For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul…? Matthew (16:26)
O ALLAH! I ask YOU for Knowledge that is OF BENEFIT, a good Provision and Deeds that will be accepted. (Ibn Majah and others)
Without a doubt it {The Quran} is (announced) in the {previous} revealed Books of {the} former peoples {Jews/Christians}. Q (26: 196)
With knowledge about various fields coming in like a gusher instead of drips and drabs {“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; {when} many shall run to and fro, and knowledge {of all sorts in all fields} shall increase.” Daniel (12:4)}; with the Golan Heights being served up as a future piece of ‘Greater Israel’ to come (Eretz Yisrael Ha-Shlema); with the Arab leadership caught in a whirlpool of ineptitude swimming on a pool of populous graft; and with a future of being like what the Prophet (pbh) said ‘in those days’ (disease, war, plain incompetence, treachery) that where they (Arabs) would be would be ‘few in number‘ and that the men will be greatly outnumbered by women does make for interesting if not tragic times especially if one is a Muslim!
So, this is the teaser then! I’ll gladly become a Muslim if I can lie in bed all day while eating bon-bons and collecting at least a million dollars per week. It is much like rolling a big boulder uphill. One has to set one’s mind to the task at hand and have the gumption to go and do it!
If a person asks, “What is in it for me?” he doesn’t really understand much of anything but what the world has to offer plus a possible take on one’s chance at a ‘coin toss’ at a great future life in the Hereafter.
However, the measure of a man’s mettle is not in how he can puff out his chest and flex his miniscule muscles but in how he can endure with patient perseverance in the face of beautiful, dynamic and mostly treacherous planet Earth.
It seems like Earth is built that way on purpose and it ‘fits’ the needs of its people quite well for what it is supposed to give lesson-wise that is.
When one studies the Earth and the life therein, it becomes obvious that this human life is very much like the plant and animal kingdom – super predatory! Plant life has evolved to combat killer diseases and pests and the pests and diseases have evolved various ways to outwit their combative intended prey.
Concerning this ‘fight’ in the animal kingdom things get more obvious but still stay the same when viewed objectively. Even between the same species, ‘my patch’ of ground is MINE and if you trespass, then be prepared for a fight! So, man is born into and ‘fits’ this peculiar third dimensional environment PERFECTLY! WHY?!
It’s just a test!!! A test for the application of one of GOD’s precious gifts and that gift is found in the GUIDANCE given.
Hence, it becomes man’s duty to OVERRIDE the ‘lower senses’ and reach for something more expressive, meaningful and helpful for his ‘FUTURE FINAL OUTCOME‘ – IF HE CAN SEPARATE THE FALSEHOODS THROWN UP AT HIM THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS INCLUDING THOSE WHOSE MINDSET IS TO BRING HIM DOWN TO RUIN!
If (EVENTUALLY, 99 out of 100) are to be Gog and Magog residents, one can’t expect in these ‘later days’ a life full of ice cream and candy.
So, the duty of every Muslim man or woman is to show Islam in the presence of others (Muslims or non-Muslims as a free choice to expand or contract the soul).
This can be done in various ways such as TV, radio, lectures, writings, personal behavior, discussions (one on one or in a group) and in offering help to others openly or in secret through various means all done for no gain but to please THE ONE WHO CREATED US.
That last part is the most difficult due to human nature and shows the beginning of spiritual realization because it is so common worldly-wise to think ‘what’s in it for me’?
Abu Hurairah said, The Prophet (pbh) said, ‘Time will pass rapidly, knowledge {concerning Islamic behavior} will decrease, miserliness will become widespread in peoples hearts, {many} afflictions will appear, and there will be much Harj’. The people asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is Harj?” He (pbh) said, ‘Killing, killing’ {of each other}! (Bukhari)
One way to reach out to ‘inquisitive minds’ (minds that ask you first about why you believe the way you do) for the purpose of hoping to change your own religion to their brand or even for curiosity sake is to declare their importance as to being members of THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK such that ‘THEIR‘ Book helped you strengthen YOUR FAITH!!!
They won’t buy that on verbal assurances alone so you would have to have a copy of the following to show them. After all it comes FROM THEIR WELL-BELOVED BOOK and logically, if they are going to proselytize you THEY SHOULD AT LEAST RESPECT THEIR OWN HOLY BOOK!!!
They can’t argue with the following because they can’t change geography, logic or plain simple truths. If they try they would look foolish and very uneducated not to mention desperate and horribly misinformed!:
Zephaniah Chapter 3 verses 9-10
The use of the symbols { } is for clarification purposes only.
Without a doubt it {The Quran} is (announced) in the {previous} revealed Books of {the} former peoples. Q (26: 196)
Zephaniah 3: 9-10 (New International Version)
Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people {Gentiles}, will bring ME offerings.
Zephaniah 3: 9-10 (21st Century King James Version)
For then will I return to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve HIM with one accord.
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia MY suppliants–even the daughter of MY dispersed–shall bring MINE offering.
The Book of Zephaniah, which is a prophetical book discussing somewhat the approach of the ‘Judgment’, was originally written sometime in the 6th century BC although some scholars prefer a second century BC offering possibly borrowing on the originality of a manuscript from the 6th century BC. Whatever the truth of this matter, practically that amounts to about the same thing if the texts were followed in earnest.
It is clear and unambiguous that The GIVER of the ‘gift’ being spoken about comes directly from THE ONE LORD (GOD) and not something that drops into a man’s head by his own doing. In other words, the gift that will be given is from GOD and directly from HIM and no other. This GIFT is mentioned as purified lips or a pure language and for a very good reason.
Verse number 9 talks of purified lips of the peoples or a pure language. When a person talks about using the lips of peoples, one is talking about a manner of speech and when one talks about a manner of speech; one is talking about a certain language that will be used.
Among humanity there is NO KNOWN pure language that has ever been invented by the hands of man. There has NEVER been a common language that has ever remained pure because like man, language that is developed from a creature (man) is like that creature – changing.
The Eskimo living in his environment has perhaps over a hundred words for snow but people living in the desert may only have one or two words for this phenomenon.
So language reflects the utility of man’s ‘changing world’ and hence the language changes – meaning that it does not remain pure but becomes adulterated according to need. Hence, the expression ‘I am bad’ can actually mean that I am good in the same language.
So at least we know that there will be a language involved instead of tap dancing. This language has to be a SPECIAL LANGUAGE and not anything that man could think of because it will have the property of being PURE and REMAINING PURE and that will be quite a feat due to man’s proclivity in messing things up!
Moreover, we cannot forget that this language will be DIRECTLY from the ONE GOD and who would ever attribute to HIM imperfection but one who is deformed in the soul.
Also, the language cannot be common everyday speech because that would also get messed up by being morphed into many dialects. Rather the language must be very special AND EVEN CEREMONIAL for it to be ‘locked up’ and kept pure and unsullied by the hands of men.
The type of ceremonial expressions used must not be looked upon as a run of the mill experience like joining a club but rather put into an EXALTED POSITION to merit such a stance as being pure and kept pure.
There is only one logical form of highest thought taken by most men from the past to the present and that is the form of RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS EXPRESION. Hence, this protected language which is PURE and going to remain PURE is a Religious Language.
From so-called shamans to tribal chiefs or witch doctors, there is shown a way of ‘talking’ to the ‘higher powers’ in that particular culture. The highest known symbolic discourse between man and the POWER WHO created him comes from religion and not astronomy or a study in arts and crafts.
Being a Religious Language that remains PURE cannot be for one person or for one country and as the verses claim, which is fairly easy to figure out, this language will be for various peoples WHO PRACTICE this form of worship or belief system.
A pure language like rituals will change over a period of time UNLESS of course it is in a form that a person can say and remember that it becomes the proverbial ‘written in stone’ language or a language unaltered through time.
Jesus (pbh), for example, spoke a form of Aramaic called Syriac but we do not connect with the knowledge of what he declared in that language. Basically, his language has gone through the ‘treadmill’ of Greek, Latin, English and whatever other language which would alter the meanings even very minutely but still they would be altered.
In other words, this PURE LANGUAGE may be spoken but it has to be PRESERVED AND REVERED such that it is in a written form that can be used as a STANDARD for checking the veracity of the spoken form or written forms coming from it and so highly thought of that any attempt to fool around with it will bring ‘dire consequences’.
Hence, this written form must be duplicated in great quantities for the peoples and thusly can be easily checked out as to its maintaining its ‘perfection’.
So a RECORD of the formation, development, delivery of this language has to be kept as from the beginning of its origins so as to be able to show that it has a track record of purity and not just some kind of fairytale story as an invisible book kept by and controlled by high priests.
Therefore, the best form of preservation is an actual book by which a standard can be formed to test any copies that would be made of this book or recitations given from this book.
Because we are looking at a ‘Book’ or widespread record of some kind, the matter becomes simple. Thinking that only one book spread around many countries will fit the bill is ludicrous. Therefore, each territory or, in this case, each place of CEREMONIAL WORSHIP must have an exact duplicate of the original.
And if that ‘record’ or book was to be used in individual houses, which the Quran is, it would have to remain pure and not have any alteration done on it and go undetected when challenged and still be classified as being pure.
Of course any person can alter the Quran personally but it would NOT BE ACCEPTED across communities when ‘put under the microscope’ and tested.
The conclusion is simple. A BOOK must exist that is GOD GIVEN and it is and fully REMAINS AVAILABLE in its ORIGINAL LANGUAGE (not just a translated form as the verses from the two of the above Old Testament translated sources are)!
Well if it is a GOD GIVEN BOOK it will be about the guidance given to man rather than instructions on how to perform tap dancing and this makes it a religious book which in turn makes it a TESTAMENT and that, in turn, makes it A SEPERATE PHASE OR FORM OF RELIGION as shown in the following verse from the New Testament.
Where there is a NEW TESTAMENT GIVEN there is a paradigm change. This means that in the common language of man there will come a NEW RELIGION. This does not mean that the religion is brand spanking new but it is NOT going to be just a carbon copy of the preceding religion even though it may harmonize with the older testament for truths shall be revealed and lies will be uncovered!
{For where a testament is {paradigm change}, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator Heb. (9: 16).}
Jesus (pbh) didn’t ‘die’ a physical, total journey ending in death and bodily decay as ‘THE DEATH’ or the completion of his sojourn but, according to Islam, he WILL RETURN to lead the Islamic kingdom on Earth and after marriage and several decades will die and be buried (with the rich – Isaiah Chapter 53) with Prophet Muhammad (pbh) – and they will raise up together.
Prophet Muhammad (pbh) DID DIE, however, and according to the New Testament, the PHYSICAL, COMPLETE DEATH is part of the proof of formation of an actual Religious Testament. Hence, the REALITY OF ISLAM according to this verse in the New Testament!
Worshiping with ‘one accord’ can have many different meanings.
When one comes across a puzzler like this, one has to fit something in that will be in agreement with those two verses thus making the whole of the verses to harmonize without any contradiction. In other words, one takes that meaning that will not throw off the other meanings given in those two verses.
One can worship with one accord even though we are different as a people if that religion has a basis for belief (a basic, UNIFYING DOCTRINE) that ALL MEMBERS harmoniously believe in.
In other words, the basis of belief must be such that the upholders of that belief system understand that system no matter to what various cultures they are found in. That would be the FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM forming the basis of that belief system or the bedrock as its foundation amongst those who believe.
‘By all of its worshipers’ would mean from pole to pole and ocean to ocean such that THIS RELIGION would be a ‘WORLDWIDE RELIGION’ and NOT just for one city or country and that the true followers of that ONE RELIGION would follow the SAME HOLY BOOK without additional words or chapters thrown in or taken out – unlike the Catholic Bible versus the Protestant Bible which has a different number of books in its canon – and practice the same FIVE PILLARS.
The part about standing ‘shoulder to shoulder’ can mean many things but it is the practice of Muslims to stand harmoniously and willingly in one accord during one of the essential pillars of faith and that is prayer – for the prayer to be accepted – men with men and women with women standing in a straight line necessitating that they line up ‘shoulder to shoulder’!
Besides the above explanation, how can we know that Islam is being discussed in these two verses from Zephaniah? That is easy for we have the geographical location given. A religion starts descending from ‘above’ through inspiration to those below. In other words, it has to have a physical presence and start from some place upon someone.
So, in this case we need to have a geographical area to deal with at the very start of this revelation. So it is easy to see that a prophet will be involved and he will be speaking to some people in the beginning and these people will have a home base or be domiciled in some geographical area.
The geographical area will be defined according to these verses based on the nature of the rivers found in the country mentioned. The country mentioned is that area of Cush or what is now known as Ethiopia.
The rivers in Ethiopia may run in a north-south or south-north direction. Therefore, one must go ACROSS from these rivers in an east-west direction to find the location of any religion that emerged from the time of the writing of this book called Zephaniah.
If one was to use willy-nilly logic and jump up or down going in a north or south direction in a random way by leapfrogging so many countries, then one could look for a religious movement with a preserved HOLY LANGUAGE coming from the north or south poles. However, when one restricts the search for this religion by going directly east or west from ‘across the rivers of Ethiopia’ then one must look for that religion in those areas.
By going west from the rivers of Ethiopia one can keep going through the continent of Africa until one hits the Atlantic Ocean and NOT find any world-wide religion that can lay a claim for the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Zephaniah.
However, when one goes to the east from the rivers of Ethiopia, one does find an ESTABLISHED WORLD RELIGION WITH NEARLY A BILLION AND A HALF PEOPLE THAT FULLFILLS ALL OF THAT PROPHECY FOUND IN THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH and this country turns out to be Arabia specifically starting in the area called Makkah.
What about the ‘dispersed or scattered people’?
The original Children of Israel tended to be tribal and not such a propagating religious movement. Their original language varies with the times and their original records are somewhat suspect due to the various inabilities to keep alive their documents throughout history – varied translations, yes but originals, NO!
The other branch of this ‘tribe,’ commonly called Christians today, do tend to be propagating as to their faith BUT DO NOT PRESENT EITHER A PURE LANGUAGE KEPT IN BOOK FORM OR A UNIFORM WAY OF WORSHIP!
That is, SOME Testament is used in a foreign-based language (Greek) or many kinds of translations making it easier for people to read and some form of creed is generally believed in but variations as to prayer, times of prayer, rituals and doctrine are quite varied and that is extremely important.
These thoughts may be taken as a form of nitpicking but what does the word ‘PURE’ mean? Does it mean almost pure or does it imply 100% retrievable and provable pure? The verses in Zephaniah refer to the 100% form of purity not in custom but in the Language Guaranteed and Protected by the CREATOR LORD HIMSELF!
So the dispersed and scattered people would be people covering A WIDE AREA that would have been left out of the equation for salvation or those reduced to following some form of tribal paganism or even a strange philosophy (man as a GOD) as many of the Christians declare. There is another thought to this, however.
Considering the New Testament and its warnings of the ‘deterioration of the truth’ brought by Jesus (pbh) {refer to the scriptural sayings concerning the Spirit of truth found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gospel of John) and what also is found in the Quran (Q 5: 14)}, one can gather that the floundering ship of truth must be resurrected with a PURE form of truth.
Otherwise, bringing one’s corrupted ‘offerings’ needs no PURE LANGUAGE or TRUTH to be sent down from the heavens when corruption will suffice or trump REALITY and that the ONE GOD will accept any old trash or falsehoods created by man to be thrown up to honor HIM!
It must be admitted that even a slow minded worshiper of any religion would be completely foolish as to confront the ONE GOD by proclaiming that HIS GIFT of a PURE LANGUAGE is foolish, misplaced or erroneous IF THAT PERSON HAS ANY HOPE OF A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE AFTERLIFE.
Without a doubt it {The Quran} is (announced) in the {previous} revealed Books of {the} former peoples {Jews/Christians}. Q (26: 196)
Praise be to ALLAH, WHO has sent to HIS Servant The BOOK {The Quran} and has allowed THEREIN NO CROOKEDNESS. Q (18: 1)
And remember ALLAH took a Covenant from the People of the Book {JEWS AND CHRISTIANS} to make it KNOWN and CLEAR to mankind and NOT to hide it {WHAT IT CONTAINED ABOUT THE COMING OF THE PROPHET OF TRUTH}; but they threw it away behind their backs and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made! Q (3: 187)
ALSO:
For those, too, who call themselves Christians, WE did take a Covenant, but they forgot a good part of the Message that was sent to them: So WE stirred up enmity and hatred between one and the other {to fight and squabble amongst themselves}, to the Day of Judgment. And soon will ALLAH show them what it is they have done. Q (5: 14)
Those who reject ALLAH {THE ONE AND ETERNAL GOD} and hinder (men) from the PATH of ALLAH, their deeds will ALLAH bring to naught {NOT ACCEPT THEIR DEEDS}. Q (47: 1)
HOWEVER:
WHOEVER {amongst the various religious peoples} goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his OWN SELF. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his OWN LOSS. No one laden with burdens can bear another’s burden. And WE never punish until WE have sent a Messenger (to give warning). Quran 17:15
