Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Promised Mahdi

Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi

English Translation of Biharul Anwar, Volume 13 (Old Edition)/Volumes 51-52-53 (New Edition)

Kitabul Ghaibah - Book of Occultation

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) - the twelfth Imam of the Twelver Shia

Part I

Translator

Sayyid Athar Husain S.H. Rizvi

Ja’fari Propagation Centre

Mumbai - 400 050 - India

Title: The Promised Mahdi (English Translation of Biharul Anwar volumes on Imam Mahdi a.s.) - Part I

Author: Allamah Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi (r.a.)

Published: Ja’fari Propagation Centre

94, Asma Manzil, Room no. 10, Bazar Road, Opp. Khoja Masjid, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 400 050. India

Tel.: 91-22-26425777, E-mail: jpcbandra@yahoo.com

Scheme of Chapters of The Promised Mahdi

Chapter One: Holy Birth of the Imam of the Age (a.s.) and the circumstances of his respected mother

Chapter Two: His names, titles, patronymic and their reasons

Chapter Three: Prohibition of pronouncing the name of Imam Zamana (a.s.)

Chapter Four: Attributes, traits and lineage of Imam Zamana (a.s.)

Chapter Five: Verses about the Rise of the Qaim

Chapter Six: Words of Allah and His Messenger about the Qaim as narrated by Shia and Sunni

Chapter Seven: Narrations of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) in this regard

Chapter Eight: Narrations of Imams Hasan and Husain (a.s.) about the Promised Mahdi

Chapter Nine: Narrations from Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.)

Chapter Ten: Narrations from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.)

Chapter Eleven: Narrations of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.)   

Chapter Twelve: Narrations of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.)

Chapter Thirteen: Narrations of Imam Ali bin Musa Reza (a.s.)

Chapter Fourteen: Narrations of Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.)

Chapter Fifteen: Narrations of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) and Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.)

Chapter Sixteen: Prophecies of Soothsayers engraved on rocks

Chapter Seventeen: Arguments of Shaykh Tusi

Chapter Eighteen: Occultations of the Prophets and Imam Zamana (a.s.)

Chapter Nineteen: People with long lifespans in the History of Humanity - longevity of Imam Zamana (a.s.)

Chapter Twenty: Miracles and narratives of his Emissaries

Chapter Twenty-one: The Emissaries who communicated between the Shia and the Qaim during the minor occultation

Chapter Twenty-two: Those who falsely claimed to be emissaries and gateways to the Imam

*END OF VOLUME 51*

Chapter Twenty-three: Those who have seen His Eminence (a.s.)

Chapter Twenty-four: Report of Saad bin Abdullah Ashari

Chapter Twenty-five: Causes of the Occultation of the Imam and how the people will benefit from the holy being of the Imam during Occultation

Chapter Twenty-Six: Test of the Shia during Occultation of Imam Zamana (a.s.) and prohibition of fixing the time of reappearance  

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Excellence of waiting for reappearance, merits of Shia during Occultation and the best deeds of that time

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Those who falsely claim meeting the Imam (a.s.) during Major occultation and that the Imam comes visits the people but no one recognizes him

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Those who have met the Imam (a.s.) during the Major Occultation and near to the time of the Author

Chapter Thirty: Signs of Reappearance    

Chapter Thirty-One: Reappearance of Imam Zamana (a.s.), its signs and what all will occur after that

Chapter Thirty-Two: Companions of Imam Zamana (a.s.)

*END OF VOLUME 52*

Chapter Thirty-Three: What will happen at the time of the Reappearance of Imam Zamana (a.s.) according to the report of Mufaddal bin Umar

Chapter Thirty-four: Rajat (The Return)

Chapter Thirty-five: Successors of Imam Qaim (a.s.)

Chapter Thirty-six: Epistles issued by Imam Mahdi (a.s.)

*END OF VOLUME 53*

Table of Contents

Introduction 12

Special Features of this Translation 12

The Author 13

Father - Allamah Majlisi, the First 13

Sons of Majlisi I 13

Allamah Majlisi 13

Allamah Majlisi and the post of Shaykhul Islam 14

Valuable writings of Allamah Majlisi 14

Translations of the various books of Allamah Majlisi 15

Teachers of Allamah Majlisi 15

Students of Allamah Majlisi 16

His Death 16

1 17

Chapter One: Holy Birth of the Imam of the Age (a.s.) and the circumstances of his respected mother 17

2 41

Chapter Two: His names, titles, patronymic and their reasons 41

3 44

Chapter Three: Prohibition of pronouncing the name of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 44

4 47

Chapter Four: Attributes, traits and lineage of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 47

5 55

Chapter Five: Verses about the Rise of the Qaim 55

6 79

Chapter Six: Words of Allah and His Messenger about the Qaim as narrated by Shia and Sunni 79

Chapter 1: His advent in the last period of time 96

Chapter 2: Mahdi is from my progeny and from the Progeny of Fatima 97

Chapter 3: Mahdi is a leader of Paradise 97

Chapter 4: Allegiance to the Mahdi 97

Chapter 5: People of the east will support the Mahdi 97

Chapter 6: Duration of his rule 97

Chapter 7: Isa bin Maryam (a.s.) prays behind the Mahdi 98

Chapter 8: His looks 100

Chapter 9: Mahdi is from the progeny of Imam Husain (a.s.) 100

Chapter 10: Munificence of the Mahdi 101

Chapter 11: Mahdi is not Isa Ibne Maryam (a.s.) 102

Chapter 12: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) is the first, Isa (a.s.) is the last and the Mahdi is in the middle 102

Chapter 13: His name and his looks 103

Chapter 14: Village from where he will rise 103

Chapter 15: Clouds will shade him 103

Chapter 16: The angel that will come with the Mahdi 103

Chapter 17: His Complexion and Physique 103

Chapter 18: His right cheek mole 103

Chapter 19: Mahdi’s teeth 103

Chapter 20: Conquest of Constantinople 104

Chapter 21: His rule comes after tyrant rulers 104

Chapter 22: Mahdi is a virtuous Imam 104

Chapter 23: Prosperity of the Ummah during his rule 104

Chapter 24: Mahdi is the Caliph of Allah 104

Chapter 25: Mahdi is living and alive 104

7 111

Chapter Seven: Narrations of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) in this regard 111

Opinion of Ibne Abil Hadid about the promised Mahdi 114

Another discussion of Ibne Abil Hadid 121

8 123

Chapter Eight: Narrations of Imams Hasan and Husain (a.s.) about the Promised Mahdi 123

9 126

Chapter Nine: Narrations from Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.) 126

10 128

Chapter Ten: Narrations from Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) 128

11 132

Chapter Eleven: Narrations of Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) 132

12 140

Chapter Twelve: Narrations of Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) 140

13 143

Chapter Thirteen: Narrations of Imam Ali bin Musa Reza (a.s.) 143

14 146

Chapter Fourteen: Narrations of Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) 146

15 149

Chapter Fifteen: Narrations of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) and Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) 149

16 153

Chapter Sixteen: Prophecies of Soothsayers engraved on rocks 153

Prediction of Satih the soothsayer before reappearance 153

17 156

Chapter Seventeen: Arguments of Shaykh Tusi 156

Proof for Supreme religious leadership 157

Objections of an Ahle Sunnat scholar 157

Reply 158

Further clarification of Shaykhul Taifa 160

Other objections and their replies 162

Queries to the deniers of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 163

Evidence of the infallibility of the Imam 165

Truth is not beyond the pale of the Islamic Ummah 166

Refutation of Kaisaniyya beliefs 166

Nawusiyya 168

Waqifiya 168

Query 169

Reply 169

Objection 170

Reply 171

What do the other sects say? 172

Conclusion 174

Another Objection 174

Reply 174

Question 175

Reply 175

Another Query 176

Reply 176

Common excellences in Prophet and Imams 176

Objection 178

Reply 178

Application of Divine Penalties during the Occultation of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 179

Finding the truth during the occultation of the Imam 180

Statement of Sayyid Murtadha (a.s.) 181

Opinion of an Intellectual 182

Reply of Another Scholar 182

Reply of Shaykh Tusi 182

Another Reply 183

Question 184

Reply 184

Question 184

Reply 184

Question 185

Reply 185

Question 185

Reply 186

Occultation of the Imam is also a divine grace (Lutf) 186

Concealed Births 186

Why the Promised Mahdi was born in an Extraordinary Manner 187

Question 188

Reply 188

Disappearance of the prophets 189

Long age of Imam Zamana (a.s.) is not extraordinary 190

Reply 190

Objection 191

Reply 192

A glance at our opinion 192

Solitary report and Widely related reports 193

Question 194

Reply 194

Explanation of Allamah Majlisi 197

18 199

Chapter Eighteen: Occultations of the Prophets and Imam Zamana (a.s.) 199

Birth of His Eminence, Musa (a.s.) 203

Disappearance of Isa (a.s.) 204

Longevity of Nuh (a.s.) 204

19 208

Chapter Nineteen: People with long lifespans in the History of Humanity - longevity of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 208

Abu Duniai Muammar 208

Reports of Abu Duniawi 209

Statements of Shaykh Saduq about Abu Duniai Maghribi 211

Ubaid bin Sharid Jurhami 214

Rabi bin Dhaba Fazari 215

Shaqqul Kahin and his wise counsels 216

Shaddad bin Aad bin Iram and his paradise. Like which nothing was ever made on this earth   217

Auf bin Kunana and his wise statements 223

Inscription on the Ehram Tablet of Egypt 224

Lubaid bin Rabia 226

Aktham bin Saifee 229

Wise bequest of Aktham bin Saifi to his children 231

Shaykh Saduq’s view 233

Sarbabak Hindi 234

Abdullah Yemeni Moammar 235

Shaykh Baba Ratan Moammar 235

Another Aged Person 235

Abu Amr Uthman bin Khattab bin Abdullah bin Awwam (Moammar) 236

Moammar Mashriqi 237

Harith bin Kaab Moammar 238

Mustaughar Moammar 238

Duraid bin Zaid Moammar 238

Zuhair bin Janab Moammar 239

Zul Asba Adwani 239

Mady Karb Himyari 239

Rabi bin Zaba Fazari 239

Abu Tamahan Qini 239

Abdul Masih bin Baqila Ghassani 239

Nabigha Jodi 241

Luqman bin Aad 241

Zabira bin Saeed 241

Duraid bin Sama Jashami 241

Mohsin bin Ghassan 242

Amr bin Hamama Doosi 242

Harith bin Mazaz Jurhami 242

Yarab bin Qahtan 242

A brief account of the long lived Persians 242

Afridun, the Just 242

Amr Aaamir Maziqiya 242

Jalhama bin Adad bin Zaid bin Yashjab 242

Amr bin Lahih 242

Aged Personalities of the Old Testament and their ages 243

20 244

Chapter Twenty: Miracles and narratives of his Emissaries 244

An Interesting Story 245

Another interesting story 246

Reports of Muhammad bin Salih 248

Story of Ahmad Dinawari 249

Muhammad bin Ali Alawi Husaini 255

Hasan bin Nadhr 256

Sons of Qasim Ibne Yala 257

Dismissal of the servant 257

Muhammad bin Ahmad 258

Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mahziyar 258

Ahmad Ibne Hasan 259

Extraordinary incident of Qasim Ibne Ala 259

Messenger of the people of Qom 262

Explanation of Shaykh Tusi 263

Abu Surah Zaidi 264

Abu Ghalib Zurari 265

Another Story 267

“He is not my son!” 268

Shaykh Saduq and his brothers 268

Muhammad bin Shadhan 268

Man from Sawad 269

The cost of the slave was less 269

Muhammad Ibne Ibrahim Ibne Mahziyar 269

Khuzistani Scribe 270

Messenger of the man from Balkh 270

Ahmad bin Hilal Sufi 271

Hasan Ibne Fadhl Yamani 271

Ali Ibne Muhammad Shamshati 272

Abu Rija Misri 273

Abul Qasim Ibne Abi Habis 273

The woman who was not pregnant 275

Predictions 275

Reports of Saad bin Abdullah Ashari 276

Muhammad Ibne Ali Aswad 276

Shaykh Saduq Muhammad bin Babawayh 277

The Lady of Aba 277

Ja’far Ibne Muhammad Ibne Matil 278

Abul Hasan Aqiqi 278

Muhammad Ibne Shadhan 279

Murjia partner 280

Muhammad Ibne Hasan Sairafi 280

Abu Ali Baghdadi 281

A Shia Lady 281

A Youth from Bani Abbas 282

21 283

Chapter Twenty-one: The Emissaries who communicated between the Shia and the Qaim during the minor occultation 283

(1) Abu Amr Uthman bin Saeed Amri 283

(2) Abu Ja’far Muhammad bin Uthman bin Saeed Amari 286

(3) Abul Qasim Husain Ibne Ruh Naubakhti 290

(4) Abul Hasan Ali bin Muhammad Saymoori - the last special deputy of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 296

Special Representatives of Imam Zamana (a.s.) 298

Statement of Aminuddin Tabarsi 300

22 302

Chapter Twenty-two: Those who falsely claimed to be emissaries and gateways to the Imam    302

Husain Ibne Mansur Hallaj 304

Muhammad bin Ali Shalmaghani 305

Abu Bakr Baghdadi - Abu Dalf Majnun 309

*END OF VOLUME 51* 312

23 313

Chapter Twenty-three: Those who have seen His Eminence (a.s.) 313

An elderly man in Fustat City 314

Yusuf bin Ahmad Ja’fari 315

Ahmad bin Abdullah Hashmi 316

Abu Nuaim Ansari 316

Ali bin Mahziyar Ahwazi 319

Abu Sahl Naubakhti 323

Yaqub bin Yusuf Ghassani 324

Ahmad bin Ishaq Qummi 329

Yaqub bin Manfus 330

Abu Harun 330

Muhammad bin Uthman 331

A Man from Fars 331

Abu Saeed Ghanim bin Saeed Hindi 332

Muhammad bin Uthman Amari 334

Nasim the Maidservant 334

Abu Nasar Taraif 334

Names of those who have seen His Eminence 335

Hasan bin Wajna 336

Ibrahim bin Mahziyar 336

Abdullah Suri 340

Rashid Hamadani 340

Servant of Imam Ali Reza (a.s.) 342

Ali bin Mahziyar 342

Grandfather of Abul Hasan Wajna 344

Delegation of the people of Qom and Jabal 345

Kamil bin Ibrahim Madani 347

The aged Kufian - Sharif Umar bin Hamza 350

Second Incident 358

Abul Adyan the Servant 359

Debate between Ibnul Khatib and Uthman 362

Qari Najmuddin Ja’far is cured of Paralysis 363

Portico 364

Restoration of eyesight 364

Battle of Siffeen 365

Display of Alawite Fury 365

24 368

Chapter Twenty-four: Report of Saad bin Abdullah Ashari 368

His meeting with the Imam and the questions that he asked the Imam 368

Objection of an opponent of Shia 368

Replies of Imam Zaman (a.s.) to these Objections 369

25 375

Chapter Twenty-five: Causes of the Occultation of the Imam and how the people will benefit from the holy being of the Imam during Occultation 375

Why the Hidden Imam is compared to the Sun behind the cloud 377

Notes 382

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.

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.