2 verses from the Final Testament to Ponder::4. The People of the Scripture did not begin disputes among themselves until after proof had been shown them.*
5. All that was asked of them was simple: to adore with a pure heart the God of Truth, to draw near to Him in sincere prayer, and to serve fellow creatures in charity and care. To do all else is a fall from grace. (Quran: Chapter 98 – The Clear Proof)
* People of the Scripture is a term to mention Jews and Christians. Jesus Christ Himself is the clear proof for the Jews, yet they rejected him. Muhammad is the clear proof for all mankind including Jews and Christians. But, following the same book, Old Testament, Jews and Christians began dispute and both deviated from the true path.
Jews totally rejected and denounced the Messiah, whereas Christian mistakenly took Messiah as God. See John 20: 17 where Jesus says, I’m returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Jesus never claimed to be God, mostly he used the title, ‘Son of Man’ as well as ‘Son of God’ - which applies to every person from Adam…but later to compromise with Pagan Roman religion, divinity was applied to Christ which is a direct contradiction of divine teachings of all ages.
Thus, Islam finally teaches that one should neither be excessive in hatred like the Jews, who denounced a prophet of God, nor excessive in love like the Christians who took a prophet as God. And one should keep to the middle path, the right course in deeds.
In the next verse (5) it is reminded what was the exact commandment to mankind and it is boldly stated what is grace of God. Peace and blessings of God be be with Jesus and Muhammad.
Tag: Islam, Christianity, Religion. // Quranic Translation Reference. // Image: Biblical Scripture Painting.
Thanks for the link, my friend. I agree with most of your post, except:
ReplyDelete"Jews and Christians began dispute and both deviated from the true path." I'm wondering if you can see that Muslims, also have "deviated from the true path". That of course is what assaults the consciousness of us all at this time.
I doubt anyone would dispute that all of us have deviated the from the true path. I sure know that I have.
ReplyDeleteBeloved Larry,
ReplyDeleteThanks for ur comment. Yes you are very much true that Muslims (meaning those who submit to God) have also deviated from the true path.
I appreciate to remind me that. I will surely comeback to post something on Muslim's deviation from the true path.
What i meant by deviation is mainly 'Basic theological' ideas which people changed over the years. I mean, that thing didn't happen to Muslims. For example we didn't made Muhammad, the prophet as equal as God. Muhammad has always been an humble human being, a messenger of God.
Mainly that kind of deviation i meant.
Thank you for sending me the link to this article sadiq.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
There are many references in the New Testament that inidicate that Jesus might have been 'God'. The quote you included is one such statement that indicates the Jesus might have not have been 'God'. When i say, 'God', i mean it in the Christian understanding of it as one of the 3 parts that 'God' is supposed to comprise, i.e. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, which is known to the Catholics as 'The Holy Trinity'.
I however choose to focus on the ideas and directives of all persons sent by God, whether they be 'Prophets' or a 'Son of God'. Whatever the argument, what's most important is not whom they were but what they said. The truth is intrinsic to Truth and extrinsic to the conveyor of the Truth.
Arguments if Christ was a prophet or a 'God' just serves to detract us from listening and considering how they may be applied to life.
Personally, i believe that all four major religions are different pieces of a puzzle which, when placed together, will reveal what might approximate to the Ultimate Truth. This i see as a divine attempt to teach humans how to come together and realise that coming together itself is that which would enable us to ascend closer to the God who, even now, sits and patiently awaits.
p.s. the adherents of all religions have not 'deviated from the true path' - they've yet to understand the directions.
ReplyDeleteOM
Beloved Inquisitor,
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the following lines, "Personally, i believe that all four major religions are different pieces of a puzzle which, when placed together, will reveal what might approximate to the Ultimate Truth. This i see as a divine attempt to teach humans how to come together and realise that coming together itself is that which would enable us to ascend closer to the God"
.. that was a beautiful piece of thought.
Many of the true followers just immediate to the Messenger really understood and followed the path. You can read the 4 truly guided Caliphs and their life to really understand how a life can be lean on earth. The true Caliphs were, Abu Bakr, Omar, Osman and Ali. At their time of governing the location really became an heaven on earth.
But later on corruption in teaching and life really moved us away from all the teachings.
Thank you for the suggestion Sadiq. I am currently compiling information, including the Quran, to conduct just such a study. I am aware of the 'Kalifat rasul-Allah' and the following 3 'amirs' and am searching for their views on Islam.
ReplyDeleteJust to share.
In brief, i believe that Hinduism, excluding its brahminical and self-aggrandising exclusivity, contributed the idea of 'good' and 'evil' along with the idea of the Brahman or the all-encompassing and incomprehensible, in its entirety, God'. Buddhism focused on divorcing oneself from temptations and appreciating the intrinsic value of things in themselves. Christianity emphasised selfless love. Islam completed the story by realising these ideals in society via the marriage of state and mosque as the politicisation of religion is the only way to its realisation since humanity, due to his societal condition, is necessarily a political being. Religion is supposed to moralise. The state is supposed to practically realise. I view this as a formula handed down and which has to be practiced in the stated order which coincides with its appearance in human history. Whilst Islam contains many other elements, the marriage of state and mosque is that which makes it distinct from the 'other' faiths.
Now we have to attempt implementation. That is the difficult and most interesting part.
But we have yet to understand and appreciate the significance of the messages in these faiths and this has to be done dynamically with our attempt to realise God's kingdom on earth. I have yet to achieve the wisdom necessary to suggest how this may be effected and doubt i ever will. It has to be a concerted effort.
Best Regards
Beloved Inquisitor,
ReplyDeleteYou said it man !! Those were very well thought comment which deserve a lot of thought from my part and others before i can discuss it.
I also read more as well. I liked the way u saw the parts of the puzzle and realized that how every religion is contributing to human race.
One thing, there were 4 amir or leader, not 3. They are called rightly guided Caliphs. And also numerous companions of prophet are real examples. Its sad that companions of Jesus Christ really betrayed him and didn't stand up to the standard in faith, which Jesus deserved.
But Muhammad was blessed by his highly faithful companions whose faith was so high on God and His messenger that they sacrificed everything for Religion and God and humanity. Reading about the Companions of Muhammad could be very inspiring to any one.
I will post some links on them, God willing, soon. U can search for yourselves as well. better can buy book since its not easy to read from online. I'm sure any Islamic Bookstore or Information Center or Mosque near your town can provide such materials, even some for free.
God bless us all. Amen !
God willing, I will comeback to your valuable comment later on with more thoughts.