Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis (6:1, 5)
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge {through obedience to HIM} GOD, HE gave them up to a depraved mind, {to build onto their corruptions} to do what ought not to be done. Romans (1:28)
Just as it was in the days of Noah {back in those days somewhere around 30,000 years ago}, so also will it be {those improper lusts for disobedience and like worship-type corruption} in the days of the Son of Man: Luke (17:26)
WE had already, beforehand, taken {from him} the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and WE found on his part no firm resolve. Quran (20:115)
The similitude of Jesus before ALLAH is as that of Adam; HE created him from dust, then said to him: “BE”. And he became.
The Truth comes from ALLAH ALONE; so be not of those who doubt. Quran (3:59-60)
“I {Jesus} am the true vine, and my FATHER is the Vinedresser.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit HE {ALLAH} takes away {purifies me by this method}; and every branch that bears fruit HE prunes, that it may bear more fruit {with the result that I may be perfected}.” John (15:1-2)
This is the disciple {John} who testifies to these things and who has written them down {for others to learn}. And we {as followers to this disciple/the Presbyters and initiates} know that his testimony is true.
There are many more things that {this soul} Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written. John (21:24-25)
Of course, this last verse (25) used hyperbole to some degree and therefore; although it is not going to be 100% accurate, it still is used as a language/philosophical device to present an idea that there is more behind the value of the ‘Christ-soul’ than 3 years of teaching while wandering around Palestine!
And one of the teaching tools used by some after the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem is found in the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Like all teaching tools, and very complex ones at that, many hours of important lectures would necessarily follow in order to bring a more precise and understandable process to the table.
Who, in the days of his flesh {when he entered the world again in the physical}, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to HIM {his Creator LORD} who was able to save him from {the} death {of the soul as at times it tends to go astray/ which has gone astray}, and was heard because {he truly feared his GOD},
though he was a son {in that special group of those who were to be called ‘sons’ by worldly-men}, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered/underwent {and thus he could be that leader who would represent that Dynamic SIGN unto mankind as showing the WAY of surrender and obedience to his Creator (The ONE GOD) so that his development, which was planned out in advance by the ONE ALL KNOWING LORD, WHO is the BEST of PLANNERS, would come to fruition.
And having been perfected {through all of his experiences}, he became the source {showing by example} of eternal salvation for all those who obey him {or follow his way which was to make his heart, soul and mind to be given over to trusting in his LORD in complete compliance to his LORD’s WILL!},
Called by GOD as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
Of whom we have much to say, and {VERY} HARD TO EXPLAIN, since you have become dull of hearing {through being too wrapped up in the physical world and thus dwelling on your CREATOR infrequently}.
For though by this time you {students} ought to be teachers, you {still} need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of GOD {which is to surrender to HIS WILL in peace and assurance}; and {like stubborn babies} you have come to need milk and not solid food. Hebrews (5:7-12)
ALL OF THE ABOVE AND MORE OF THE LIKE is contained in the Quran in the one word SIGN in that Jesus the Messiah (pbh) is a ‘SIGN’ to mankind and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against those who have plotted and planned against the TRUTH.
Knowledge is but only a tool for developing an awareness to unlock the ‘treasures of Paradise’ ONLY IF IT IS PROCEEDED BY PRACTICE AS WAS SHOWN BY THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH – Prophet Muhammad (pbh)!!!!!
Abu Huraira said: ‘The people said, “O ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh)! Who is the most honorable amongst the people (in ALLAH’s Sight)?” He said, “The most righteous amongst them.” They said, “We do not ask you, about this.” He said, “Then Joseph, ALLAH’s Prophet, the son of ALLAH’s Prophet, The son of ALLAH’s Prophet the son of ALLAH’s Khalil (i.e. Abraham).” They said, “We do not want to ask about this,” He said’ “Then you want to ask about the descent of the Arabs. Those who were the best in the pre-Islamic period of ignorance will be the best in Islam provided they comprehend the religious knowledge.” Bukhari
The above hadith shows an important aspect of knowledge IF it is used in a constructive and positive manner. Knowledge is important but it must be tempered with a form of logical guidance bringing it into a more focused and practical application. Though applications may change over time, knowledge must still be practical and translate to the realities of the day as in daily practices.
Remember, the Anti-christ soul (Quran 7:175-176) had a great deal of knowledge also BUT HE BECAME CONTRARY TO TRUTHFUL PRACTICE AND WORSHIP AND HE FELL FROM GRACE BY TURNNING HIS FACE AWAY FROM AL-BARR (THE SOURCE OF ALL GOODNESS) WHILE SEEKING TO TURN HIS VICEGERENCY (SPIRITUAL PRIVILAGES) INTO HIM BEING LIKENED TO A god! Quran (7:175-179).
Alif-Lam-Ra. (This is) a Book {the Quran}, the verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from ONE (ALLAH) WHO is ALL-Wise, Well-Acquainted (with all things). Quran (11:1)
What good does all of this do? Since we do not know the future of who will turn good or bad and because it is a duty to explain in a brief way the two journeys: obedience to ALLAH and contrary behavior to ALLAH. So we just proceed and put our trust in HIS TOTAL DOMINION because HE has power over all things.
In honest Comparative Religion, knowledge can make the ‘light go on’ in someone’s heart/head and it is they who must turn to HIM (as he, Jesus (pbh) did so very long ago) with a true and open heart or else THE LIGHT will never register to them.
If that is the case, and the ‘pattern’ (SIGN) has been set in him who came to show the way {by declaring his foundational intentions in his every action: For I {Jesus} have come down from heaven, NOT TO DO MY OWN WILL, but {only to do} the WILL of HIM who sent me.
This {then} is the WILL of the FATHER who sent me, that of all HE has given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. John (6:38-39)*
He is as the embodiment of a true servant and perfected human being – while being in the company of those who are nearest to ALLAH:
Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! ALLAH gives you glad tidings of a Word from HIM: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world {by the truthful} and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to ALLAH. Quran (3:45)
Ibn ‘Abbas narrated that the Prophet (pbh) said, “You will be gathered (on the Day of Judgment), bare-footed, naked and not circumcised.” He then recited: — ‘as WE {ALLAH} began the first creation, WE, shall repeat it: A Promise WE have undertaken: Truly WE shall do it.’ He (the Prophet) added, “The first to be dressed on the Day of Resurrection, will be Abraham, and some of my companions will be taken towards the left side (i.e. to the (Hell) Fire), and I will say: ‘My companions! My companions!’ It will be said: ‘They deserted from Islam after you left them.’ Then I will say as the pious slave of ALLAH (i.e. Jesus) {had} said: ‘And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them. When YOU took me up YOU were the Watcher over them, and YOU are a witness to all things. If YOU punish them, they are YOUR slaves and if YOU forgive them, Verily YOU, only YOU are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” Bukhari
*{Here we have a true hadith showing the relative importance and some historical depth of the Christ-soul as to being a SIGN unto all of mankind!
In his developmental process, he fulfilled the role(s) given to him to accomplish, only with ALLAH’s Permission, such that he became that certain one, that holy priest featured in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Old and New Testaments resulting in him being the true Messiah to the Believers!
ONE GOD, ONE SIGN, ONE MESSIAH and ONE PROPHET (so to speak) to wrap up these affairs bringing the TRUTH and harmony and unity of RELIGION all being related into the expression: ‘THERE IS NO god EXCEPT ALLAH AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS PROPHET!
“I {Jesus} am the true vine, and my FATHER is the Vinedresser.
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit HE {ALLAH} takes away {purifies me by this method}; and every branch that bears fruit HE prunes, that it may bear more fruit {with the result that I may be perfected}.” John (15:1-2)
Hence, the issuing forth of the Religion of Islam and the further understanding of:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter {Prophet Muhammad} will not come unto you; but if I depart, I {GOD} will send him unto you. John (16:7)}
GOD sent Muhammad (pbh) to clean up the misconceptions and tear down the lies of falsehoods that have crept into religious circles. Furthermore, Muhammad (pbh) was sent to purify religious practices and to refocus and reinforce man’s attention to the PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF RELIGION AND TO PUT KNOWLEDGE INTO A MORE PRACTICAL AND USEFUL APPROACH for mankind:
It is HE {ALLAH} who has sent HIS Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though the Disbelievers may detest (it). Quran (9:33)
Metaphorically speaking: The Christ-soul sets the table (the SIGN of things to come), The Prophet (pbh) introduced the completed package or chosen menu (Islam) and the return of Jesus (pbh) results in the serving up of this Holy Banquet (Islam) resulting in the Quranic statement shown in Quran (9:33)!
After the destruction of the Holy Temple in 70 CE and the death of most of the original Disciples, pre-Christian activity could begin in the form of certain groups opportunistically claiming to be ‘specially taught by the Disciples’, but who in reality were nothing more than optimistic ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’. This is verified in the Letters of John the Presbyter as to there being a multitude of so- called anti-christs in his day:
Little children {new believers}, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1John (2:18) written a little before 80 CE.
After all, the world was large and the culprits had something of an audience to enthrall so why not be opportunistic and gain some sort of following** by delving into the perversions of the day?
**{Modern far out born again radical Evangelistic groups who rely on so-called dynamic showmen/women as preachers are a part of this current cult as well as those that were caught up in the ISSIS movement.
Under the knowledge that this world is indeed a place where ‘entropy’ occurs, we can see the same type of fraudulent activities misrepresenting the correct religious values of the day occurring in early Islam towards the end of the reign of Caliph ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan and having it bloom full on in the time of Caliph ‘Ali, who thankfully held it mostly in check.
That is the carnage or spoiling the fruits of pure religion by mixing the leaven with the lump idea discussed by Paul: As in ‘A little leaven leavens the whole lump’ Galatians (5:9)!
And this leavening action muddies the waters of religious purity and brings with it falsehoods contrary to the original founder’s (prophet) concepts.
The result is the ‘one truth’ being divided up into a possible many sects with each sect feeling that it has the magic key and or rituals to the real truth. Hence, in order for these deviant sects to grow, they need to reinforce their dogmas (corrupted beliefs) by either clever forgeries or weird demonstrations like pretending to ‘speak in tongues’ or misconstrue certain verses from their Holy Books to mean something that was never intended.}
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with ALLAH: HE will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did. Quran (6:159)
Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (pbh) reported; “I heard the Prophet (pbh) say, “Souls are like recruited troops: Those who are like {in} qualities are inclined to each other, but those who have dissimilar qualities, differ.” Bukhari
This shows us clearly that ‘birds of a feather do tend to flock together’. Psychologically, this does explain the absurd phenomenon taking place in the US post-election process whereby people hold onto and are influenced by bizarre ideas that other people find absurd, childish and frankly moronic.
Who can save mankind against this sea of tumult and darkness? It is ALLAH! Who can guide mankind to leave the ‘blinding light of darkness’, for the calm assurance of True Guidance? It is ALLAH! Who can elevate man or make him regress? It is ALLAH! Who extracts vengeance against one who shows untoward pride and arrogance? It is ALLAH! Who is the AL-MUQSIT (The Equitable ONE having perfect fairness)? It is ALLAH! Who has promised to take vengeance against the disbelievers and throw them into a hapless confusion? It is ALLAH!
Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
For he who sows {corruption} to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
And let us not grow weary while doing good {deeds}, for in due season we shall reap {the most excellent of rewards} if we do not loose heart {and keep trusting in ALLAH}. Galatians (7-9)
You will not find any people who believe in ALLAH and the Last Day, cherishing those who resist ALLAH and HIS Messenger {over the Believers}, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such {Believers} HE has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from HIMSELF. And HE will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for eternity). ALLAH will be well pleased with them, and they with HIM. They are the Party {True worshipers} of ALLAH. Truly it is the Party {True worshipers} of ALLAH that will achieve True Happiness. Quran (58:22)
Verily, those who believe and do deeds of righteousness their LORD will guide them through their faith {step by step if they trust in HIM}; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of Delight (Paradise). Quran (10:9)
You shall surely travel from stage to stage (in this life and the Hereafter) Quran (84:19)
And every Believer follows the process as was discussed in John (15:1-2) above, each according to their given lights such that there are various levels or ranks achieved but of this ONLY ALLAH is AWARE of this exact Knowledge and HE has control of all things!
Did not primitive man look to the sun in the sky and see a bright object yet knew nothing of its particular, chemical makeup? However, could he not plant and harvest without this knowledge?
Such it is with mysteries folded around mysteries. They exist but life continues even though! Who then are the successful ones? The successful ones are those who plant their garden with seeds that will bear fruit in due season!
And every BELIEVER should note according to his/her understanding that:
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the Judgment, Hebrews (9:27).
For all things have a beginning and an end, a start and a completion date except for THE ONE WHO is A CONSTANT and non-changing: THAT IS ALLAH!
That is why it is incumbent on man to ever strive in ways approved by HIM WHO sent HIS Prophets as sure and true guides to mankind! HE has NOT called on us to peer into the Unseen, but HE has called on us to BELIEVE in HIM, HIS PROPHETS, THE LAST DAY, HIS ANGELS, PARADISE AND HELL-FIRE, THE UNSEEN AND TO WORK DEEDS FOR HIS SAKE (featuring no ulterior motive).
And this Quran is not such as could ever be produced {by any} other than ALLAH but it is a confirmation of (the Revelation) which was before it {the Old and New Testaments} and a full explanation of the BOOK wherein there is no doubt – from the LORD of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Quran (10:37)
As far as the ‘preservation of the Quran’ controversy embroiling Sheikh Yasir Qadhi, let us not make mountains out of molehills! No matter how it was accomplished and FOR SURE IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED AS PROPHISIED IN THE QURAN AND ZEPHANIAH (3:9-10) – meaning approximately, HE WHO has hidden) OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, be assured that it was accomplished by hook or by crook; by DIVINE INTERVENTION and by DIVINE INSPIRATION upon those whose actions were ‘pushed in the right way’!
The great example is that of the current New Testament and its final compilation. Not that it is 100% pure but that, according to these writings, one can see a great deal of religious truths present when one reads it carefully and in harmony with the known records (Old Testament and Quran).
Considering the New Testament’s sailing on rough seas for a few centuries, it is surprisingly intact and, while being condensed, it gives off wisdom and even poison depending on how it is interpreted as the other Scriptures do!
So, if we go by the understanding that ALLAH is in control of ALL things, then THINGS WILL OCCUR, EVEN FROM ‘OUT OF THE BLUE’, TO STEER THINGS IN THE PLANNED DIRECTION IN ORDER TO GET THE PLANNED RESULTS = Qada wal-Qadr or the Divine Decree.
So, Islam is returning to its beginnings as WAS PROPHSIED as we move closer and closer to the time of Jesus’ return in that:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) said, “Islam began as a something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers.” Muslim
The above hadith includes the mood, the faltering, the doubts, the antagonism shown to Islam, as well as the determination of the brotherhood and sisterhood in sincerely believing in ALLAH and HIS PROPHET (pbh)!!!!!