Islamic Teachings in Brief

Author(s): Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai

Publisher(s): Ansariyan Publications – Qum

www.alhassanain.org/english

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Foreword 8

Notes 10

Religion 11

1. Beliefs 11

2. Ethics 12

3. Commandments 12

Is It Necessary For Man To Follow A Religion? 12

Conclusion 14

The Advantages of Religion 14

Human Civilization 15

The Need for Regulations in the Society 16

Man is Not Free Against Regulations 16

Weak Point in the Implementation of Regulations 17

The Original Source of the Weakness of Laws 17

The Advantage of Religion Over Other Laws 18

Seeking a Remedy by Others 19

A Summary of the History of Religions 21

The Religion of Islam 22

The Importance that Islam Attributes to Man's Comfort 23

Comparison of Islam with Other Religions 23

Comparison of Islam with Other Social Systems 24

Note 25

Beliefs 26

Discussion Concerning Origin of Creation is Natural 26

Affirmation of the Creator 26

Theism and People 27

The Effect of this Inquisitiveness in Man's Life 28

Theism From the Viewpoint of the Holy Qur'an 28

Qur'an's Teachings about The Creator Of The World 30

The Existence of The Creator 30

Qur'an and Tawhid 30

The Almighty Allah Possesses All Attributes of Perfection 31

Why Doesn't Man Accept This Truth At Times? 32

The Power and Knowledge of Allah 33

Justice 34

Blessing 35

Other Attributes of Perfection 35

Nubuwwah (Prophethood) 37

The logic in Nubuwwah 37

The Difference between Man and Other Creatures 38

Attributes of a Prophet 39

Prophets among People 39

Ulul'azm Anbiya' (Arch-Prophets) and All Other Prophets 40

(1) Prophet Nuh (as) 40

(2) Prophet Ibrahim (as) 41

(3) Prophet Musa (as) 42

(4) Prophet 'Isa (as) 43

Note 43

Prophet Muhammad Ibn 'Abdillah (S) 44

The Incident of Monk Buhayra 45

The Story of Monk Nestorius 46

Good Tidings Given By The Jews Of Madinah 47

Qur'an's Reference to Prophetic Tidings 47

From Al-Bi'that Al-Nabawiyyah to The Hijrah 47

A Trip to Ta'if 49

The Hijrah of the Holy Prophet (S) To Madinah 50

The Battle of Badr 51

The Battle of Uhud 51

The Battle of Khandaq 52

Battle with The Jews, The Battle Of Khaybar 53

Inviting The Rulers And Kings To Islam 53

The Battle of Hunayn 54

The Battle of Tabuk 54

Other Battles 54

Ghadir Khumm and the Issue of Succession 55

The Settlement of The Holy Prophet (S) In Madinah And The Advancement Of Islam 55

A Glance at The Intellectual and Spiritual Personality of The Holy Prophet (S) 57

The Spiritual Personality of The Holy Prophet (S) was Extraordinary 58

The Character of The Holy Prophet (S) 58

The Holy Prophet's (S) Last Will To the Muslims 62

The Holy Qur'an 63

The Holy Qur'an is a Miracle 65

Accusing the Holy Prophet (S) 67

The Holy Qur'an Challenges the Mushrikin 67

Prophet Muhammad's (S) Ahl Al-Bayt (as) 70

The Expressly Stated Virtues of 'Ali (as) and All The Ahl Al-Bayt (as) 70

Imamah 73

The Logic for Imamah 73

The Imam is Indispensable 74

The Holy Prophet's (S) Statement about Wilayah 74

Appointment of a Successor by The Holy Prophet (S) 75

The 'Ismah of Imam 76

The Moral Virtues of Imam 76

The Knowledge of Imam 76

The Fourteen Ma'sumin 76

The Guiding Imams (as) 76

The Names of The Infallible Imams (as) 76

The General Life-Style of the Ahl Al-Bayt (as) 78

The Root Cause of the Differences of The Imams (as) with Contemporary Governments 79

An Exceptional Point in the Policy of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) 81

Al-'Imam 'Ali (as) 81

Al-Siddiqah Al-Kubra Fatimah (as) 84

Al-'Imam Al-Hasan (as) And Al-'Imam Al-Husayn (as) 85

Al-'Imam 'Ali Al-Sajjad (as) 89

Al-'Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) 89

Al-'Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (as) 90

Al-'Imam Musa Al-Kazim (as) 90

Al-Imam 'Ali Al-Ridha’ (as) 91

Al-'Imam Muhammad Al-Taqi (as), Al-'Imam 'Ali Al-Naqi (as), and Al-'Imam Al-Hasan Al-'Askari (as) 92

Imam Al-'Asr, Muhammad Al-Mahdi Al-Maw'ud (as) 93

The Moral Conclusion Derived From the Policy of the Leaders of Religion 94

Ma'ad (Resurrection) 95

Ma'ad, Religions and Faiths 96

Ma'ad as in The Qur'an 96

From Death to The Yawm Al-Qiyamah 97

The Meaning of Death from The Viewpoint of Islam 97

The World of Barzakh 97

Ethics 99

Difference of Opinion in the Identification and Specification of Duties 99

Dutifulness 101

(1) The Duty of Man towards Allah (Cognizance of Allah) 101

The Worship of Allah 102

(2) The Duty of Man towards Himself 102

Physical Health 103

Mental Health 104

Receiving Education and Knowledge 105

The Value and Importance of a Student from the Viewpoint of Islam 107

The Importance of a Teacher and an Instructor 107

Paying Respect to the Learned Men 107

The Duties of Teachers and Students 108

Two Important Masterpieces in The Teachings Of Islam 108

Abstaining from Free Thinking and Expression of Truth 109

Conclusion 110

Ijtihad and Taqlid 110

(3) The Duty of Man towards Others 111

The Duty of Man towards His Parents 111

The Rights of Parents 112

The Rights of Children on Parents 112

Respect for the Elders 113

Man's Duty towards His Relatives 113

Man's Duty towards His Neighbours 114

Man's Duty towards the Inferior and The Poor 114

Man's Duty towards the Society 115

Justice 116

Individual Justice 116

Social Justice 116

Tyranny and Oppression 116

Sociability 116

Teasing People and Mischievousness 118

Association with the Good People 118

Companionship with the Bad People 118

Truthfulness 119

The Disadvantages of Falsehood 119

Backbiting and Libel 120

Damaging the Prestige of People 121

Self-Respect and Honesty 121

Benevolence and Helping the Needy 121

Cooperation 122

Arranging Charities and Reliefs 122

Self-Sacrifice 123

Generosity and Donation of Money 124

The Generalities of Jihad 125

The Instances of War In Islam 126

Escaping From Jihad and Defence 126

Defending the Islamic Domain 127

Fighting With the Internal Enemies of The Society 127

Defending the Truth 128

Homicide 128

Infringing Upon The Property of Orphans 128

Disappointment for The Blessings of Allah 128

Anger and Wrath 129

Bribery 129

Theft 129

Selling Underweight 130

The General Penalty of Sins in Islam 130

The Essentiality of Employment and The Importance of Trade And Industry 130

Denouncement of Idleness 131

Agriculture and Its Advantages 131

Self-Confidence 132

The Disadvantages of Relying On Others 132

Notes 133

Commandments 134

Reciting Salat 134

Wajib Salaat 135

Prerequisites of Salat 135

(1) Taharah 135

Najis Substances 135

Mutahhirat (Purifiers) 136

Wudhu’ and Its Precepts 137

The Ghusl 138

The Tayammum 139

Procedures for Tayammum 139

The Precepts Pertaining to Tayammum 139

(2) Time 139

(3) Dress 140

(4) Place 141

(5) Qiblah 141

Mandatory Acts While Reciting The Salat 141

The Rukns of The Salat 142

Tashahhud and Salam 143

Salat Al-Ayat 143

The Procedure for Reciting The Salat Al-Ayat 143

The Salat of A Traveller 144

Conditions Concerning Salat Al-Jama'ah 144

The Precepts Concerning Salat Al-Jama'ah 145

The Sawm (Fasting) 145

Ramadhan, The Month of Allah 146

The Sawm Leads To Taqwa 146

Muftirat Which Render the Sawm Batil 147

The Bay' (Selling) 147

The Irrevocability Of Bay' 147

The Bay’ on Cash, On Credit, And On Advance Payment 148

Confession 148

Eatables and Drinkables 149

First Type: Animals 149

Second Type: Inanimate Objects 150

(1) Solids 150

(2) Liquids 150

Important Note 150

The Ghasb (Usurpation) 151

Some of The Precepts Concerning Ghasb 152

The Shuf'ah (Preemption) 152

Re-Cultivation of Barren Lands 153

Luqtah (Picked Up Article) 154

Glossary of non-English Terms 155

Preface

In the Name of Allah,

The All-compassionate, The All-merciful

Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all being;

the All-compassionate, the All-merciful;

the Master of the Day of Judgement;

Thee only we serve, and to Thee alone we pray

for succour;

Guide us in the straight path;

the path of those whom Thou hast blessed,

not of those against whom Thou art wrathful,

nor of those who are astray.

* * * * *

O' Allah!send your blessings to the head of

your messengers and the last of

your prophets,

Muhammad and his pure and cleansed progeny.

Also send your blessings to all your

prophets and envoys.

Call unto the way of your Lord with wisdom and good exhortation, and reason with them in the best way. Lo!your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who are rightly guided

(Qur'an, 16:125)

Ansariyan Publications

P.O. Box 37185/187 QUM

Islamic Republic Of Iran

Foreword

This book, written in a relatively simple language, presents a summary of the teachings of Islam to provide some information for those who are not able to examine Islamic matters deeply in a specialized manner.

One of the most valuable styles for the promotion of culture, sciences and religion is through simple writings. This method has evolved for general dissemination of human knowledge to unveil uncertainties and remove difficulties from some specialized branches of science and technology so as to make them easily understandable for the public.

No matter how technical a branch of science or subject is, it could be stated and written in such a way that everyone can utilize it and gain a relative knowledge in proportion to his educational status and in accordance with the depth and the extent of his thinking.

This style we see in the Qur'an in its best form. In the Qur'an, the most complicated human affairs, highly metaphysical and humanistic matters, Ma'ad (Resurrection), the ultimate point of man's life and his conditions after death, etc have been described in the simplest language possible.

Considerable space is needed to cite a few examples of such illuminating highlights of the Qur'an; therefore, we are quoting only one or two examples. Qur'an, although firm and rational in its reasoning for Ma'ad and the life in the worldHereafter , states simply, briefly, and in a way that is comprehensible to all.

"...Says he: 'Who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?' Say: 'He will give life to themWho brought them into existence at first, and He is Cognizant of all creation' (36:78-79)."

This is a very strong reasoning and a logical and rational remark. The Power that brought forth creations from nonexistence into the world of existence has the power to gather the components once more and give them life after their disintegration.

It is said that Abu Nasr al-Farabi1 , the Muslim philosopher, wished that had Aristotle been alive, he would have accepted this logical reasoning of Qur'an for physical resurrection. As you can see, although rational, it has a very simple language that can be easily comprehended if one thinks a little about it. In like manner, many remarks and reasonings have been presented about the science of the origin, but the Qur'an states the subject in a simple and balanced manner.

"Does He not know who He created? And He is the Knower of the subtleties, the Aware (67:14)."

With this brief expression, the subject becomes completely clear. For experts, too, this verse has a strong argument in itself.

The prophets and Imams [Twelve infallible successors of Prophet Muhammad (S)] have also set forth advanced, sophisticated, and more complicated matters in a simple form but profoundly in accordance with Allah's Book. It is also stated in the Qur'an:

"AndWe did not send any messenger but with the language of his people so that he might explain to them clearly (14:4)."

This verse lucidly indicates that the prophets used the criteria of simple language carefully to clarify and express the truth.

This is due to the fact that the prophets were cognizant of the precise method of presentation, the mode of speech, and the insights of the people of their time. They were also well aware of their people's talents and feelings.

The prophets were familiar with the artistic and literary feelings of their people and presented their subjects and materials in customary forms acceptable to the public. Although the principles of the teachings of the prophets were similar and identical, the method of their presentation and expression has had considerable differences in various societies.

This principle existed in the prophets' commissions:

"We are commissioned to speak in accordance with people's thoughts. Islamic matters, therefore, should be presented in such a way that is understandable by everyone. One must adopt a simple and balanced language filled with artistic and literary aesthetics to acquire a striking success in its abundant and immediate influence."2

Based on this principle and in accordance with the Qur'an and the ahadith (Traditions), our religious leaders wrote simple and condensed books in a simple language. These books were firm and logical and had a correct, lucid, and condensed form and technique. They had very well found out that it is always the quality of presenting the subjects and the manner of expression, language, and writing that can propagate a subject in the society, a fact that is very much ignored nowadays.

There are two factors that play an essential and vital role in this cause and in the real fulfillment of this method. Firstly, full knowledge and information on the subject matter.Secondly, familiarity with the principles of writing and the literary and artistic criteria for simple writing. If the author lacks in either of these two principles, they will not be able to present useful books to the people. Even if they make such an attempt, they will not succeed.

Thus to prepare small treatises on important, enlightening and valuable subjects related to human beings is a great, specialized and difficult task. He, who writes scientific matters for the public, performs a greater and more specialized task than one who writes for experts.

Therefore, it should not be assumed that simplicity in writing means that anyone with little knowledge and artistic talent in writing will be able to present some treatises; rather this task is more burdensome and difficult than scientific and technical writings. As mentioned earlier, to embark on such a task entails two kinds of proficiencies.

In relation to the dissemination of religious culture particularly that of Islam such books are of vital significance. As there is no such opportunity available to the people of our society to spend many years to gain knowledge about Islam, such treatises must be written to adequately orient and familiarize them with Islam. The grandeur, depth, and vastness of Islamic matters should not hinder people's understanding. A couplet states:

"If the sea's water cannot entirely be drawn, at least so much to quench the thirst must be taken".

Consequently, researchers, with expertise and skill in various Islamic matters, should also have expertise and experience in literary and artistic techniques and the forms and types of presentation, so that their material could be understood by the present generation which would then be familiarized with the Islamic culture.

This book is presented to serve the purpose of such a significant task. The late 'Allamah Tabataba'i, with his vast and deep knowledge on Islamic matters, both comprehensively and in relation with one another, coupled with his experience in presenting relatively simple and general books, aimed at pursuing such a mission. This book and a few others in this connection can prove advantageous to everyone and can fulfill the responsibility of theological centres and Islamic theologians.

Al-Hawzatul-'Ilmiyyah, Qum

Notes

1. Abu Nasr al-Farabi was a great Muslim philosopher, who was born in 259 AH at Farab, (one of areas of Turks) and died at Damascus in 339 A.H.

2. "Al-Haya'", 3rd edition, vol. 1, p 146.

The Absolute Oneness of God from the rest of the Bible

In many instances in the Bible, God and His prophets mention that God is only One, and not three in one. The following are some of the many verses from the Bible:

• Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” God is one and not three in one.

• Isaiah 43:10-11“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” God wants us to“know,” “believe,” and“understand” that He is the LORD, and“beside” Him there is no other. Had there been any other “beside” Him then He would have said it.

• Ephesians 4:6“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

• I Timothy 2:5“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus .

• James 2:19“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” What makes the devil tremble is the belief that God is one, and not three.

• Deuteronomy 4:35“Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.”

• I Samuel 2:2 “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”

• Isaiah 44:6“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

• Isaiah 44:8“Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.”

• Isaiah 45:5“I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.”

• Isaiah 45:6 “That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.”

• Hosea 13:4“Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.”

Some of these verses testify that God is“one,” others attest that there is nothing“beside” Him, one of them declares that nothing is“like” Him, and so on. None of the above verses include anything that describes that God is three in one. Jesus did not say that he was one of three, nor did God in His own words.

I am told that although God and Jesus never mentioned the idea of the trinity, yet John who was inspired by God clarified this idea for all of us, the idea that God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are one.

My argument is: God never said that He is three in one, never were any prophets of God ever instructed to say that God is three in one, not even

Jesus was instructed to say that, yet John who was not a prophet of God (he was an apostle of Jesus, or a disciple) said that God is really three in one, and the whole world of Christians believe him! I am wondering, who has more authority? What is more powerful? That which was quoted from Jesus’ mouth and God’s words, or the interpretation of John?

Before I end this section,“The Absolute Oneness of God from the rest of the Bible,” I would like to raise some points about the idea of inspiration:

• If the idea that the Bible is the book of God because it was inspired is to be believed, then we should disregard the book of Luke if we are willing to take Luke for his own words, when we read Luke 1:1-3“For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus.” Luke tells us that he saw it good to write his book. It was his own choice, and not an inspiration.

• If we should believe that the Bible is the book of God because it was inspired, then we should also believe in the book“The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” The Author of this book, Joseph Smith, claims he too was inspired by God. Why should we stop at the Bible alone?

• There are hundreds of different denominations in Christianity, and many in almost all denominations claim to be inspired by God, yet they are all different in their beliefs and convictions. Who are we to believe? Who is right and who is wrong? Especially when some of these denominations differ with others on the most crucial points in Christianity. Also, why does God deliver different message to each denomination, is God the author of confusion? I Corinthians 14:33“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

What about worshipping God through Jesus?

The worship of God should be aimed directly to God. God does not need a medium for prayers to come to Him. This is clear from the Bible. When God says in such a bold manner:

Exodus 20:1-5:

“And God spake all these words, saying,

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.”

We should not make any images or likeness of any thing that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth as something to worship. God is the only One that we should bow down to. God, the God of everything, is a Jealous God, and he does not like us to worship anything but Him, not even Jesus. God shows how jealous He is when people worship images in Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

Romans 1:21-32:

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Who is Jesus?

If Jesus is not God, not the son of God, and not one of three (trinity), then who is Jesus? I have briefly discussed this in Chapter Three “Is Jesus the Son of God?” This time I would like to expand on Jesus’ life (peace be upon him). I want to talk about Jesus from birth, starting with his mother (peace be upon them both) till the day he was taken up to God.

Who was his mother?

His mother was The Virgin Mariam (Mary) the daughter of Imran (father) and Hinnah (mother). When Hinnah carried Mariam in her womb she vowed to offer Mariam to God by letting her serve Him in one of His houses of worship. When Mariam was born her mother wrapped her in a piece of cloth, and took her to Al-Aqsa Mosque where she was handed over to the priests.

When the priests looked at her, and found out that she was the daughter of their lord and leader Imran they all wanted to take care of her. Although Zachariah the prophet (P.B.U.H.) was the person in charge of sacrificial offerings he was not allowed to take charge of Mariam’s matter this time. After a long quarrel over her, they all decided that the person who wins the lottery is the one that takes her in.

Zachariah won, and sponsored Mariam. He gave her a place to live, assigned her a female caretaker and personally watched over her until she was old enough to take care of herself and didn’t need the caretaker anymore.

When Zachariah came to Mariam in her place of worship he used to find fruits that would normally grow in other seasons. When he asked her where she acquired these fruits from, she would say that it was from God Almighty. The following verse relates the story of Mariam after she was born and offered by her mother to God:

“So her Lord accepted her with gracious acceptance and caused her to grow an excellent growth and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah visited her in the chamber, he found with her provisions. He said, ‘O Mary whence hast thou this?’ She replied, ‘It is from ALLAH.’ Surely ALLAH gives to whomsoever HE pleases without measure.” (CH 3: Vr 37)

Angels used to always come to Mariam and tell her of her purity, and chastity. They also used tell her that God has chosen her above the women of the world, and that He has protected her from all types of corruption. She was constantly inspired to work harder and apply herself more in worship, supplication, and prostration for God. The Quran says,

“And remember when the angels said, ‘ALLAH has chosen thee and purified thee and chosen thee above all women of the time. `O Mary, be obedient to thy Lord and prostrate thyself and worship the one God with those who worship HIM.’” (Ch 3: Vr 42-43)

How was Jesus born?

The following verses from the Chapter 19 (Mariam) narrate the story of the birth of Jesus Christ the prophet who was born without a father:

And relate the story of Mary as mentioned in the Book, when she withdrew from her people to an eastern place; [16] And screened herself off from them. Then WE sent OUR angel to her and he appeared to her in the form of a well proportioned man. [17] She said, “I seek refuge with the Gracious God from thee if indeed thou dost fear HIM.” [18] The angel said, “I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may give thee glad tidings of a righteous son.” [19]

She said, “How can I have a son when no man has touched me, neither have I been unchaste?” [20] The angel said, “Thus it shall be.” But says thy Lord, “It is easy for ME; and WE shall do so that WE may make him a Sign unto men, and a mercy from US, and it is a thing decreed.” [21]

So she conceived him, and withdrew with him to a remote place. [22] And the pains of child-birth drove her unto the trunk of a palm-tree. She said, “O, would that I had died before this and had become a thing quite forgotten!” [23] Then the angel called her from beneath her, saying, “Grieve not. Thy Lord has placed a rivulet below thee; [24]

“And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree; it will drop upon thee fresh ripe dates; [25] “So, eat and drink and cool thine eye. And if thou seest any man, say, ‘I have vowed a fast to the Gracious God; I will, therefore, not speak this day to any human being.’” [26]

Then she brought him to her people, mounted. They said, “O Mary, surely, thou hast committed a monstrous thing! [27] “O sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother an unchaste woman!” [28] Thereupon she pointed to him. They said, “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” [29]

Jesus said, “I am a servant of ALLAH. HE has given me the Book, and has made me a Prophet; [30] And HE has made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and has enjoined upon me Prayer and almsgiving so long as I live; [31] And HE has made me dutiful towards my mother, and has not made me arrogant and graceless; [32] And peace was on me the day I was born, and peace will be on me the day I shall die, and the day I shall be raised up to life again.” [33] That was Jesus, son of Mary. This is a statement of the truth concerning which they entertain doubt. [34]

This was the story behind Jesus’ birth. Two of the most magnificent miracles were connected to his birth: the first was the birth to a chaste mother, and without the need for a father. This miracle shows that God has the ability to do anything He wishes. God says after the above verse, “It does not befit the Majesty of ALLAH to take unto Himself a son. Holy is HE. When HE decrees a thing, HE says to it, ‘Be,’ and it comes into being.’” (Ch 19, Vr 35).

The idea of Sonship is ambiguous. What does it mean for God to have a son when everything in this world is His creation, and a mere command of His?

The other miracle was that Jesus spoke when he was in the cradle. God gave him the ability to talk to people to fend off any accusations made to his

virtuous mother, and to notify the world that he was a prophet of God. That was Jesus. He was sent to tell people about the true God. The One and only One God of this universe. It was people who then changed this idea, and took Jesus as the Son of God. The Quran relates,

“said Jesus, ‘Surely, ALLAH is my Lord and your Lord, so worship HIM alone, this is the right path.’” (Ch 19: Vr 36).

Who was Jesus sent to?

Jesus was sent to the entire world. It is known that the total number of prophets that God sent were 124,000. Five of these prophets were considered to be the best, and they were called o-loo Al-Azm. These prophets were Nooh (Noah) Ibraheem (Abraham), Mousa (Moses), Ee-saa (Jesus), and Muhammad (Peace be upon them all, and Muhammad’s progeny). Being one of the five o-loo Al-Azm prophets meant that Jesus was sent to the entire world of mankind and Jin (other beings living amongst us that can see us without us seeing them).

Did Jesus have a heavenly book?

Yes. God sent down to Jesus the In-jeel (the gospel). The book is non-existent today, and the Bible that we have today is authored by people who came after Jesus (P.B.U.H.). The proof is simple: none of the books in the Bible is named after Jesus (the book of Luke, John, and so forth). All the books were written by people other than Jesus the prophet of God. It is a known fact amongst scholars that not a single word in the Bible was instructed to be written or written by Jesus himself during his time on earth. The Bible was written after Jesus was risen.

What were Jesus’ miracles?

Jesus (P.B.U.H.) had many miracles. They are mentioned in the Holy Quran, and I have already mentioned two of them: the first being his birth without a father, and the other being his speech while he was in the cradle. God says in the Holy Quran,

“And will send him as a Messenger to the Children of Israel with the Message, ‘I come to you with a Sign from your Lord, which is, that I will fashion out for you a creation out of clay after the manner of a bird; then I will breathe into it a new spirit and it will become a soaring being by the command of ALLAH; and I will heal the night blind and the leprous, and I will quicken the dead by the command of ALLAH; and I will announce to you what you will eat and what you will store up in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you, if you are believers.’” (Ch 3: Vr 49).

• He was able to make birds out of clay, and breathe life into them.

• He was able to bring back the dead to life.

• He was able to predict what people stored of food.

• He was able to heal the blind, and the leprous.

• He was able to do all this by God’s permission and will.

Was Jesus crucified?

No. Jesus (P.B.U.H.) was raised to God.

On the night that Jesus was supposed to be taken up by God he called the 12 apostles for a meeting. He advised them, and told them of what he wanted from them. Then he asked if one of them would volunteer to take his place (form) after he left. God would then make that person look like Jesus. That apostle would have to endure killing, and crucifixion by the Jews, and in return he would be in the same level in paradise as Jesus.

One of the apostles agreed to sacrifice himself, and Jesus was taken up from one of the corners of the house while the apostles were watching. When the Jews came looking for Jesus, God made the volunteer look like him, the Jews took him, and crucified him.

Is Jesus coming back again?

Yes. Jesus will have a second coming. Jews and Christians together will follow him and become Muslims.

The discussion of this topic is long. Therefore, I will leave it up to you to find out more about Jesus’ second coming and the events associated with his arrival.

What is My Responsibility Now?

I remember once in my callow years when I did not pay attention to a call for help from a friend in the US. He asked me if I would give him a copy of the Holy Quran. When I asked why, he said something to this effect, “The Bible doesn’t make sense to me. It’s too mythical. I want to read the Quran and see if it’s any different.” I never gave him a copy of the Holy Quran. I was too busy being selfish! I was busy playing! Now, I sincerely regret my inaction, and hope I can someday reach him again.

I feel sorry because people like him are hard to find. It is very hard to find people who are self motivated to look for the truth. People who need very little direction in order to make serious decisions about their future. People who have an open mind!

And this is why I present these pages to you. I present them to you so you would seize the opportunity. After reading these few pages surrounding Jesus Christ (P.B.U.H.) you should take more steps to find the truth about the Bible and the Quran. I guarantee if you keep an open mind, and make some effort in searching for the truth, God will come to your aid and help you. I guarantee you will find Islam to be your choice for your “hereafter” investment.

People on a daily basis invest money and time towards their well being in this short life of seventy years or so. What about your infinite life that starts right after death? Are you willing to invest in it?

There you will find many people who are more than willing to help answer any of your questions and steer you in the right direction.