of several 4th-century councils that attempted to replace orthodox Nicene theology with a modified Arianism. This view was confirmed by another Council held in Sirmium in 351 C.E. As a resultArianism was accepted by an overwhelming majority of Christians. St. Jerome wrote in 359 C.E that 'the whole world groaned and marveled to find itself Arian'. Indeed, for more than 40 years after the death of Constantine, Arianism continued to be the official orthodoxy of the Eastern Empire.
However by the end of 4th century Trinitarians again gained ascendancy and monotheist were banished but they continue to survive even till present era (like Unitarians).The prophesies of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) can clearly still be found in the Bible despite consistent efforts to obliterate them. (Deuteronomy; 18:18,19, Mathew; 1:18, Luke; 1:35, Qur'an; 3:42-47 linked with John;18:36, 1:11 & Mathew;5:17-18).
Qur’an urges Muslims to invite the Christians and Jews (People of the Book) towards the commonalties: “Say: "O people of the Book! Let us get together on what is common between us and you: that we shall worship none but God; that we shall not associate any partners with Him and that we shall not take human beings for our lords besides God;" If they turn away then tell them: "Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves un to Him (in Islam)."(Qur'an;3:64). The Jews, Christians and Muslims claim to be the followers of Abraham, who preached the pure monotheism. Moses and Jesus said: "Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adna Ikhad"; "Hear, O Israel : The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy;6:4, Isaiah;43:11, 45:5,46:9 & Mathew;19:17). Qur’an says: “Your God is one God; there is no one worthy of worship except Him, the Compassionate, the Merciful.” (Qur’an;2:163). The focus on common aspects will help in developing batter understanding of each other and can become basis for dialogue. The faith in Islam is based upon belief in One God, His angels, His Scriptures (like Torah, Psalms, Gospel), His messengers, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) to be His Last Messenger, Resurrection after death, Destiny, Trial, Hell and Paradise.
One of the significant developments in the last century, however, was some shift of the views of the Holy See on Muslims; it should hopefully work as a catalyst for better understanding between Muslims and Christians. The previous Pope, John Paul II was instrumental in developing new approach of Vatican towards Muslims. It is important that for the sake of world peace and freedom of humanity, the Christian West and Zionist Jews should treat the Muslims with fairness, justice, respect and dignity which they deserve and stop oppression and exploitation, the common roots should form the basis of friendship and dialogue not confrontation to eradicate the menace of violence and terrorism which has caused immense damage to the peace and stability of the world, it as an attempt to tarnished the image of Islam, the ever growing religion of peace.
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