الحجاب

(انا العبد (العفاسي

توبة مالك إبن دينار

يقول مالك إبن دينار:

بدأت حياتي ضائعا سكيراً عاصيا .. أظلم الناس وآكل الحقوق .. آكل الربا .. أضرب الناس ...... أفعل المظالم .. لا توجد معصيه إلا وارتكبتها .. شديد الفجور .. يتحاشاني الناس من معصيتي

يقول: في يوم من الأيام .. اشتقت أن أتزوج .. فتزوجت ورزقني الله بطفله سميتها فاطمة .. أحببتها حباً شديدا .. وكلما كبرت فاطمه زاد حبي لها وفي نفس الوقت زاد الايمان في قلبي وقلت المعصيه .. وكلما رأتني فاطمة أمسك كأسا من الخمر .. اقتربت مني فازاحته وهي لم تكمل السنتين .. وكأن الله يجعلها تفعل ذلك .. وكلما كبرت فاطمه كلما زاد حبي لها وزاد الايمان في قلبي اضعافا .. وكلما اقتربت من الله خطوه .. وكلما ابتعدت شيئا فشيئاً عن المعاصي.. حتى اكتمل سن فاطمه ثلاث سنوات فلما أكملت .... ثلاث سنوات ... ماتت فاطمه

يقول: فانقلبت أسوأ مما كنت .. ولم يكن عندي من الصبر الذي عند المؤمنين ما يقويني على البلاء .. فعدت أسوا مما كنت .. وتلاعب بي الشيطان .. حتى جاء يوما

فقال لي شيطاني: لتسكرن اليوم سكرة ما سكرت مثلها من قبل!! فعزمت أن أسكر وعزمت أن أشرب الخمر وظللت طوال الليل أشرب وأشرب وأشرب فرأيتني تتقاذفني الاحلام .. حتى رأيت تلك الرؤيا رأيتني يوم القيامه وقد أظلمت الشمس .. وتحولت البحار إلى نار.. وزلزلت الأرض ... واجتمع الناس إلى يوم القيامه .. والناس أفواج .. وأفواج .. وأنا بين الناس وأسمع المنادي ينادي فلان ابن فلان .. هلم للعرض على الجبار

يقول: فأرى فلان هذا وقد تحول وجهه إلى سواد شديد من شده الخوف حتى سمعت المنادي ينادي باسمي .. هلم للعرض على الجبار

يقول: فاختفى البشر من حولي (هذا في الرؤيا) وكأن لا أحد في أرض المحشر .. ثم رأيت ثعبانا عظيماً شديداً قويا يجري نحوي فاتحا فمه فجريت أنا من شده الخوف فوجدت رجلاً عجوزاً ضعيفاًً ..

فقلت: آه: أنقذني من هذا الثعبان فقال لي .. يابني أنا ضعيف لا أستطيع ولكن إجر في هذه الناحيه لعلك تنجو ..

فجريت حيث أشار لي والثعبان خلفي ووجدت النار تلقاء وجهي .. فقلت: أأهرب من الثعبان لأسقط في النار فعدت مسرعا أجري والثعبان يقترب فعدت للرجل الضعيف وقلت له: بالله عليك أنجدني أنقذني .. فبكى رأفة بحالي ..
وقال: أنا ضعيف كما ترى لا أستطيع فعل شيء ولكن إجر تجاه ذلك الجبل لعلك تنجو
فجريت للجبل والثعبان سيخطفني فرأيت على الجبل أطفالا صغاراً كلهم يصرخون: يافاطمه أدركي أباك أدركي أباك

يقول: فعلمت أنها ابنتي ..

ويقول.. ففرحت وعيوني تفيض دمعا أن لي ابنة احببتها وبحبها زاد ايماني ماتت وعمرها ثلاث سنوات وها هي الآن تنجدني من ذلك الموقف فأخذتني بيدها اليمنى ...... ودفعت الثعبان بيدها اليسرى وأنا كالميت من شده الخوف ثم جلسَت في حجري كما كانت تجلس في الدنيا وقالت لي بصوت حنون.. ياأبت "ألم يأن للذين آمنوا أن تخشع قلوبهم لذكر الله"

يقول: يابنيتي .. أخبريني عن هذا الثعبان!! قالت هذا عملك السئ أنت كبرته ونميته حتى كاد أن يأكلك .. يقول : وذلك الرجل الضعيف؟

قالت: ذلك العمل الصالح .. أنت أضعفته وأوهنته حتى بكى لحالك لا يستطيع أن يفعل لك شيئاً هل تذكر يا أبت عندما زاد الايمان في قلبك وأنا طفلة في الدنيا؟ لولا عملك الصالح هذا ماكان هناك شئ ينفعك

يقول: فاستيقظت من نومي وأنا أصرخ: قد آن يارب.. قد آن يارب, نعم "ألم يأن للذين آمنوا أن تخشع قلوبهم لذكر الله"

يقول: واغتسلت وخرجت لصلاه الفجر أريد التوبه والعوده إلى الله

يقول: دخلت المسجد فإذا بالامام يقرأ نفس الاية "ألم يأن للذين آمنوا أن تخشع قلوبهم لذكر الله"

ذلك هو مالك بن دينار من أئمة التابعين هو الذي اشتهر عنه أنه كان يبكي طول الليل ...... ويقول إلهي أنت وحدك الذي يعلم ساكن الجنه من ساكن النار، فأي الرجلين أنا اللهم اجعلني من سكان الجنه ولا تجعلني من سكان الناوتاب مالك بن دينار واشتهر عنه أنه كان يقف كل يوم عند باب المسجد ينادي ويقول: أيها العبد العاصي عد إلى مولاك .. أيها العبد الغافل عد إلى مولاك .. أيهاالعبد الهارب عد إلى مولاك .. مولاك يناديك بالليل والنهار يقول لك من تقرب إلي شبراً تقربت إليه ذراعاً، ومن تقرب إلي ذراعا تقربت إليه باعاً، ومن أتاني يمشي أتيته هرولة

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اللهم اجعلنا من التائبين يا رب العالمين

الغيرة

قال ابن القيم رحمه الله: " أصل الدِّين: الغيرة، ومَن لا غيْرة له: لا دين له؛ فالغيرة تحمي القلب، فتحمي له الجوارح، فتدفع السوء والفواحش، وعدم الغيرة: تميت القلب، فتموت الجوارح، فلا يبقى عندها دفع البتة، ومَثَل الغيرة في القلب مَثَل القوة التي تدفع المرض وتقاومه، فإذا ذهبت القوة وَجد الداءُ المحلَّ قابلاً، ولم يجد دافعاً، فتمكَّن، فكان الهلاك". المصدر: (الجواب الكافي، ص 45)

 

 

Muslim Football Stars

Stars Converted to Islam 2010

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This is Islam

This is Islam: Islam means "submission to God". Islam is the belief that there is only One God, whose proper name is Allah, which means " the God". Islam is the same message given to all the prophets, from Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, and finally to the Prophet Muhammad, the last messenger (peace and blessings be upon them). They all brought the same message: worship only God, and stop worshipping human beings and their ideas.

Become a Muslim Now: If you believe there is only One God who should be worshiped, and no one/nothing else has that right but Him, and you believe Muhammad, peace be upon him, was a messenger who brought the same message as all the prophets before him, then you are basically a Muslim.

محمد بن عبد الله بن عبد المطلب صلى الله عليه وسلم

محمد بن عبد الله بن عبد المطلب صلى الله عليه وسلم

ولد سنة 570م وتوفي سنة 633م



كل ما سيتم سرده ضمن هذه المقالة تم نقله من كتب، مخطوطات ونصوص معتمدة بالإضافة إلى روايات نقلت عن أشخاص شهدوا الأحداث بالفعل. المراجع التي تم الاعتماد عليها كثيرة جدا لا يتسع لنا ذكرها هنا، حفظت على مر العصور دون أي تحريف من قبل كل من المسلمين وغير المسلمين.



يتسائل الكثيرون في أيامنا هذه عن الرسول (صلي الله عليه وسلم) . من هو بالضبط؟ إلى ما كان يدعو؟ لما يحبه الكثير من الناس ولا يفعل البعض منهم؟ هل كرس حياته من أجل الدعوة؟هل كان رجلا مقدسا؟هل كان رسولا من عند الله؟ ما هي حقيقة هذا الرجل؟ أحكم بنفسك!



سنسرد ضمن النقاط التالية الحقائق التي رواها الآلاف من الناس، منهم من عاصر الرسول محمد (صلي الله عليه وسلم) وعرفه شخصيا.



· يعود نسبه إلى سادة مكة وأعرق قبائلها.

· اسمه " محمد " مشتق من المصدر " حَمْدْ " والناس منذ زمانه وحتى هذه اللحظة وإلى أن يرث الله الارض ومن عليها يصلون عليه مرات عديدة في اليوم واليلة – صلى الله على محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم-

· لم يمارس أبدا عادات القبيلة في عبادة الأصنام والأوثان أو الآلهة التي كانوا يصنعونها بأيديهم.

· كان يؤمن بأن الإله المعبود هو إله واحد ويجب أن يعبد لوحده دون أي شريك.

· كان يجل ويوقر اسم الله ولم يتخذه ابدا هزوا أو سخريا ولم يستخدمه لأغراض أو مصالح لا جدوى منها.

· كان يحتقر العبادات الخاطئة وكل ما يترتب عليها من سلوكيات ومعاملات منحطة.

· التزم بتطبيق جميع التعاليم الدينية " تعاليم الله الواحد" كما فعل الانبياء من قبله.

· لم يزن قط . وكان ينصح الآخرين بعدم ارتكاب هذا الفعل المشين.

· كان يحرم الربى كما فعل من قبله المسيح عليه السلام بقرون.

· لم يقامر قط ولم يسمح بهذا الفعل.

· لم يشرب الخمر، مع انها كانت عادة جاهلية منتشرة بين الناس آنذاك.

· لم يغتب أحدا أبدا وكان يعرض عما يسمعه من غيبة ونميمة.

· كان دائم الصوم تقربا من الله تعالى وإعراضا عن الشهوات من حوله.

· قال بأن المسيح عيسى ابن مريم –عليه السلام- هو معجزة الله في خلقه وبأن أمه العذراء من بين أفضل خلق الله تعالى.

· أكد –عليه الصلاة والسلام- حتى ليهود المدينة بان عيسى –عليه السلام- هو المسيح الذي ذكر في التوراة.

· وقال بأن المعجزات التي جاء بها عيسى -عليه السلام- (من إبراء الأكمه والابرص وإحياء الموتى) هي من عند الله.

· كما اعلن بوضوح بأن عيسى –عليه السلام- لم يمت ، بل إن الله رفعه إلى السماء.

· وقد تنبه (صلي الله عليه وسلم ) بوحي من الله، بأن المسيح سيعود آخرالأيام ليقود المؤمنين الى النصر على أعداء الحق ويقتل المسيح الدجال.

· كما أمر (صلي الله عليه وسلم) بدفع الزكاة للفقراء وكان الحامي والمدافع عن الأرامل واليتامى وأبناء السبيل.

· وأمر بلم شمل الاسرة الواحدة وتقديس الروابط الاسرية ، كما أعاد بناء العلاقات ما بين أفراد العائلة.

· حث اتباعه على الارتباط بالنساء عن طريق الزواج الشرعي وحرم الزنى.

· أكد –عليه أفضل الصلاة والسلام- على إعطاء النساء حقوقهن من مهر وإرث وأموال....

· كل سلوكياته النبيلة من صبر وتواضع وغيرهما أدت الى إعتراف الجميع ممن عرفوه بخلقه الحميد والذي لا مثيل له بين البشر.



أ‌- لم يكذب محمد –صلي الله عليه وسلم – قط ، لم يخن العهود ولم يشهد الزور أبدا. كان معروفا من قبل جميع القبائل في مكة واشتهر بالصادق الأمين.

ب‌- لم يزن – صلي الله عليه وسلم – أبدا، ولم تكن لديه علاقات خارج إطار الزواج ولم يتقبل تلك الأفعال مع إنها كانت عادات منتشرة في ذلك الوقت.

ت‌- لم يرتبط بأي إمرأة إلا في إطار الزواج الشرعي وبوجود شهود حسب القانون.

ث‌- علاقته بالسيدة عائشة – رضي الله عنها – كانت علاقة زواج شرعي عرفنا تفاصيله من الأحاديث التي روتها السيدة عائشة كأسمى علاقة بين رجل وإمرأة مليئة بالحب والاحترام. تعتبر السيدة عائشة إحدى أفضل من روى الأحاديث عن الرسول – صلي الله عليه وسلم – ولم تكن يوما إلا زوجة لرسول الله ، لم تكن على علاقة بأي رجل آخر غير الرسول ولم تقل عنه – صلي الله عليه وسلم – أي موقف سلبي أبدا.

ج‌- حرم – صلي الله عليه وسلم – القتل حتى يتبين من حكم الله في الموقف. اما تعاليم الله بهذا الخصوص: فقد أحل الله قتل كل من يتعرض للمسلمين وللإسلام بقتال ولكن مع المحافظة على الحدود التي بينها الله تعالى بخصوص هذا الامر.

ح‌- لقد حرم الإسلام قتل النفس البريئة.

خ‌- لم تحدث أبدا أية إبادة جماعية لليهود. لقد طلب لهم الرسول الكريم العفو وأمن لهم الحمايه حتى بعد أن نقضوا عهودهم معه – صلي الله عليه وسلم – عدة مرات. ولم يتصد لهم الرسول إلا بعد أن اتضح له بإنهم خانوه وأرادوا أن يوقعوا به وبالمسلمين. والقصاص لم يطبق إلا على الذين ثبتت خيانتهم لله ولرسوله الكريم.

د‌- اشتهرت القبائل آنذاك بتملك الخدم والعبيد إلى أن جاء الإسلام ليأمر بتحرير الرقاب . وقد قام الرسول بتحرير الكثير من الرقاب وأمر جميع اتباعه القيام بذلك. حتى أنه – صلي الله عليه وسلم- حرر خادمه – والذي كان بمثابة الإبن له – زيد بن حارثة وقام ابو بكر الصديق رضي الله عنه بشراء بلال الحبشي – أول مؤذن في الإسلام – فقط من أجل تحريره.

ذ‌- أما بالنسبة للذين كانوا يحاولون النيل من الرسول وقتله، ( وأشهر حادثة هي التي حدثت عندما نام سيدنا علي كرم الله وجهه في فراش رسول الله ليلة خروجه إلى المدينة مع أبي بكر الصديق رضي الله عنه ) ،فلم يأمر الرسول أحدا أبدا بمعاقبة المتورطين بمثل هذه الأفعال. وأكبر دليل على ذلك عندما دخل الرسول وأتباعه فاتحين مكة كانت أولى أوامره لأتباعه عدم إيذاء أيا ممن كانوا يؤذونه وصحابته ( صلي الله عليه وسلم ). تلك هي إحدى مشاهد العفو والسماح في حياة رسولنا الكريم ( صلي الله عليه وسلم ).

ر‌- لم يسمح للمسلمين بالقتال في السنوات الثلاثة عشر الأولى من الدعوة. الأمر لم يكن متعلق بمقدرتهم على القتال لأنهم كانوا متمرسين على ذلك بسبب طبيعة الحياة التي كانوا يعيشونها والنزاعات التي طال أمدها بين القبائل، ولكن الامر الإلهي بالقتال لم يكن قد نزل بعد. اما بعد أن شرع الله تعالى القتال شرع معه الواجبات والحقوق المترتبة على ذلك وبين حدود الله فيه. كانت الاوامر الإلهية بخصوص موضوع القتال واضحة وصريحة بالنسبة لمن سيُقاتل وكيف ومتى وما الحدود الواجب عدم تخطيها.

ز‌- يمنع الاسلام من تدمير البنية الأساسية منعا باتا إلا إذا أمر الله بذلك وفقا لمواقف معينة.

س‌-بينما كان اعداء الإسلام يسعون إلى إيذاء الرسول بشتى الوسائل وشتمه، كان (صلي الله عليه وسلم) يدعو لهم بالهداية. وخير دليل على ذلك رحلته ( صلي الله عليه وسلم ) إلى الطائف والتي أُذي فيها رسول الله إيذاءا شديدا ابتداءا من رفض مقابلته من قبل أعيان القبائل وانتهاءا بضربه وقذفه بالحجارة من قبل الأطفال الذين خرجوا خلفه حتى أدمت قدماه الشريفتان صلى الله عليه وسلم. وعندما نزل جبريل عليه السلام لينتقم له من أعداءه وعرض عليه ان يأمر ملك الجبال ليطبقها عليهم، رفض ( صلي الله عليه وسلم ) ذلك ودعا لهم بالهداية وقال " عسى أن يخرج من أصلابهم من يؤمن بالله" .كل ما اراده الرسول الكريم هو توصيل الرسالة ولم يهتم بنفسه وبمدى الضرر الذي أصابه.

ش‌- وقد قال الرسول ( صلي الله عليه وسلم ) بأن كل مولود يولد على الفطرة ( على الإسلام : والاسلام يعني الخضوع الكامل لله واتباع أوامره ) ولكن تأثره بالمجتمع الذي يعيش فيه والتربية التي يتلقاها تغير ما بداخله من فطرة سليمة.

ص‌- علم الرسول الكريم صحابته والمسلمين جميعا أن يعبدوا الإله الواحد إله آدم ونوح وإبراهيم ويعقوب وموسى وداوود وسليمان وعيسى عليهم السلام جميعا وأن يؤمنوا بهم جميعا رسل وانبياء وعبيد لله الواحد. كما اكد على احترام وتقديس جميع الانبياء دون التفريق بينهم.

ض‌- كما قال بان أصول التوراة والزبور والإنجيل هي من نفس المصدر الذي أتى منه القرآن – ألا وهو الله –

ط‌- تنبأ الرسول – بوحي من الله – بالكثير من الاحداث وتمت بالفعل، كما أخبر عن أحداث ستحصل بالمستقبل وحدثت كذلك.

ظ‌- لقد جاء في القرآن قصة غرق فرعون عندما لحق بنبي الله موسى عليه السلام وهو خارج من مصر " اليوم ننجيك ببدنك لتكون لمن خلفك آية" وجاء العالم الفرنسي موريس بوكاي في كتابه " الإنجيل، القرآن والعلم " ليؤكد هذه الحقيقة التي أذهلت العالم عندما توصل من خلال التحاليل التي اجراها على مومياء "فرعون " بأن عليها آثار ملح باقية بسبب غرقه في البحر، وهذا ما ذكره الله تعالى في القرآن منذ أكثر من 1400 سنة.

ع‌- ان احداث قصة غرق فرعون كانت قبل بعثة الرسول (صلي الله عليه وسلم) بآلاف السنين وذكرت في القرآن الكريم ولم تظهر هذه الحقيقة للعالم إلا منذ عقود قليلة أي بعد أكثر من 1400 سنة على نزول القرآن...فكيف للرسول أن يعلم هذا لو لم يكن القرآن كلام الله الواحد الأحد.

أحمد ديدات - ماذا يقول الإنجيل عن النبي محمد؟

هل محمد ضد المسيح ..؟ احمد ديدات

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MOHAMMED (PEACE BE UPON HIM) THE PROPHET OF ISLAM

A lecture by Ahmed Deedat

 

 SAY: "DO YOU SEE ?
WHETHER THIS MESSAGE BE FROM ALLAH (God Almighty),
AND YET YOU REJECT IT,
AND A WITNESS FROM AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BORE
WITNESS OF ONE LIKE HIM......."

(Holy Qur'an 46:10). (see note 1)

---

Mr.Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The subject of this evening's talk - "What the BIBLE says about MUHAMMED" - will no doubt come as a surprise to many of you because the speaker is a Muslim. How does it come about that a Muslim happens to be expounding prophecies from the Jewish and Christian Scriptures ?

As a young man, about 30 years ago, I attended a series of religious lectures by a Chriatian theologian, a certain Rev. Hiten, at the "Theatre Royal", Durban in South Africa.

Pope or Kissinger?

This Reverend gentleman was expounding Biblical prophecies. He went on to prove that the Christian Bible foretold the rise of Soviet Russia, and the Last Days. At one stage he went to the extent of proving that his Holy Book did not leave even the Pope out of its predictions. He expatiated vigo rously in order to convince his audience that the "Beast 666" mentioned in the Book of Revelation the last book of the New Testament was the POPE, who was the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is not befitting for us Muslims to enter into this controversy between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. By the way, the latest Christia exposition of the "Beast 666" of the Christian Bible is Dr.Henry Kissinger(2). Christian scholars are ingenious and indefatigable in their efforts to prove their case.

Rev. Hiten's lectures led me to ask that if the Bible foretold so many things - not even excluding the "Pope" and "Israel" - then surely it must have something to say about the greatest benefactor of mankind(3) , the Holy Prophet Muhammed (may the peace of Allah be upon him).

As a youngster I set out to search for an answer. I met priest after priest, attended lectures, and read everything that I could lay my hands relating to the fields of Bible prophecies. Tonight I am going to narrate to you one of these interviews with a dominee(4) of the Dutch Reformed Church.< P> Lucky Thirteen I was invited to the Transvaal(5) to deliver a talk on the occasion of Birthday celebration of the Holy Prophet Muhammed. Knowing that in that province of the Republic, the Afrikaans language is widely spoken, even by my own people, I felt that I ought to acquire a smattering of this language so a s to feel a little "at home" with the people. I opened the telephone directory and began phoning the Afrikaans-speaking Churches. I indicated my purpose to the priests that I was interested in having a dialogue with them, but they all refused my request with "Plausible" excuses. No.13 was my lucky number. The thirteenth call brought me pleasure and relief. A dominee Van Heerden agreed to meet me at his home on the Saturday afternoon that I was to leave for Transvaal.

He received me on his verandah with a friendly welcome. He said if I did not mind, he would like his father-in-law from the Free State (a 70 year old man) to join us in the discussion. I did not mind. The three of us settled down in the dominee's library.
Why nothing?

I posed the question: "What does the Bible say about Muhummed?" Without hesitation he answered, "Nothing!" I asked: "Why nothing? According to your interpretation the Bible have so many things to say about the rise of Soviet Russia and about the Last Days and even about the Pope of the Roman Ca tholics?" He said, "Yes, but there was nothing about Muhummed!" I asked again, "Why nothing? Surely this man Muhummed who had been responsible for the bringing into being a world-wide community of millions of Believers who, on his authority, believe in: (1) the miraculous birth of Jesus, (2) that Jesus is the Messiah,(note 6) (3) that he gave life to the dead by God's permission, and that he healed those born blind and the lepers by God's permission.

Surely this book (the Bible) must have something to say about this great Leader of men who spoke so well of Jesus and his mother Mary?"

The old man from the Free State replied. "My son, I have been reading the Bible for the past 50 years, and if there was any mention of him, I would have known it."

Not One by name!

I enquired: "According to you, are there not hundreds of prophecies regarding the coming of Jesus in the Old Testament." The dominee interjected: "Not hundreds, but thousands!" I said, "I am not going to dispute the 'thousand and one' prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the coming of Jesu s Christ, because the whole Muslim-world has already accepted him without the testimony of any Biblical prophecy. We Muslims have accepted the de facto Jesus on the authority of Muhummed alone, and there are in the world today no less than 900,000,000 followers of Muhummed who love, respect and rev ere Jesus Christ as a great Messenger of God without having the Christians to convince them by means of their Biblical dialectics. Out of the 'thousands' of prophecies referred to, can you please give me just one single prophecy where Jesus is mentioned by name? The term 'Messiah', translated as 'C hrist', is not a name but a title. Is there a single Prophecy where it says that the name of the Messiah will be JESUS, and that his mother's name will be MARY, that his supposed father will be JOSEPH THE CARPENTER; that he will be born in the reign of HEROD THE KING, etc. etc.? No! There are no su ch details! Then how can you conclude that those 'thousand' Prophecies refer to Jesus (Peace be upon him)?"

What is Prophecy?

The dominee replies: "You see, prophecies are word-pictures of something that is going to happen in the future. When that thing actually comes to pass, we see vividly in these prophecies the fulfilment of what had been predicted in the past." I said: "What you actually do is that you deduce, yo u reason, you put two and two together." He said: "Yes." I said: "If this is what you have to do with a 'thousand' prophecies to justify your claim with regards to the genuineness of Jesus, why should we not adopt the very same system for Muhummed?" The dominee agreed that it was a fair proposition , a reasonable way of dealing with the problem.

I asked him to open up Deuteronomy, chapter 18, verse 18, which he did. I read from memory the verse in Afrikaans, because this was my purpose in having a little practice with the language of the ruling race in South Africa. (8)
'N PROFEET SAL EK VIR HULLE VERWEK UIT DIE MIDDE VAN HULLE BROERS, SOOS JY IS, EN EK SAL MY WOORDE IN SY MOND LE, EN HY SY SAL AAN HULLE SE ALLE WAT EK HOM BEVEEL. Deut.18: 18.
The English translation reads as follows:-
"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." Deut.18:18.
Prophet Like Moses
Having recited the verse in Afrikaans, I apologised for my uncertain pronunciation, The dominee assured me that I was doing fine. I enquired: "To whom does this prophecy refer?" Without the slightest hesitation he answered: "JESUS!" I asked: "Why Jesus?... his name is not mentioned here." The domin ee replied: "Since prophecies are word-pictures of something that is going to happen in the future, we find that the wordings of this verse adequately describe him. You see the most important words of this prophecy are 'SOOS JY IS' (like unto thee), - LIKE YOU - like Moses, and Jesus is like Moses. " I questioned: "In which way is Jesus like Moses?" The answer was: "In the first place Moses was a JEW and Jesus was also a JEW; secondly, Moses was a PROPHET and Jesus was also a PROPHET - therefore Jesus is like Moses and that is exactly what God had foretold Moses - "SOOS JY IS". "Can you think of any other similarities between Moses and Jesus?" I asked. The dominee said that he could not think of any. I replied: "If these are the only two criteria for discovering a candidate for this prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:18, then in that case the criteria could fit any one of the following Biblica l personages after Moses:- Solomon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, John the Baptist etc., because they were also ALL Jews as well as Prophets. Why should we not apply this prophency to any one of these prophets, and why only to Jesus? Why should we make fish of one and fowl of anoth er?" The dominee had no reply. I continued: "You see, my conclusions are that Jesus is most unlike Moses, and if I am wrong I would like you to correct me."
Three Unlikes
So staying, I reasoned with him: "In the FIRST place Jesus is not like Moses, because, according to you - 'JESUS IS A GOD', but Moses is not God. Is this true?" He said: "Yes." I said: "Therefore, Jesus is not like Moses! SECONDLY, according to you - 'JESUS DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD', but Mose s did not have to die for the sins of the world. Is this true?" He again said: "Yes." I said: "Therefore Jesus is not like Moses! THIRDLY, according to you - 'JESUS WENT TO HELL FOR THREE DAYS', but Moses did not have to go there. Is this true?" He answered meekly: "Y-e-s." I concluded: "Therefore Jesus is not like Moses!" "But dominee," I continued: "these are not hard facts, solid facts, they are mere matters of belief over which the little ones can stumble and fall. Let us discuss something very simple, very easy that if your little ones are called in to hear the discussion, would have no difficulty in following it, shall we?" The dominee was quiet happy at the suggestion.
Father and Mother
(1) "Moses had a father and a mother. Muhummed also had a father and a mother. But Jesus had only a mother, and no human father. Is this true?" He said: "Yes." I said: "DAAROM IS JESUS NIE SOOS MOSES NIE, MAAR MUHUMMED IS SOOS MOSES!" Meaning: "Therefore Jesus is not like Moses, but Muhummed is lik e Moses!" (By now the reader will realise that I was using the Afrikaans language only for practice purposes. I shall discontinue its use in this narration).
Miraculous Birth
(2) "Moses and Muhummed were born in the normal, natural course, i.e. the physical association of man and woman; but Jesus was created by a special miracle. You will recall that we are told in the Gospel of St.Matthew 1:18".....BEFORE THEY CAME TOGETHER,(Joseph the Carpenter and Mary) SHE WAS FOUND WITH CHILD BY THE HOLY GHOST.' And St.Luke tells us that when the good news of the birth of a holy son was announded to her, Mary reasoned:'.......HOW SHALL THIS BE, SEEING I KNOW NOT A MAN? AND THE ANGEL ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HER, THE HOLY GHOST SHALL COME UPON THEE, AND THE POWER OF THE HIGHEST SHALL OVERSHADOW THEE:......'(Luke 1:35). The Holy Qur'an confirms the miraculous birth of Jesus, in nobler and sublimer terms. In answer to her logical question:
" O MY LORD! HOW SHALL I HAVE A SON WHEN NO MAN HATH TOUCHED ME? "
The angel says in reply:
"EVEN SO:
ALLAH CREATETH WHAT HE WILLETH:
WHEN HE HATH DECREED A PLAN,
HE BUT SAITH TO IT "BE,"
AND IT IS " (9)     (HOLY QUR'AN, 3:47).

It is not necessary for God to plant a seed in man or animal. He merely wills it and it comes into being. This is the Muslim conception of the of birth of Jesus.

(When I compared the Qur'an and the Biblical versions of the birth of Jesus to the head of the Bible Society in our largest City, and when I enquired: "Which version would you prefer to give your daughter, the QUR'ANIC version or the BIBLICAL version?" The man bowed his head and answered: "The Qur'anic.") In short, I said to the dominee: "Is it true that Jesus was born miraculously as against the natural birth of Moses and Muhummed?"He replied proudly:"Yes!" I said:"Therefore Jesus is not like Moses, but Muhummed is like Moses. And God says to Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy 18:18 "LIKE UNTO THEE" (Like You, Like Moses) and Muhummed is like Moses."

Marriage Ties
(3) "Moses and Muhummed married and begat children, but Jesus remained a bachelor all his life. Is this true?" The dominee said: "Yes." I said: "Therefore Jesus is not like Moses, but Muhummed is like Moses."
Jesus Rejected by his People
(3) "Moses and Muhummed were accepted as prophets by their people in their very lifetime. No doubt the Jews gave endless trouble to Moses and they murmured in the wilderness, but as a nation, they acknowledged that Moses was a Messenger of God sent to them. The Arabs too made Muhummed's life imposs ible. He suffered very badly at their hands. After 13 years of preaching in Mecca, he had to emigrate from the city of his birth. But before his demise, the Arab nation as a whole accepted him as the Messenger of Allah. But according to the Bible: 'He (Jesus) CAME UNTO HIS OWN, BUT HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT.' (John 1:11). And even today, ofter two thousand years, his people- the Jews, as a whole, have rejeted him. Is this true?" The dominee said: "Yes." I said: "THEREFORE JESUS IS NOT LIKE MOSES, BUT MUHUMMED IS LIKE MOSES."
"Other-Wordly" Kingdom
(5) "Moses and Muhummed were prophets as well as kings. A prophet means a man who receives Divine Revelation for the Guidance of Man and this Guidance he conveys to God's creatures as received without any addition or deletion. A king is a person who has the power of life and death over his people. It is immaterial whether the person wears a crown or not, or whether he was ever addressed as king or monarch: if the man has the prerogative of inflicting capital punishment - HE IS A KING. Moses possessed such a power. Do you remember the Israelite who was found picking up firewood on Sabbath Day , and Moses had him stoned to death? (Numbers- 15:13). There are other crimes also mentioned in the Bible for which capital punishment was inflicted on the Jews at the behest of Moses. Muhummed too, had the power of life and death over his people. There are instances in the Bible of persons who wer e given gift of prophecy only, but they were not in a position to implement their directives. Some of these holy men of God who were helpless in the face of stubborn rejection of their mesage, were the prophets lot, Jonah, Daniel, Ezra, and John the Baptist. They could only deliver the message, but could not enforce the Law. The Holy Prophet Jesus (Peace b.u.h) also belonged to this category. The Christian Gospel clearly confirms this: when Jesus was dragged before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, Charged for sedition, Jesus made a convincing point in his defence to refute the false charg e: JESUS ANSWERED, "MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD': IF MY KINGDOM WERE OF THIS WORLD, THEN WOULD MY SERVANTS FIGHT, THAT I SHOULD NOT BE DELIVERED TO THE JEWS; BUT NOW IS MY KINGDOM NOT FROM HENCE"(John 18:36) This convinced Pilate (A Pagan) that though Jesus might not be in full possessio n of his mental faculty, he did not strike him as being a danger to his rule. Jesus claimed a spiritual Kingdom only; in other words he only claimed to be a Prophet. Is this true?" The dominee answered:"Yes." I said:"Therefore Jesus is not like Moses but Muhummed is like Moses."
No New Laws
(6) "Moses and Muhummed brought new laws and new regulations for their people. Moses not only gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, but a very comprehensive ceremonial law for the guidance of his people. Muhummed comes to a people steeped in barbarism and ignorance. They married their step-m others; they buried their daughters alive; drunkenness, adultery, idolatry, and gambling were the order of the day. Gibbon describe the Arabs before Islam in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", THE HUMAN BRUTE, ALMOST WITHOUT SENSE, IS POORLY DISTINGUISHED FROM THE REST OF THE ANIMAL CREATI ON.' There was hardly anything to distinguish between the "man" and the "animal" of the time; they were animals in human form.
"From this abject barbarism, Muhummed elevated them, in the words of Thomas Carlysle, 'into torch-bearers of light and learning.' 'TO THE ARAB NATION IT WAS AS A BIRTH FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT. ARABIA FIRST BECAME ALIVE BY MEANS OF IT. A POOR SHEPHERD PEOPLE, ROAMING UNNOTICED IN ITS DESERTS SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. SEE, THE UNNOTICED BECOMES WORLD NOTABLE, THE SMALL HAS GROWN WORLD-GREAT. WITHIN ONE CENTURY AFTERWARDS ARABIA WAS AT GRANADA ON ONE HAND AND AT DELHI ON THE OTHER. GLANCING IN VALOUR AND SPLENDOUR, AND THE LIGHT OF GENIUS, ARABIA SHINES OVER A GREA SECTION OF THE WORLD. ...' The fact is that Muhummed gave his people a Law and Order they never had before.
"As regards Jesus, when the Jews felt suspicious of him that he might be an imposter with designs to pervert their teachings, Jesus took pains to assure them that he had not come with a new religion - no new laws and no new regulations. I quote his own words: 'THINK NOT THAT IAM COME TO DESTROY THE LAW, OR THE PROPHETS: IAM NOT COME TO DESTROY, BUT TO FULFIL. FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS, ONE JOT OR ONE TITLE SHALL IN NO WISE PASS FROM THE LAW, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED.'(Mathew 5:17-18). In other words he had not come with any new laws or regulation he came only to fulfil the old law. This what he gave the Jews to understand- unless he was speaking with the tongue in his cheek trying to bluff the Jews into accepting him as a man of God and by subterfuge trying to ram a new religion down their throats. No! This Messenger of God would never resort to such fo ul means to subvert the Religion of God. He himself fulfilled the laws. He observed the commandments of Moses, and he respected the Sabbath. At no time did a single Jew point a finger at him to say, 'why don't you fast' or 'why don't you wash your hands before you break bread',which charges they al wasy levied against his disciples, but never against Jesus. This is because as a good Jew he honoured the laws of the prophets who preceded him. In short, he had created no new religion and had brought no new law like Moses and Muhummed. Is this true?" I asked the dominee, and he answered: "Yes." I said:"Therefore, Jesus is not like Moses but Muhummed is like Moses."
How they Departed
(7) "Both Moses and Muhummed died natural deaths, but according to Christianity, Jesus was violently killed on the cross.(10) Is this true?" The dominee said: "Yes." I averred: "Therefore Jesus is not like Moses but Muhummed is like Moses."
Heavenly Abode
(8) "Moses and Muhummed both lie buried in earth, but according to you, Jesus in heaven. Is this true?" The dominee agreed. I said: "Therefore Jesus is not like Moses but Muhummed is like Moses."
Ishmael The First Born
Since the dominee was helplessly agreeing with every point, I said, "Dominee, so far what I have done is to prove only one point out of the whole prophecy- that is proving the phrase 'LIKE UNTO THEE' - 'Like You' 'Like Moses'. The Prophecy is much more than this single phrase which reads as follows : "I WILL RAISE THEM UP A PROPHET FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN LIKE UNTO THEE......." The emphasis is on the words- "From among their brethren." Moses and his people, the Jews, are here addressed as a racial entity, and as such their 'brethren' would undoubtedly be the arabs. You see, the Holy Bible s peaks of Abraham as the "Friend of God". Abraham had two wives - Sarah and Hagar. Hagar bore Abraham a son - HIS FIRST-BORN- '......And Abraham(11) called HIS SON'S name, which Hagar bare Ishmael.' (Genesis 16:15). 'And Abraham took Ishmael HIS SON......" (Genesis 17:23). 'And Ishmael HIS SON was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.'(Genesis 17:25). Up to the age of THIRTEEN Ishmael was the ONLY son and sed of Abraham, when the covenant was ratified between God and Abraham. God grants Abraham another son through Sarah, named Isaac, wh o was very much the junior to his brother Ishmael.
Arabs and Jews
If Ishmael and Isaac are the sons of the same father Abraham, then they are brothers. And so the children of the one are the BRETHREN of the children of the other. The children of Isaac are the Jews and the Children of Ishmael are the Arabs - so they are BRETHREN to one another. The Bible affirms, 'AND HE (ISHMAEL) SHALL DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS BRETHREN.' (Genesis 16:12). 'AND HE (ISHMAEL) DIED IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL HIS BRETHREN.(Genesis 25:18). The children of Isaac are the brethren of the Ishmaelites. In like manner Muhummed is from among the brethren of the Israeli tes beause he was a descendant of Ishamel the son of Abraham. This exactly as the prophecy has it- 'FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN'.(Deut.18:18). There the prophecy distinctly mentions that the coming prophet who would be like Moses, must arise NOT from the 'children of Israel' or from 'among the mselves', but from among their brethren. MUHUMMED THEREFORE WAS FROM AMONG THEIR BRETHREN!
Words in the Mouth
"The prophecy proceeds further:'.......AND I WILL PUT MY WORDS INTO HIS MOUTH.......' What does it mean when it is said 'I will put my words in your mouth'? You see, when I asked you (the dominee) to open Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse 18, at the beginning, and if I had asked you to read, and if you had read: would I be putting my words into your mouth?" The dominee answered: "No." "But," I continued: "If I were to teach you a language like Arabic about which you have no knowledge, and if I asked you to read or repeat after me what I utter i.e.:
"SAY: HE IS ALLAH THE ONE AND ONLY;
ALLAH, THE ETERNAL ABSOLUTE;
HE BEGETTETH NOT, NOR IS HE BEGOTTEN:
AND THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO HIM.
(Holy Qur'an 112:1-4)( I read them in Arabic )
Would I not be putting these unheard words of a foreign tongue which you utter, into your mouth?" The dominee agreed that it was indeed so. In an identical manner, I said, the words of the Holy Qur'an, the Revelation vouchsafed by the Almighty God to Muhummed, were revealed.
History tells us that Muhummed was forty years of age. He was in a cave some three miles north of the City of Mecca. It was the 27th night of the Muslim month of Ramadaan. In the cave the Archangel Gabriel commands him in his mother tongue:'IQRA' which means READ! or PROCLAIM! or RECITE! Muhummed w as terrified and in his bewilderment replied that he was not NOT LEARNED! The angel commands him a second time with the same result. For the third time the angel continues.
Now Muhummed, grasps, that what was required of him was to repeat! to rehearse! And he repeats the words as they were put into his mouth:
"READ! IN THE NAME OF THE LORD AND CHERISHER, WHO CREATED-
CREATED MAN, FROM A (MERE) CLOT OF CONGEALED BLOOD:
READ! AND THY LORD IS MOST BOUNTIFUL,-
HE WHO TAUGHT (THE USE OF) THE PEN,
TAUGHT MAN THAT WHICH HE KNEW NOT".

(Holy Qur'an 96:1-5)

These are the first five verses which were revealed to Muhummed which now occupy the beginning of the 96th chapter of the Holy Qur'an.
The Faithful Witness
Immediately the angel had departed, Muhummed rushed to his home. Terrified and sweating all over he asked his beloved wife Khadija to 'cover him up!' He lay down, and she watched by him. When he had regained his composure, he explained to her what he had seen and heard. She assured him of her faith in him and that Allah would not allow any terrible thing to happen to him. Are these the confessions of an imposter? Would imposters confess that when an angel of the Lord confronts them with a Message from on High, they get fear-stricken, terrified, and sweating all over, run home to their wives? Any critic can see that his reactions and confessions are that of an honest, sincere man, the man of Truth- 'AL-AMIN' - THE Honest, the Upright, the Truthful. During the next twenty-three years of his prophetic life, words were 'Put into his mouth', and he uttered them. They made an indeliable imp ression on his heart and mind: and as the volume of the Sacred Scripture (Holy Qur'an) grew, they were recorded on palm-leaf libre, on skins and on the shoulder-blades of animals; and in the hearts of his devoted disciples. Before his demise these words were arranged according to his instructions i n the order in which we find them to-day in the Holy Qurann.
The words (revelation) were actually put into his mouth, exactly as foretold in the prophecy under discusiion: 'AND I WILL PUT MY WORDS IN HIS MOUTH.'(Deut. 18:18).
Un-lettered Prophet
Muhummed's experience in the cave of Hira, later to be known as Jabal-un Noor - The Mountain of Light, and his response to that first Revelation is the exact fulfilment of another Biblical Prophecy. In the Book of Isaish. Chapter 29, verse 12, we read: "AND THE BOOK" (al-Kitaab,al-Quran the 'Readin g', the 'Recitation') "IS DELIVERED TO HIM THAT IS NOT LEARNED," (Isaiah 29:12) "THE UNLETTERED PROPHET " (Holy Qur'an 7:158) and the biblical verse continues : "SAYING, READ THIS, I PRAY THEE:" (the words "I pray thee", are not in the Hebrew manuscripts; compare with the Roman Cathol ics' "Douay Version and also with the "Revised Standard Versions") "AND HE SAITH, I AM NOT LEARNED." ("I am not learned." is the exact translation of the Arabic words which Muhummed uttered twice to the Holy Ghose - the Archangel Gabriel, when he was commanded : "READ!").
Let me quote the verse in full without a break as found in the "King James Version," or the "Authorised version" as it is more popularly know "AND THE BOOK IS DELIVERED TO HIM THAT IS NOT LEARNED, SAYING, READ THIS I PRAY THEE: AND HE SAITH, I AM NOT LEARNED." (Isaiah 29:12).
Important note :
It may be noted that there were no Arabic Bibles(12) in existence in the 6th Century of the Christian Era when Muhummed lived and preachedl Besides, he was absolutely unlettered and unlearned. No human had ever taught him a word. His teacher was his Creator:
"HE DOES NOT SPEAK (AUGHT), OF (HIS OWN) DESIRE:
IT IS NO LESS THAN INSPIRATION SENT DOWN TO HIM:
HE WAS TAUGHT BY ONE MIGHTY IN POWER,"

(Holy Qur'an 53:3-5).

Without any human learning, 'he put to shame the wisdom of the learned'.
Grave Warning
"See!" I told the dominee, "how the prophecies fit Muhummed like a glove. We do not have to stretch prophecies to justify their fulfilment in Muhummed."
The dominee replied, "All your expositions sound very well, but they are of no real consequence, because we Christians have Jesus Christ the "incarnate" God, who has redeemed us from the Bondage of Sin!"
I asked, "Not important?" God didn't think so! He went to a great deal of trouble to have His warnings recorded. God knew that there would be people like you who will flippantly, light-heartedly discount his words, so he followed up Deuteronomy 18:18 with a dire warning: "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, " (it is going to happen) "THAT WHOSOEVER WILL NOT HEARKEN UNTO MY WORDS WHICH HE SHALL SPEAK IN MY NAME, I WILL REQUIRE IT OF HIM. (in the Catholic Bible the ending words are - "I will be the revenger", I will take vengeance from him - I will take revenge!) "Does not this terrify you? God Almighty is threathening revenge! We shake in our pants if some hoodlum threathens us, yet you have no fear of God's warning?"
"Miracle of Miracles! in the verse 19 of Deuteronomy chapter 18, we have a further fulfilment of the prophecy in Muhummed! Note the words-'.....MY WORDS WHICH HE SHALL SPEAK IN MY NAME," In whose name is Muhummed speaking?" I opened Yusuf Ali's translation of the Holy Qur'an, at chapter 114- 'Sura Nas', or Mankind - the last chapter, and showed him the formula at the head of the charpter: and the meaning: "IN THE NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL." And the heading of chapter 113: and the meaning: "IN THE NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL". And every chapter downwards 112 , 111, 110.......was the same formula and the same meaning on every page, because the end SURAS (chapters) are short and take about a page each.
"And what did the prophecy demand?' ......WHICH HE SHALL SPEAK IN MY NAME and in whose name does Muhummed speak?'IN THE NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL.' The Prophecy is being fulfilled in Muhummed to the letter "Every chapter of the Holy Qur'an except the 9th begin with the formula: IN TH E NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL.' The Muslim begins his every lawful act with the Holy formula. But the Christian begins: "In the name of the Father, son and holy ghost.'"(13)
Concerning Deuteronomy chapter eighteen, I have given you more than 15 reasons as to how this prophecy refers to Muhummed and NOT to Jesus.
Baptist Contradicts Jesus
In New Testament times, we find that the Jews were still expecting the fulfilment of the prophecy of 'ONE LIKE MOSES', refer John 1:19-25. When Jesus claimed to be the Messiah of the Jews,the Jews began to enquire as to where was Elias? The Jews had a parallel prophecy that before the coming of the Messiah, Elias must come first in his second coming. Jesus confirms this Jewish belief:
".......ELIAS TRULY SHALL FIRST COME, AND RESTORE ALL THINGS. BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT ELIAS IS COME ALREADY, AND THEY KNEW HIM NOT,...THEN THE DISCIPLES UNDERSTOOD THAT HE SPAKE UNTO THEM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST."(Matthew 17:11-13). According to the New Testament the Jews were not the ones to s wallow the words of any would-be Messiah. In their investigations they underwent intense difficulties in order to find their true Messiah. And this the Gospel of John confirms: "AND THIS IS THE RECORD OF JOHN,"(the Baptist) "WHEN THE JEWS SENT PRIESTS AND LEVITES FROM JERUSALEM TO ASK HIM, WHO ART THOU? AND HE CONFESSED AND DENIED NOT; BUT CONFESSED, I AM NOT THE CHRIST." (This was only natural because there can't be two Messiahs (14) at the same time. If Jesus was the Christ then John couldn't be the Christ!) "AND THEY ASKED HIM, WHAT THEN? ART THOU ELIAS? AND HE SAITH, I AM NOT." (Here Joh n the Baptist contradicts Jesus! Jesus says that John is "Elias" and John denies that he is what Jesus ascribes him to be. One of the TWO (Jesus or John), God forbid!, is difinitely not speaking the TRUTH! On the testimony of Jesus himself, John the Baptist was the greatest of the Israelite prophet s:"VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, AMOUNG THEM THAT ARE BORN OF WOMEN THERE HAS NOT RISENA GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST:... (Matthew 11:11).
We Muslims know John the Baptist as Hazrut YAHYAA Alai-his-salaam (peace be upon him). We revere him as a true prophet of Allah. The Holy Prophet Jesus known to us as Hazrut ISAA Alai-his-salaam (peace be upon him), is also esteemed as one of the mightiest messenger of the Almighty. How can we Musl ims impute lies to either of them? We leave this problem between Jesus and John for the Christians to solve, for their "sacred scriptures abound in discrepancies which they have been glossing over as the "dark sayings of Jesus"(15). We Muslims are really interested in the last questions posed to Jo hn the Baptist by the Jewish elite- "ART THOU THAT PROPHET? AND HE ANSWERED, NO."(John 1:21)
Three Questions!
Please note that three different and distinct questions were posed to John the Baptist and to which he gave three emphatic "NO'S" as answers. To recapitulate:-
1) ART THOU THE CHRIST?
2) ART THOU ELIAS?
3) ART THOU THAT PROPHET?
But the learned men of Christendom somehow only see two questions implied here. To make doubly clear that the Jews definitely had T-H-R-E-E separate prophecies in their minds when they were interogating John the Baptist, let us read the remonstrance of the Jews in the verses following:
"AND THEY ASKED HIM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHEY BAPTIZEST THOU THEN, IF THOU BE
a) NOT THAT CHRIST,
b) NOR ELIAS,
c) NEITHER THAT PROPHET?"

(John 1:25)

The Jews were waiting for the fulfilment of THREE distinct prophecies: One, the coming of CHRIST. Two the coming of ELIAS, and Three, the coming of THAT PROPHET.
"That Prophet"
If we look up any Bible which has a concordance or cross-references, the we will find in the marginal note where the words "the Prophet", or "that Prophet" occur in John 1:25, that these words refer to the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18. And that 'that prophet' - 'the prophet like Moses' - "L IKE UNTO THEE", we have proved through overwhelming evidence that he was MUHUMMED and not Jesus!
We Muslims are not denying that Jesus was the "Messiah", which word is translated as "Christ".(16) We are not contesting the "thousand and one prophecies" which the Christians claim abound in the Old Testament foretelling the coming of the Messiah. What we say is that Deuteronomy 18:18 does NOT ref er to Jesus Christ but it is an explicit prophecy about the Holy Prophet MUHUMMED!"
The dominee, very politely parted with me by saying that it was a very interesting discussion and he would like me very much to come one day and address his congregation on the subject. A decade and half has passed since then but I am still awaiting that privilege.
I believe the dominee was sincere when he made the offer, but prejudices die hard and who would like to loose his sheep?
The Acid Test
To the lambs of Christ I say, why not apply that acid test which the Master himself wanted you to apply to any would be claimant to prophethood? He had said: "BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. DO MEN GATHER GRAPES FROM THE THORNS, OR FIGS FROM THE THISTLES? EVERY GOOD TREE WILL BEAR GOOD FRUIT AN D EVERY EVIL TREE WILL BEAR EVIL FRUIT....BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. (Matthew 7:16-20).
Why are you afraid to apply this test to the teachings of Muhummed? You will find in the Last Testament of God - the Holy Qur'an - the true fulfilment of the teachings of Moses and Jesus which will bring to the world the much-needed peace and happiness. "IF A MAN LIKE MOHAMED WERE TO ASSUME THE DIC TATORSHIP OF THE MODERN WORLD, HE WOULD SUCCEED IN SOLVING ITS PROBLEMS THAT WOULD BRING IT THE MUCH NEEDED PEACE AND HAPPINESS."(George Bernard Shaw)
The Greatest!
The Weekly Newsmagazine "TIME" dated July 15, 1974, carried a selection of opinions by various historians, writers, military men, businessmen and others on the subject: "Who Were History's Great Leaders?" Some said that it was Hitler; others said-Gandhi, Buddha, Lincoln and the like. But Jules Mass erman, a United States psychoanalyst put the standards straight by giving the correct criteria wherewith to judge. He said: "LEADERS MUST FULFIL THREE FUNCTIONS:-
(1) Provide for the well-being of the led,
(2) Provide a social organization in which people feel relatively secure
and
(3) Provide them with one set of beliefs."
With the above three criteria he searches history and analyses - Hitler, Pasteur, Gaesar, Moses, Confucius and the lot, and ultimately concludes:
"PEOPLE LIKE PASTEUR AND SALK ARE LEADERS IN THE FIRST SENSE. PEOPLE LIKE GANDHI AND CONFUCIUS, ON ONE HAND, AND ALEXANDER, CAESAR AND HITLER ON THE OTHER, ARE LEADERS IN THE SECOND AND PERHAPS THE THIRD SENSE. JESUS AND BUDDHA BELONG IN THE THIRD CATEGORY ALONE. PERHAPS THE GREATEST LEADER OF ALL TIMES WAS MOHAMMED, WHO COMBINED ALL THREE FUNCTIONS. To a lesser degree, MOSES DID THE SAME."
According to the objective standards set by the Professor of the Chicago University, whome I believe to be Jewish, - JESUS and BUDDHA are now - here in the picture of the "Great Leaders of Mankind", but by a queer coincidence groups Moses and Muhummed together thus adding further weight to the argu ment that JESUS is not like MOSES, but MUHUMMED is like MOSES: Deut.18:18 "LIKE UNTO THEE" - Like MOSES!
In conclusion, I end with a quotation of a Christian Reverend the commentator of the Bible, followed by that of his Master:
"THE ULTIMATE CRITERION OF A TRUE PROPHET IS THE MORAL CHARACTER OF HIS TEACHING."(Prof.Dummelow.)
"BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." (Jesus Christ)

A concluding suggestion : Come let us reason together !
SAY:"O PEOPLE OF THE BOOK!
COME TO COMMON TERMS AS BETWEEN US AND YOU:
THAT WE WORSHIP NONE BUT GOD;
THAT WE ASSOCIATE NO PARTNERS WITH HIM;
THAT WE ERECT NOT, FROM AMONG OURSELVES,
LORDS AND PATRONS OTHER THAN GOD."
IF THEN THEY TURN BACK,
SAY:"BEAR WITNESS THAT WE (AT LEAST)
ARE MUSLIMS (BOWING TO GOD'S WILL)."

(Holy Qur'an 3:64)

"PEOPLE OF THE BOOK" is the respectful title given to the Jews and the Christians in the Holy Qur'an. The Muslims is here commanded to invite - "O People of the Book!" - O Learned People! O People who claim to be the recipients of Divine Revelation, of a Holy Scripture; let us gather together onto a common platform - "that we worship none but God", because none but God is worthy of worship, not because "THE LORD THY GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD VISITING THE INIQUITY OF THE FATHERS UPON THE CHILDREN UNTO THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION OF THEM THAT HATE ME."(Exodus 20:25). But because He is ou r Lord and Cherisher, our Sustainer and Evolver, worthy of all praise, prayer and devotion.
In the abstract the Jews and the Christians would agree to all the three propositions contained in this Qur'anic verse. In practice they fail. Apart from doctrinal lapses from the unity of the One True God, (ALLAH_ Subha-nahu wa ta-ala) there is the question of a consecrated Priesthood (among the J ews it was hereditary also), as if a mere human being - Cohe or Pope, or Priest, or Brahuman, - could claim superiority apart from his learning and the purity of his life, or could stand between man and God in some special sense. ISLAM DOES NOT RECOGNISE PRIESTHOOD!
The Creed of Islam is given to us here in a nutshell from Holy Qur'an:
Say ye: "We believe in Allah,
And the revelation given to us,
And to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac,
Jacob, and the Tribes,
And that given to Moses and Jesus
And that given to (all)
Prophets from their Lord:
We make no difference
Between one and another of them:
And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."

(Holy Qur'an 2:136).

The Muslim position is clear. The Muslim does not claim to have a religion peculiar to himself. Islam is not a sect or an ethnic religion. In its view all Religion is one, for the Truth is one. IT WAS THE SAME RELIGION PREACHED BY ALL THE EARLIER PROPHETS. (Holy Qur'an 42:13). It was the truth taug ht by all the inspired Books. In essence it amounts to a consciousness of the Will and Plan of God and a joyful submission to that Will and Plan. IF ANYONE WANTS A RELIGION OTHER THAN THAT, HE IS FALSE TO HIS OWN NATURE, AS HE IS FALSE TO GOD'S WILL AND PLAN. Such a one cannot expect guidance, for he has deliberately renounced guidance.

NOTES
(1) This refers to Moses. See Yusuf Ali's commentaries Nos. 4783/4 to this verse.
(2) Christian exegesists give progressive numerical values by sixes, to the English alphabet and add up to get the total 666. i.e.A=6,B=12,C=18, D=24 and so on. Progression by 6's because the number of the Beast in the Bible is "666". Try it for Dr.Kissinger.
(3) The writer has just delivered another talk in the City Hall, Durban on the 10th December, 1975 on the subject "Muhummed the Greatest".
(4) "Dominee" is the Afrikaans equivalent of priest, parson and predikant.
(5) One of the Provinces of the Republic of South Africa.
(6) The word "Messiah" comes from the Arabic and Hebrew word masaha which means to rub, to massage, to annoint. The religious significance is "the one who is anointed' - priests and kings were anointed in consecration to their offices. Messiah translated Christ does not mean God. Even the heathen C yrus is called "Christ" in the Bible, (Isaiah 45:1)
(7) Muhummed is mentioned by name in the Song of Solomn 5:16. The Hebrew word used there is Muhammuddim. The end letters IM is plural of respect majesty and grandeur. Minus "im" the name would be Muhamudd translated as "altogether lovely" in the Authorised Version of the Bible or 'The Praised One' 'the one worthy of Praise' i.e. MUHUMMED!
(8) If this lecture is translated into any language, please change the Afrikaans words into the local dialect; and do not try a free hand translation of the Biblical quotation. Obtain a Bible in the language in which translation is being made and transcribe exactly as the words occur in that Bible.
(9) Please open the Holy Qur'an 3:42 and 19:16 where the birth of Jesus is spoken about; read it with the commentry, note the high position which Jesus and his mother occupy in Islam.
(10) Write for "Was Christ Crucified?" by the writer, free on request.
(11) According to the Bible Abraham's name was Abram before it was changed by God to Abraham.
(12) There are today Arabic Bibles in Fourteen different scripts and dialects for the Arabs alone. See "The Gospels in many tongues", obtainable from the Bible Society.
(13) The Christian theologians are ignorant of even the "name of God. Because "God" is not a name, and "Father" is also not a name. What's his name? See "Muhummed-the Natural Successor to Christ", by the author, available free.
(14) The Jews were expecting a single Messiah not two.
(15) See the "TIMES" Magazine December 30th, 1974, article "How true is the Bible?" And write for your free copy of "50,000 Errors in the Bible? a reproduction from the Christian Magazine "AWAKE!" September 8, 1957.
(15) How the word Messiah was transmuted to Christ? Write for booklet above, reference 13.
END OF LECTURE

---

NOW :
Don't you think you need to read more about Islam and Christianity? To that end, The following literature is available FREE on request:
|) what the Bible says about Mohammed.
2) what was the sign of Jonah?
3) who moved the stone?
4) resurrection or resuscitation?
5) is the Bible God's word?
6) what is His name?
7) the God that never was.
8) Islam's answer to the racial problem.
9) Christ in Islam.
10) crucifixion or crucifiction?
11) the Muslim at prayer.
12) Mohammed-the prophet of Islam.

The Meaning of Islam

ISLAM is derived from the Arabic root "SALEMA": peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.
Everything and every phenomenon in the world, other than man is administered TOTALLY by God-made laws i.e. they are obedient to God and submissive to His laws i.e. they are in the STATE OF ISLAM. Man possesses the quality of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law ie. become a Muslim. Submission to the good will of God, together with obedience to His beneficial law, i.e. becoming a Muslim is the best safeguard for man's peace and harmony.
Islam dates back to the edge of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's Prophets and Messengers including Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Islam's message has been restored and enforced in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last Prophet and Messenger Muhammad.
The word Allah in the Arabic language means God, or more accurately The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of theUniverse, Lord of all lords, King of all kings, MostCompassionate, Most Merciful. The word Allah to mean God is also used by Arabic speaking Jews and Christians.
Articles of Faith
Allah, the One and Only God
A muslim believes in ONE GOD, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has no father nor mother, no sons nor was He fathered. None equal to Him. He is God of all mankind, not of a special tribe or race.
God is High and Supreme but He is very near to the pious thoughtful believers; He answers their prayers and help them. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them 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 Patient and the Appreciative, the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. God's attributes are mentioned in the Quran.
God creates in man the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to count His favours upon us, we cannot, because they are countless. In return for all the great favours and mercy, God does not need anything from us, because He is Needless and Independent. God asks us to know Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our benefit and our own benefit and our own good.
Messengers and Prophets of God
A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the names of 25 messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These include Noah, Abrahim, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Their message is the same and it is Islam and it came from One and the Same Source; God, and it is to submit to His will and to obey His law; i.e., to become a Muslim.
Revelations and the Quran
A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in their original versions. Allah, the Creator, has not left man without guidance for the conduct of his life. Revelations were given to guide the people to the right path of Allah and sent down to selected people, the prophet and messengers, to convey it to their fellow men.
The message of all the prophet and messengers is the same. They all asked the people of their time to obey and worship Allah and none other. Abrahim, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad who were revealed their own book of Allah, were sent at different times to bring back straying human being from deviation to Right Course.
The Quran is the sacred book of the Muslims. It is the last book of guidance from Allah, sent down to Muhammad, peace be upon him, through the angel Jibraeel (Gabriel). Every word of it is the word of Allah. It was revealed over a period of 23 years in the Arabic language. It contains 114 Surahs (chapters) and over 6000 verses.
The Quran deals with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover all areas of this life and the life after death. It contains principles, doctrines and directions for every sphere of human life. The theme of the Quran broadly consists of three fundamental ideas: Oneness of Allah, Prophethood and life after death. The success of human beings on this earth and in the life hereafter depends on obedience to the Quranic teaching.
The Quran is unrivalled in its recording and prservation. The astonishing fact about this book of Allah is that it has remained unchanged even to a dot over the past fourteen hundred years. No scholar has questioned the fact that the Quran today is the same as it was revealed. Muslims till today memorize the Quran word by word as a whole or in part. Today, the Quran is the only authentic and complete book of Allah. Allah is protecting it from being lost, corrupted or concealed.
The Angels of Allah
There are purely spiritual and splendid beings created by Allah. They require no food or drink or sleep. They have no physical desires nor material needs. Angels spend their time in the service of Allah. Each charged with a certain duty. Angels cannot be seen by the naked eyes. Knowledge and the truth are not entirely confined to sensory knowledge or sensory perception alone.
The Day of Judgement
A Muslim believes in the Day of the 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. On that day, all men and women from Adam to the last person will be resurrected from the state of death for judgement. Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records. They are brought up on the Day of Judgement. One who believe in life after death is not expected to behave against the Will of Allah. He will always bear in mind that Allah is watching all his actions and the angels are recording them.
People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to Allah's Heaven. People with bad records will be fairly punished and cast into Hell. The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to Allah only, but they are described by Allah in man's familiar terms in the Quran.
If some good deeds are seen not to get full appreciation and credit in this life, they will receive full compensation and be widely acknowledged on the Day of Judgement. If some people who commit sins, neglect Allah and indulge in immoral activities, seem SUPERFICIALLY successful and prosperous in this life, absolute justice will be done to them on the Day of Judgement. The time of the Day of Judgement is only known to Allah and Allah alone.
Qadaa and Qadar
A Muslim believes in Qadaa and Qadar which related to the ultimate power of Allah. Qadaa and Qadar means the Timeless Knowledge of Allah and His power to plan and execute His plans. Allah is not indifferent to this world nor is He neutral to it. It implies that everything on this earth originates from the one and only creator who is also the Sustainer and the sole source of guidance.
Allah is Wise, Just and Loving and whatever He does must have a good motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully. We should have strong faith in Allah and accept whatever He does because our knowledge is limited and our thinking is based on individual consideration, whereas His knowledge is limitless and He plans on a universal basis. Man should think, plan and make sound choice, but if things do not happen the way he wants, he should not lose faith and surrender himself to mental strains or shattering worries.
The Purpose of Life
A Muslim believe that the purpose of life is to worship Allah. Worshipping Allah does not mean we spend our entire lives in constant seclusion and absolute meditation. To worship Allah is to live life according to His commands, not to run away from it. To worship Allah is to know Him, to love Him, to obey His commands, to enforce His laws in every aspect of life, to serve His cause by doing right and shunning evil and to be just to Him, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings.
Status of Human Being
A Muslim believes that human being enjoys an especially high ranking status in the hierarchy of all known creatures. Man occupies this distinguished position because he alone is gifted with rational faculties and spiritual aspirations as well as powers of action. Man is not a condemned race from birth to death, but a dignified being potentially capable of good and noble achievements. A Muslim also believes that every person is born muslim. Every person is endowed by Allah with spiritual potential and intellectual inclination that can make him a good Muslim. Every person's birth takes place according to the will of Allah in realization of His plans and in submission to His commands. Every person is born FREE FROM SIN. When the person reaches the age of maturity and if he is sane, he become accountable for all his deeds and intentions. Man is free from sin until he commits sin. There is no inherited sin, no original sin. Adam committed the first sin, he prayed to Allah for pardon and Allah granted Adam pardon.
Salvation
A Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the guidance of Allah. No one can act on behalf of another or intercede between him and Allah. In order to obtain salvation, a person must combine faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without doing good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith. Also, a Muslim believes that Allah does not hold any person responsible until he has shown him the Right Way. If people do not know and have no way of knowing about Islam, they will not be responsible for failing to be Muslim. Every Muslim must preach Islam in words and action.
Acceptance of Faith
A Muslim believes that faith is not complete when it is followed blindly or accepted unquestioningly. Man must build his faith on well-grounded convictions beyond any reasonable doubt and above uncertainty. Islam insures freedom to believe and forbids compulsion in religion (one of the oldest synagogues and one of the oldest churches in the worlds is in Muslim countries).
A Muslim believes that the Quran is the word of Allah revealed to prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. The Quran was revealed from revealed from
Allah on various occasions to answer questions, solve problems, settle dbe man's best guide to the truth. The Quran was revealed in Arabic and it is still in its original and complete Arabic version until today. It is memorized by millions. A Muslim also believes in a clear distinction between the Quran and the Traditions (called Hadits) of the Prophet Muhammad. Whereas, the Quran is the word of Allah, the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (hadits i.e.: his teachings, sayings, and actions) are the practical interpretations of the Quran. Both the Quran and the Hadits of Prophet Muhammad are the primary sources of knowledge in Islam.
Application of Faith
God has laid down for a Muslim four major exercises of faith, some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required as a minimum of once in a lifetime. These exercises of faith are to serve man's spiritual purposes, satisfy his human needs and to mark his whole life with a Divine touch. These major exercises of faith are:
Prayer (Salah)
Praying, to the Creator on a daily basis, is the best way to cultivate in a man a sound personality and to actualize his aspiration. Allah does not need man's prayer because He is free of all needs. Salah is for our benefit which are immeasurable and the blessings are beyond imagination.
In salah, every muscle of the body joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah. Salah is an act of worship. It is a matchless and unprecedented formula of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined.
Offering of salah is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is sane, mature and in case of women free from menstruation and confinement due to child birth. Requirements of salah: performing of ablution (Wudu), purity of the whole body, clothes and ground used for prayer, dressing properly and having (or declaring) the intention and facing the Qiblah; the direction of the Ka'bah at Mecca.
Obligatory Salah: Five daily salahs, the Friday's noon congregation salah and the funeral salah.
Highly recommended salah: Those accompanying the obligatory salah and the two great festival salahs.
Optional salah: Voluntary salah during the day and night.
Times of Obligatory Salah:
1. Early Morning - after dawn and before sunrise.
2. Noon - after the sun begins to decline from its zenith until it is about midway on its course to set.
3. Mid-afternoon - after the expiration of the noon salah time until sunset.
4. Sunset - immediately after sunset until the red glow in the western horizon disappears.
5. Evening - after the expiration of the sunset salah until dawn. Salah should be offered in its due time, unless there is a reasonable excuse. Delayed obligatory salah must be made up. In addition to the prescribed salah, a Muslim expressed gratitude to God and appreciation of His favours and asks for His mercy all the time. Especially at times of, for example: childbirth, marriage, going to or rising from bed, leaving and returning to his home, starting a journey or entering a city, riding or driving, before or after eating or drinking, harvesting, visiting graveyards and at time of distress and sickness.
Fasting
Fasting is abstaining completely from eating, drinking, intimate sexual contacts and smoking from the break of dawn till sunset. It is a matchless Islamic institution which teaches man the principle of sincere love to God. Fasting teaches man a creative sense of hope, devotion, patience, unselfishness, moderation, willpower, wise saving, sound budgeting, mature adaptability, healthy survival, discipline, spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood. Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of Ramadan; the ninth month of the Islamic year. Recommended fasting every Monday and Thursday of every week, three days in the middle of each Islamic month, six days after Ramadan following the Feast Day and a few days of the two months before Ramadan. Fasting of Ramadan is a worship act which is obligatory on every adult Muslim, male or female if he/she mentally and physically fit and not on a journey. Exception: women during their period of menstruation and while nursing their child and also in case of travel and sickness.
Charity Giving (Zakah)
Charity giving is an act of worship and spiritual investment. The lateral meaning of Zakah is purity and it refers to the annual amount in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. Zakah does not only purifies the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed. It also purifies the heart of the recipient from envy and jealousy, from hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors.
Zakah has a deep humanitarian and social-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 possession, it does not tolerate selfish and greedy capitalism. Islam adopts a moderate but positive and effective course between individual and society, between the citizen and the state, between capitalism and socialism, between materialism and spiritualism. Zakah is paid on the net balance after paying personal expenses, family expenses, due credits, taxes, etc. Every Muslim, male or female who at the end of the year is in possession of the equivalent of 85 g of gold (approx. $1400 in 1990) or more in cash or articles of trade, must give Zakah at minimum rate of 2.5%. Taxes paid to government do not substitute for this religious duty. Contributor should not seek pride or fame but if disclosing his name and his contribution is likely to encourage others, it is acceptable to do so. The recipient of Zakah are: the poor, the needy, the new Muslim converts, the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them), Muslim in debt. Also employees appointed to collect Zakah, Muslim in service of research or study or propagation of Islam, wayfarers who are foreigners in need of help.
The Pilgrimmage (Hajj)
It is a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime and it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is mentally, physically and financially fit. It is the largest annual convention of faith on earth (in 1989: 2.5 million). Peace is the dominant theme. Peace with Allah, with one's soul, with one another, with all living creatures. To disturb the peace of anyone or any creature in any shape or form is strictly prohibited.
Muslim from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. There is no royalty but loyalty of all to Allah, the Creator. It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abrahim and his son Ishmael, who are the first pilgrim to the house of Allah on earth; the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the grad assembly of the Day of Judgement when people will stand equal before Allah.
Muslims go to Mecca in glory of Allah, not to worship a man. The visit to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad at Madena is highly recommended but not essential in making the Hajj valid and complete.
Islam is a Code of Life
It is a Muslim belief that Muhammad's mission was for the whole world and for all the time; because:
Its universality has been clearly confirmed by the Quran (Surah 7: verse 158, 6:19, 34:28, 81:27).
It is a logical consequences of the finality of his prophethood. He had to be the guide and the leader for all men and for all ages.
Allah has provided, through him, a complete code which is to be followed, and this in itself supports the concept of finality, because without completeness, the need for other prophets would remain.
It is a fact that during the last 1400 years no man has arisen whose life and works bear even the slightest resemblance to that of a prophet. Nor has anyone presented a book which could be remotely considered a divine communication. Still less has there been a man to claim legitimate authority as a law-giver fro mankind. The mission of Muhammad, as well as of other prophets who brought the universal message of Islam, does not end with the announcement of the message. He has to guide the people by explaining to them the implications of the Islamic creed, the morale code, the divine injunctions and commandment, and the form of worship that sustains the whole system. He has to exemplify the faith so others can pattern their participation in the evolution of Islamic culture and civilization. The believers must grow under his guidance into an organized community so that Allah's word will prevail over all other words.
1. Spiritual Life: prayer (salah), fasting, charity giving (zakah), pilgrimage (hajj), love for Allah and His Messenger, love for truth and humanity for the sake of Allah, hope and trust in Allah at all times and doing good for the sake of Allah.
2. Intellectual Life: True knowledge based on clear proof and indisputable evidence acquired by experience or experiment or by both. The Quran points to the rich sources of knowledge in the whole universe. Islam demands faith in Allah on the basis of knowledge and research and leaves wide open all field of thought before the intellect to penetrate as far it can reach.
3. Personal Life: purity and cleanliness, a healthy diet, proper clothing, proper behaviour, and good healthy sexual relations within marriage.
4. Family Life: A family is a human social group whose members are bound together by the bond of blood ties and/or marital relationship and nothing else (adoption, mutual alliance, common law, trial marriage...etc.). Marriage is a religious duty on all who are capable of meeting its responsibilities. Each member of the family has rights and obligations.
5. Social Life: Man is ordained by Allah to extend his utmost help and kindness to other family members, relations, servants and neighbours. No superiority on account of class, colour, origin or wealth. Humanity represents one family springing from the one and the same father and mother. The unity of the humanity is not only in its origin but also in its ultimate aims.
6. Economical Life: Earning one's living through decent labour is not only a duty but a great virtue as well. Earning is man's private possession. The individual is responsible for the prosperity of the state and the state is responsible for the security of the individual. The Islamic economic system is not based on arithmetical calculations alne but also on moral and principles. Man comes to this world empty-handed and departs empty-handed. The real owner of things is Allah alone. Man is simply a trustee.
7. Political Life: The sovereignty in the Islamic State belongs to Allah; the people exercise it by trust from Him to enforce His laws. The ruler is only an acting executive chosen by the people to serve them according to Allah's law. The State is to administer justice and provide security for all citizens. Rulers and administrators must be chosen from the best qualified citizens. If an administration betrays the trust of Allah and the people, it has to be replaced. Non-Muslim can administer their personal life of marriage, divorce, foods and inheritance according to the Islamic law or to their own religious teachings. They may pay Zakah or a different tax tributes "Jizyah". They are entitled to full protection and security of the State including freedom of religion.
8. International Life: Man has a common origin, human status and aim. Other people's interests and right to life, honour and property are respected as long as the right of Muslim are in tact. Transgression is forbidden. War is only justified if the state security is endangered. During war, destruction of crops, animals and homes, killing non-fighting women, children and aged people are forbidden.
Sources:
1. Sayyid Abu Al-'Ala Maududi, Islam: Its Meaning and Message, in M. Tariq Quraishi (ed.), American Trust Publications, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1984, 12-14.
2. Islam, An Introduction. Undated. Compiled by Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Elmasry c/o KW Islamic Association, P.O. Box 823, Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA N2J 4C2, (519) 885-2225.

Les fils d'Israël épisode 18 سلسلة بنوا اسرائيل الحلقة

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PREUVES QUE MOHAMED (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui) ETAIT UN VERITABLE PROPHETE

Les sept terres

Une image de la terre montrant ses couches intérieures.  Windows to the Universe  (http://www.windows.ucar.edu) à l’University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).  ©1995-1999, 2000 The Regents of the University of Michigan; ©2000-05 University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.  

La sounnah du prophète Mohammed est la deuxième source de révélation en islam.  Comme le Coran, elle contient des informations à caractère scientifique qui n’étaient pas connues à l’époque.  Parmi ces informations miraculeuses, on retrouve les « sept terres » mentionnées par le Prophète (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui).  Voici deux exemples de hadiths où il les a  mentionnées :

Hadith 1

Abou Salamah rapporte qu’une dispute éclata entre lui-même et d’autres personnes (au sujet d’un terrain).  Lorsqu’il en fit part à ‘Aisha (l’épouse du Prophète), elle lui dit : « Ô Abou Salamah!  Ne prends aucune terre injustement, car le Prophète a dit :

 « Quiconque s’approprie injustement ne serait-ce qu’un empan de terre se le verra suspendu autour du cou, au jour du Jugement, son étendue prise dans les sept terres. »  (Sahih al-Boukhari, « le livre de l’oppression »)

Hadith 2

Salim a rapporté que, selon son père, le Prophète (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui) a dit :

 « Quiconque s’approprie injustement une parcelle de terre sera précipité au fond des sept terres au jour de la Résurrection. » (Sahih al-Boukhari, « le livre de l’oppression »)

Les hadiths mentionnés ci-dessus interdisent l’oppression en général, et plus particulièrement de s’approprier injustement une parcelle de terre appartenant à autrui.  Quelles sont les sept terres auxquelles ils font référence?

Des études en géologie ont démontré que la terre est composée de sept couches, identifiées à partir du centre jusqu’à la couche externe comme suit :

(1)  Noyau interne solide : 17% de la masse terrestre, profondeur de 5,150 à 6,370 kilomètres

Le noyau interne est solide et n’est pas attaché au manteau; il est suspendu dans le noyau externe liquide.  On croit qu’il s’est solidifié sous l’effet d’extraordinaires pressions, ce qui se produit avec la plupart des liquides soumis à des baisses de température et à des hausses de pression.

(2)  Noyau externe liquide : 30,8% de la masse terrestre, profondeur de 2,890 à 5,150 kilomètres

Le noyau externe est composé d’un liquide brûlant conducteur d’électricité qui transfère l’énergie par convection.  Cette couche conductrice s’allie à la rotation de la Terre pour créer un effet dynamo maintenant un système de courants électriques connus sous le nom de champ magnétique de la Terre.  Il est également responsable des légères secousses dans la rotation de la Terre.  Cette couche n’est pas aussi dense que le serait du pur fer en fusion, ce qui indique la présence d’éléments plus légers.  Les scientifiques soupçonnent qu’environ 10% de cette couche est composé de soufre et/ou d’oxygène car ces éléments sont abondants dans le cosmos et se dissolvent facilement dans le fer en fusion.

(3)  La couche « D » : 3% de la masse terrestre, profondeur de 2,700 à 2,890 kilomètres.

Cette couche fait de 200 à 300 kilomètres d’épaisseur et représente environ 4% du manteau.  Bien qu’elle soit souvent identifiée comme faisant partie du manteau inférieur, des discontinuités sismiques suggèrent que la couche « D » diffère, chimiquement, du manteau inférieur.  Des scientifiques supposent que ce qui la compose s’est soit dissout dans le noyau, ou a réussi à passer au travers du manteau sans atteindre le noyau à cause de sa densité.

(4)  Manteau inférieur : 49,2% de la masse terrestre, profondeur de 650 à 2,890 kilomètres.

Le manteau inférieur forme 72,9% de la masse totale du manteau et est probablement composé essentiellement de silicone, de magnésium et d’oxygène.  Il contient aussi probablement du fer, du calcium et de l’aluminium.  Les scientifiques font ces déductions en présumant que la Terre contient des proportions d’éléments cosmiques similaires à celles qui se trouvent dans le soleil et dans les météorites primitives.

(5)  Manteau intermédiaire (région transitoire) : 7,5% de la masse terrestre, profondeur de 400 à 650 kilomètres.

La région transitoire, parfois appelée la couche fertile, forme 11,1% de la masse du manteau et constitue la source du magma basaltique.  Elle contient aussi du calcium, de l’aluminium et du grenat, qui est un minerai de silicate d’aluminium.  À cause du grenat, cette couche devient très dense lorsque refroidie.  Elle devient légère lorsque chaude parce que les minerais fondent facilement pour former du basalte, qui peut alors s’élever à travers les couches supérieures du magma.

(6)  Manteau supérieur : 10,3% de la masse terrestre, profondeur entre 10 et 400 kilomètres.

Le manteau supérieur forme 15,3% de la masse totale du manteau.  Des fragments ont été extraits près de montagnes érodées et de volcans.  L’olivine (Mg, Fe) 2Si04 et le pyroxène (Mg, Fe) Si03 sont les principaux minerais qu’on y a trouvés.  Ceux-ci, de même que d’autres minerais, sont réfractaires et cristallins à hautes températures; par conséquent, la plus grande partie s’échappe du magma montant et soit se transforme en de nouveaux éléments, soit ne quitte jamais le manteau.  On présume qu’une partie du manteau supérieur appelée l’asthénosphère est partiellement en fusion.

(7)  Lithosphère : 0,099% de la masse terrestre, profondeur  entre 0 et 10 kilomètres.

La couche rigide superficielle de la Terre, constituée de la croûte et du manteau supérieur, est appelée lithosphère.  La croûte océanique forme 0,147% de la masse du manteau.  Pour la plus grande partie, la croûte de la Terre s’est formée à partir d’activités volcaniques.  Les dorsales océaniques, un réseau d’activité volcanique que l’on peut suivre sur plus de 60 000 kilomètres génère près de 17 km3 de nouvelle croûte océanique par année, recouvrant le fond sous-marin de basalte.  On trouve des coussins de basalte accumulé, entre autres, à Hawaï et en Islande.

Cette image montre une coupe transversale de la croûte terrestre et de la partie supérieure du manteau.  On y voit les plaques tectoniques de la lithosphère (composées de la croûte et de la partie supérieure du manteau) se mouvant au-dessus de l’asthénosphère. Windows to the Universe, à (http://www.windows.ucar.edu) at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).  ©1995-1999, 2000 The Regents of the University of Michigan; ©2000-05 University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.  Croûte continentale : 0.374% de la masse terrestre; profondeur entre 0-50 kilomètres.

La croûte continentale forme 0,554% de la masse du manteau.  C’est la partie superficielle de la Terre, composée essentiellement de roches cristallines.  Ce sont des minéraux légers de faible densité comprenant surtout du quartz (SiO2) et du feldspath (minéral à base de silicate).  Les croûtes océanique et continentale forment la surface de la Terre et donc, la partie la plus froide de notre planète.  Parce que les roches froides se déforment très lentement, nous appelons cette enveloppe rigide superficielle la lithosphère (couche rocheuse).

Cette image montre les sept couches de la Terre.  (Adaptée de Beatty, 1990).

Conclusion

Les sept couches de la Terre ont donc bel et bien été mentionnées par le Prophète (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui).  Le miracle est double :

(1)  L’expression utilisée dans le hadith (il sera précipité au fond des sept terres au jour de la Résurrection) indique la stratification de ces sept « terres » autour d’un centre.

(2)  L’exactitude avec laquelle le Prophète fait référence aux sept couches intérieures de la Terre.

Il y a 1400 ans, la seule façon, pour un habitant du désert, de connaître ces faits était par révélation divine.

Références

Beatty, J. K. et A. Chaikin, eds.  The New Solar System.  Massachusetts: Sky Publishing, 3^e édition, 1990.

Press, Frank et Raymond Siever.  Earth.  New York: W. H. Freeman and Company, 1986.

Seeds, Michael A. Horizons. Belmont, California: Wadsworth, 1995.

El-Najjar, Zaghloul.  Treasures In The Sunnah: A Scientific Approach: Cairo, Al-Falah Foundation, 2004.

 

Sept questions courantes sur l’islam

1.      Qu’est-ce que l’islam?

L’islam est la religion, ou plus précisément le mode de vie que Dieu (Allah) a révélé et qui fut pratiqué par tous les prophètes et messagers qu’Il envoya à l’humanité.  Le nom « islam » se démarque des noms des autres religions en ce sens qu’il signifie une façon d’être et ne réfère pas à une personne en particulier comme le christianisme, le bouddhisme ou le zoroastrisme, à une tribu, comme le judaïsme, ou à une nation, comme l’hindouisme.

Le mot-racine arabe duquel le terme islam dérive comprend les sens suivant : paix, sécurité, salutations, protection, absence de reproches, bien-être, soumission, acceptation, le fait de s’abandonner et le salut.  L’islam signifie plus précisément un état de soumission envers Dieu, le fait de n’adorer que Lui, en toute exclusivité, d’accepter Ses lois et de se soumettre à elles.  C’est par cette soumission que sont atteints la paix, la sécurité et le bien-être que l’on retrouve dans la signification de son terme.  Le(la) musulman(e) est donc une personne qui se trouve dans cet état de soumission.  L’islam d’une personne se trouve affaibli par les péchés, l’ignorance et les méfaits, et est totalement annulé par le fait d’adorer d’autres divinités à part Dieu ou par le fait de ne plus croire en Lui.

2.      Qu’est-ce qu’un musulman?

Le terme musulman signifie littéralement celui (ou celle) qui est en état d’islam (i.e. de soumission à la volonté et à la Loi de Dieu).  L’islam fut révélé à l’humanité tout entière et quiconque accepte son message et s’y conforme devient musulman(e).  Certains croient à tort que l’islam est une religion exclusive aux Arabes, mais rien n’est plus faux.  En réalité, près de 80% des musulmans, dans le monde, ne sont pas arabes.  Bien que la plupart des Arabes soient musulmans, certains sont chrétiens, juifs, ou même athées.  Si l’on considère à quel point l’islam est répandu, dans le monde – du Nigéria à la Bosnie, en passant par le Maroc et l’Indonésie, entre autres – on constate que les musulmans proviennent de plusieurs races, groupes ethniques, cultures et nationalités.  L’islam a toujours été, depuis sa révélation, un message universel destiné à tous les peuples.  D’ailleurs, certains des compagnons du Prophète (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui) n’étaient pas arabes, mais persans, africains et byzantins.

Être musulman signifie accepter totalement les enseignements et les lois révélés par Dieu et y obéir de façon active.  Le musulman est celui qui fait le libre choix de fonder ses croyances, ses valeurs et sa foi sur la volonté de Dieu.  Même si on le voit plutôt rarement de nos jours, le terme « mahométans » a souvent été utilisé, par le passé, pour qualifier les musulmans.  Mais cette étiquette est un terme inapproprié et découle soit d’une déformation délibérée, soit de l’ignorance.  L’une des raisons de cette déformation est que les Européens se sont laissés dire, durant des siècles, que les musulmans adoraient le prophète Mohammed (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui) de la même façon que les chrétiens adorent Jésus.  Évidemment, cela est tout à fait faux, puisque nul ne peut prétendre être musulman s’il voue son adoration à qui que ce soit ou quoi que ce soit en dehors de Dieu.

3.      Qui est Allah?

Le mot « Allah » est tout simplement le nom donné à Dieu, en arabe. D’ailleurs, même les juifs et les chrétiens de langue arabe appellent Dieu « Allah ».  Dans les traductions arabes de la Bible, le nom « Allah » est également utilisé.  Les chrétiens de langue arabe, qui croient que Jésus est le fils de Dieu, parlent du « fils d’Allah ». 

Le nom « Allah » est en fait très similaire au nom utilisé pour désigner Dieu dans d’autres langues sémitiques.  Par exemple, le nom hébreu pour désigner Dieu est « Elah ».  Pour des raisons qui demeurent obscures, certains non-musulmans s’imaginent que les musulmans adorent un Dieu différent de celui de Moïse, d’Abraham et de Jésus.  Il n’y a rien de plus faux, puisque le pur monothéisme de l’islam appelle tous les peuples à adorer de façon exclusive le Dieu de Noé, d’Abraham, de Moïse, de Jésus, et de tous les prophètes et messagers qu’Il a envoyés à l’humanité.

4.      Qui est Mohammed?

Le dernier prophète envoyé par Dieu à l’humanité était Mohammed (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui).  Il commença à recevoir la révélation de Dieu à l’âge de quarante ans.  Puis il passa le reste de sa vie à expliquer l’islam et à le vivre au jour le jour.  Il est considéré comme le plus grand des prophètes pour plusieurs raisons, mais d’abord et avant tout parce que Dieu l’a choisi pour être le dernier de la lignée des prophètes et que, par conséquent, sa mission se poursuit de façon ininterrompue jusqu’au Jour du Jugement.  Il est aussi considéré comme le prophète le plus important parce qu’il a été envoyé comme une miséricorde à l’humanité.  Sa mission a amené plus de gens au monothéisme pur que celle de tout autre prophète.  Depuis la nuit des temps, Dieu a envoyé des prophètes sur terre, mais chacun à une nation spécifique.  Le prophète Mohammed, lui, a été envoyé comme dernier messager à toute l’humanité.

Même si d’autres communautés religieuses ont prétendu suivre un monothéisme pur et exclusif, des idées corrompues se sont infiltrées dans leurs croyances et pratiques, avec le temps, les éloignant ainsi du pur monothéisme des prophètes.  Certaines prirent leurs prophètes et leurs « saints » comme intercesseurs auprès de Dieu.  Certaines autres allèrent jusqu’à croire que leur prophète était l’incarnation de Dieu sur terre ou encore le « fils » de Dieu.  Toutes ces idées fausses et fabriquées de toutes pièces menèrent à l’adoration d’êtres créés plutôt qu’à l’adoration du Créateur et contribuèrent aux croyances idolâtres selon lesquelles Dieu ne peut être approché qu’à travers des intermédiaires.  Afin de prévenir de telles hérésies, le prophète Mohammed (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui) a maintes fois souligné qu’il n’était qu’un être humain auquel Dieu avait confié la mission de prêcher Son message et de Lui obéir.  Il a donc enseigné aux musulmans à toujours parler de lui en tant que « messager et serviteur de Dieu ».  Par son mode de vie et ses enseignements, Dieu a fait de Mohammed un exemple parfait pour tous les êtres humains : il était un prophète, un homme d’État, un chef militaire, un dirigeant, un enseignant, un voisin, un époux, un père et un ami exemplaire.

Contrairement aux autres prophètes et messagers, toutes les paroles et tous les actes du prophète Mohammed (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui) ont été mémorisés puis recueillis par écrit.  Nul ne demande aux musulmans de simplement « croire » que Mohammed a existé et que ses enseignements ont été préservés; ils savent que ce sont des faits bien documentés.  Dieu a pris sur Lui-même de préserver contre toute altération le message qu’Il a révélé à Mohammed et Il a fait en sorte que jamais il ne soit oublié ou perdu.  Cela était nécessaire du fait qu’Il envoya Mohammed en tant que dernier messager à l’humanité tout entière.  Tous les messagers de Dieu, sans exception, ont prêché le message fondamental de l’islam, c’est-à-dire la soumission à la Loi de Dieu et Son adoration exclusive; mais Mohammed est le dernier messager à avoir été envoyé, avec le message complet et final destiné à demeurer le même, inchangé, jusqu’au Jour du Jugement.

5.      Quels sont les enseignements de l’islam?

Le fondement de la foi islamique est la croyance en l’unicité de Dieu (le monothéisme absolu).  Le musulman croit donc qu’il n’existe qu’un seul Créateur, qui administre l’univers tout entier, et que rien ni personne ne mérite d’être adoré en dehors de Lui.  Croire en l’unicité de Dieu signifie bien plus que de simplement croire en « un seul Dieu » – par opposition à deux, trois, quatre, etc.  Car il existe plus d’une religion qui prétend se fonder sur la croyance en  « un seul Dieu » et en l’existence d’un seul Créateur et Administrateur de l’univers; mais le véritable monothéisme est le fait de croire qu’un seul et unique Dieu mérite d’être adoré en conformité avec la révélation qu’Il a transmise à l’humanité par l’intermédiaire de Son messager.  L’islam rejette fermement l’appel à tout intermédiaire entre l’homme et Dieu et insiste sur l’obligation de ne s’adresser qu’à Dieu directement et de n’adorer que Lui, en toute exclusivité.  Les musulmans perçoivent Dieu comme un Être compatissant, aimant et miséricordieux.

Une fausse idée répandue veut qu’il soit impossible, pour Dieu, de pardonner directement les péchés de Ses créatures.  En insistant constamment sur le fardeau des péchés et sur le châtiment qu’encourt la personne qui les commet, les gens finissent pas désespérer de la miséricorde de Dieu.  Une fois convaincus qu’ils ne peuvent s’adresser à Dieu directement, ils se tournent vers de fausses divinités,  cherchant secours et refuge auprès d’elles.  Souvent, ceux qui adorent ou prient ces fausses divinités ou demandent intercession auprès d’elles affirment ne pas les considérer comme des divinités.  Ils prétendent ne croire qu’en un Dieu suprême, mais prier d’autres divinités dans l’unique but de se rapprocher de Lui.  En islam, il existe une distinction très claire entre le Créateur et les êtres ou les choses créés.  Il n’y a pas d’ambiguïté ni de mystère sur les questions de divinité : toute chose créée ne doit pas être adorée et seul Allah, le Créateur, mérite d’être adoré.  Certaines religions croient faussement que Dieu fait partie de Sa création

Les musulmans croient que Dieu est unique et qu’Il n’a ni associés ni intermédiaires, antagonistes ou descendance.  Il n’a jamais engendré et n’a jamais été engendré, ni de façon littérale ni métaphorique, physique ou métaphysique.  Il est absolument unique et éternel.  Il contrôle tout et Il est parfaitement capable d’accorder Son infinie miséricorde et Son pardon à qui Il veut.  C’est pourquoi Allah est aussi appelé le Tout-Puissant et le Tout-Miséricordieux.  Allah a créé l’univers pour l’homme et souhaite le meilleur pour les êtres humains.  Les musulmans voient dans l’univers de multiples signes de la puissance de création et de la bienveillance de Dieu.  La croyance en l’unicité d’Allah n’est pas qu’un simple concept métaphysique.  C’est une croyance dynamique qui influence la façon de voir et de concevoir l’humanité, la société et tous les aspects pratiques de la vie.  Et comme croyance logique découlant de la croyance en l’unicité de Dieu, il y a le fait de croire en l’unicité de l’humanité.

6.      Qu’est-ce que le Coran?

Le Coran est la dernière révélation d’Allah à l’humanité, qu’Il a révélée au prophète Mohammed, en langue arabe, par l’intermédiaire de l’archange Gabriel.  Il fut ensuite transmis aux compagnons du Prophète (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui), qui le mémorisèrent et le compilèrent méticuleusement par écrit.  Le Coran a été mémorisé et récité par de très nombreux musulmans depuis sa révélation.  Bref, le Coran est le Livre que Dieu a révélé à l’humanité afin qu’elle soit bien guidée et qu’elle atteigne au salut.

De nos jours, le Coran est encore mémorisé et appris par des millions de musulmans.  La langue du Coran, l’arabe, est une langue bien vivante, utilisée par des millions de personnes.  Contrairement aux écritures de certaines autres religions, le Coran est toujours lu dans sa langue originale.  Le Coran constitue un véritable miracle en lui-même; il est connu pour être inimitable dans son style, sa forme et son impact spirituel, de même qu’au niveau du savoir unique qu’il contient.  Il fut révélé au prophète Mohammed en plusieurs épisodes de révélation étalés sur une période de 23 ans.  À l’opposé de plusieurs autres livres religieux, les musulmans ont de tout temps cru que le Coran était la parole exacte de Dieu.  À l’époque de sa révélation, il était récité publiquement tant devant les musulmans que devant les non-musulmans et il fut entièrement mis par écrit du vivant du Prophète (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui).  Le Coran a toujours été accessible à tous et n’a jamais été réservé à une élite; il a toujours été présenté comme la parole de Dieu et, grâce à sa mémorisation par de très nombreux musulmans, il a été parfaitement préservé.

Aucune partie du Coran n’a jamais été altérée ni décrétée par un quelconque concile religieux.  Le Coran est une écriture universelle qui s’adresse à toute l’humanité et non à une nation particulière ni à un « peuple élu ».  Il n’a pas apporté un message nouveau; son message est le même que celui qui fut transmis par tous les prophètes l’ayant précédé, i.e. la soumission au Dieu unique et Son adoration exclusive, l’encouragement à suivre l’exemple des prophètes afin d’obtenir le succès en cette vie et le salut dans l’au-delà.  La révélation d’Allah, dans le Coran, se concentre d’abord sur l’importance, pour les hommes, de croire en l’unicité de Dieu et de bâtir leur vie sur le mode de vie qu’Il leur a révélé et qui se traduit par la Loi islamique.  Le Coran contient également les histoires des grands prophètes comme Noé, Abraham, Moïse et Jésus (que la paix soit sur eux tous), de même que divers commandements et interdictions.  À notre époque où tant de gens sont en proie au doute, au désespoir spirituel et à l’isolement social, les enseignements du Coran apportent diverses solutions au vide de nos vies, à l’agitation sociale et au désarroi de bien des gens.

7.      Comment les musulmans perçoivent-ils la nature de l’homme, l’objectif de la vie sur terre et la vie dans l’au-delà?

Dans le Coran, Allah enseigne aux hommes qu’ils ont été créés pour L’adorer et que le fondement de toute adoration sincère est la conscience de Dieu.  Toutes les créatures d’Allah L’adorent de façon innée et spontanée et seuls les êtres humains possèdent la liberté de L’adorer ou de Le rejeter et de nier Son existence.  C’est là un grand test, pour l’homme, mais aussi un grand honneur.  Comme les enseignements de l’islam englobent tous les aspects de la vie, la conscience de Dieu est encouragée dans toutes les sphères du quotidien.  En islam, toutes nos actions sont considérées comme des actes d’adoration si elles sont faites dans l’unique but de plaire à Dieu et en conformité avec Ses écritures et Sa loi divine.  C’est ainsi que l’adoration ne se limite pas aux rituels religieux et, pour cette raison, l’islam est plus considéré comme un mode de vie que comme une religion.  Les enseignements de l’islam sont une miséricorde et ont un effet salutaire sur l’âme humaine et des qualités telles que l’humilité, la sincérité, la patience et la charité sont fortement encouragées.  De plus, l’islam condamne fermement l’arrogance et la suffisance puisque Dieu est le seul juge de la vertu d’une personne.

La vision islamique de la nature humaine est réaliste et équilibrée en ce sens que l’islam ne conçoit pas l’être humain comme pécheur de nature, mais autant capable de faire le bien que de commettre le mal.  L’être humain possède donc un libre-arbitre.  L’islam enseigne que la foi et les actions vont de pair; Dieu a donné à chacun une liberté de décision et la mesure de la foi de chacun passe par son comportement et ses actions.  Mais comme les êtres humains ont aussi été créés faibles et susceptibles de commettre des péchés, ils ont besoin d’être guidés et d’avoir régulièrement recours au repentir, ce qui constitue une des nombreuses formes d’adoration appréciées par Dieu.  La nature de l’être humain, créée par Dieu, dans Sa majesté et Sa sagesse, n’est pas corrompue et ne nécessite pas d’être « redressée ».  La voie du repentir est toujours ouverte à tous.  Dieu savait parfaitement que les hommes allaient commettre des erreurs; le véritable test consiste donc à voir s’ils se repentent de leurs péchés et tentent d’éviter de les commettre à nouveau ou s’ils préfèrent mener une vie insouciante et pécher à profusion, tout en sachant très bien à quel point cette voie déplaît à Dieu.  Le véritable équilibre d’une vie islamique s’atteint en éprouvant une crainte raisonnable du châtiment de Dieu, de même qu’en croyant sincèrement qu’Allah, dans Sa miséricorde infinie, aime rétribuer les bonnes actions et l’adoration sincère.  Une vie d’où est absente la crainte d’Allah mène tout droit au péché et à la désobéissance, tandis que croire que nous avons tellement péché que Dieu ne peut nous pardonner toutes nos fautes mène directement au désespoir.  L’islam enseigne donc que seuls ceux qui sont mal guidés désespèrent de la miséricorde de leur Seigneur et que seuls les criminels et pécheurs endurcis n’éprouvent aucune crainte de Dieu, leur Créateur et Juge.  Le Coran, tel que révélé au prophète Mohammed (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui), contient aussi de nombreux enseignements sur l’au-delà et sur le Jour du Jugement.

Selon l’islam, chaque être humain sera un jour jugé par Allah, le Souverain et Juge absolu, pour ses croyances et pour les actions qu’il aura faites au cours de son séjour sur terre.  En les jugeant, Allah sera très juste, en ne châtiant que ceux qui sont réellement coupables et qui ne se sont jamais repentis, et absolument miséricordieux envers ceux qui, selon Lui, méritent tout à fait d’être traités de façon clémente.  Nul ne sera jamais jugé pour ce qu’il ne pouvait faire parce qu’au-delà de ses capacités ou pour ce qu’il n’a tout simplement pas fait.  L’islam enseigne que la vie sur terre est une épreuve d’Allah, le Créateur et le très Sage, et que chaque être humain sera tenu responsable de ses actions et devra en rendre compte à son Créateur.  La croyance en l’au-delà est la clef qui mène à une vie exemplaire et parfaitement équilibrée.  Sans cette croyance, la vie est perçue comme une fin en elle-même, ce qui rend les gens plus égoïstes, matérialistes et immoraux dans leur poursuite aveugle des plaisirs de ce monde au détriment de la raison et de l’éthique.