BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB (Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin)

BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB  (Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin)8%

BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB  (Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin) Author:
Translator: Sayyid Tahir Bilgrami
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
Category: Imam Ali

BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB (Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin)
  • Start
  • Previous
  • 112 /
  • Next
  • End
  •  
  • Download HTML
  • Download Word
  • Download PDF
  • visits: 80441 / Download: 13391
Size Size Size
BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB  (Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin)

BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB (Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin)

Author:
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
English

BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM ALI IBN ABI TALIB

(Translation of Sirat Amir Al-Mu Minin)

BY: MUFTI JAFFER HUSSAIN

TRANSLATED BY: SAYED TAHIR BILGRAMI

Ansariyan Publications

www.alhassanain.org/english

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. FOREWORD 6

2. BIRTHPLACE & ORIGIN 9

3. FAMILY & PEDIGREE 15

Adnan ibne udd 17

Ma’ad ibne Adnan 17

Nazar ibne Ma’ad 18

Mudar ibne Nazar 18

Ilyas ibne Mudar 19

Mudarka ibne Ilyas 20

Khazima ibne Mudarka 20

Kanana ibne Khazima 21

Nazar ibne Kanana 21

Malik ibne Nazar 22

Fahr ibne Malik 22

Ghalib ibne Fahr 23

Lavi ibne Ghalib 23

Kaab ibne Lavi 23

Mara ibne Kaab 24

Kalab ibne Mara 24

Qasi ibne Kalab 24

Abd Munaaf ibne Qasi 28

Hashim Ibne Abd Munaaf 28

Abd al Mutallib ibne Hashim 32

4. ABU TALIB IBN E ABD AL MUTALLIB 48

5. FATIMA BINTE ASAD 84

6. THE FELICITOUS BIRTH 87

7. NAME, APPELATION & FILIAL APPPELATION (Kunyat) 90

8. APPEARANCE, BEARING &LOOKS 92

9. HABITS & TEMPERAMENT 94

10. HIS SARTORIAL HABITS 96

11. FOOD HABITS 98

12. CHILDHOOD 101

13. EDUCATION & UPBRINGING 103

14. THE FIRST TO ACCEPT THE FAITH OF ISLAM 106

15. THE FEAST OF ASHIRA 113

16. HELP & ASSISTANCE TO THE PROPHET COMMENCES 116

17. THE QUREISH BOYCOTT 117

18. MIGRATION TO MADINA 121

19. THE EVENT OF BROTHERHOOD-MUWAQAAT 127

20. THE MATRIMONY 129

21. THE SONS OF THE PROPHET 132

22. ABOUT ABU JAHL’S DAUGHTER 135

23. WIVES & CHILDREN 138

Hazrat Fatima Zehra (a.s.): 138

Imama binte Abil Aas: 138

Umm al Banin binte Hazam Kalabia: 138

Laila binte Masood Darmia: 138

Asma binte Umais Khasamia: 138

Qaula binte jafar Hanafia: 139

Umm Shoaib Maqzoomia: 139

Maqbat binte Umra al Qais : 139

24. CONSTRUCTION OF THE MOSQUE & SEALING OF THE DOORS 140

25. THE PROPHET (s.a.)’S EXPEDITIONS (THE GHAZWAAT) 144

26. THE EXPEDITION OF BADR 147

27. THE EXPEDITION OF OHOD 159

28. THE EXPEDITION OF BANI NAZEER 174

29. THE EXPEDITION OF AHZAB 177

30. THE EXPEDITION OF BANI QARIZA 187

31. THE TRUCE OF HUDAIBIAH 190

32. THE CAMPAIGN OF KHAIBAR 200

33. THE LAND OF FADAK 208

34. THE CONQUEST OF MAKKA 210

35. PURIFICATION OF THE KAABA 217

36. THE DAY OF GHAMIZA 219

37. THE EXPEDITION OF HUNAIN 222

38. THE SEIGE OF TAEF 227

39. DISTRIBUTION OF THE BOOTY 230

40. PROPAGATION OF ISLAM IN YEMEN 232

41. THE EMIRATE OF YEMEN 233

42. SARIYA WADI AL RAMAL 234

43. SARIYA BANI TAY 236

44. GHAZWA E TABOOK 238

45. PROPAGATION OF SURAT AL BARA-AT 243

46. THE CALL FOR MUBAHILA OR IMPRECATION 245

47. SARIA BANI ZABEED 249

48. THE HAJJAT AL WIDA 251

49. GHADEER E KHUM 254

50. JAISH E OSSAMA - THE CONTINGENT OF OSSAMA IBN E ZAID 259

51. LEADING THE CONGREGATION 264

52. THE CALAMITY OF QIRTAAS 271

53. THE PROPHET (S.A.)’S LAST JOURNEY 275

54. COMPLIANCE WITH THE WILL 277

55. DENYING THE PROPHET (S.A)’S DEATH 279

56. AN OVERVIEW OF THE EVENTS OF SAQIFA 283

57. BAI –AT AND USE OF COERCION 291

58. AMEER AL MOMINEEN’S DISCREET SILENCE 295

59. ABOUT THE LAND OF FADAK 298

60. THE MISCHIEF OF APOSTACY 306

61. ISTEKHLAF OR NOMINATION OF THE SECOND CALIPH 312

62. SHURA OR THE COMMITTEE 314

63. THE BAI-AT OF HAZRAT AMEER AL MOMINEEN (A.S.) 323

64. AMEER AL MOMINEEN (A.S.)’S STYLE OF GOVERNANCE 328

65. THE NORMS FOR SELECTION OF THE FUNCTIONARIES 331

66. ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE FUNCTIONARIES 333

67. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 335

68. PROTECTION OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS 338

THE RIGHT TO LIVE: 338

THE RIGHT OF THOUGHT: 339

THE RIGHT OF ACTION 340

RIGHT OF RACIAL EQUALITY 341

69. THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM 343

70. DISTRIBUTION FROM THE BAYT AL MAAL 349

71. THE SYSTEM OF ZAKAT 353

72. THE SYSTEM OF TRIBUTE 355

73. THE SYSTEM OF JIZIYA 357

74. CITIZENSHIP 358

75. MONITORING THE TRADING COMMUNITY 362

76. KINDNESS ON WIDOWS, ORPHANS & THE POOR 365

77. TREATMENT OF THE CAPTIVES 368

78. TREATMENT OF THE DIMMIES 369

79. THE TRUSTS & THE PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE’S WELFARE 370

80. UNREST &ITS CAUSES 372

81. DISMISSAL OF FUNCTIONARIES & REASONS THEREOF 375

82. MUAWIYA IBNE ABI SUFIAN 379

83. UMRO IBNE AAS 385

84. ABD ALLAH IBNE SAAD 387

85. WALID IBNE UQBA 390

86. SAEED IBNE AAS 392

87. QASAS FOR OTHMAN’S BLOOD 395

88. THE BATTLE OF JAMAL 398

89. TRANSFER OF THE CAPITAL 433

90. APPOINTMENT OF THE FUNCTIONARIES OF THE STATE 436

QAIS IBNE SAAD 436

SAHL IBNE HANIF ANSARI 438

MALIK IBNE HARIT ASHTAR 439

ABD ALLAH IBNE ABBAS 440

MOHAMMED IBNE ABU BAKR 440

ABU AYOOB ANSARI 440

MAKHNAF IBNE SALEEM AZDI 441

QARDA IBNE KAAB ANSARI 441

FATAM IBNE ABBAS 441

YAZEED IBNE QAIS ARHABI 441

KUMAIL IBNE ZIYAD NAQA-EE 442

RUBIAH IBNE KHAITAM ASADI 442

OMER IBNE ABI SALAMA 442

NOMAN IBNE AJLAAN 443

OTHMAN IBNE HANEEF ANSARI 443

SAEED IBNE MASOOD THAQAFI 443

OBAID ALLAH IBNE ABBAS 443

HISSAN IBNE HISSAN BAKRI 443

91. INVASION OF ZOHAK IBNE QAIS 444

92. DISMISSAL OF QAIS IBNE SAAD 445

93. THE BATTLE OF SIFFIN 449

94. THE AGREEMENT FOR ARBITRATION 499

95. THE REACTION OF KHAWARIJ AGAINST ARBITRATION 502

96. A LOOK AT THE KHAWARIJ 510

97. THE VERDICT OF THE REFEREES 513

98. THE BATTLE OF NAHRWAN 519

99. THE BATTLES OF THE KHAWARIJ 530

100. THE DEFEAT OF EGYPT 536

101. IBNE AAMIR IN BASRA 541

102. THE AGGRESSIVE ATTACKS OF THE SYRIANS 547

103. THE ATROCITIES OF BASAR BIN ARTAT 553

104. THE MARTYRDOM 560

105. THE BURIAL 566

106. SOME IMPRESSIONS 568

107. THE END OF IBNE MULJIM AND HIS COHORTS 569

108. SETTLEMENT IN NAJAF 570

109. CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAUSOLEUM OF HAZRAT ALI (A.S) 572

1. FOREWORD

Bismilla hir Rehman ir Raheem

Al hamdu lillahi wa kafa was-salato ala Mohammadin wa aalehil lazeena astafa

Ameer-al-Momineen, Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.), is a great and peerless personality whose qualities have been recognized by friends and foes alike. None could ever deny his sterling qualities. He was born in a distinguished family of the tribe of Qureish. He had the singular distinction of taking birth in the holy precincts of the Kaaba. He first opened his eyes in this world to see the radiant visage of the Prophet (s.a.). He grew and received upbringing under the tutelage of the Prophet (s.a.). Imam Ali (a.s.) followed the footsteps of his mentor and cousin from his very childhood. He was always with the Prophet (s.a.) like a shadow and derived felicity from the company. Imam Ali (a.s) accomplished the various stages of upbringing and training under the fond and watchful eyes of the Prophet (s.a.) His head and heart absorbed the actions and the exemplary character of the Prophet (s.a.).The purity of thoughts and excellence of upbringing elevated Imam Ali (a.s.) to such heights that the moon and the stars appear to be at lower elevations!

This is a common belief, and true to a certain extent, that the environment plays a major role in shaping the nature and thoughts of persons. But, in this world there have been august personalities who were not at all affected by the popular beliefs and superstitions. The thinking of these persons has always been different and their actions far apart from those of the populace. Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) has been one such noble personality who, rather than falling in line with the mundane thoughts and habits of the people, left his mark on their thoughts and actions. With his vision, power of comprehension and Allah’s help he was able to draw a line between right and wrong and, therefore, laid the foundation of a new and unique culture and thought process. Instead of treading the beaten track, he left his own footprints for others to follow. Therefore, in that idolatrous period in the history of Arabia, he never bowed his head to anyone other than the Creator, Allah! He kept his radiant forehead safe from bowing to myriad idols installed in the Kaaba those days. Imam Ali (a.s)’s thoughts and actions were always in tune with those of the Prophet (s.a). It was the result of this unity of thoughts that no sooner the Prophet (s.a.) proclaimed his Message, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) accepted it and gave the proof of his adherence to the Truth by being the first person to join the Prophet (s.a.) in the prayers.

In his early days Imam Ali (a.s.) dedicated himself to the task of propagating Islam as a universal movement. He became a pillar of support for the Prophet (s.a.) to confront and fight against the enemies of the Cause. At the Feast of Ashira when the Qureish were dumbfounded at the Prophet (s.a.)'s Declaration, Imam Ali (a.s.) faced their piercing eyes and stood firmly to witness the Prophet-hood of Mohammed (s.a.). He publicly declared his support to the Prophet (s.a.) and remained steadfast in his resolve till the end. History bears witness to the fact that when the infidel Qureish exceeded all bonds of decency in torturing and ridiculing the Prophet (s.a.) and his followers, they had to take shelter in a cave. Imam Ali (a.s.) braved all these hardships and never left the side of the Prophet (s.a.) for a moment. He faced untold hardships but remained firm in his resolve. He was scared neither of the hardships nor the blatant threats of the enemies. He bore the difficulties with absolute equanimity. During the days in Medina, when the different tribes in Arabia kept aside their long drawn differences and joined together to confront and harm the Prophet (s.a.) and his Cause, Imam Ali (a.s.) stood firm as a wall of steel in the battlefield to vanquish and chase them away. He laid to dust the false pride of the infidels of Qureish, who in the end capitulated to lay down arms and hypocritically professed allegiance to the New Creed!

The atmosphere was not congenial for Imam Ali (a.s.) after the closing of the eyes of the Prophet (s.a.), the greed for power and pelf turned the Khilafat-e-Ilahiya into worldly rule. These circumstances forced him into self-imposed isolation. But whenever the greater interests of Islam were at stake, he came out of his seclusion and gave invaluable advice to the“powers-that-be” in times of important expeditions and economic or religious matters. During these years of seclusion Imam Ali (a.s.) busied himself in study of Islamic tenets and thoughts. He always preferred collective rights over individual desires. When at the ripe old age of fifty eight he ascended to the worldly Khilafat, he found the State in a turmoil. With the plunder of the foreign lands there was excess of wealth in the Nation that had changed the very nature of the Arabs for the worst. Instead of the proverbial simplicity, the life style of Arabs turned towards pomp and show of wealth. Although it was not an easy task to mend the fences, Imam Ali (a.s.) faced the intrigue of the adversaries to protect Islam and it’s moral values.

His services in this direction were selfless and his observations are a treasure- house in the annals of Islamic History. In the battle field and in the halls of debate he represented the cause of Islam with absolute valor and success. Whether it was the Feast of Ashira or it was the presentation of the Verse of Bara-at to the infidels of Mecca; whether it was the Capture of Mecca, Purification of the Kaaba, the expedition of Khandaq or that of Khaibar; Imam Ali (a.s.)’s services to the cause have a unique distinction enjoyed by none else in the comity of the Prophet (a.s)’s companions. His efforts are rated the highest in the protection, welfare, propagation and development of the Faith of Islam.

If his contribution is separated from the History of Islam, the history will appear wanting in content. His achievements are a dominant part of the annals of Islamic History. Although in every epoch efforts were made by his adversaries to put curtains of darkness over his achievement, and the establishments of those days were hand in glove with such historians, their enmity and hatred could not succeed in hiding Imam Ali (a.s)’s great contributions, and he continues to shine on the horizon of Islam like the brightest of stars!

Ameer-al-Mimineen (a.s), on the one hand patronized learning and knowledge to take the caravan of humanity forward and on the other he himself set brightest examples of virtuous action that became a beacon of guidance for the populace. It is necessary that people follow and emulate his way of life. They should draw light from his thoughts and beliefs. The norms of action should be devised on his teachings and actions. The society must be built on the foundation of unshakable principles. Then only the individual and collective lives will be compatible with the requirements of the Faith and will achieve the moral heights.

With this aim impressions of the life and achievements of Imam Ali (a.s) are being described in this work. Attempt has neither been made to make a colorful presentation nor to exaggerate any facts. We have abstained from the slightest element of bias in this work and all the facts are presented in the light of authentic historical references. They are arranged in such a way that chronologically the presentation has the interest of a biographical work. If any references have been made to the events of difference and controversy in the narrative, we have limited them to mere quotation of the source material without going into a discussion over the matter. We do pray to Allah that this work dispels the clouds of bias and helps people to understand the great personality. Wa ma taufiqi illa billa wa behistaeen!

2. BIRTHPLACE & ORIGIN

Arabia is situated in the south west of the Continent of Asia. It is the biggest peninsula in the world. In the north it has Syria, in the west is the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, in the south flow the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The coastal area of the Red Sea is a barren desert. Away from the coast there are dry mountains, desert dunes and sandy stretches merging into the horizon. This desert land is called the Hedjaz. This area has no agriculture whatsoever nor are there any means of irrigation for crops to grow. If there is any rain, the water runs away into the valleys of the barren mountains or it gets accumulated in the low lying ditches. For miles and miles there will be no trace of water in the desert. In such a parched area where there are vast stretches of desert land and barren mountains, the likelihood of commercial activity and habitation are naturally sparse. However on the periphery of Kaaba the Amalaqa used to live a nomadic life. These nomads had no permanent habitation and the search for sustenance and water used to take them from place to place in the desert. Wherever they found some water and greenery, they would set their camps. When the water and the pasture for their animals were exhausted, they would move in search for new source of water.

In the Batha Valley of this vast desert habitation started with the progeny of Porphet Ibrahim (a.s.). Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was born in Babylon 1081 years after the Deluge of Noah (a.s.). He lost his father during his early childhood and was brought up by his uncle who was known as Adaar. Adaar means the chief keeper of the temple. This word was later changed to Azar. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) had his upbringing in an environment where idols were carved and worshipped. They also used to worship the sun, moon and the stars. The statue of the ruler of the time used to be revered and worshipped. In such depraved surroundings, Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) never had any wish for idol worship. To the contrary, he was against idol worship from his very childhood. He was very critical of the ways of his people and always invited them to worship one and only God. However, the people never paid any heed to his preaching. They continued thinking that all their affairs were controlled by their lifeless idols! When Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) felt that his people were incorrigibly adamant in their false beliefs, he thought of giving them a proof of the abject helplessness of the idols. For this he waited for an opportune moment. The opportunity came when the inhabitants assembled in the wilderness for celebration of a festival and there was not a single soul in the town. He headed for the temple and broke the biggest idol and many smaller ones. He left the hatchet used for breaking the idols near the neck of the biggest idol. When the people returned to the town, they found that the temple was in utter disarray and the pieces of the broken idols scattered all around. They looked at each other in disbelief and then said that this would be the doing of Ibrahim (a.s.) who always talked against the idols. They called Ibrahim (a.s.) aside and asked him if he had caused the damage? He replied:

This is the doing of their biggest idol. If they have the power of speech, do ask them!

When the people heard Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) say the impossible thing, they said,“O Ibrahim (a.s.)! Have the idols ever spoken?” He replied,“How could those who cannot even speak and defend themselves be of any help to anyone. You consider them your gods and bow to them!” The belief of the idolatrous people was that the idols bring the rains, they help in growing the crops, and give them the means of sustenance and protect them against calamities. Now they found the very idols helplessly shattered. They brooded over the matter and then presented Ibrahim (a.s.) at the court of Nimrod. He asked Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s),” How you dared to harm the idols? Pride has gone so much to your head that you have challenged my divine authority! “Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) replied, “What are your idols? They are the handiwork of human sculptors. They are weaker than the weakest creatures! Then how do you expect me to accept you as a god when you have no authority over your own life and death!“Nimrod was furious hearing these words from Hazrat Ibrahim ( a.s.). His own uncle threatened Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s) to crush him with the stones. Nimrod ordered Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) to be burnt on a pyre. For this purpose a big pyre was lighted. When the flames rose high, Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) was thrown into the fire. Not a single hair of his was burnt. It was as if the pyre was a blooming garden. Seeing this miracle, Nimrod was dumb-founded! But his flame of revenge was not extinguished. He ordered Hazrat Ibrahim’s assets to be confiscated and exiled him from the kingdom. When Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) heard this decree, he said, “You have no right to confiscate my animals and belongings!” Nimrod said,“You have acquired these things living in my realm!” Hazrat Ibrahim rejoined,“Then, return to me the years that I have spent living in your city and take my belongings!” Nimrod had no reply for this argument. He ordered that his belongings may not be confiscated but he must be banished forthwith.

Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) left Babylon along with his spouse Hazrat Sarah and nephew Hazrat Lot (a.s.)). Passing through Halb and Damascus this small group reached Palestine which, in those days, was called Kan-aan. In Palestine his abode was eleven miles away from Jerusalem. The locality is known as Hebron. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) stayed here for sometime and then proceeded to Egypt to preach the people about the Unity of Allah. When the king of Egypt, Raqyoon, saw the pretty Hazrat Sarah, evil intentions passed through his mind. When he stretched his hand towards her, it instantly got paralyzed. Raqyoon repented his action and begged for Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.)’s pardon. He gave valuable gifts to the group and also presented a slave girl, Hajra, to Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.). This girl later on became the consort of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.). The historian Tabari writes that Hazrat Hajra was the daughter of Alwan ibne Sanan, the Pharoh of Egypt. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) returned to Hebron to make it his permanent place of residence. He prayed to Allah to give him off springs that could help him advance his Mission. His prayers were answered and, at the age of eighty-six, he was blessed with his first son Ismail (a.s.) through Hazrat Hajra. After sometime Hazrat Sarah too gave birth to Hazrat Ishaq (a.s).

When Hazrat Sarah presented a son to Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) she insisted that he should move away Hajra and Ismail (a.s.) from Hebron. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) agreed and traveled with Hazrat Hajra and Hazrat Ismail (a.s.). With Divine Guidance they reached a desolate place in the wilderness of Hedjaz. Although the place was devoid of any human presence, Allah had earmarked it for the location of the Umm-al-Qura - The Fountainhood of Habitations. Therefore, with the hands of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.), the foundation of habitation at the Holy Place was laid. He left Hazrat Ismail (a.s.) and Hazrat Hajra there. Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) had made a promise to Hazrat Sara, while departing from Hebron, that he would settle Hajra and Ismail (a.s.) at a safe place and return to her. Therefore he left them in the trust of Allah and started on his return journey with a heavy heart that he was leaving behind his beloved son and the faithful wife. When he reached the Mount Kada at some distance, he glanced back at Hajra and Ismail (a.s) and prayed to Allah:

Rabbana inni askanta man zurriati bawaad ghaira zi zara inda baitak al mahram Rabbana leyaqeemus salata faj-al afidat min al naas tahwi ilaihim warzaqhum min al qaraat la-allahum yashkuroon

O Sustainer! Near Your Holy Abode, where nothing grows, I have settled my progeny. O Our Provider! When my progeny establish Prayer, turn the hearts of people towards them and bestow them with sustenance of fruits that they are grateful to You..

Although Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) had faith in Allah’s Beneficence, this prayer gave satisfaction to his heart. He then took the way back to Hebron. Hazrat Hajra made a canopy of the sheet of cloth and sat under it with little Ismail (a.s.). Although it was quiet all around, the courageous lady was not scared at all. She had absolute trust in Allah. She had with her only one pitcher of water that was exhausted in a day or two. Now she worried about water. As the sun progressed on its journey, the intensity of thirst increased. She became restless looking at the parched face of the baby. She started searching for water in the environs. She climbed over the peaks of Safa and Marwa and made seven trips between the two peaks. When she came back totally exhausted, Hazrat Hajra noticed water oozing from the pebbles of sand. She removed the pebbles and stones from the spot and a spring of sweet and cool water spurted out. Hazrat Hajra’s happiness knew no bounds. She uttered,“Zam-Zam!” This word in the Hebrew language means,“Stay put!” This, thus has become the name of the spring. Hazrat Hajra quenched the thirst of her baby and herself with the cool water and then erected a parapet around the place with stones gathered from the surroundings so that it served as a cistern for the water. Looking at the water, birds started hovering around the place. In no time there were signs of life in the desolate wilderness.

At that time a caravan of Bani Jarham of Yemen passed that way,.going to Syria. When they noticed groups of birds in the horizon of the valley, they were surprised. They wondered what the birds had to do in the desolate, waterless desert. When the caravan descended from the heights of the mountain, they noticed a lady sitting with her bowed head and having a baby on her lap. Nearby they saw a spring of water. Finding the spring there, they asked the permission of Hazrat Hajra if they could settle down in the neighborhood. Hazrat Hajra was agreeable to their inhabiting the area, but she told them that without the consent of Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) she had no authority to give such a permission to them. She asked them to wait till Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) came back and made a decision about their request. When Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) arrived there, as promised, Hazrat Hajra obtained his consent and allowed Bani Jarham to make a settlement there. Thus a small colony of shacks was the first community of inhabitants there.

Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.), with Allah’s Wish, commenced construction of Khana-e-Kaaba in that wilderness. Hazrat Ismail (a.s.) helped his father in this work. He carried stones on his shoulders to the site and Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s.) sorted out the stones to erect the walls of the structure. Thus the team of father and son accomplished the construction of the Kaaba. It was the result of their sincerity and dedication that very soon Kaaba got the status of the most revered place of pilgrimage in the entire Arabian Peninsula. People started heading for the Kaaba from all directions. The population of the place thus increased by leaps and bounds. It became a bustling habitation in the heart of Peninsular Arabia and became known by the name of Bakka. This is its original name and Zaboor too refers to the place as Bakka. In the Holy Quran too, it is termed as Bakka when the Book mentions about the event of its construction:

Un awwal bayt waza lilnaas lil-lazi ba Bakkat mubaraka wa hudal lil aalameen

The First House that was made for the people is in Bakka which is felicitous (place) and a source of inspiration for the worlds.

The other name of Bakka which is in vogue is Makka al Mukarrama. Zohak says that the ‘baa’ of Bakka has been replaced with ‘maa’. He says that both are the names of the same place. Some traditions mention that the place where the Kaaba is located is Bakka and the habitation around it is Makka. There are several versions about the naming of the place but those that have been authenticated by the Infallible Ahl-al-Bayt are that the word Bakka has its root in the word ‘Buka’ that means lamentation. The reason for giving this name to the place is that whenever the Arabs from all over assembled there, they lamented and wailed loudly. Therefore Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (a.s.) has said:

Sameet Makka Bakkat la-aan an naas kaanu yatabakoon fiha

- Alal al Sharaeh

- Makka has been named Bakka that people used to assemble there and do lamenting and wailing

- Mujahid too had a similar opinion. He says:

- Innama samyat Bakkat la-aan an naas yatabaakoon feehal rijaal wan nisa

- --Durr e Mantoor Vol 2, Page 52

- Makka was termed as Bakka because men and women used to assemble there and wail

- And also Makka is derived from the word ‘Mak-aa’ that means shouting and whistling. Therefore Imam Reza (a.s.) says:

- Sameet Makka Makka la an annaas kanu yamkoon beha- Amal al-Sharaeh

- Makka is called Makka because people there shout and cry:

This shouting and wailing too was considered as a sort of worship by the people there. Therefore Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Wa maa kana salatahum indal bayt al amkaa wa tasdeeh

Near the Kaaba their worship was whistling and clapping of hands

In the Holy Quran the city of Makka is also mentioned as Umm-al-Qura. The real meaning of the word Umm is origin or foundation. One reason for terming Makka as Umm al Qura is that a spate of human population originated from here and spread far and wide in the world. Therefore, when Hazrat Ismail (a.s.) married the daughter of Mazaz ibne Umro, the chief of the tribe of Bani Jarham, his progeny prospered and spread soon into Tihama, Najd and Hedjaz and as far as Palestine and Yemen. They also established settlements in other parts of the world. This holy land, besides being the foundation of human settlements also is the center for the Faith and Guidance of the humankind. On this very land the First House of Allah was constructed. The Message of Islam too was first given from these environs. The call for Tawheed (The Unity of Allah) was given from here and the foundation for the Last and Ultimate Faith of Allah has been laid here. The Revelation of the Holy Quran too commenced in Makka. The Prophet of Islam was born here and his radiance spread far and wide. It is here that Hazrat Ali ibne Abi Talib was born in the Holy precincts of the Kaaba. In Makka he spent his years from childhood to early youth.

It is a fact that different places in the world have effect on the life in consonance with the geographic location and the climate. Therefore, what thrives in one place, generally doesn’t in another clime. Similarly, the land in the same area has stretches that have different types of soil. Therefore, when something is grown on a fertile soil, it thrives. If the same crop is on an infertile piece of land, it will wither. The plants growing on soft soils are generally weak. The shrubs growing on rocky soils are hardy. The reason for this is that the roots of the plants growing on desert soils have to penetrate deep to draw the moisture from there. Therefore Nature has provided these plants the strength to contend with the harsh environment. Ameer-al-Momineen (a.s.) has also made an observation about such desert soils:

Alawan al shajarat al abrriaaslab awad awal rawaeh khazrat araq jalood wal nabataat al badawiah qawi wa qaud wa abta khamooda- Nahj al Balagha

Remember the timber of the trees in the wilderness is strong and the bark of fresh and fleshy plants is weak and puny. The wood from the trees growing in the wild burns well and the fire lasts longer.

Similarly the soil, the climate and the environment of a place have marked effect on the mental and physical built of the people there. The place of birth influences the character and habits of the people there. When there is a change of environment from the wilderness to urban conglomerates, then they slowly mould themselves towards adoption of the new ways.

If we take stock of the inhabitants of the hot desert lands, we find that they are more frugal, chivalrous and hard working than those living in more comfortable and salubrious climes. In the deserts people have to contend with harsh situations. Therefore, they have the capability to face these difficulties.

Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) had the faculty of physical strength and equanimity of nature endowed by Allah in abundant measure. Even on human consideration too, the harsh desert environment too was responsible for his great faculty of resilience.

Chapter 6: The History of the New Testament

Christian scholars believe that Jesus Christ has not left behind any divine book; rather, it was his disciples who, some time after his death, decided to do this job. At last they wrote treatises concerning the deeds and words of Christ. But unfortunately from the very beginning these writings became for a period of 100 years subject to alterations, omissions and additions by the blood-thirsty Roman emperors, who had no other aim but destroy the very foundations of Christianity and encourage superstition and idolatry.

During the long period, the policy of the emperors left a deep impression on the foundations of real Christianity:

Religious leaders were either killed or detained; religious books were burned; heretics infiltrated into seminaries beginning to spread false teachings in the Church of that time; religious societies were disbanded; cloisters and convents were destroyed and razed to the ground.

Through their activities during that long 300-year period, the emperors had in effect ruined the basic foundations of Christianity, inflicting irreparable damages upon it. As a result, considering these events, no one can trustfully be optimistic towards the Bible including the Gospels.

To make our point more clear, we shall presently offer the case histories of some these emperors; Trajanus After he came to power in 98 AD, his policy dictated him to remove Christianity in a systematic program. He fabricated and instituted some regulations concerning Christianity. These laws were in force for a long time.

The judge generally tried to encourage Christians to deny Jesus Christ and worship non-Christian gods. Had Christians remained faithful to their belief, they would be killed.

The situation reached a point when in 155 A.D Polycarpe, who was one of the most famous founding members of the Church, was burnt at the stake in the city of Izmir.16 Marcus Aurelius He decided to exterminate Christianity by inflicting cruelty and violence. To this end, he killed many Christians in Africa and in many other provinces of the Empire. Tempest, plague, famine, foreign invasion and other calamities, which came to afflict the people during the reign of this emperor, instigated them more and more against Christians.

Each day a group of Christians were arrested. As a result, the best people of the churches of Lyon and Vienna and other church founders were arrested. Metellus, son of Attalos, who was in fact a great champion in the theological affairs and reinforcing aspects of the Church, was subjected to torture and persecution and finally died a tragic death.17

Decius

According to Miller, the Christian scholar, the measures taken by Decius to destroy the Christian Church was more effective than those carried out by previous Roman Emperors. Since he launched his cruel and aggressive campaign quite unexpectedly, many Christians who were caught by surprise, generally disowned their faith.18

Valerianus

After he succeeded Decius as the emperor, he threatened to kill all the archbishops who did not agree with him. He beheaded the archbishop of Carthage, Cyprian. During the second year of his rule, he ordered that all priests to be killed, Christian nobles to be dispossessed of their properties and positions and be killed if they persisted in their faith.19

Deuclocian

When he came to throne, paganism had been revived. Pagan writers had roused the general public against the Christians. Galerius who had nearly come to succeed the emperor, encouraged Deuclocian to issue an order to remove any trace of the Church. To this effect, all cloisters were destroyed, Christian books were set afire, and all those Christians who did not offer sacrificial tokens to the emperor were either tortured or killed.

Although this oppression did not last l9ng on the Western part of the Empire, it continued for nine years in the Eastern Empire, and was the severest persecution and harassment that the Christians had so far suffered from.20 Considering these disasters, how could one believe that the New Testament had not been destroyed or subject to alterations during those epochs?

Constantine the Wicked

Following all these crimes and aggressions committed against the very basis of Christianity, in 312 AD, Constantine became the Emperor of Rome. He put an end to the Roman persecution and oppression, but through his constant interference into religious affairs, adoption of the title of the head of the Church, and establishment of the Oecumenical Council of Nicea, he dealt a mortal blow at the already injured Christianity.21

Apart from being a wicked man and committing a number of abhorrent and disgraceful acts, he did not totally sever ties with polytheism and even forced Christians to conform to him in both thought and practice. He did not pay any attention to objections and criticism of archbishops who had gathered in Oecumenical Council of Nicea from all parts of the Roman Empire (an item of their criticism has likely been the problem of the New Testament textual confusions). Instead of studying them, he ordered to burn their notes of criticism.22

Did the rule and supervision of such a wicked man, whose faith was a matter of doubt, help to settle the problems of Christianity or had otherwise landed more credence to the arguments and evidence pointing to the lack of credit of what has remained?

In order to achieve his political objective, Constantine would force the Christians into a compulsory unity and prevent them from expressing their thoughts and opinions.

He was emphatic on whatever he had in mind. Thus it is unclear what he had done to the New Testament including the Gospels.

Did this wicked man of dubious faith, who had no goal other than furthering his own ambitions, instituted the heresies and alterations of the Roman polytheists or destroyed them? There is no room for doubt that as far as his relation with polytheism was concerned, he could not have kept Christianity unsoiled by them. At any rate,

all current versions of the New Testament available to Christians belong to the early or middle fourth century (325-350 AD) and there is no trace of the complete manuscripts belonging to the pre- Constantine era. Nor is it clear what has occurred to them through various upheavals and political games.23

Considering this situation, could the veracity of the Gospels and tenets of Christianity be trusted and should what is known currently as the Holy Bible be recognized as the original works of the Disciples or should their veracity and authenticity be doubted by any fair-minded person?

A living witness to the fact that whatever is known today as the New Testament is not trustworthy and authentic is that portions of the discovered manuscripts belonging to the early days of Christianity are wholly different from some of present Gospels. Dr. John Alder, the famous American missionary in Iran, has written in his book called "Archaeology of the Holy Scripture": "In the ruins of Exir Hincus, two papyrus scrolls have been discovered consisting of words attributed to Jesus

Christ, but most of them differ from what we read in the New Testament." The discovery of the scrolls containing Gospels' old text clearly demonstrates that the present Gospels are altered and have taken the present forms later in the hands of the Popes and a number of holy fathers.

In short, it must be said that the New Testament that has been constantly at the mercy of events and mysterious manipulations is in no way reliable and trustworthy and could not be considered the work of the Disciples of Jesus.

Chapter 7: The Prophecies of the Gospels

There may be few people who could imagine that there are sentences in the Holy Scripture of the Christians that is the New Testament, which clearly and expressly prophesy the advent of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (P.B.U.H).24 Although the holy fathers had made their best to either omit or revise the sentences dealing with the prophet of Islam, yet in the pages of the present Gospels one can come across sentences whose implicit meanings clearly attest to the coming of the great prophet of Islam.

Here are but few examples of such prophecies:

Prophet of Islam, the Comforter The Gospel of John says: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceeded from the Father, he shall testify for me." (John 15:26)

"Nevertheless I tell you the Truth. It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)

The Comforter is not the Holy Spirit

Should it be said that by the Comforter it is meant the Holy Spirit' one must say that there are evidences contrary to this notion, some of which are briefly outlined here.

The sections quoted above give the prophecy of the advent of an individual after Christ and state that his coming depends on the departure of Jesus. His great spiritual personality is so much superior to that of Jesus that Christ's departure in order to make possible the coming of that glaring sun is a very great advantage to humanity.

These descriptions do not fit the Holy Spirit, for he is an angel carrying the divine revelation to the prophets. He used to come to prophets during their divine appointment inspiring them with heavenly messages and verses and his coming down did not depend on Christ's departure. Furthermore, the existence of the Holy Spirit is no more beneficial to humanity than that of Jesus and his going away is more beneficial.

In the "Presentation of Truth", there is a quotation made from the "Quintessence of Histories" written by a Christian. It says: At the time of Muhammad, both Jews and Christians were awaiting the promised messenger. This favorable background was of great advantage to Muhammad to claim that "25 Of course the declaration of the prophet of Islam was thoroughly based on facts, for the signs given both in Torah and the Gospels describing the last of prophets, Muhammad, completely fitted him and hence a large number of fair and truth-seeking Jews and Christians come to profess faith in Muhammad.

Nejashi, the Abyssinian King, upon receiving the letter of the prophet of Islam, said: "By God, he is the same prophet whom the followers of the Book are awaiting."

All of what have been noted so far is based upon the Persian version of the Gospel, but studying the various Gospel translations and comparing them with the Hebrew version of the Bible make the fact clear that the Persian and the Arabic versions of the Gospel were not translated from the original text. The Hebrew version of Elz Evir Gospel had been translated from the Latin version belonging to 1624 AD,

wherein it had used Pericles meaning Ahmad - the Illustrious or Praiseworthy instead of Paraclete which means the comforter. The Christian priests and holy fathers made alterations in the Greek version and changed Pericles into Paraclete, which in turn has been translated as the Comforter in the Arabic and Persian versions, 50 that the people would not find out that this promise is about the great prophet of Islam.

But truth shall always prevail at the end, and it would eventually become known that the one who, was promised by Jesus, to come, was Ahmad - the most praiseworthy -that is, the prophet of Islam. The Holy Qur'an says: "And then Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel, surely I am the messenger of Allah to you, verifying that which is before me of Torah and giving good news of a messenger who will come after me, his name being Ahmad." (The Holy Qur'an 61:6)

The Prophet of Islam is the Spirit of Truth

The Gospel of John says: "I have got many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come." (John 16:12-13)

The "Spirit of Truth" is an epithet given to him, which indicates to the Comforter, who, as we have already come to know, is the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Another point learnt from the quoted section, is the incompleteness of the religion of Jesus, for he says: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you to all truth..."

This show that Jesus had not brought all the truth and had left the task to the Prophet, who would succeed him and whose Holy Religion is complete and all laws therein conform to the requirements of mankind.

Who is the Prince of the World?

"Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for the prince of this world cometh, and has nothing in me." (John 14:30)

The Prince of the world is the prophet who comes after Jesus, for the humanity is religiously and spiritually led by great divine prophets, who are God's appointed guardians and representatives upon earth. Moreover, the prince of the world is not Lord himself, for in the afore-mentioned quotation Jesus prophesies that the prince of the world will come later.

Priest Fender, a German clergyman, who has failed to identify the term "Prince of the World" with the Holy Spirit or even Christ himself, has succumbed to idle talk saying: "The Gospel commentators (that is, those who have altered the original Gospel) unanimously say that the Prince of the world is the Devil, who is the Prince of the Sinners and the Misguided."

One does not need to think long to conclude that this very justified is the work of Satan himself who through the narrow - mindedness of the Gospel commentators has called himself the prince of the world and made the pretence of being the Periclete promised by the Gospel. The fact is that the Prince of the world is a divine agent. The verse 8, chapter 16 of the Gospel according to John has called him a divine agent who would force the world towards righteousness and judgment.

From what has been said so far we would clearly understand that the prophecies of the Bible deal with a Prophet whose status is higher than that of Christ and who would complete his religious law, hold the spiritual and eternal leadership over humanity and would bring majesty and greatness to Christ. That person is none other than Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), the Prophet of Islam.

Chapter 8: What the holy fathers have done

A youth who is in touch with Christians and constantly reads their missionary books, has made some points on Christianity, some of which you have already read in Chapter 5. Now, here are the rest of his observations:

"It is convenient here to point out to the abhorrent acts of a group of holy fathers who have toyed with the destiny of many scientists, so that all those who have never had the opportunity to read about the details of those crimes, may know what sort of crimes these holy fathers have committed in the name of Jesus Christ, the innocent prophet of God."

"Yes! It was these holy fathers who killed Ramus the Philosopher. It was the holy fathers who first cut off the tongue of the Italian philosopher, Vanini, then choked him to death and later burned his body at the stake."26

"Were the perpetrators of these inhuman tragic crimes other than the holy fathers, these shepherds and sheep of God? It was they who sold forgiveness in order to squeeze money out of people, who in return for money would forgive all the sins of a person and give him, a signed deed of ownership over a section of paradise. In your opinion, what could these acts be termed except demagogy?"

"Even if someone raised his voice in protest, he would immediately be executed. Even those who way of thinking was in opposition to this ominous method were tortured under Inquisition and after making confessions were sentenced to severest punishments. It is impossible for me to understand why these churchmen who have committed such crimes still insist on introducing themselves as patrons of science and humanitarians.

"In 'Two Faiths' written by Marcel Cauchon we read:

During this period, five million people were either hanged or kept in dark and damp dungeons because of freethinking and violation of Papal order. Only between 1481 and 1499, i.e. a period of 18 years, 10220 people were burned at the stake; 6810 were slaughtered and 97023 died under torture upon the orders of the Inquisition."

"Were these the result of Jesus Christ's teachings or the whim of the holy fathers who under the disguise of faith and in order to achieve both power and wealth had committed all these murders, and who nonetheless are offering sympathy towards or shedding crocodile tears for the people in Africa and Asia?"

"The clergy and holy fathers prescribe celibacy, and apparently practice it themselves. But they are unaware that this is not right and that it would have grave consequences. The facts show the tragic effects of their shameful sexual relations."

"A typical description of these practices is to be found in Boccaccio's' "Decameron" or in Jean Jacques Rousseau's "Confessions". Nothing is wrong with satisfying sexual desires in a natural and legitimate way enjoined by Islam. Then what has made these people deviate from it and commit these obscene Epicurean sexual acts?"

The young man continued: "Let us leave this subject and return to the subject "God" presented by the clergy. Well, is it not ridiculous in the space - age and the epoch of science and knowledge that their transformed Bible should declare that God is composed of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and that God sent 'His only Son' to live among us? In the Gospel of John we read: "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God...

And the word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Fathers! (John 1:1 - 14). 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son...' (John 3:16)."

"These holy fathers," continued the young man, "have gone so far as to make everyday new revisions in the Gospels to suit their own desires or the expediencies of the time. Nevertheless, through Western governments, they charge people with 'Church tax' to translate and print these Gospels into every language without pausing for a moment to think about the consequences thereof or at least make a revision in the concept of the Trinity."

"I have recently read in a periodical that new manuscripts have been discovered which somewhat differ from the existing texts of the Bible, but that the holy fathers have ignored them."

"According to a London Times report from Tel Aviv: "Researchers at Hebrew University in Jerusalem have asked for a new scientific review and reassessment to be carried out concerning the advent of Christianity in. the light of new written scrolls, belonging to a Christian sect,

dating from 1500 years ago. This sect believed that they were the successors of the very Disciples of Christ. These scrolls show the life - style of the early Christians who lived in Jerusalem, who considered Jesus the messenger (and not the Son) of God and who were strict in observing the injunctions of Torah…"

"These manuscripts have inconsistencies with the New Testament and according to Times' report, they would seriously confirm that Judas of Iscariot may have carefully selected someone to be crucified in place of Jesus.'27 The young man also said: "It is not clear why the Christian authorities did not act in accordance with the advice of Hebrew University and refused to carry out a review of the Christian teachings in the light of these newly - discovered manuscripts."

"However, whether or not the Christian authorities and holy fathers accept to scrutinize the newly - discovered manuscripts, one thing has become clear for the researches: the teachings of Jesus Christ have been altered by his followers and we could never be confident of the authenticity of the present Bible and the teachings thereof, since the numerous Bible versions available along with the inconsistencies therein prevent us from gaining any such confidence at all." In conclusion the youth added: "O great Lord! Guide the misguided wherever and whoever they are. Show them the correct and right path, so that they, too, may find salvation."

Chapter 9: Forgiving of Sins & Heaven sold off!?

All divine religions and faiths try to prevent their followers from committing sins. But unfortunately, the religious teachings and books of the Christians, which are the inventions of the Church, unlike those of other religions, draw people towards committing sins.

The reason for the departure of Christianity from the rest of the divine religions in this respect is that Christian bishops and cardinals, though apparently associated with Jesus Christ, in effect bear no such relationship whatsoever,

and are not aware of his behavior and deeds, having thus miscomprehended his real goal. Christ had but One God; his so-called followers have "created" three gods to worship. Jesus forbade people from evil deeds; these persons encourage people to commit them through their letters of forgiveness and forgive committed sins in exchange for money!28 Judging from history it becomes obvious that the root of all these deviations and fallacies could be traced back to a certain man called "Paul."

Formerly a Jew, Paul was instrumental in altering the truth of the original Gospel revealed to Jesus by God, replacing it by the superstition and delusions of the Roman and Greek polytheists.

Paul's writings are available today under the name "The Epistles of Paul the Apostle" and are considered one of the religious books of the Christians. Paul has written in his Epistles: "Jesus is the Son of God and has inherited the Divinity from His Father! And the Son was ordered by His Father to come upon the earth to live among people and know the human condition.

But later the Jewish servants rose against the Son of God and crucified him in the worst manner. The Lord, because of the hardship and sufferings inflicted upon and occurred to His Son, showed mercy and forgave the sins of all His servants and abolished all the obligations of His servants, and people were only obliged to have faith in Jesus, the Son of God, and love him, for whoever loveth Jesus with his whole heart would have all his sins forgiven." (1)

Where did the thoughts of Paul originate from? The idea that a person could wash away the guilt's of his people through his death or by his blood is an ancient belief existing since the time immemorial. The peoples of Egypt, Asia Minor and Greece believed for a long time in gods such as Osiris, Athena and Dionysos, who came in human shape down to the earth to save humanity and who died in order to have the sins of people forgiven.29

A group of Buddhists believe the same thing about Buddha. In their opinion, God descended upon the earth for the ninth time and took the guise of Buddha to save mankind from errors and sins.30

Adopting the ideas of Roman and Greek polytheists, Paul transformed the monotheism of Jesus and Moses into polytheism and introduced God as the Father, and Jesus, who was simply a Prophet of God, as the one borne out of the Essence of God. The people of that time, who were already familiar with polytheistic ideas, accepted these superstitious concepts and really came to believe in Jesus as the Son of God and as the one who had been crucified in order to absolve the sins of people.

In fact one should say that following the Crucifixion of God's only begotten Son, there is no need to observe the Divine precepts mentioned in Torah, for a Christian is absolved of all responsibilities since the blood of Christ is the ransom paid for the sins of Christians!

All of us, however, know that God never had a son, for having a son is confined to those who are finite and possess physical bodies, so that a part of their bodies may be detached from them to grow into a child. On the other hand, the infinite Lord, who is free and pure from any restriction and incarnation, could never be imagined to have a son. Thus the Holy Qur'an considers God a truth not born and not likely to bear a child: "He begets none, nor is He begotten".

Christians and their followers had never given a moment of thought that if God had wanted to forgive His servants, He would not have needed to resort to such an absurd act of putting an immaculate person into trouble or on the Cross for a few days as a sacrificial ransom for recompensing the human sins.

Instead, out of His boundless mercy, He would have ignored the wrong- doings of some evil4oers and forgiven them, and would, owing to an act of justice, have punished others since their sins would afflict their very own selves.31

The Buying and selling of Paradise and the Letters of Forgiveness

The paying of ransom for crimes committed, while being a relevantly simple and straightforward issue during Paul's time, later on gained a new aspect under the Church authorities and Holy Fathers.

In Paul's creed, only the Father and the Son were recognized. The Holy Fathers, however, added yet another god -Holy Spirit- and thus made them three. Also according to Paul, with Jesus being crucified, all sins of mankind were automatically forgiven, but the Holy Fathers fabricated new rules governing the absolution from sins. According to these rules, it was necessary for a sinner to first confess to his sins to the priest, then offer some cash or credit to His Holiness the Pope so as to have his sins forgiven. It was thought that when the priest utters the words: "I forgive thee", God will have no alternative but forgive and absolve.32

Some church authorities have not insisted on penance, confession and supplication and left the purchaser free to interpret the letter of forgiveness as the certificate of exemption from anything -penance, confession, forgiveness and paying ransom for sins- and let them consider it related merely to the amount of money he pays.

About 1450, the Dean of Oxford University, Thomas Gascagne complained: "Today the sinners say: 'I have no fear of God on the account of sins and misdeeds I commit, for I would be absolved of all guilt's and sins when confessing and asking forgiveness from the priest and buying papal letter of forgiveness'…"33

We read in the book "Exposition of Christian Teachings": "Only the Catholic Church has the power to forgive sins and no outside means of absolution from sins could be found beyond this power." It adds: "It is necessary for us sinners to confess to all our sins before the priest,

for one who withholds even one Sin from the priest will not be cleared from other sins, because he has also committed a great sin of hypocrisy. It is also incumbent upon us to confess to the number of sins committed and say, for instance, that we have committed such and such a sin ten times."34

By fabricating such superstitions, Christianity has prevented many people from achieving moral perfection and spiritual virtues and caused them to plunge into crimes and backwardness. However, based upon nature, the Holy Qur'an forbids mankind from committing evil deeds and calls them towards spiritual perfection. Without resorting to superstition, it encourages the wrongdoers to repent, and thus gives them the hope that whoever "does evil or wrongs his soul, and then asks forgiveness of Allah, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful" (Holy Qur'an, 5:110).

The Qur'an considers the forgiveness of sins the sole right of the Almighty Lord: "To Allah belongs the kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth. He forgives whom He pleases and cherishes whom He pleases. And Allah is forgiving and merciful." (Holy Qur'an 48:17).

Chapter 10: The Authors of the New Testament

Why should we know The Authors?

Everyday you are confronted with various reports and hear various news. But among them, you only find one that is reliable and noteworthy, one, which has been said by a reliable and virtuous person. For, if the announcer or the writer is not correct and truthful, his words will not be convincing and trustworthy. Thus whenever we ask for correct news, we must call on truthful speakers or authors to inform us of the real conducts and attitudes of people who have lived before us.

In order to find out about the attitude and pleasing words of Jesus Christ, who lived many centuries before us, any interested person is inevitably forced to consider the reliability of the authors of the New Testament, in order to see whether or not they were qualified for such a thing, for one cannot blindly accept anything written or said as being the attitude and words of Christ himself.

Unfortunately when we embark on a sound, scientific investigation to know the writers of the Scriptures, we discover that they were either unknown or unbelieving, deviant and sinful elements, who could not generally be trusted. For more explanation and in order to see what has just been stated is an irrefutable truth, let us quote a few words about the writers of the New Testament from their very own writings which are currently available.

The biography of the Authors of the New Testament The New Testament is made up of twenty-seven books by eight writers: Peter, John, Matthew, Judas (who were apostles of Christ), Mark, Luke, Jacob and Paul.

Peter

He is the author of two books in the New Testament, who furnishes a source for the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. According to the Bible Dictionary, it is highly suspected that in writing his own Gospel, Mark has relied on information furnished by Peter. Matthew and Luke have referred to Gospel of Mark and some other texts as their information source.35

Peter is the same person to whom Jesus had expressed his dislike. As we read in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16, when Jesus was prophesying his own death to his disciples, Peter, taking hold of him, began to reproach him, saying:

"Be it far from thee, lord. This shall not be unto thee." Turning to Peter, Jesus said: "Get thee behind me, Satan. Thou art an offence unto me. For thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matt. 16:21- 23). Thus is it possible to say that Peter has deserved to be followed by Matthew, Mark and Luke and that his words should constitute an information source for these writers?

The Disobedience of Peter and John

The evening on which Jesus was succumbing to exceeding sorrow, and was betrayed to his enemies, he told his disciples:

"Tarry ye here, and watch with me." But the disciples, instead of taking care of Christ in such a time, abandoned him and went to bed. When Jesus saw them sleeping, he admonished them and said to Peter: "What, could you not watch with me one hour?" He went the second time and prayed, saying unto the disciples to be with him. But again he found them in sleep, obviously having placed their own comfort above obeying his command. (Extracts from Matt. 26, and Mark 14).

Would the people who did not attach any importance to Jesus' simple request in those critical hours, have respected and valued his injunctions in other times? As a result, how could one rely and trust the Gospel, Revelations, books of John or other writings belonging to Peter or to others influenced by him?

How the Disciples Abandoned Jesus and Fled?

The night on which Jesus was to be captured by his enemies, he told his disciples: "All of you shall be offended because of me this night." All his disciples expressed their dislikes of this offence and Peter said: "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

" Suddenly Judas, one of the twelve ones, appeared and with him a great multitude carrying swords and sticks. They had been sent by chief Jewish priests and elders. Coming forward they put hands on Jesus and took him away. It was then that all his disciples forsook him and fled.36 What saddened Jesus more than their escape was the arrival of Peter among the enemies!

As Miller, the famous Christian missionary, writes: "How distressed and sad Jesus must have been upon looking at the crowd, seeing Peter warming himself beside fire with other people! Such a negligence and lapse on the part of his most outstanding disciple must have been upsetting.37 Were such irresolute persons firm in face of the bitter events of the early Christian era and the whim of the Roman emperors?

Author's Lack of Faith

Although during his lifetime Jesus had told his disciples that he would "… be

killed, and be raised again the third day",38 whoever told the disciples on that day that 'Jesus has risen', they would not believe him, until Jesus himself appeared to them and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart."39 When the disciples of Jesus act like this, what is to be expected from the writers who had followed them?

Mark

Mark was Barnabas' cousin40 and was a friend to Paul, Barnabas and Peter. Quite possibly he had been taught Christian beliefs by Peter; for Peter addresses him as his son. His association with and devotion to Paul and Peter who were both dishonest is a living witness that he was misled; for in order to know people, the best means is to know their masters and friends. Furthermore, Floyd Philson writes:

"Peter imagined that Mark was not firm in serving Jesus."41 Hence it becomes clear that Mark was not even trusted by Peter.

Luke

He is an unknown man who was in the same footing with misled and misguided Paul. The Persian Bible Dictionary writes: "His personal history, before and after meeting Paul, is either unknown or based upon ambiguous unidentifiable stories."

Jacob, the Brother of Jesus

He was the same person who in response to the people's inclination hatched a conspiracy aimed at instilling the necessity of rejecting the Mosaic Law and openly declared: "…My sentence is that we should trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God." By this statement, he trampled all but few of the Torah's injunctions. Although Jesus had said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heavens and earth pass, one jot or one tottle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matt. 5:17-18)

Paul

There is no evidence available for knowing him except the writings of his friend and colleague, Mark. Moreover, he has committed certain acts each of which is enough by itself as an adequate proof and concrete evidence of his deviations, such as the conspiracy he staged for abolishing the need of observing the Torah; for Paul was one of the supporters of such action and a member of that Cabal. What has been said so far clearly demonstrates that should we ignore the events that had taken place in the early Christian era, we still cannot be optimistic about the New Testament and consider it as being reliable, for the authors thereof had not been qualified and trustworthy.

More startling is the fact that despite their contradictory and superstitious statements, the Christians introduce these authors as inspired by the divine revelation and the Holy Spirit, even though they have no proof supporting this idea except the assertions of these pretty unknown or notorious authors themselves.

Let us hope for the day when the Christian intellectuals would turn back against all these superstitious beliefs, and become unanimous with us so that together, and under the prospering standard of Islam, we would achieve real truths. Amen!

Chapter 11: What is The Eucharist?

Fighting for its very own survival, and since it lacks correct and encompassing teachings that would attract intellectuals, Christianity tries to keep for itself, through "False" rituals, the gullible and fanatic people, whose number, unfortunately, is not few. The thought and deeds which the holy fathers teach for this purpose are generally unsubstantiated and the product of their own delusions.

Unconscious of this fact, the church followers do not ask for proof and blindly follow the fathers. Now the holy fathers discuss the concept of The Trinity, then they stage a Eucharist ceremony, imagining that thus they create a thrill of excitement in the hearts of Christians. They are unaware that these rites would deliver yet another blow to the foundations of Christianity. They (the holy fathers) say that it would be good to kill two birds with one stone, by mixing fun and revelry, with a so-called religious action.

Presently we would explain the fact behind this "holy deed" to you, dear reader:

The Eucharist, or the Wine and Breed Ritual On Christmas Eve, the Christians make the following ceremony in the churches:

The Archbishop orders his acolytes to make dough from good flour, bake a loaf of unlived bread and bring it to him. Then the Holy Father takes the loaf of bread and wine to the church and after tolling the bell, prepares the Christians for performing the great ceremony. They all file in one rank and the priest pours the wine into a silver bowl and wraps the bread in a beautiful kerchief. Then he passes the rank of Christians and faces the East, reciting incantations and prayers while holding the loaf of bread. Following the supplication, he prostrates before the bread, then all those present would do the same for they believe that after the supplication, the dough of the bread transforms into the flesh of Jesus.42

The Wine Grail

The Holy Father then holds the cup of wine and addresses the congregation saying: "Our (lord and savior) Jesus, before death took the Grail of wine and gave it to his disciples saying: "this is my blood." (Mark 14:24) Having said this, the priest himself bows before the cup and those in attendance must also follow suit.

Then, while saying prayers, he breaks the bread and holds it in his hand, while another priest brings the Grail of wine. Then one by one, those present come forward; and the holy father still reciting prayers places in their mouths a piece of that bread which they swallow immediately without biting into it, for if they bite into it the flesh of Jesus would be harmed. One must ask why the flesh of Jesus, i.e. the unlived bread, is not harmed when they tear it to pieces. Then all take a sip of wine, and by eating bread and drinking wine, all of them become the Father and the Son. And all their sins are forgiven. Whoever wants to repent must do this, and this is currently the standard practice in all Roman Catholic Churches.

This is but a sample of the ideas and deeds of Christianity, a faith whose practitioners believe that beatitude solely lies in the light of its teachings. Moreover, as a part of the ceremony, all unanimously call Jesus the Lord, the only Son of God and begotten by The Father; and confess that he is not a creature but sharing the same essence with the Father.

Unlivened Bread and the Flesh of Jesus

Now in order to better explain this decadent idea and this act, take note of the following:

1) How then Jesus, who according to these gentlemen had been crucified about two millennia ago, can be turn to pieces in thousands of churches, and up in the bellies of millions of Christians and thereby make them all Gods? What sort of scientific discipline proves that this bread and this wine are transformed into the flesh and blood of Jesus and what sort of connection exists between Christ and this physical food?

2) If each of those pieces of bread that a Christian eats were a whole Jesus, then it would be necessary for the Lord to create each year several million Jesus in the form of unlivened bread so as to feed the Christians. Moreover, during his lifetime, each Christian, depending upon his age must have eaten 50, 60, 80 or even 100 whole Jesus... Is such a statement believable?

And if they say that they tear Jesus to pieces and eat him, no doubt the crime of the holy fathers would be no less severe than that of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the Jews, for they tear Jesus to pieces every year.

Strange Statement

By saying the unlivened bread is digested, the Christians have made a great insult to Jesus, for they are forced to say that it goes through the same stages as other foods, but if they say that it is not digested and absorbed then one must say that every Christian, who has lived for hundred years, must harbor hundred Jesus in his stomach. Truly how much space is there in one's stomach to take in hundred Jesus with earthly bodies?

The superstitious nature of The Eucharist became such a widely spoken topic among Europeans and other people, that in 1551 AD the Roman Catholic Church was forced to make a revision in it but still it could not thoroughly abandon the Eucharist superstitions.

By what stated so far, the superstitious nature of The Eucharist comes into light, for it does not conform to any laws of natural or rational sciences; rather it directly opposes them. In this ritual, drinking of wine, which by the assertion of medical scientists and The Holy Bible itself, is a dangerous fluid that disrupts both mind and body, has been incorporated into the Christian faith as a sacred act by which the Christians become both the Father and the Son.

More specifically, if it is said that unlivened bread is not digested and remains in body forever, this foolish statement make not only the natural scientist, but also even any child, to laugh at it. Furthermore, the present gospels do not approve this act. John Alder, a Christian scholar writes:

"Protestants dispute with Catholics about two subjects:

I-That the Eucharist and other sacred rites have been taught by Jesus, for there are many arguments against it, but none to support it. II-That these holy rituals are means and modes of salvation, Whereas the New Testament strongly emphasizes that we are saved through faith "and not by performing rituals. (Therefore there is no salvation in the acts, rites and ceremonies of the Eucharist). May God guide all of us to the right path?"

Chapter 6: The History of the New Testament

Christian scholars believe that Jesus Christ has not left behind any divine book; rather, it was his disciples who, some time after his death, decided to do this job. At last they wrote treatises concerning the deeds and words of Christ. But unfortunately from the very beginning these writings became for a period of 100 years subject to alterations, omissions and additions by the blood-thirsty Roman emperors, who had no other aim but destroy the very foundations of Christianity and encourage superstition and idolatry.

During the long period, the policy of the emperors left a deep impression on the foundations of real Christianity:

Religious leaders were either killed or detained; religious books were burned; heretics infiltrated into seminaries beginning to spread false teachings in the Church of that time; religious societies were disbanded; cloisters and convents were destroyed and razed to the ground.

Through their activities during that long 300-year period, the emperors had in effect ruined the basic foundations of Christianity, inflicting irreparable damages upon it. As a result, considering these events, no one can trustfully be optimistic towards the Bible including the Gospels.

To make our point more clear, we shall presently offer the case histories of some these emperors; Trajanus After he came to power in 98 AD, his policy dictated him to remove Christianity in a systematic program. He fabricated and instituted some regulations concerning Christianity. These laws were in force for a long time.

The judge generally tried to encourage Christians to deny Jesus Christ and worship non-Christian gods. Had Christians remained faithful to their belief, they would be killed.

The situation reached a point when in 155 A.D Polycarpe, who was one of the most famous founding members of the Church, was burnt at the stake in the city of Izmir.16 Marcus Aurelius He decided to exterminate Christianity by inflicting cruelty and violence. To this end, he killed many Christians in Africa and in many other provinces of the Empire. Tempest, plague, famine, foreign invasion and other calamities, which came to afflict the people during the reign of this emperor, instigated them more and more against Christians.

Each day a group of Christians were arrested. As a result, the best people of the churches of Lyon and Vienna and other church founders were arrested. Metellus, son of Attalos, who was in fact a great champion in the theological affairs and reinforcing aspects of the Church, was subjected to torture and persecution and finally died a tragic death.17

Decius

According to Miller, the Christian scholar, the measures taken by Decius to destroy the Christian Church was more effective than those carried out by previous Roman Emperors. Since he launched his cruel and aggressive campaign quite unexpectedly, many Christians who were caught by surprise, generally disowned their faith.18

Valerianus

After he succeeded Decius as the emperor, he threatened to kill all the archbishops who did not agree with him. He beheaded the archbishop of Carthage, Cyprian. During the second year of his rule, he ordered that all priests to be killed, Christian nobles to be dispossessed of their properties and positions and be killed if they persisted in their faith.19

Deuclocian

When he came to throne, paganism had been revived. Pagan writers had roused the general public against the Christians. Galerius who had nearly come to succeed the emperor, encouraged Deuclocian to issue an order to remove any trace of the Church. To this effect, all cloisters were destroyed, Christian books were set afire, and all those Christians who did not offer sacrificial tokens to the emperor were either tortured or killed.

Although this oppression did not last l9ng on the Western part of the Empire, it continued for nine years in the Eastern Empire, and was the severest persecution and harassment that the Christians had so far suffered from.20 Considering these disasters, how could one believe that the New Testament had not been destroyed or subject to alterations during those epochs?

Constantine the Wicked

Following all these crimes and aggressions committed against the very basis of Christianity, in 312 AD, Constantine became the Emperor of Rome. He put an end to the Roman persecution and oppression, but through his constant interference into religious affairs, adoption of the title of the head of the Church, and establishment of the Oecumenical Council of Nicea, he dealt a mortal blow at the already injured Christianity.21

Apart from being a wicked man and committing a number of abhorrent and disgraceful acts, he did not totally sever ties with polytheism and even forced Christians to conform to him in both thought and practice. He did not pay any attention to objections and criticism of archbishops who had gathered in Oecumenical Council of Nicea from all parts of the Roman Empire (an item of their criticism has likely been the problem of the New Testament textual confusions). Instead of studying them, he ordered to burn their notes of criticism.22

Did the rule and supervision of such a wicked man, whose faith was a matter of doubt, help to settle the problems of Christianity or had otherwise landed more credence to the arguments and evidence pointing to the lack of credit of what has remained?

In order to achieve his political objective, Constantine would force the Christians into a compulsory unity and prevent them from expressing their thoughts and opinions.

He was emphatic on whatever he had in mind. Thus it is unclear what he had done to the New Testament including the Gospels.

Did this wicked man of dubious faith, who had no goal other than furthering his own ambitions, instituted the heresies and alterations of the Roman polytheists or destroyed them? There is no room for doubt that as far as his relation with polytheism was concerned, he could not have kept Christianity unsoiled by them. At any rate,

all current versions of the New Testament available to Christians belong to the early or middle fourth century (325-350 AD) and there is no trace of the complete manuscripts belonging to the pre- Constantine era. Nor is it clear what has occurred to them through various upheavals and political games.23

Considering this situation, could the veracity of the Gospels and tenets of Christianity be trusted and should what is known currently as the Holy Bible be recognized as the original works of the Disciples or should their veracity and authenticity be doubted by any fair-minded person?

A living witness to the fact that whatever is known today as the New Testament is not trustworthy and authentic is that portions of the discovered manuscripts belonging to the early days of Christianity are wholly different from some of present Gospels. Dr. John Alder, the famous American missionary in Iran, has written in his book called "Archaeology of the Holy Scripture": "In the ruins of Exir Hincus, two papyrus scrolls have been discovered consisting of words attributed to Jesus

Christ, but most of them differ from what we read in the New Testament." The discovery of the scrolls containing Gospels' old text clearly demonstrates that the present Gospels are altered and have taken the present forms later in the hands of the Popes and a number of holy fathers.

In short, it must be said that the New Testament that has been constantly at the mercy of events and mysterious manipulations is in no way reliable and trustworthy and could not be considered the work of the Disciples of Jesus.

Chapter 7: The Prophecies of the Gospels

There may be few people who could imagine that there are sentences in the Holy Scripture of the Christians that is the New Testament, which clearly and expressly prophesy the advent of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (P.B.U.H).24 Although the holy fathers had made their best to either omit or revise the sentences dealing with the prophet of Islam, yet in the pages of the present Gospels one can come across sentences whose implicit meanings clearly attest to the coming of the great prophet of Islam.

Here are but few examples of such prophecies:

Prophet of Islam, the Comforter The Gospel of John says: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceeded from the Father, he shall testify for me." (John 15:26)

"Nevertheless I tell you the Truth. It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)

The Comforter is not the Holy Spirit

Should it be said that by the Comforter it is meant the Holy Spirit' one must say that there are evidences contrary to this notion, some of which are briefly outlined here.

The sections quoted above give the prophecy of the advent of an individual after Christ and state that his coming depends on the departure of Jesus. His great spiritual personality is so much superior to that of Jesus that Christ's departure in order to make possible the coming of that glaring sun is a very great advantage to humanity.

These descriptions do not fit the Holy Spirit, for he is an angel carrying the divine revelation to the prophets. He used to come to prophets during their divine appointment inspiring them with heavenly messages and verses and his coming down did not depend on Christ's departure. Furthermore, the existence of the Holy Spirit is no more beneficial to humanity than that of Jesus and his going away is more beneficial.

In the "Presentation of Truth", there is a quotation made from the "Quintessence of Histories" written by a Christian. It says: At the time of Muhammad, both Jews and Christians were awaiting the promised messenger. This favorable background was of great advantage to Muhammad to claim that "25 Of course the declaration of the prophet of Islam was thoroughly based on facts, for the signs given both in Torah and the Gospels describing the last of prophets, Muhammad, completely fitted him and hence a large number of fair and truth-seeking Jews and Christians come to profess faith in Muhammad.

Nejashi, the Abyssinian King, upon receiving the letter of the prophet of Islam, said: "By God, he is the same prophet whom the followers of the Book are awaiting."

All of what have been noted so far is based upon the Persian version of the Gospel, but studying the various Gospel translations and comparing them with the Hebrew version of the Bible make the fact clear that the Persian and the Arabic versions of the Gospel were not translated from the original text. The Hebrew version of Elz Evir Gospel had been translated from the Latin version belonging to 1624 AD,

wherein it had used Pericles meaning Ahmad - the Illustrious or Praiseworthy instead of Paraclete which means the comforter. The Christian priests and holy fathers made alterations in the Greek version and changed Pericles into Paraclete, which in turn has been translated as the Comforter in the Arabic and Persian versions, 50 that the people would not find out that this promise is about the great prophet of Islam.

But truth shall always prevail at the end, and it would eventually become known that the one who, was promised by Jesus, to come, was Ahmad - the most praiseworthy -that is, the prophet of Islam. The Holy Qur'an says: "And then Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel, surely I am the messenger of Allah to you, verifying that which is before me of Torah and giving good news of a messenger who will come after me, his name being Ahmad." (The Holy Qur'an 61:6)

The Prophet of Islam is the Spirit of Truth

The Gospel of John says: "I have got many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come." (John 16:12-13)

The "Spirit of Truth" is an epithet given to him, which indicates to the Comforter, who, as we have already come to know, is the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Another point learnt from the quoted section, is the incompleteness of the religion of Jesus, for he says: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you to all truth..."

This show that Jesus had not brought all the truth and had left the task to the Prophet, who would succeed him and whose Holy Religion is complete and all laws therein conform to the requirements of mankind.

Who is the Prince of the World?

"Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for the prince of this world cometh, and has nothing in me." (John 14:30)

The Prince of the world is the prophet who comes after Jesus, for the humanity is religiously and spiritually led by great divine prophets, who are God's appointed guardians and representatives upon earth. Moreover, the prince of the world is not Lord himself, for in the afore-mentioned quotation Jesus prophesies that the prince of the world will come later.

Priest Fender, a German clergyman, who has failed to identify the term "Prince of the World" with the Holy Spirit or even Christ himself, has succumbed to idle talk saying: "The Gospel commentators (that is, those who have altered the original Gospel) unanimously say that the Prince of the world is the Devil, who is the Prince of the Sinners and the Misguided."

One does not need to think long to conclude that this very justified is the work of Satan himself who through the narrow - mindedness of the Gospel commentators has called himself the prince of the world and made the pretence of being the Periclete promised by the Gospel. The fact is that the Prince of the world is a divine agent. The verse 8, chapter 16 of the Gospel according to John has called him a divine agent who would force the world towards righteousness and judgment.

From what has been said so far we would clearly understand that the prophecies of the Bible deal with a Prophet whose status is higher than that of Christ and who would complete his religious law, hold the spiritual and eternal leadership over humanity and would bring majesty and greatness to Christ. That person is none other than Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), the Prophet of Islam.

Chapter 8: What the holy fathers have done

A youth who is in touch with Christians and constantly reads their missionary books, has made some points on Christianity, some of which you have already read in Chapter 5. Now, here are the rest of his observations:

"It is convenient here to point out to the abhorrent acts of a group of holy fathers who have toyed with the destiny of many scientists, so that all those who have never had the opportunity to read about the details of those crimes, may know what sort of crimes these holy fathers have committed in the name of Jesus Christ, the innocent prophet of God."

"Yes! It was these holy fathers who killed Ramus the Philosopher. It was the holy fathers who first cut off the tongue of the Italian philosopher, Vanini, then choked him to death and later burned his body at the stake."26

"Were the perpetrators of these inhuman tragic crimes other than the holy fathers, these shepherds and sheep of God? It was they who sold forgiveness in order to squeeze money out of people, who in return for money would forgive all the sins of a person and give him, a signed deed of ownership over a section of paradise. In your opinion, what could these acts be termed except demagogy?"

"Even if someone raised his voice in protest, he would immediately be executed. Even those who way of thinking was in opposition to this ominous method were tortured under Inquisition and after making confessions were sentenced to severest punishments. It is impossible for me to understand why these churchmen who have committed such crimes still insist on introducing themselves as patrons of science and humanitarians.

"In 'Two Faiths' written by Marcel Cauchon we read:

During this period, five million people were either hanged or kept in dark and damp dungeons because of freethinking and violation of Papal order. Only between 1481 and 1499, i.e. a period of 18 years, 10220 people were burned at the stake; 6810 were slaughtered and 97023 died under torture upon the orders of the Inquisition."

"Were these the result of Jesus Christ's teachings or the whim of the holy fathers who under the disguise of faith and in order to achieve both power and wealth had committed all these murders, and who nonetheless are offering sympathy towards or shedding crocodile tears for the people in Africa and Asia?"

"The clergy and holy fathers prescribe celibacy, and apparently practice it themselves. But they are unaware that this is not right and that it would have grave consequences. The facts show the tragic effects of their shameful sexual relations."

"A typical description of these practices is to be found in Boccaccio's' "Decameron" or in Jean Jacques Rousseau's "Confessions". Nothing is wrong with satisfying sexual desires in a natural and legitimate way enjoined by Islam. Then what has made these people deviate from it and commit these obscene Epicurean sexual acts?"

The young man continued: "Let us leave this subject and return to the subject "God" presented by the clergy. Well, is it not ridiculous in the space - age and the epoch of science and knowledge that their transformed Bible should declare that God is composed of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and that God sent 'His only Son' to live among us? In the Gospel of John we read: "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God...

And the word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Fathers! (John 1:1 - 14). 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son...' (John 3:16)."

"These holy fathers," continued the young man, "have gone so far as to make everyday new revisions in the Gospels to suit their own desires or the expediencies of the time. Nevertheless, through Western governments, they charge people with 'Church tax' to translate and print these Gospels into every language without pausing for a moment to think about the consequences thereof or at least make a revision in the concept of the Trinity."

"I have recently read in a periodical that new manuscripts have been discovered which somewhat differ from the existing texts of the Bible, but that the holy fathers have ignored them."

"According to a London Times report from Tel Aviv: "Researchers at Hebrew University in Jerusalem have asked for a new scientific review and reassessment to be carried out concerning the advent of Christianity in. the light of new written scrolls, belonging to a Christian sect,

dating from 1500 years ago. This sect believed that they were the successors of the very Disciples of Christ. These scrolls show the life - style of the early Christians who lived in Jerusalem, who considered Jesus the messenger (and not the Son) of God and who were strict in observing the injunctions of Torah…"

"These manuscripts have inconsistencies with the New Testament and according to Times' report, they would seriously confirm that Judas of Iscariot may have carefully selected someone to be crucified in place of Jesus.'27 The young man also said: "It is not clear why the Christian authorities did not act in accordance with the advice of Hebrew University and refused to carry out a review of the Christian teachings in the light of these newly - discovered manuscripts."

"However, whether or not the Christian authorities and holy fathers accept to scrutinize the newly - discovered manuscripts, one thing has become clear for the researches: the teachings of Jesus Christ have been altered by his followers and we could never be confident of the authenticity of the present Bible and the teachings thereof, since the numerous Bible versions available along with the inconsistencies therein prevent us from gaining any such confidence at all." In conclusion the youth added: "O great Lord! Guide the misguided wherever and whoever they are. Show them the correct and right path, so that they, too, may find salvation."

Chapter 9: Forgiving of Sins & Heaven sold off!?

All divine religions and faiths try to prevent their followers from committing sins. But unfortunately, the religious teachings and books of the Christians, which are the inventions of the Church, unlike those of other religions, draw people towards committing sins.

The reason for the departure of Christianity from the rest of the divine religions in this respect is that Christian bishops and cardinals, though apparently associated with Jesus Christ, in effect bear no such relationship whatsoever,

and are not aware of his behavior and deeds, having thus miscomprehended his real goal. Christ had but One God; his so-called followers have "created" three gods to worship. Jesus forbade people from evil deeds; these persons encourage people to commit them through their letters of forgiveness and forgive committed sins in exchange for money!28 Judging from history it becomes obvious that the root of all these deviations and fallacies could be traced back to a certain man called "Paul."

Formerly a Jew, Paul was instrumental in altering the truth of the original Gospel revealed to Jesus by God, replacing it by the superstition and delusions of the Roman and Greek polytheists.

Paul's writings are available today under the name "The Epistles of Paul the Apostle" and are considered one of the religious books of the Christians. Paul has written in his Epistles: "Jesus is the Son of God and has inherited the Divinity from His Father! And the Son was ordered by His Father to come upon the earth to live among people and know the human condition.

But later the Jewish servants rose against the Son of God and crucified him in the worst manner. The Lord, because of the hardship and sufferings inflicted upon and occurred to His Son, showed mercy and forgave the sins of all His servants and abolished all the obligations of His servants, and people were only obliged to have faith in Jesus, the Son of God, and love him, for whoever loveth Jesus with his whole heart would have all his sins forgiven." (1)

Where did the thoughts of Paul originate from? The idea that a person could wash away the guilt's of his people through his death or by his blood is an ancient belief existing since the time immemorial. The peoples of Egypt, Asia Minor and Greece believed for a long time in gods such as Osiris, Athena and Dionysos, who came in human shape down to the earth to save humanity and who died in order to have the sins of people forgiven.29

A group of Buddhists believe the same thing about Buddha. In their opinion, God descended upon the earth for the ninth time and took the guise of Buddha to save mankind from errors and sins.30

Adopting the ideas of Roman and Greek polytheists, Paul transformed the monotheism of Jesus and Moses into polytheism and introduced God as the Father, and Jesus, who was simply a Prophet of God, as the one borne out of the Essence of God. The people of that time, who were already familiar with polytheistic ideas, accepted these superstitious concepts and really came to believe in Jesus as the Son of God and as the one who had been crucified in order to absolve the sins of people.

In fact one should say that following the Crucifixion of God's only begotten Son, there is no need to observe the Divine precepts mentioned in Torah, for a Christian is absolved of all responsibilities since the blood of Christ is the ransom paid for the sins of Christians!

All of us, however, know that God never had a son, for having a son is confined to those who are finite and possess physical bodies, so that a part of their bodies may be detached from them to grow into a child. On the other hand, the infinite Lord, who is free and pure from any restriction and incarnation, could never be imagined to have a son. Thus the Holy Qur'an considers God a truth not born and not likely to bear a child: "He begets none, nor is He begotten".

Christians and their followers had never given a moment of thought that if God had wanted to forgive His servants, He would not have needed to resort to such an absurd act of putting an immaculate person into trouble or on the Cross for a few days as a sacrificial ransom for recompensing the human sins.

Instead, out of His boundless mercy, He would have ignored the wrong- doings of some evil4oers and forgiven them, and would, owing to an act of justice, have punished others since their sins would afflict their very own selves.31

The Buying and selling of Paradise and the Letters of Forgiveness

The paying of ransom for crimes committed, while being a relevantly simple and straightforward issue during Paul's time, later on gained a new aspect under the Church authorities and Holy Fathers.

In Paul's creed, only the Father and the Son were recognized. The Holy Fathers, however, added yet another god -Holy Spirit- and thus made them three. Also according to Paul, with Jesus being crucified, all sins of mankind were automatically forgiven, but the Holy Fathers fabricated new rules governing the absolution from sins. According to these rules, it was necessary for a sinner to first confess to his sins to the priest, then offer some cash or credit to His Holiness the Pope so as to have his sins forgiven. It was thought that when the priest utters the words: "I forgive thee", God will have no alternative but forgive and absolve.32

Some church authorities have not insisted on penance, confession and supplication and left the purchaser free to interpret the letter of forgiveness as the certificate of exemption from anything -penance, confession, forgiveness and paying ransom for sins- and let them consider it related merely to the amount of money he pays.

About 1450, the Dean of Oxford University, Thomas Gascagne complained: "Today the sinners say: 'I have no fear of God on the account of sins and misdeeds I commit, for I would be absolved of all guilt's and sins when confessing and asking forgiveness from the priest and buying papal letter of forgiveness'…"33

We read in the book "Exposition of Christian Teachings": "Only the Catholic Church has the power to forgive sins and no outside means of absolution from sins could be found beyond this power." It adds: "It is necessary for us sinners to confess to all our sins before the priest,

for one who withholds even one Sin from the priest will not be cleared from other sins, because he has also committed a great sin of hypocrisy. It is also incumbent upon us to confess to the number of sins committed and say, for instance, that we have committed such and such a sin ten times."34

By fabricating such superstitions, Christianity has prevented many people from achieving moral perfection and spiritual virtues and caused them to plunge into crimes and backwardness. However, based upon nature, the Holy Qur'an forbids mankind from committing evil deeds and calls them towards spiritual perfection. Without resorting to superstition, it encourages the wrongdoers to repent, and thus gives them the hope that whoever "does evil or wrongs his soul, and then asks forgiveness of Allah, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful" (Holy Qur'an, 5:110).

The Qur'an considers the forgiveness of sins the sole right of the Almighty Lord: "To Allah belongs the kingdom of the Heavens and the Earth. He forgives whom He pleases and cherishes whom He pleases. And Allah is forgiving and merciful." (Holy Qur'an 48:17).

Chapter 10: The Authors of the New Testament

Why should we know The Authors?

Everyday you are confronted with various reports and hear various news. But among them, you only find one that is reliable and noteworthy, one, which has been said by a reliable and virtuous person. For, if the announcer or the writer is not correct and truthful, his words will not be convincing and trustworthy. Thus whenever we ask for correct news, we must call on truthful speakers or authors to inform us of the real conducts and attitudes of people who have lived before us.

In order to find out about the attitude and pleasing words of Jesus Christ, who lived many centuries before us, any interested person is inevitably forced to consider the reliability of the authors of the New Testament, in order to see whether or not they were qualified for such a thing, for one cannot blindly accept anything written or said as being the attitude and words of Christ himself.

Unfortunately when we embark on a sound, scientific investigation to know the writers of the Scriptures, we discover that they were either unknown or unbelieving, deviant and sinful elements, who could not generally be trusted. For more explanation and in order to see what has just been stated is an irrefutable truth, let us quote a few words about the writers of the New Testament from their very own writings which are currently available.

The biography of the Authors of the New Testament The New Testament is made up of twenty-seven books by eight writers: Peter, John, Matthew, Judas (who were apostles of Christ), Mark, Luke, Jacob and Paul.

Peter

He is the author of two books in the New Testament, who furnishes a source for the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. According to the Bible Dictionary, it is highly suspected that in writing his own Gospel, Mark has relied on information furnished by Peter. Matthew and Luke have referred to Gospel of Mark and some other texts as their information source.35

Peter is the same person to whom Jesus had expressed his dislike. As we read in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16, when Jesus was prophesying his own death to his disciples, Peter, taking hold of him, began to reproach him, saying:

"Be it far from thee, lord. This shall not be unto thee." Turning to Peter, Jesus said: "Get thee behind me, Satan. Thou art an offence unto me. For thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matt. 16:21- 23). Thus is it possible to say that Peter has deserved to be followed by Matthew, Mark and Luke and that his words should constitute an information source for these writers?

The Disobedience of Peter and John

The evening on which Jesus was succumbing to exceeding sorrow, and was betrayed to his enemies, he told his disciples:

"Tarry ye here, and watch with me." But the disciples, instead of taking care of Christ in such a time, abandoned him and went to bed. When Jesus saw them sleeping, he admonished them and said to Peter: "What, could you not watch with me one hour?" He went the second time and prayed, saying unto the disciples to be with him. But again he found them in sleep, obviously having placed their own comfort above obeying his command. (Extracts from Matt. 26, and Mark 14).

Would the people who did not attach any importance to Jesus' simple request in those critical hours, have respected and valued his injunctions in other times? As a result, how could one rely and trust the Gospel, Revelations, books of John or other writings belonging to Peter or to others influenced by him?

How the Disciples Abandoned Jesus and Fled?

The night on which Jesus was to be captured by his enemies, he told his disciples: "All of you shall be offended because of me this night." All his disciples expressed their dislikes of this offence and Peter said: "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

" Suddenly Judas, one of the twelve ones, appeared and with him a great multitude carrying swords and sticks. They had been sent by chief Jewish priests and elders. Coming forward they put hands on Jesus and took him away. It was then that all his disciples forsook him and fled.36 What saddened Jesus more than their escape was the arrival of Peter among the enemies!

As Miller, the famous Christian missionary, writes: "How distressed and sad Jesus must have been upon looking at the crowd, seeing Peter warming himself beside fire with other people! Such a negligence and lapse on the part of his most outstanding disciple must have been upsetting.37 Were such irresolute persons firm in face of the bitter events of the early Christian era and the whim of the Roman emperors?

Author's Lack of Faith

Although during his lifetime Jesus had told his disciples that he would "… be

killed, and be raised again the third day",38 whoever told the disciples on that day that 'Jesus has risen', they would not believe him, until Jesus himself appeared to them and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart."39 When the disciples of Jesus act like this, what is to be expected from the writers who had followed them?

Mark

Mark was Barnabas' cousin40 and was a friend to Paul, Barnabas and Peter. Quite possibly he had been taught Christian beliefs by Peter; for Peter addresses him as his son. His association with and devotion to Paul and Peter who were both dishonest is a living witness that he was misled; for in order to know people, the best means is to know their masters and friends. Furthermore, Floyd Philson writes:

"Peter imagined that Mark was not firm in serving Jesus."41 Hence it becomes clear that Mark was not even trusted by Peter.

Luke

He is an unknown man who was in the same footing with misled and misguided Paul. The Persian Bible Dictionary writes: "His personal history, before and after meeting Paul, is either unknown or based upon ambiguous unidentifiable stories."

Jacob, the Brother of Jesus

He was the same person who in response to the people's inclination hatched a conspiracy aimed at instilling the necessity of rejecting the Mosaic Law and openly declared: "…My sentence is that we should trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God." By this statement, he trampled all but few of the Torah's injunctions. Although Jesus had said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heavens and earth pass, one jot or one tottle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matt. 5:17-18)

Paul

There is no evidence available for knowing him except the writings of his friend and colleague, Mark. Moreover, he has committed certain acts each of which is enough by itself as an adequate proof and concrete evidence of his deviations, such as the conspiracy he staged for abolishing the need of observing the Torah; for Paul was one of the supporters of such action and a member of that Cabal. What has been said so far clearly demonstrates that should we ignore the events that had taken place in the early Christian era, we still cannot be optimistic about the New Testament and consider it as being reliable, for the authors thereof had not been qualified and trustworthy.

More startling is the fact that despite their contradictory and superstitious statements, the Christians introduce these authors as inspired by the divine revelation and the Holy Spirit, even though they have no proof supporting this idea except the assertions of these pretty unknown or notorious authors themselves.

Let us hope for the day when the Christian intellectuals would turn back against all these superstitious beliefs, and become unanimous with us so that together, and under the prospering standard of Islam, we would achieve real truths. Amen!

Chapter 11: What is The Eucharist?

Fighting for its very own survival, and since it lacks correct and encompassing teachings that would attract intellectuals, Christianity tries to keep for itself, through "False" rituals, the gullible and fanatic people, whose number, unfortunately, is not few. The thought and deeds which the holy fathers teach for this purpose are generally unsubstantiated and the product of their own delusions.

Unconscious of this fact, the church followers do not ask for proof and blindly follow the fathers. Now the holy fathers discuss the concept of The Trinity, then they stage a Eucharist ceremony, imagining that thus they create a thrill of excitement in the hearts of Christians. They are unaware that these rites would deliver yet another blow to the foundations of Christianity. They (the holy fathers) say that it would be good to kill two birds with one stone, by mixing fun and revelry, with a so-called religious action.

Presently we would explain the fact behind this "holy deed" to you, dear reader:

The Eucharist, or the Wine and Breed Ritual On Christmas Eve, the Christians make the following ceremony in the churches:

The Archbishop orders his acolytes to make dough from good flour, bake a loaf of unlived bread and bring it to him. Then the Holy Father takes the loaf of bread and wine to the church and after tolling the bell, prepares the Christians for performing the great ceremony. They all file in one rank and the priest pours the wine into a silver bowl and wraps the bread in a beautiful kerchief. Then he passes the rank of Christians and faces the East, reciting incantations and prayers while holding the loaf of bread. Following the supplication, he prostrates before the bread, then all those present would do the same for they believe that after the supplication, the dough of the bread transforms into the flesh of Jesus.42

The Wine Grail

The Holy Father then holds the cup of wine and addresses the congregation saying: "Our (lord and savior) Jesus, before death took the Grail of wine and gave it to his disciples saying: "this is my blood." (Mark 14:24) Having said this, the priest himself bows before the cup and those in attendance must also follow suit.

Then, while saying prayers, he breaks the bread and holds it in his hand, while another priest brings the Grail of wine. Then one by one, those present come forward; and the holy father still reciting prayers places in their mouths a piece of that bread which they swallow immediately without biting into it, for if they bite into it the flesh of Jesus would be harmed. One must ask why the flesh of Jesus, i.e. the unlived bread, is not harmed when they tear it to pieces. Then all take a sip of wine, and by eating bread and drinking wine, all of them become the Father and the Son. And all their sins are forgiven. Whoever wants to repent must do this, and this is currently the standard practice in all Roman Catholic Churches.

This is but a sample of the ideas and deeds of Christianity, a faith whose practitioners believe that beatitude solely lies in the light of its teachings. Moreover, as a part of the ceremony, all unanimously call Jesus the Lord, the only Son of God and begotten by The Father; and confess that he is not a creature but sharing the same essence with the Father.

Unlivened Bread and the Flesh of Jesus

Now in order to better explain this decadent idea and this act, take note of the following:

1) How then Jesus, who according to these gentlemen had been crucified about two millennia ago, can be turn to pieces in thousands of churches, and up in the bellies of millions of Christians and thereby make them all Gods? What sort of scientific discipline proves that this bread and this wine are transformed into the flesh and blood of Jesus and what sort of connection exists between Christ and this physical food?

2) If each of those pieces of bread that a Christian eats were a whole Jesus, then it would be necessary for the Lord to create each year several million Jesus in the form of unlivened bread so as to feed the Christians. Moreover, during his lifetime, each Christian, depending upon his age must have eaten 50, 60, 80 or even 100 whole Jesus... Is such a statement believable?

And if they say that they tear Jesus to pieces and eat him, no doubt the crime of the holy fathers would be no less severe than that of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the Jews, for they tear Jesus to pieces every year.

Strange Statement

By saying the unlivened bread is digested, the Christians have made a great insult to Jesus, for they are forced to say that it goes through the same stages as other foods, but if they say that it is not digested and absorbed then one must say that every Christian, who has lived for hundred years, must harbor hundred Jesus in his stomach. Truly how much space is there in one's stomach to take in hundred Jesus with earthly bodies?

The superstitious nature of The Eucharist became such a widely spoken topic among Europeans and other people, that in 1551 AD the Roman Catholic Church was forced to make a revision in it but still it could not thoroughly abandon the Eucharist superstitions.

By what stated so far, the superstitious nature of The Eucharist comes into light, for it does not conform to any laws of natural or rational sciences; rather it directly opposes them. In this ritual, drinking of wine, which by the assertion of medical scientists and The Holy Bible itself, is a dangerous fluid that disrupts both mind and body, has been incorporated into the Christian faith as a sacred act by which the Christians become both the Father and the Son.

More specifically, if it is said that unlivened bread is not digested and remains in body forever, this foolish statement make not only the natural scientist, but also even any child, to laugh at it. Furthermore, the present gospels do not approve this act. John Alder, a Christian scholar writes:

"Protestants dispute with Catholics about two subjects:

I-That the Eucharist and other sacred rites have been taught by Jesus, for there are many arguments against it, but none to support it. II-That these holy rituals are means and modes of salvation, Whereas the New Testament strongly emphasizes that we are saved through faith "and not by performing rituals. (Therefore there is no salvation in the acts, rites and ceremonies of the Eucharist). May God guide all of us to the right path?"


4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35