By: Maged Taman
A lot of Muslims/Arab and even foreigners understands well the compelling reasons for his terrible terrorist attacks of 9/11 (more recently it is being thought as an internal job). Even the American administration acknowledge that and talked about the hopelessness and severe oppression and poverty as causes for terrorism. They admitted as well their unconditioned and unjustified support to many of the Arab regimes.
The words are good but actions are what count for. As Muslims/Arabs we have always to keep open door that actions may come at sometime. As one Muslim politician Mawya said " If there is a thread of hair between me and the other people I would never cut it off". Ben Ladin may be still be a hero to many Muslims and Arabs. However, he did not attract the moderates who are the greatest bulk and the most able so less brave to move masses.
The animalistic styles of killing Muslims and non-Muslims and the failure to talk politics harmed well their cause. Though other alternatives are very difficult to do, like a revolution, though we have no alternatives but to do it. When the Arab streets are full of protestors America would have no alternative but to stand with the masses against the tyrants. Moderate Muslims are to be better organized and form a new front against all the terrorists/Jihadists, Arab dictators and American hypocrisy.
The problem is they think they can work through the American government. The trick is the American government main task is to fight the terrorists so they need the Arab tyrants for a number of years. Thus only revolutions, peaceful ones will drag America to support the masses even if they to hide the tyrants somewhere.
The main wealth of the Muslim is the oil which used to finance Iraqi-Iranian war, Gulf war one and the western economies and not used to invest in Arab and Muslim countries. The minister of the Saudi foreign affairs talked about the poverty saying the famous ward of Imam Ali " If the poverty was a man I would have killed him". I do not know why he did not kill him in the past 20 years when he was a minister and continues to do so.
The Arab and Muslim moderates would need to gather masses around them and use all resources particularly the media. They need a kind of a leader that can gather them. If there is no Mahdi they have to make one, say a geopolitical leader or a group of elite that best represent them.
They have to accept Israel as first goal. Let us close the theater that the Arab leaders hides behind. Thousands of Muslims killed in Sudan and no much talk in the media about them. They caused us to be desensitized to any problem but the Arab/Israel struggle. Religiously it is also their land and with the Palestinian they have to work things out. We need our main goals to get rid of the tyrants and create democratic prosperous societies enjoying the mainstream Islam which is very moderate. I do not care if the Muslim world will look like an Empire or as prosperous and loosely connected states. All I care is we get the best of Islam to the advantage of Muslims and non-Muslims.
We have to deal with America prudently even the Europeans do that. There are a lot of Christians and Jews all over the world that understand well our problems and ready to open the dialogue. Let us push them in the Arab media let us liberate America from the imperialism and selfishness to be a great moral world power. We have to win politically the major powers as China, EU and Russia. All powers in the world would appreciate a non hostile, moderate and civilized group of Islamic states that would adapt the humanistic cooperative approach to all problems with open dialogue, no secrecy or imperialism.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
The Simple Life of Muhammad
If we compare the life of Muhammad before his mission as a prophet and his life after he began his mission as a prophet, we will conclude that it is beyond reason to think that Muhammad was a false prophet, who claimed prophethood to attain material gains, greatness, glory, or power.Before his mission as a prophet, Muhammad had no financial worries. As a successful and reputed merchant, Muhammad drew a satisfactory and comfortable income. After his mission as a prophet and because of it, he became worse off materially. To clarify this more, let us browse the following sayings on his life:n Aa’isha, Muhammad’s wife, said, “O my nephew, we would sight three new moons in two months without lighting a fire (to cook a meal) in the Prophet’s houses.” Her nephew asked, “O Aunt, what sustained you?” She said, “The two black things, dates and water, but the Prophet had some Ansar neighbors who had milk-giving she-camels and they used to send the Prophet some of its milk.”1n Sahl Ibn Sa’ad, one of Muhammad’s companions, said, “The Prophet of God did not see bread made from fine flour from the time God sent him (as a prophet) until he died.”2n Aa’isha, Muhammad’s wife, said, “The mattress of the Prophet , on which he slept, was made of leather stuffed with the fiber of the date-palm tree.”3n Amr Ibn Al-Hareth, one of Muhammad’s companions, said that when the Prophet died, he left neither money nor anything else except his white riding mule, his arms, and a piece of land which he left to charity.4 Muhammad lived this hard life till he died although the Muslim treasury was at his disposal, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula was Muslim before he died, and the Muslims were victorious after eighteen years of his mission.Is it possible that Muhammad might have claimed prophethood in order to attain status, greatness, and power? The desire to enjoy status and power is usually associated with good food, fancy clothing, monumental palaces, colorful guards, and indisputable authority. Do any of these indicators apply to Muhammad ? A few glimpses of his life that may help answer this question follow.Despite his responsibilities as a prophet, a teacher, a statesman, and a judge, Muhammad used to milk his goat,5 mend his clothes, repair his shoes,6 help with the household work,7 and visit poor people when they got sick.8 He also helped his companions in digging a trench by moving sand with them.9 His life was an amazing model of simplicity and humbleness.Muhammad’s followers loved him, respected him, and trusted him to an amazing extent. Yet he continued to emphasize that deification should be directed to God and not to him personally. Anas, one of Muhammad’s companions, said that there was no person whom they loved more than the Prophet Muhammad , yet when he came to them, they did not stand up for him because he hated their standing up for him,10 as other people do with their great people.Long before there was any prospect of success for Islam and at the outset of a long and painful era of torture, suffering, and persecution of Muhammad and his followers, he received an interesting offer. An envoy of the pagan leaders, Otba, came to him saying, “...If you want money, we will collect enough money for you so that you will be the richest one of us. If you want leadership, we will take you as our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will crown you king over us...” Only one concession was required from Muhammad in return for that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshipping God alone without any partner. Wouldn’t this offer be tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit? Was Muhammad hesitant when the offer was made? Did he turn it down as a bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was his answer: {In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful} And he recited to Otba the verses of the Quran 41:1-38.11 The Following are some of these verses:A revelation from (God), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Quran in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most of them turn away, so they do not listen. (Quran, 41:2-4)On another occasion and in response to his uncle’s plea to stop calling people to Islam, Muhammad’s answer was as decisive and sincere: {I swear by the name of God, O Uncle!, that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either God makes it triumph or I perish defending it.}12Muhammad and his few followers did not only suffer from persecution for thirteen years but the unbelievers even tried to kill Muhammad several times. On one occasion they attempted to kill him by dropping a large boulder, which could barely be lifted, on his head.13 Another time they tried to kill him by poisoning his food.14 What could justify such a life of suffering and sacrifice even after he was fully triumphant over his adversaries? What could explain the humbleness and nobility which he demonstrated in his most glorious moments when he insisted that success is due only to God’s help and not to his own genius? Are these the characteristics of a power-hungry or a self-centered man?Next: The Phenomenal Growth of Islam_____________________________Footnotes:(1) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2972, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2567. (2) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #5413, and Al-Tirmizi, #2364. (3) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2082, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6456. (4) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2739, and Mosnad Ahmad, #17990. (5) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #25662. (6) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #676, and Mosnad Ahmad, #25517. (7) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #676, and Mosnad Ahmad, #23706. (8) Narrated in Mowatta’ Malek, #531. (9) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3034, and Saheeh Muslim, #1803, and Mosnad Ahmad, #18017. (10) Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #12117, and Al-Tirmizi, #2754. (11) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 293-294. (12) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 265-266. (13) Al-Serah Al-Nabaweyyah, Ibn Hesham, vol. 1, pp. 298-299. (14) Narrated in Al-Daremey, #68, and Abu-Dawood, #4510. From www.islam-guide.com
3) Biblical Prophecies on the Advent of Prophet Muhammad.
The Biblical prophecies on the advent of the Prophet Muhammad are evidence of the truth of Islam for people who believe in the Bible.In Deuteronomy 18, Moses stated that God told him: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).1From these verses we conclude that the prophet in this prophecy must have the following three characteristics:1) That he will be like Moses.2) That he will come from the brothers of the Israelites, i.e. the Ishmaelites.3) That God will put His words in to the mouth of this prophet and that he will declare what God commands him.Let us examine these three characteristics in more depth:1) A prophet like Moses:There were hardly any two prophets who were so much alike as Moses and Muhammad . Both were given a comprehensive law and code of life. Both encountered their enemies and were victorious in miraculous ways. Both were accepted as prophets and statesmen. Both migrated following conspiracies to assassinate them. Analogies between Moses and Jesus overlook not only the above similarities but other crucial ones as well. These include the natural birth, the family life, and death of Moses and Muhammad but not of Jesus. Moreover Jesus was regarded by his followers as the Son of God and not exclusively as a prophet of God, as Moses and Muhammad were and as Muslims believe Jesus was. So, this prophecy refers to the Prophet Muhammad and not to Jesus, because Muhammad is more like Moses than Jesus.Also, one notices from the Gospel of John that the Jews were waiting for the fulfillment of three distinct prophecies. The first was the coming of Christ. The second was the coming of Elijah. The third was the coming of the Prophet. This is obvious from the three questions that were posed to John the Baptist: “Now this was John’s testimony, when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” (John 1:19-21). If we look in a Bible with cross-references, we will find in the marginal notes where the words “the Prophet” occur in John 1:21, that these words refer to the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 and 18:18.2 We conclude from this that Jesus Christ is not the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:18.2) From the brothers of the Israelites:Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 21). Ishmael became the grandfather of the Arab nation, and Isaac became the grandfather of the Jewish nation. The prophet spoken of was not to come from among the Jews themselves, but from among their brothers, i.e. the Ishmaelites. Muhammad , a descendant of Ishmael, is indeed this prophet.Also, Isaiah 42:1-13 speaks of the servant of God, His “chosen one” and “messenger” who will bring down a law. “He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:4). Verse 11, connects that awaited one with the descendants of Kedar. Who is Kedar? According to Genesis 25:13, Kedar was the second son of Ishmael, the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad .3) God will put His words in the mouth of this prophet:The words of God (the Holy Quran) were truly put into Muhammad’s mouth. God sent the Angel Gabriel to teach Muhammad the exact words of God (the Holy Quran) and asked him to dictate them to the people as he heard them. The words are therefore not his own. They did not come from his own thoughts, but were put into his mouth by the Angel Gabriel. During the life time of Muhammad , and under his supervision, these words were then memorized and written by his companions.Also, this prophecy in Deuteronomy mentioned that this prophet will speak the words of God in the name of God. If we looked to the Holy Quran, we will find that all its chapters, except Chapter 9, are preceded or begin with the phrase, “In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”Another indication (other than the prophecy in Deuteronomy) is that Isaiah ties the messenger connected with Kedar with a new song (a scripture in a new language) to be sung to the Lord (Isaiah 42:10-11). This is mentioned more clearly in the prophecy of Isaiah: “and another tongue, will he speak to this people” (Isaiah 28:11 KJV). Another related point, is that the Quran was revealed in sections over a span of twenty-three years. It is interesting to compare this with Isaiah 28 which speaks of the same thing, “For it is: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there.” (Isaiah 28:10).Note that God has said in the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18, “If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.” (Deuteronomy, 18:19). This means that whoever believes in the Bible must believe in what this prophet says, and this prophet is the Prophet Muhammad .Next: The Verses in the Quran That Mention Future Events Which Later Came to Pass_____________________________Footnotes:(1) All of the verses on this page have been taken from The NIV Study Bible, New International Version, except where noted as being KJV which means King James Version. (2) See the marginal notes in The NIV Study Bible, New International Version on verse 1:21, p. 1594. From: www.islam-guide.com
Top Ten List According to Bible Rejecting Jesus’ Divinity!
By: Shahid Bin Waheed!1. Mark 12:29 Jesus said "Here, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." [This confirms that Jesus preached to worship One and Only God, not trinity.2. John 20:17 Jesus said I ascend to my God and your God. [Jesus has a God according to him; we know that God can’t have a God?]3. John 8:28 Jesus said, "I do nothing of myself” [Can a God be this dependant?]4. John 14:28 Jesus said, "My Father (GOD) is greater than I am" [So, how can Jesus himself be a God?]5. Luke 23:46 Jesus said "Father (GOD), into thy hands I commend my spirit" [God does not have spirit like Jesus did.]6. Matthew 24:36 Jesus told his followers that no one (including Jesus) knows when the judgment day will come, only GOD knows. [Or Jesus was lying to his followers, if he was God?]7. John 5:30 Jesus told his followers that he couldn’t do a single thing of his own. [When a God became this helpless?]8. John 5:32 Jesus told his followers that they have never seen GOD at anytime nor ever heard his voice. [Or Jesus was lying again here, if he was God?]9. Luke 5:16 Jesus prays to God. [Funny, if Jesus was God, then why he is praying to God? Since when and how a God has a God?10. Matthew 26:39 Jesus fell on his face and prayed to his GOD like Muslims do. [How would you explain this from the very Bible?
Freedom From All Oppression.
By: Maged Taman
Oppression is the worst abuse humans can suffer. For a lot of people death can be preferred over oppression. There are a lot of faces for oppression:1- Occupation.2- Tyrant regimes.3- Oppression against women.4- Oppression of minorities.5- Discrimination with all its forms: race, color, gender, sexuality...6- Poverty.7- Sins.8- Fear: second to tyranny, absence of health and long term security, sins...9- Insecurity: physical and sexual abuse, violent societies, absence of health and long term security...10- Debts.11- Religious oppression to people with different faith or no faith.As you see to liberate the human mind and spirit there are a lot of things that need to be done. The UN and world leaders both political and religious have to work it out to liberate the human soul and mind. This can be done with a lot of politics and not wars. There is no absolute evil and good. Many times people against us are not our enemies but the other side. If every one is to be fair and put his foot on other person shoe we will have a lot of understanding and we can change the world. People who follow prophecies think the world will change only through the tribulation that God will inflict on humans. I do not know, I keep reading prophecies, meanwhile we have to use the sound politics and judgment to change the world. Prophecies ultimately reflects our judgments and actions.
Oppression is the worst abuse humans can suffer. For a lot of people death can be preferred over oppression. There are a lot of faces for oppression:1- Occupation.2- Tyrant regimes.3- Oppression against women.4- Oppression of minorities.5- Discrimination with all its forms: race, color, gender, sexuality...6- Poverty.7- Sins.8- Fear: second to tyranny, absence of health and long term security, sins...9- Insecurity: physical and sexual abuse, violent societies, absence of health and long term security...10- Debts.11- Religious oppression to people with different faith or no faith.As you see to liberate the human mind and spirit there are a lot of things that need to be done. The UN and world leaders both political and religious have to work it out to liberate the human soul and mind. This can be done with a lot of politics and not wars. There is no absolute evil and good. Many times people against us are not our enemies but the other side. If every one is to be fair and put his foot on other person shoe we will have a lot of understanding and we can change the world. People who follow prophecies think the world will change only through the tribulation that God will inflict on humans. I do not know, I keep reading prophecies, meanwhile we have to use the sound politics and judgment to change the world. Prophecies ultimately reflects our judgments and actions.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
The Failure Of The Western Civilization.
The western civilization has failed to provide to the human progress and soul. Though there is materilaistic progress it is in the same time become dangerous to humans. These are my points:1- It is build on materialism.2- It does not have sincerity.3- It is artifical looks to the exterior.4- It glorifies and worship figures in the community and then turn against them.5- It is restless since the value is in the material which is never steady.6- It is built on greed.7- It says to you it is O.K to do it if no one can see you regardless of your position.8- It creates a culture of corruption.9- It creates sinful people then trash them unlike Islam which pull the hands of sinners and purify them.10- It blinds the people about any external abuse or even expolitation of other countries it if keeps the western people affluent and well to do.11- It creates wars and support the military industerial complex.12- Same inventions it creates are the same that extrminate humans as the war machines and scandals with some medicines.13- The same legal system it provides is the same that is strangulating the socities since laws comes before morals. It make people enemies and deceive one another.14- The fear of western civilization of Islam is not because of terrorism but because it would not tolerate an anti-corruption religion.15- It bended Christianity to agree with the heartless corrupted civilization and did not use Christianity to correct it.Muslims are not waiting for the collpse of the western civilization but wants to revive it. It still have many good things though it started to loose it like opened honest governments and supporting human rights in other continents
Muslims Are Coming.
We Muslims frankly want to convert the world to Islam because of the good Islam has to humanity. Any other faith has the right to do the same. It is like the free market it is competing of ideas. We have the internet and the mass media and millions of blogs. All of these help the debate and sharpen ideas. It creates consensus that when all facts are available and through unbiased discussions people will meet at a point or at least will get close enough to the truth. As Muslims we would like to convert the Muslims first to Islam that the west unfairly denied us this right by supporting the rotten and immoral Arab regimes. Who are in fact if we talk Christianity are the most antichrist regimes in the world. We do not want the world to convert to extreme or militant Islam that the west created by leaving an empty vacuum to them. We want moderate Islam we want to spread the teachings and gospel of Jesus as we Muslims got it right. Muslims are coming not by invading or forcing others to convert to Islam. Islam believes in Muslims who come to Islam willingly with convinced minds and searching hearts. Muslims will not invade America but Americans will explore Islam. It is not a clash of civilizations but it is a debate of civilizations. Why Muslims are coming:1- Islam is real.2- Islam believes in reasoning. Even after you convert to Islam very willingly you use reason for almost every thing.3- Islam is for every one interest: the universal and humane values.4- Islam spreads morality.5- Islam protects you personally with diminish of crimes, social problems.6- Islam is an open door to every one.7- Islam is tolerant to every one.8- Islam encourages honesty which is the best medium of exchange to all of us.9- Islam acknowledges human weakness and pulls the hand of sinner.10- Islam is a peaceful religion. Militant Muslims is a rare phenomena second to the ruthless oppression.11- Islam has great momentum it moves people towards great causes.12- Islam is dynamic: no one is certain of going to heaven or desperate that he will go to hell. Muslim is realistically optimistic. No one faith is 100% all the times we all struggle to be more believers. We are there when we pray and do the good deeds otherwise our hearts get rusty.13- Islam has no one between you and God. You are special to him and more so as you get closer to him.14- Islam looks at hearts and God in Islam is the God of hearts.15- Islam is against wars but evil would not leave the good in peace as happened with the early Christians and Jews. Wars abused by all people from different religions and backgrounds.16- Islam fights poverty which brings a lot of evil with it.Muslims are coming not by invading but by debating. They are not coming form outside but from within the west. They will not come falling from trees but by growing from the land. They are not coming for any purpose except for God and the Islamic values. They are bringing Islam to the west since the west oppressed Islam in its countries and doing a little to help out. Islam comes to the west because the leaders of the west are civilized and knows the importance of liberty.
Jesus Is A Great Prophet.
Son of God is a figure of speech which many other Prophets were labeled as for example; in the King James Version of the Bible
(Psalms 2:7) David is the begotten Son of God.
Many others in the Bible are called God's son;
Jacob God's firstborn son (Exodus 4:22)
Solomon is God's son (2 Samuel 7:13-14)
Ephraim is God's firstborn son (Jeremiah 31:9)
Adam is the son of God (Luke 3:38)
Other Prophets Preformed similar Miracles as Jesus ;
Ezekiel raised many from the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-9)
Joshua stopped the sun and moon for one whole day (Joshua 10:12-13)
Elisha raised the dead, resurrected himself, healed a leper, fed a hundred people with twenty barley loaves and a few ears of corn, and healed a blind man: (2 Kings 4:35, 13:21, 5:14, 4:44, and 6:11.)
Elijah raised the dead (1 Kings 17:22 and 14.)
Other Prophets were filled with the Holy Ghost;
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:67)
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:41)
Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:8)
Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:9)
Many other Prophets were called Lord for example;
Abraham (Genesis 18:12)
Esau (Genesis 32:4)
Joseph (Genesis 44:20)
David (1 Samuel 25:24)
Jesus taught Salvation comes from Submitting your will to God and Faith as Muslims do .
(Matthew 7:21-23) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
(Psalms 2:7) David is the begotten Son of God.
Many others in the Bible are called God's son;
Jacob God's firstborn son (Exodus 4:22)
Solomon is God's son (2 Samuel 7:13-14)
Ephraim is God's firstborn son (Jeremiah 31:9)
Adam is the son of God (Luke 3:38)
Other Prophets Preformed similar Miracles as Jesus ;
Ezekiel raised many from the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-9)
Joshua stopped the sun and moon for one whole day (Joshua 10:12-13)
Elisha raised the dead, resurrected himself, healed a leper, fed a hundred people with twenty barley loaves and a few ears of corn, and healed a blind man: (2 Kings 4:35, 13:21, 5:14, 4:44, and 6:11.)
Elijah raised the dead (1 Kings 17:22 and 14.)
Other Prophets were filled with the Holy Ghost;
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:67)
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:41)
Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 4:8)
Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:9)
Many other Prophets were called Lord for example;
Abraham (Genesis 18:12)
Esau (Genesis 32:4)
Joseph (Genesis 44:20)
David (1 Samuel 25:24)
Jesus taught Salvation comes from Submitting your will to God and Faith as Muslims do .
(Matthew 7:21-23) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Why Allah Can Not Be God?
Quran is supposed to be an important message for humanity, right. If Quran was an important message to humanity from a real God, its Creator would have made SURE that the message would not be taken in a wrong way. The day is coming when more and more people are hating Islam. Assuming that Quran was from God, it is unfortunate to be born in such an era, where this important message of God is being hated so much.
Would the real creator (if he exists) allow any of His dear creation to be born in a place where His message was being hated so much, and thus not receive the message in the correct context? Ofcourse not.
The message of a Real God to his creation, would be very important and there would be NO one who would be able to tarnish the clean image of his message.
We have sane people finding faults with Quran and talking about using it as toilet paper. Would a real God allow this to happen to his message?
Would the real creator (if he exists) allow any of His dear creation to be born in a place where His message was being hated so much, and thus not receive the message in the correct context? Ofcourse not.
The message of a Real God to his creation, would be very important and there would be NO one who would be able to tarnish the clean image of his message.
We have sane people finding faults with Quran and talking about using it as toilet paper. Would a real God allow this to happen to his message?
Not if he thought his message was important!
God wants to test us? For what? Are we the guineu pigs of the Universe? No, we're not! God doesnt even have any rights on us!
e) God would never declare his previous messages to be false, and only the latest one(Islam) to be true.
A real God would NEVER say this:
"And if any believe not in Allah and His Messenger, We have prepared, for those who reject Allah, a Blazing Fire!" -Quran 48:13
This verse is clearly talking about Islam and not just any Messenger or religion. There is another verse which says that "no religion will be accepted of man except Islam". (3:85).
f) A real God would not violate our rights.
Besides the above reasons, there is another logical explanation of why Allah cannot be a God.
Allah is a God who becomes offended if you abuse or disobey him. What kind of weak God is that?
Here is an explanation, of why:
1) God cannot be offended when man abuses him. 2) Allah cannot be a true god. I will present two approaches to prove this. First, I will prove by logical reasoning that Allah cannot be a God. Then, I will present an analogy to support my claim further.
2) Logical Reasoning
God is supposed to be an infinitely powerful being. It is not possible to have any power or influence over an infinitely powerful being. It is not possible to effect God in any way.
I cannot make God angry, niether can I make him happy. If I could make God happy or angry, it would mean that I have some control over God's emotions. Thus, I would have some control over God. But such a God, whose emotions (anger) I can control, cannot be a God. When even a billion blackholes, which have the power to bend light, due to enormous gravitational attraction, cannot effect God, then can I, a 65 Kg man, effect God in any way? No.Now, let us study Allah, the God of Muslims. A muslim is told to worship Allah and praise him. Allah created man to worship him (Q:51.56). We know that Allah will punish all those who dont beleive in him Quran 48.13 "And if any believe not in Allah and His Messenger, We have prepared, for those who reject Allah, a Blazing Fire!" Thus, if Allah will punish anyone who does'nt beleive in him, he will also punish anyone who abuses him. But if Allah punishes anyone who abuses him, it means that Allah is offended when a human abuses him. This means that a human being can offend Allah, by either disobeying his orders, or abusing him. If a human can offend Allah, it means that the human being has control over Allah's emotions. A human being has control over Allah's anger and thus has partial control over Allah. But we know from our earlier discussion, that a being cannot be a God, if its emotions can be controlled by a human being.
Note: Abusing another human is a different matter, because a human can be effected by abuse, since she/he is not infinitely powerful, as God is. It makes sense to say that if God existed, he would provide justice to all those who were abused in any way, and would give punishment to those who abused the humans. BUT, God would not be angry at the criminals. The role of a good judge is to provide justice, without being effected by hate or anger, induced by the criminal. If Allah can become angry due to a human abusing him, the rule of Allah being the strongest entity is violated. Conclusion: Allah, the God of Muslims, can not be a God. Now I will present an analogy to make this explanation more clear.
Analogy
A guy whom we shall call 'X', is doing a study on social behaviors, decides to do an experiment. He wants to see the reaction of abuse on different types of people. He goes out on a street to meet people and chooses one guy whom he calls 'A'.
X says some verbal abuse and racial remarks to 'A'. But 'A' is a cool-headed guy and does not mind the abuse. Instead, he thinks to himself, that this guy must be insane. 'A' does not let his anger grow and just looks on to 'X' with amusement and raises his eyebrows and then ignores ‘X’, thinking its nothing to be serious about. X notes down the reaction of 'A' in his research journal and walks away to find another guy, whom he calls 'B'. Now, ‘B’ is a hot headed guy, who can become angry on the smallest of things. ‘X’ calls him some verbal abuse along with racial remarks. ‘B’'s anger shoots up very quickly and his blood begins to boil. He starts abusing ‘X’ in return, making even bigger and more vulgar abuse to ‘X’, telling him to '#$^@ off'. ‘B’ starts coming near ‘X’ and it looks like hes ready to punch X in the face. Before ‘B’ can do that, ‘X’ runs away for his life and disappears.
His study is complete. Which person, 'A' or 'B', has the greater character strength ? If you were to choose a leader for a group, who would you choose between 'A' and 'B' ? The vast majority of people would chose 'A' as the leader, who has more strong character, and has proven to be more resistant to attacks than ‘B’. Lets transfer this example to God’s. Suppose there are two God's.
One of them is God ‘B’, who is a sensitive God and for him, its easy to become angry when a human abuses him. So down on the planet, there is a man who abuses God B. God B becomes angry and he plans to punish the human for what he did. The God plans to burn the human and give him all sorts of pain when he dies. The other God, called God A, is cool-headed and when He sees a human being abuse Him, He doesn't mind, because his ego is not so sensitive as that of God B. God A loves humans unconditionally and infinitely. When He sees the human abuse Him, he thinks to himself that this human might be crazy and he forgives that human. He knows that abuse doesn't effect him. He still loves the human, and he knows that a human cannot harm Him in any way. When the human will die, he will see for himself, how loving God is.
So God A says to himself : “Nevermind, he's a human, my loved creation, it doesn’t matter to me if he believes in me or not. His belief or disbelief does not effect ME because I have infinite power over all things. I cannot be effected by even a million black holes, let alone a 65 kg 5’6” tall human, who will live only 70 years.” Which of the Gods, A or B, is more strong and loving ? Which of God do you think rules the universe?
A large majority of the people would choose God 'A', the one who is not affected by human abuse or love and loves his creation infinitely. If Allah is infinite in power, he is infinite in strength of personal character. If Allah can become angry due to a human abusing him, the rule of Allah being the strongest entity is violated.
Conclusion:
God, if exists, does not and cannot become angry when a human praises/abuses him. Thus, Allah, the god of Muslims, who can be offended by abuse, can NOT be a true god.
* * *
Abul Kasem
from Muslim Apostates site.
My Answer:
The best way to know God is through the scripture. In The Bible and Quran God identifies himself well to us. He is not isolated from us. If you believe the Adam and Eve story you have to understand he created man in his image and gave him his spirit. He has man as his favor creation. Man has the will unlike the good as angels and evils as demons to do either. The two big compenets of humans are his mentality and his spirtuality and both attest to the presence of a God. You have the right to beleive or disbelive the verse in Quran " who wish to beleive to belevie and who wish to disbelive to disbelive". God anger with those who did not beleive is great since he gave signs to all of us and as individuals. The latter like an answered prayer, a vision that came true or a hardship that he got us through it. It is an anger as that of two parents who raised a child and gave him his existance and provided for him and then he denied them. In the Quran you find God talks well in favour of those who acknowledged him and did the good deeds for him. Even outside the Bible and Quran people who created Gods to worship they expected them to get angry and happy. It is actually for humans quite considerate that God gets angry and happy. A rightous man who would do the good deeds and pray to God should enjoy feeling a God that has created the whole universe is taking him personally and feeling happy with him. A God who takes prophets like Abraham and Moses to be his freinds should be very joyful to humans. God anger is related to:
1- Denying or blesphaming him in anyway.
2- Disobeying his messages and his messangers.
3- Doing injustice and mischief in the world.
Even in Christinity which is a religion of love it is clear that there is heaven and blaze of fire and God gets angry for his laws. God is not a robot or UFO he is a real great being and the best to identify him is himself. Despite his anger he has a lot of compassion and in Islam God talked about himself saying "my compassion preceeded my justice". In the few times God put harsh judgments in humanity it occured particulaly to their injustices against him and against people.
If people hate Islam Jesus himself said to Christians " they will hate you because of me". The world anger and violence are not stemed from religions but abuse of religions and the widespread injustices. Even without a religion oppression and injustices led to violence as with the communism revolution. The supposingly most relegious state in the Arab world is the most corrupt regiem in the world even. The Saudi people do not know the whealth of the King and loyal family have and how they control the whealth of their country and how they are oppressing their people despite Islam being anti-oppressive religion and for honest government.
Abul Kasem should look to the other side of God which is full of compassion, forgiveness and gifts. Few years in earth and you win luxurious eternity. If we would be all nice and rightous we may not even find or discover the anger side of God. Even of the 99 names of God he names himself " has revange" and he did not say " the revengous". He revange to his message, messangers and laws but in most time he is patient enough waiting for us to come back to him. He is not an angry God but we know how well to provoke his anger.
Catholics and Muslims - The Rapprochement.
Catholics and Muslims - The Rapprochement. 5/6/2006 - Social Interfaith - Article Ref: IC0605-2988Number of comments: 2 By: Javeed AkhterIslamiCity* -
The outpouring of affection for John Paul II is unprecedented in Muslim history. Reminiscing at the first anniversary of John Paul II's death Scott Alexander, Associate Professor of Islam and director Catholic-Muslim Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, marveled at the outpouring of affection by Muslims as the news of the Pope's death spread. "It started out as a single phone call," he recalled "but soon grew into a flood: telephone call after telephone call from Muslim friends, colleagues, and associates from all over the United States." The proximate reasons for his popularity among Muslims, were his unfailing support for the rights of the Palestinian people, and his stand against the Iraq war. He earned a reputation in the Muslim world of a man of principle that stood for justice and peace. Appreciation of his persona came from all parts of the Muslim spectrum. The warm Catholic-Muslim relationship, however, antedates John Paul II's papacy and is not merely political but far more nuanced and complex. The Vatican's rapprochement with Islam started in Paul VI's papacy. Scholars attribute this to the influence of the distinguished French scholar of Islam, Louis Massignon, who was close to Pope Paul VI. Massignon was far more than an influential academic. Jerry Ryan in an article "The mystical vision of Louis Massignon: Islam inspired scholar's gratitude, life work and Christian faith" published in the National Catholic Reporter, Dec 17, 2004, details Massignon's relationship with Islam and Muslims. This relationship was deeply personal and marked his life in profound and dramatic ways.While being held as spy on a ship on the Tigris River Massignon had a vision, from a "Stranger without a Face", who took away everything he was and gave him everything he would become.As Braibanti points out in his monograph "The Nature and Structure of the Islamic world", as early as 1964, following the second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI declared in Ecclesiam Suam, "We do well to admire these people [of the Moslem religion] for all that is good and true in their worship of God." It was Paul VI's encyclical declaration, Nostra Aetate, proclaimed in 1965, which set forth this new relationship most clearly and fully: "They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth who also has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God's plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they worship Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further they await the Day of Judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead."John Paul II built on these ecumenical foundations and strengthened them. In his address at his visit to the Umayyad mosque in Syria in 2001, he said "It is important that Muslims and Christians continue to explore philosophical and theological questions together, in order to come to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each others' religious beliefs.Better mutual understanding will surely lead, at the practical level, to a new way of presenting our two religions, not in opposition, as has happened too often in the past, but in partnership for the good of the human family.""For all the times that Muslims and Christians have offended one another" he said "we need to seek forgiveness from the Almighty and to offer each other forgiveness." Some feel this was an implicit apology for the Crusades.This decidedly inclusive attitude, and a serious attempt at bridge building, stands in sharp contrast against the hostile attitude of some Christian Church leaders in the US, who in the post September the 11th environment, have called Islam an evil religion and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) an impostor and worse.The new Pope Benedictine XVI seems to be reaching out to Muslims and other traditions. "I am particularly grateful" said Pope Benedictine, "for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community," the International Herald Tribune reported on April 26th. History will remember John Paul II as a man of vision who believed in cooperation between faiths and traditions rather than in confrontation. The world will be better off if the Vatican continues to advance the ecumenism that John Paul II so deeply cherished and so assiduously nourished. Other faith communities could emulate his example. Massignon's metaphor of the "Stranger without a Face" has a different and less metaphysical significance in my mind. As we get to know each other, we learn from our rich traditions that enhance our mutual experience and deepen it. If, on the other hand, we fail to do so, we remain strangers without faces.
Javeed Akhter, a physician, is founding member of a Muslim American think tank the "International Strategy And Policy Institute."
The outpouring of affection for John Paul II is unprecedented in Muslim history. Reminiscing at the first anniversary of John Paul II's death Scott Alexander, Associate Professor of Islam and director Catholic-Muslim Studies at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, marveled at the outpouring of affection by Muslims as the news of the Pope's death spread. "It started out as a single phone call," he recalled "but soon grew into a flood: telephone call after telephone call from Muslim friends, colleagues, and associates from all over the United States." The proximate reasons for his popularity among Muslims, were his unfailing support for the rights of the Palestinian people, and his stand against the Iraq war. He earned a reputation in the Muslim world of a man of principle that stood for justice and peace. Appreciation of his persona came from all parts of the Muslim spectrum. The warm Catholic-Muslim relationship, however, antedates John Paul II's papacy and is not merely political but far more nuanced and complex. The Vatican's rapprochement with Islam started in Paul VI's papacy. Scholars attribute this to the influence of the distinguished French scholar of Islam, Louis Massignon, who was close to Pope Paul VI. Massignon was far more than an influential academic. Jerry Ryan in an article "The mystical vision of Louis Massignon: Islam inspired scholar's gratitude, life work and Christian faith" published in the National Catholic Reporter, Dec 17, 2004, details Massignon's relationship with Islam and Muslims. This relationship was deeply personal and marked his life in profound and dramatic ways.While being held as spy on a ship on the Tigris River Massignon had a vision, from a "Stranger without a Face", who took away everything he was and gave him everything he would become.As Braibanti points out in his monograph "The Nature and Structure of the Islamic world", as early as 1964, following the second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI declared in Ecclesiam Suam, "We do well to admire these people [of the Moslem religion] for all that is good and true in their worship of God." It was Paul VI's encyclical declaration, Nostra Aetate, proclaimed in 1965, which set forth this new relationship most clearly and fully: "They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth who also has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God's plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they worship Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further they await the Day of Judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead."John Paul II built on these ecumenical foundations and strengthened them. In his address at his visit to the Umayyad mosque in Syria in 2001, he said "It is important that Muslims and Christians continue to explore philosophical and theological questions together, in order to come to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each others' religious beliefs.Better mutual understanding will surely lead, at the practical level, to a new way of presenting our two religions, not in opposition, as has happened too often in the past, but in partnership for the good of the human family.""For all the times that Muslims and Christians have offended one another" he said "we need to seek forgiveness from the Almighty and to offer each other forgiveness." Some feel this was an implicit apology for the Crusades.This decidedly inclusive attitude, and a serious attempt at bridge building, stands in sharp contrast against the hostile attitude of some Christian Church leaders in the US, who in the post September the 11th environment, have called Islam an evil religion and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) an impostor and worse.The new Pope Benedictine XVI seems to be reaching out to Muslims and other traditions. "I am particularly grateful" said Pope Benedictine, "for the presence in our midst of members of the Muslim community," the International Herald Tribune reported on April 26th. History will remember John Paul II as a man of vision who believed in cooperation between faiths and traditions rather than in confrontation. The world will be better off if the Vatican continues to advance the ecumenism that John Paul II so deeply cherished and so assiduously nourished. Other faith communities could emulate his example. Massignon's metaphor of the "Stranger without a Face" has a different and less metaphysical significance in my mind. As we get to know each other, we learn from our rich traditions that enhance our mutual experience and deepen it. If, on the other hand, we fail to do so, we remain strangers without faces.
Javeed Akhter, a physician, is founding member of a Muslim American think tank the "International Strategy And Policy Institute."
Friday, April 21, 2006
My Twilight Zone.
By: Maged Taman
A lot of people think we are at the end of times. I personally do not know for sure but there are a lot of signs everywhere. I feel like I am four persons together living in the same house.
Person one is a religious one gets his information about the end of times from prophecies in the three major religions and related web sites like imam AL Mahdi or Christians web sites as those who are predicting the rupture.
Person two is a very serious one that follow the geopolitics in media avenues and see if any thing sound like the end of time.
Person three is the funniest one he gets information about end of times from the Hollywood movies like 40 years old virgin, chicken little, ice age 2 and bench-warmers. Those people in Hollywood look like they know things that we do not know.
Person four is the real me a boring physician who goes to work almost every day.
When I look at the mirror I startle myself I find four of me in the mirror looking in different directions.
I look like this gentleman in the T.V who always loose a loan to ditech. In one of the ads there were four of him knocking the same door and they all were turned down for a laon from ditech.
A lot of people think we are at the end of times. I personally do not know for sure but there are a lot of signs everywhere. I feel like I am four persons together living in the same house.
Person one is a religious one gets his information about the end of times from prophecies in the three major religions and related web sites like imam AL Mahdi or Christians web sites as those who are predicting the rupture.
Person two is a very serious one that follow the geopolitics in media avenues and see if any thing sound like the end of time.
Person three is the funniest one he gets information about end of times from the Hollywood movies like 40 years old virgin, chicken little, ice age 2 and bench-warmers. Those people in Hollywood look like they know things that we do not know.
Person four is the real me a boring physician who goes to work almost every day.
When I look at the mirror I startle myself I find four of me in the mirror looking in different directions.
I look like this gentleman in the T.V who always loose a loan to ditech. In one of the ads there were four of him knocking the same door and they all were turned down for a laon from ditech.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
The Quran: Inspired By God Or Satan Or Made Up By Muhammad (PBUH)? Part1.
Read these verses over and over and decide to yourself, Is these verses:a- Inspired by Godb- Inspired by Satan.c- Made up by Muhammad.68:34 Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord. إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ68:35 Shall We then treat the People of Faith like the People of Sin? أَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَالْمُجْرِمِينَ68:36 What is the matter with you? How judge ye? مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ68:37 Or have ye a book through which ye learn- أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ68:38 That ye shall have, through it whatever ye choose? إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ68:39 Or have ye Covenants with Us to oath, reaching to the Day of Judgment, (providing) that ye shall have whatever ye shall demand? أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَانٌ عَلَيْنَا بَالِغَةٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ68:40 Ask thou of them, which of them will stand surety for that! سَلْهُم أَيُّهُم بِذَلِكَ زَعِيمٌ68:41 Or have they some "Partners" (in Allah.ead)? Then let them produce their "partners", if they are truthful!أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاء فَلْيَأْتُوا بِشُرَكَائِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ68:42 The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able,- يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ68:43 Their eyes will be cast down,- ignominy will cover them; seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to bow in adoration, while they were whole, (and had refused).خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ وَقَدْ كَانُوا يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَالِمُونَ68:44 Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not. فَذَرْنِي وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ68:45 A (long) respite will I grant them: truly powerful is My Plan. وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ68:46 Or is it that thou dost ask them for a reward, so that they are burdened with a load of debt?-أَمْ تَسْأَلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ68:47 Or that the Unseen is in their hands, so that they can write it down? أَمْ عِندَهُمُ الْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ68:48 So wait with patience for the Command of thy Lord, and be not like the Companion of the Fish,- when he cried out in agony. فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَى وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ68:49 Had not Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the naked shore, in disgrace. لَوْلَا أَن تَدَارَكَهُ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ لَنُبِذَ بِالْعَرَاء وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ68:50 Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the Company of the Righteous. فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ68:51 And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message; and they say: "Surely he is possessed!" وَإِن يَكَادُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ لَمَجْنُونٌ68:52 But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds. وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
A Program For The Messiah.
By: Maged Taman
If you would read the literature about messiah particularly from Jewish literature you will get frustrated. How, why and by what all means all or most people will allow someone to be a messiah. The only acceptance people knew over the years is that silent acceptance in tyrannical countries of a certain leader or a dynasty or the localized acceptance of a democratically elected leader. How and why all people would universally accept a single person to be that leader. Where the human cynic, jealous, corruption, selfishness ....Will go. For one person to be that one it became clear to people over thousands of years he is needed to be selected and guided by God. For a program of that messiah to succeed he would need:
1- People to believe that he is really guided by God.
2- He has the signs that described to them in the holly books of that person.
3- He has the power of prophecy: that it is a done deal. God fulfills his will.
4- People believe that he is a genuine person.
5- They believe he suffered enough that they are willing to help him.
6- His sufferings are the injustices in the world that he will plan to solve.
7- A universal peace needs A universal justice that he would have to achieve.
8- Their wellbeing in life and after-life would be his aim.
9- You will feel at the end of the day when you look at your family that he is beside you and thinks like you what the best we can do for them?.
10- You will feel that he is not a superhuman and not dictating to others what they do but to reflect their most moral consensus.
11- He will live by example and his life would be his message.
12- He will have people just love to participate in his big plan.
13- He will give them the hope that it is not only achievable and sustainable but also it is their destiny.
14- He will have God as his guide and the people as his consultants.
15- His plan will need all of us to unite through: God, humanity and our interests.
16- He will convince them that Utopia is not a boring existence but it provides peace, stability and justice that allow all of us to get the best of our minds and hearts. It does not kill human ego but directs it to the best of the individual and humanity. Nothing boring in this utopia you have more peace to stop to worry and pray to God and enjoy your family.
17- He will stimulate their intellect and get the best of their heart and mind. They will enjoy his program both by their hearts and minds.
18- He will be ultimately the reflection of all what is good in their hearts in a single person. He will be every one's messiah.
As you see it is a very nice dream and it will continue to be unless God would send such person.
If you would read the literature about messiah particularly from Jewish literature you will get frustrated. How, why and by what all means all or most people will allow someone to be a messiah. The only acceptance people knew over the years is that silent acceptance in tyrannical countries of a certain leader or a dynasty or the localized acceptance of a democratically elected leader. How and why all people would universally accept a single person to be that leader. Where the human cynic, jealous, corruption, selfishness ....Will go. For one person to be that one it became clear to people over thousands of years he is needed to be selected and guided by God. For a program of that messiah to succeed he would need:
1- People to believe that he is really guided by God.
2- He has the signs that described to them in the holly books of that person.
3- He has the power of prophecy: that it is a done deal. God fulfills his will.
4- People believe that he is a genuine person.
5- They believe he suffered enough that they are willing to help him.
6- His sufferings are the injustices in the world that he will plan to solve.
7- A universal peace needs A universal justice that he would have to achieve.
8- Their wellbeing in life and after-life would be his aim.
9- You will feel at the end of the day when you look at your family that he is beside you and thinks like you what the best we can do for them?.
10- You will feel that he is not a superhuman and not dictating to others what they do but to reflect their most moral consensus.
11- He will live by example and his life would be his message.
12- He will have people just love to participate in his big plan.
13- He will give them the hope that it is not only achievable and sustainable but also it is their destiny.
14- He will have God as his guide and the people as his consultants.
15- His plan will need all of us to unite through: God, humanity and our interests.
16- He will convince them that Utopia is not a boring existence but it provides peace, stability and justice that allow all of us to get the best of our minds and hearts. It does not kill human ego but directs it to the best of the individual and humanity. Nothing boring in this utopia you have more peace to stop to worry and pray to God and enjoy your family.
17- He will stimulate their intellect and get the best of their heart and mind. They will enjoy his program both by their hearts and minds.
18- He will be ultimately the reflection of all what is good in their hearts in a single person. He will be every one's messiah.
As you see it is a very nice dream and it will continue to be unless God would send such person.
Who is Imam Al Mahdi?
"In summary, we can say that there are a lot of hadith about the Mahdi to be found in the Sunnah of varying quality, running the gamut between fabricated, weak, and good. Hadith graded as authentic are few. However, belief in the appearance of the Mahdi is an established matter, taking all of the evidence together. The Mahdi in Sunni and Shi`ah traditions: Ahl al-Sunnah believe that a man from the household of the Prophet (peace be upon him) will appear at the end of time in a very natural manner, born like any other person is born. He will live just as others live. He may even fall into error and need people to correct him just like anybody else. Then Allah will decree a lot of good for the Muslims to come at his hands, as well as piety, justice, and virtue. Allah will unite the Muslims around him. There is nothing more to it than this. This is what is found in the hadith.
There is no textual evidence telling us that it is an act of piety to wait for him or to anticipate his coming. It is not appropriate for any Muslim to accept such a claim on the basis of mere supposition. A claim must be backed up by sufficient evidence. Those making claims are many. This has been the case since the dawn of history, as I will soon make clear. A Muslim is expected to examine matters, verify them, and approach them with caution. A Muslim must never be hasty and accept matters on the basis of personal desires or wishful thinking.
Likewise, no aspect of Islamic Law is dependent on the appearance of the Mahdi. Claims that such Islamic institutions as the Friday prayer, congregational prayers, jihad, carrying out the prescribed punishments, or applying the laws of Islam are contingent on his appearance are baseless. Muslims must conduct their lives as normal. They must perform their acts of worship, fulfill their duties, engage in jihad, reform their societies, learn their religion, and teach each other. When this pious man does appear and his identity is established with unambiguous, indisputable proofs, then we should follow him. This was the attitude of the Companions and those that followed them. The scholars throughout the ages have adhered to this view. The idea that the Mahdi should be awaited and anticipated and the excessive emphasis placed on him was a much later development. "
Copied from: Uzpekistan Muslims website.
There is no textual evidence telling us that it is an act of piety to wait for him or to anticipate his coming. It is not appropriate for any Muslim to accept such a claim on the basis of mere supposition. A claim must be backed up by sufficient evidence. Those making claims are many. This has been the case since the dawn of history, as I will soon make clear. A Muslim is expected to examine matters, verify them, and approach them with caution. A Muslim must never be hasty and accept matters on the basis of personal desires or wishful thinking.
Likewise, no aspect of Islamic Law is dependent on the appearance of the Mahdi. Claims that such Islamic institutions as the Friday prayer, congregational prayers, jihad, carrying out the prescribed punishments, or applying the laws of Islam are contingent on his appearance are baseless. Muslims must conduct their lives as normal. They must perform their acts of worship, fulfill their duties, engage in jihad, reform their societies, learn their religion, and teach each other. When this pious man does appear and his identity is established with unambiguous, indisputable proofs, then we should follow him. This was the attitude of the Companions and those that followed them. The scholars throughout the ages have adhered to this view. The idea that the Mahdi should be awaited and anticipated and the excessive emphasis placed on him was a much later development. "
Copied from: Uzpekistan Muslims website.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Row as ancient Arab university honours Charles
Row as ancient Arab university honours CharlesFrom Caroline Davies in Cairo(Filed: 21/03/2006)
The Prince of Wales flew to Egypt and into controversy yesterday as Cairo's ancient and celebrated Al-Azhar mosque and university, one of the Arab world's most venerated Islamic institutions, prepared to honour him for his promotion of inter-faith tolerance.
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As the prince, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall was due to receive an honorary doctorate today, some directors of the 1,000-year-old university have questioned whether the award from such a famed seat of Sunni Islam is appropriate.
The honour is to mark the prince's conciliatory messages about Islam, especially after September 11 and the world-wide demonstrations caused by the cartoon depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper.
But, behind the scenes, some of those associated with the university believe despite his efforts they do not justify the bestowing on him of one of the highest tributes the Islamic world can offer.
"All that Prince Charles did is to say that Islam is the most widespread religion in the world and that's a reality, not a discovery made by the prince," said Abdel Azim al-Mataanni, an Al-Azhar lecturer in Arab literature.
However, Abdel Sabur Shahin, another university director, said the prince had adopted "positions close to Islam and Muslims, something no one else of his importance has done".
The honorary doctorate was supposed to "encourage him to befriend Muslims in Great Britain and to support Islam against the obstacles it faces in Europe", he added.
Al-Azhar, the world's oldest university for both religious and secular studies, attracts more than 40,000 students of Islam annually from around the world. It has long promoted inter-faith dialogue, even with crusaders during the Crusades.
The prince's visit to the mosque is one of the highlights of his five-day visit to Egypt, which began yesterday at Cairo's Al-Azhar Park, which has been transformed from a rubbish dump into gardens by the Aga Khan, the leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims.
In an interview with Egyptian television, the prince said he would use his speech at Al-Azhar University to relay his personal experience of terrorism.
"I know so well from having experienced the horror of terrorism myself, in losing my beloved great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, back in 1979 when he was blown up in a terrorist bomb," he told Nile TV.
He added: "It is tolerance, it is understanding of what other people hold sacred, which I think is so vital - the old wisdom that is contained within the scriptures of 'do unto others as you would have them do to you'."
Security is extremely tight as the Foreign Office general advice warns of a high risk of terrorism in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia which the Royal couple will also visit.
From: News.Telgraph
The Prince of Wales flew to Egypt and into controversy yesterday as Cairo's ancient and celebrated Al-Azhar mosque and university, one of the Arab world's most venerated Islamic institutions, prepared to honour him for his promotion of inter-faith tolerance.
document.write('');
As the prince, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall was due to receive an honorary doctorate today, some directors of the 1,000-year-old university have questioned whether the award from such a famed seat of Sunni Islam is appropriate.
The honour is to mark the prince's conciliatory messages about Islam, especially after September 11 and the world-wide demonstrations caused by the cartoon depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper.
But, behind the scenes, some of those associated with the university believe despite his efforts they do not justify the bestowing on him of one of the highest tributes the Islamic world can offer.
"All that Prince Charles did is to say that Islam is the most widespread religion in the world and that's a reality, not a discovery made by the prince," said Abdel Azim al-Mataanni, an Al-Azhar lecturer in Arab literature.
However, Abdel Sabur Shahin, another university director, said the prince had adopted "positions close to Islam and Muslims, something no one else of his importance has done".
The honorary doctorate was supposed to "encourage him to befriend Muslims in Great Britain and to support Islam against the obstacles it faces in Europe", he added.
Al-Azhar, the world's oldest university for both religious and secular studies, attracts more than 40,000 students of Islam annually from around the world. It has long promoted inter-faith dialogue, even with crusaders during the Crusades.
The prince's visit to the mosque is one of the highlights of his five-day visit to Egypt, which began yesterday at Cairo's Al-Azhar Park, which has been transformed from a rubbish dump into gardens by the Aga Khan, the leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims.
In an interview with Egyptian television, the prince said he would use his speech at Al-Azhar University to relay his personal experience of terrorism.
"I know so well from having experienced the horror of terrorism myself, in losing my beloved great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, back in 1979 when he was blown up in a terrorist bomb," he told Nile TV.
He added: "It is tolerance, it is understanding of what other people hold sacred, which I think is so vital - the old wisdom that is contained within the scriptures of 'do unto others as you would have them do to you'."
Security is extremely tight as the Foreign Office general advice warns of a high risk of terrorism in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia which the Royal couple will also visit.
From: News.Telgraph
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Christians, Jews, Muslims must seek dialogue: Pope
Christians, Jews, Muslims must seek dialogue: Pope
Staff and agencies
17 March, 2006
Thu Mar 16, 11:00 AM ET
VATICAN CITY - Christians, Jews and Muslims must work together to promote peace and teach respect for religions and their symbols, Pope Benedict said on Thursday.
In reference to a wave of violence over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, but also to attacks in recent months on churches, mosques and synagogues in several countries, the Pope said religious leaders had a responsibility to "work for reconciliation through genuine dialogue."
"Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in the one God ... It follows, therefore, that all three monotheistic religions are called to cooperate with one another for the common good of humanity, serving the case of justice and peace in the world," he told a visiting delegation of the American Jewish Committee.
"This is especially important today when particular attention must be given to teaching respect for God, for religions and their symbols, and for holy sites and places of worship," he said.
The Pope has condemned the cartoons, whose publication first in a Danish newspaper and later in other European papers sparked worldwide protests by Muslims who believe it is blasphemous to depict the Prophet.
But he also said violent protests against the perceived offence were wrong.
In the wake of the unrest, Roman Catholic and Jewish leaders agreed earlier this month to widen their two-way dialogue to involve Muslims.
David Rosen, director for inter-religious affairs at the American Jewish Committee and a member of the delegation that met the Pope, said reaching out to Islam was "the challenge of our time.
"We believe it‘s very difficult not only because it‘s hard to find moderate voices (in the Muslim world) but also because those voices, if they come forward, could be endangered by extremists," he said.
Staff and agencies
17 March, 2006
Thu Mar 16, 11:00 AM ET
VATICAN CITY - Christians, Jews and Muslims must work together to promote peace and teach respect for religions and their symbols, Pope Benedict said on Thursday.
In reference to a wave of violence over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, but also to attacks in recent months on churches, mosques and synagogues in several countries, the Pope said religious leaders had a responsibility to "work for reconciliation through genuine dialogue."
"Judaism, Christianity and Islam believe in the one God ... It follows, therefore, that all three monotheistic religions are called to cooperate with one another for the common good of humanity, serving the case of justice and peace in the world," he told a visiting delegation of the American Jewish Committee.
"This is especially important today when particular attention must be given to teaching respect for God, for religions and their symbols, and for holy sites and places of worship," he said.
The Pope has condemned the cartoons, whose publication first in a Danish newspaper and later in other European papers sparked worldwide protests by Muslims who believe it is blasphemous to depict the Prophet.
But he also said violent protests against the perceived offence were wrong.
In the wake of the unrest, Roman Catholic and Jewish leaders agreed earlier this month to widen their two-way dialogue to involve Muslims.
David Rosen, director for inter-religious affairs at the American Jewish Committee and a member of the delegation that met the Pope, said reaching out to Islam was "the challenge of our time.
"We believe it‘s very difficult not only because it‘s hard to find moderate voices (in the Muslim world) but also because those voices, if they come forward, could be endangered by extremists," he said.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Jesus Belong To All Of Us.
Jesus is not a republic or democrat. He is not a sole Muslim or Christian. He belongs to all of us. His message is clear is to win the world by love. His enemies were strong and their wickedness was huge. God could have destroyed all his enemies but his salvation timed to God's wisdom and will and not us. The message of the Jesus is that of justice and equality. His message is all about humanity. It transcends through all ages and to all people. Islam is very pro-Christ and we believe our salvation is through his teachings. Muhammad carried the same message with different approach. If you study religion you find prophets that never fought and others were ordered to fight for their religions. In history like in Noah God destroyed humans in few hours or days. Islam is a practical religion. He does not order you to love your enemy but to try to win him with logics and find a way of peaceful existence whenever possible. Good government does not only provide good living to all its citizens including your enemies but it can unite people with the baseline of their religions: humanity, the common good and morals. For Jesus to come back we have to be ready to receive him. For sure he would not come in the same situation as his first coming otherwise people may consider crucifying him. This is why many prophecy writers in Christianity and Islam believe in the time of tribulation. It is hard time to all people and God wants us to go back with our hearts and minds to him. Our salvation is in our hands we deserve Christ when we are ready for him Muslims, Christians or others.
Accepting Islam: The Proper Way
By Mufti Taqi Usmani, Albalagh E-zine
The basic beliefs one is required to accept while entering into Islam are the following:
(i) God is One. He has neither a partner, nor a son or daughter. He is One in the true sense of the word that has no room for the concept of trinity, or for any other form of camouflage monotheism or a disguised polytheism.
(ii) The Holy Prophet Muhammad, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is the last Messenger of Allah after whom no messenger or prophet of Allah (in any sense of the word) will come.
(iii) The Holy Qur'an is the last of the divine books revealed on the Holy Prophet, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and all its contents are true.
(iv) The life Hereafter is the eternal life one has to live after his death where he will have to face the fate of his good and evil deeds.
(v) All the teachings given by the Holy Qur'an or by the Holy Prophet, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in absolute and unambiguous terms are true and acceptable.
Once a person accepts all these fundamental beliefs as true, both verbally and in his heart, he becomes a Muslim.
Conversion to Islam has no particular procedure, like baptism, etc. As soon as a person accepts the aforementioned beliefs with his heart and soul and professes them verbally, he enters the fold of Islam. It is not necessary that he seeks the mediation of a saint or priest, nor is it a prerequisite to go to a mosque or to an institution for accepting Islam. One can accept Islam on his own. However, it is advisable to go to a learned Muslim who can inform him about the basic beliefs of Islam and can teach him the concise and comprehensive words to express his acceptance of those beliefs.
Normally following sentences are used for that purpose:
"I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger."
"I have believed in Allah and His angels and His book (as they were originally revealed on His prophets) and in His messengers and in the Last Day and in the fact that all the good and bad destinies come from Allah and in being raised alive after death."
A further requirement for a convert Muslim is to free himself from those beliefs of his former faith or religion which are not in line with the Islamic beliefs. For example, a Christian must proclaim that he does no more believe Jesus Christ as the son of God or a part of Godhood. Instead, he accepts that he was a revered Messenger of Allah (GOD), and was no more than a messenger, having all the human attributes.
The basic beliefs one is required to accept while entering into Islam are the following:
(i) God is One. He has neither a partner, nor a son or daughter. He is One in the true sense of the word that has no room for the concept of trinity, or for any other form of camouflage monotheism or a disguised polytheism.
(ii) The Holy Prophet Muhammad, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is the last Messenger of Allah after whom no messenger or prophet of Allah (in any sense of the word) will come.
(iii) The Holy Qur'an is the last of the divine books revealed on the Holy Prophet, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and all its contents are true.
(iv) The life Hereafter is the eternal life one has to live after his death where he will have to face the fate of his good and evil deeds.
(v) All the teachings given by the Holy Qur'an or by the Holy Prophet, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in absolute and unambiguous terms are true and acceptable.
Once a person accepts all these fundamental beliefs as true, both verbally and in his heart, he becomes a Muslim.
Conversion to Islam has no particular procedure, like baptism, etc. As soon as a person accepts the aforementioned beliefs with his heart and soul and professes them verbally, he enters the fold of Islam. It is not necessary that he seeks the mediation of a saint or priest, nor is it a prerequisite to go to a mosque or to an institution for accepting Islam. One can accept Islam on his own. However, it is advisable to go to a learned Muslim who can inform him about the basic beliefs of Islam and can teach him the concise and comprehensive words to express his acceptance of those beliefs.
Normally following sentences are used for that purpose:
"I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad, Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger."
"I have believed in Allah and His angels and His book (as they were originally revealed on His prophets) and in His messengers and in the Last Day and in the fact that all the good and bad destinies come from Allah and in being raised alive after death."
A further requirement for a convert Muslim is to free himself from those beliefs of his former faith or religion which are not in line with the Islamic beliefs. For example, a Christian must proclaim that he does no more believe Jesus Christ as the son of God or a part of Godhood. Instead, he accepts that he was a revered Messenger of Allah (GOD), and was no more than a messenger, having all the human attributes.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Freedom From All Oppression.
Oppression is the worst abuse humans can suffer. For a lot of people death can be preferred over oppression. There are a lot of faces for oppression:
1- Occupation.
2- Tyrant political regimes.
3- The tyranny of bureaucratic governments that make laws without considering peoples opinions.
3- Oppression against women.
4- Oppression against minorities.
5- Discrimination (oppression or passive neglect) with all its forms: race, color, gender, sexuality...
6- Oppression by Poverty and feel of deprivation.
7- Oppression by Sins.
8- Oppression by fear of self security, loss of possessions: second to tyranny, high crime rates, absence of health and long term security, sins...
9- Oppression by families and foster homes: physical and sexual abuse,
10-oppression by Debts.
11- Religious oppression to people with different faith or no faith.
As you see to liberate the human mind and spirit there are a lot of things that need to be done. The UN and world leaders both political and religious have to work it out to liberate the human soul and mind. This can be done with a lot of politics and not wars. There is no absolute evil and good. Many times people against us are not our enemies but the other side. If every one is to be fair and put his foot on other person shoe we will have a lot of understanding and we can change the world. People who follow prophecies think the world will change only through the tribulation that God will inflict on humans. I do not know, I keep reading prophecies, meanwhile we have to use the sound politics and judgment to change the world. Prophecies ultimately reflects our judgments and actions.
1- Occupation.
2- Tyrant political regimes.
3- The tyranny of bureaucratic governments that make laws without considering peoples opinions.
3- Oppression against women.
4- Oppression against minorities.
5- Discrimination (oppression or passive neglect) with all its forms: race, color, gender, sexuality...
6- Oppression by Poverty and feel of deprivation.
7- Oppression by Sins.
8- Oppression by fear of self security, loss of possessions: second to tyranny, high crime rates, absence of health and long term security, sins...
9- Oppression by families and foster homes: physical and sexual abuse,
10-oppression by Debts.
11- Religious oppression to people with different faith or no faith.
As you see to liberate the human mind and spirit there are a lot of things that need to be done. The UN and world leaders both political and religious have to work it out to liberate the human soul and mind. This can be done with a lot of politics and not wars. There is no absolute evil and good. Many times people against us are not our enemies but the other side. If every one is to be fair and put his foot on other person shoe we will have a lot of understanding and we can change the world. People who follow prophecies think the world will change only through the tribulation that God will inflict on humans. I do not know, I keep reading prophecies, meanwhile we have to use the sound politics and judgment to change the world. Prophecies ultimately reflects our judgments and actions.
Dead Sea Scrolls - Isaiah 53
The Dead Sea Scrolls have provided phenomenal evidence for the credibility of biblical scripture. Specifically, the nearly intact Great Isaiah Scroll is almost identical to the most recent manuscript version of the Masoretic text from the 900's AD. (Scholars have discovered a handful of spelling and tense-oriented scribal errors, but nothing of significance.) In light of Isaiah's rich Messianic prophecy, we thought it would be rewarding to reproduce a portion of the English translation of the actual Hebrew text found in the Great Isaiah Scroll. Specifically, the following corresponds to Isaiah 53 in today's Old Testament. Remember, this text was dated 100 to 335 years before the birth of Jesus Christ!
Translation of the actual Great Isaiah Scroll (Isaiah 53), beginning with line 5 of Column 44:
5. Who has believed our report and the arm of YHWH to whom has it been revealed And he shall come up like a suckling before him
6. and as a root from dry ground there is no form to him and no beauty [+to him+] and in his being seen and there is no appearance
7. that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and knowing grief
8. and as though hiding faces from him he was despised and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he
9. is bearing and our sorrows he carried them and we esteemed him beaten and struck by God
10. and afflicted. and he is wounded for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities, the correction
11. of our peace was upon him and by his wounds he has healed us. All of us like sheep have wandered each man to his own way
12. we have turned and YHWH has caused to light on him the iniquity of all of us He was oppressed and he was afflicted and he did not
13. open his mouth, as a lamb to the slaughter he is brought and as a ewe before her shearers is made dumb he did not open
14. his mouth. From prison and from judgment he was taken and his generation who shall discuss it because he was cut off from the land of
15. the living. Because from the transgressions of his people a wound was to him
16. And they gave wicked ones to be his grave and [a scribbled word probably accusative sign "eth"] rich ones in his death
17. although he worked no violence neither deceit in his mouth And YHWH was pleased to crush him and He has caused him grief.
18. If you will appoint his soul a sin offering he will see his seed and he will lengthen his days and the pleasure of YHWH
19. in his hand will advance. Of the toil of his soul he shall see {+light+} and he shall be satisfied and by his knowledge shall he make righteous
20. even my righteous servant for many and their iniquities he will bear. Therefore I will apportion to him among the great ones
21. and with the mighty ones he shall divide the spoil because he laid bare to death his soul and with the transgressors
22. he was numbered, and he, the sins of many, he bore, and for their transgressions he entreated.
from: www.allaboutarcheology.org
Translation of the actual Great Isaiah Scroll (Isaiah 53), beginning with line 5 of Column 44:
5. Who has believed our report and the arm of YHWH to whom has it been revealed And he shall come up like a suckling before him
6. and as a root from dry ground there is no form to him and no beauty [+to him+] and in his being seen and there is no appearance
7. that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and knowing grief
8. and as though hiding faces from him he was despised and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he
9. is bearing and our sorrows he carried them and we esteemed him beaten and struck by God
10. and afflicted. and he is wounded for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities, the correction
11. of our peace was upon him and by his wounds he has healed us. All of us like sheep have wandered each man to his own way
12. we have turned and YHWH has caused to light on him the iniquity of all of us He was oppressed and he was afflicted and he did not
13. open his mouth, as a lamb to the slaughter he is brought and as a ewe before her shearers is made dumb he did not open
14. his mouth. From prison and from judgment he was taken and his generation who shall discuss it because he was cut off from the land of
15. the living. Because from the transgressions of his people a wound was to him
16. And they gave wicked ones to be his grave and [a scribbled word probably accusative sign "eth"] rich ones in his death
17. although he worked no violence neither deceit in his mouth And YHWH was pleased to crush him and He has caused him grief.
18. If you will appoint his soul a sin offering he will see his seed and he will lengthen his days and the pleasure of YHWH
19. in his hand will advance. Of the toil of his soul he shall see {+light+} and he shall be satisfied and by his knowledge shall he make righteous
20. even my righteous servant for many and their iniquities he will bear. Therefore I will apportion to him among the great ones
21. and with the mighty ones he shall divide the spoil because he laid bare to death his soul and with the transgressors
22. he was numbered, and he, the sins of many, he bore, and for their transgressions he entreated.
from: www.allaboutarcheology.org
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