Anything worth anything in life is a thought process. To understand this, a simple question needs to be asked: ‘Did Prophet Muhammad (pbh) ever speak about the personage of Judas Iscariot’? Most deep thinkers would probably say no and that is what their level of understanding reflects.
So, to put things into a frame of reference, which is a needed factor by the way, one can ask some simple questions to get to the ‘heart of the matter’.
These questions are:
- Is Prophet Muhammad (pbh) a real prophet sent by the ONE GOD or not?
- If he is a real Prophet then was his job limited to just Arabs or was he sent as a Prophet to the whole world?
- If he was sent as a Prophet to the whole world, then he must cover the world and its properties of humanness without skipping a beat!
- So, in this case, without disturbing the time-space continuum that he came in he would only be remiss if his categorizing of the human being would leave out the actions of Judas Iscariot.
Judas Iscariot was one of the original Apostles chosen by Jesus (pbh) and he was an Essene holding to the view that when the Messiah strikes he will literally clobber the vermin going against GOD’s WILL and do it in dramatic fashion. After all, what is a Messiah for if it is not to liberate the Believers and USHER IN GOD’s KINGDOM ON EARTH?
Correct history will show that some of the Essenes will believe that way while others did not! Hence, the breakup of the Essene school of thought in the later part of the first centuryseeing the weak make-up of the new Jews on the block now being called Christian.
So, if we are going under the broad category of human actions and their eventual consequences, we should be able to pinpoint that the downfall of Judas Iscariot is indeed discussed (categorical-wise). And so Prophet Muhammad (pbh) is indeed a Prophet for all of mankind.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) said, “ALLAH Almighty said: ‘Grandeur is MY cloak and Pride is MY garment. Whoever competes with ME in one of these two, I will cast him into the Hellfire {or as one type of related hadith declares, ‘I will humiliate him’.”} (Sunan Abu Dawud)
The so-called possible ‘hero of the Jewish nation’ (Judas) or the one whose importance in stimulating the Messiah to ‘finally get going’ on his important mission would not, in the end, be beneficial to Judas. In fact, because he was a believer (ALLAH is the Turner of the Hearts), he overstepped his bounds, according to Jewish Law, in committing suicide due to being psychologically remorseful and totally forlorn about what he had done which ended up in derailing ALLAH’s PLAN, which by the way is a bunch of complete nonsense.
Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil {who cares for himself and his own glory over truth}!” John (6:70)
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Now after the piece of bread {was given}, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you {plan to} do, do quickly.” John (13:26-27)
In the end, those who live without just limits (due to their lusts) will be destroyed by them/live by the sword and die by the sword and the dog returns to its own vomit {to sup on what he once dished out to others}!
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again your sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matthew (26:52)
“As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly” is a truthful cliché found in (Proverbs 26:11)
Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked; for whatever a man sows {puts forth}, that he will also reap {upon his own head in ways he cannot fathom}. Galatians (6:7)
Man has only a few chances in his life functions but the ONE GOD has infinity, eternity and HIS creation of time on HIS side all meshed into a Perfect Plan! And HE made promises and HE keeps those promises in HIS good time and under HIS conditions so it’s much like the expression ‘money in the bank’!
AL-‘AZEEZ – The ALMIGHTY Who is magnified by all things as they must surrender to HIS DESIRE (Purpose, Will and Plan)
AL-JABBAAR – The Irresistible Compeller Who sets right the affairs of all of HIS creatures
AL-QAHAAR – The Dominant One Who has the Absolute Will and Power to make things happen as HE apportioned them out.
AL-QAWEE – The Omnipotent One, Who commands All Power in HIS Grasp
AL-MATEEN – The Firm One, Who is Most Strong and Whose Word {HIS COMMAND}cannot be changed altered or tampered with!
Do they seek for other than the Religion {WAY} of ALLAH while all creatures {that exist} in the heavens and on earth have, Willing or Unwilling, bowed to HIS WILL (Accepted Islam {the WAY HE has planned and wants things done under HIS DOMAIN}), and to HIM shall they all be brought back {to account}. Quran (3:83)
Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the earth {from the smallest to the largest, from the least significant to the most significant} do prostrate themselves to ALLAH (Acknowledging subjection) – with goodwill or {even} in spite of themselves {for there is no escape from HIS DOMINION}: so do their shadows in the morning and evening {show them this as a Sign of HIS Complete Power and Superb Planning if they but could realize it}. Quran (13:15)
When facing real reality, mankind would benefit from a deep look inside himself/herself to see how one is faring with the first two Commandments out of the ten upon which all life is based. One religion under ONE GOD with One group of Believers, whatever the language or the time period, submitting to HIS WILL, PLAN and PURPOSE.
Here is a simple but telling test on looking ‘inwards’ as a window on the soul:
The same religion has HE established for you {Muslims} as that which HE enjoined on Noah – the which WE have sent by inspiration to you – and that which WE enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than ALLAH, hard is the (way) to which you call them. ALLAH chooses to HIMSELF those whom HE pleases, and guides to HIMSELF those who turn (to HIM). Quran (42:13)
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets {about why they came and what they instructed}. Matthew (7:12)
“Teacher {said one astute Jewish questioner to Jesus}, which commandment is the greatest in the {Jewish} Law?”
Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
On these two commandments {is the foundation of the true WAY of Belief which} hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew (22:36-40)
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people {any of the Believers}, but love your neighbor as yourself. {For} I am the LORD {and have commanded it}. Leviticus (19:18)
Now go and look at the world in which we live in today! And people wonder why there is no real peace. Are dogs honored by being placed at the head of the table? Such is the state we bare and such is the recompense we receive.
But because ALLAH is AL-Nafiyah – The Beneficent and Propitious ONE (Full of Promise and Good) we can all spend some time in learning the benefits of worshiping in Truth and Sincerity. We are human and we make mistakes but we are given so many chances and such benefits if we could just perceive it:
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) said that verily ALLAH records the good and the evil and then makes it clear that he who intended good but did not do it, ALLAH records one complete good in his favor but if he intended it and also did it, the Glorious and Great ALLAH records ten to seven hundred virtues and even more to his credit. But if he intended evil, but did not commit it, ALLAH writes down one full good in his favor. If he intended that {evil deed} and also committed it, ALLAH makes an entry of one evil against him. (Muslim)
So thinking positive and being hopeful (with developing active works of a selfless nature) are good virtues to work towards and adopt if one is able. However, a tree planted as a sapling does not grow into its potential size overnight. So also with the soul in its learning progressions and eventual fulfilment:
You shall surely travel from stage to stage. Quran (84:19)
Yes, the beaten down or the downtrodden peoples might think that they have no chance to score good points due to the ‘lack of earthly properties’ and the lowness of stature. However, man does not rule the universe nor are his made up laws and desires countable for the long run. And when it is stated:
For there is no respect of persons with GOD.
For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law
For not the hearers {part-time interested partakers} of the law are just before GOD, but the doers {of what they can rationally accomplish} of the law shall be justified. Romans 2:11-13) or one can imagine: ‘You put in the time to do away with the crime’!
Who {GOD} is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor. For they are all the work of HIS hands {and for a purpose are things that be that even the wisest of men cannot fathom}. Job (34:19)
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi {learned teacher}, who sinned {that is, whose fault is it that he was made blind in the first place}, this man {by his mistakes in his past} or his parents’ {fault that they now should receive a burden upon them}, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned {to cause this blindness}, but {in this case} that the works of GOD should be revealed in him {that I may heal him and show to others that I do the work of GOD as HIS appointed messenger on Earth}. John (9:1-3)
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of ALLAH, (pbh) said to some of his Companions: “Do you know who is bankrupt?” They said, “The one without money or goods is bankrupt.” The Prophet said: “Verily, the bankrupt of my nation are those who come on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting and charity but also with insults, slander, consuming wealth, shedding blood, and beating others {with the hand or tongue}. The oppressed will each be given from his deeds. If his good deeds run out before justice is fulfilled, then their sins will be cast upon him and he will be thrown into the Hellfire.” (Muslim)
The above hadith does not glorify the arrogant but rather puts him/her on notice! As if ALLAH could be held hostage to the meanderings of that little, clay creature we call man!
Life, a precious gift given to mankind, is indeed a learning process with no overnight success in the works. Did not that soul, the son of man, declare it himself when he entered an awareness or reawakening when it was said of him:
Or (take) the similitude of one {Ezekiel – son of man} who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: “Oh! How shall ALLAH bring it (ever) to life, after (this) its death?” but ALLAH caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again). HE {ALLAH}said: “How long did you tarry (thus)?” He said: (Perhaps) a day or part of a day.” HE said: “Nay, you have tarried thus a hundred years; but look at your food and your drink; they show no signs of age; and look at your donkey: And that WE may make of you a Sign unto the people, Look further at the bones, how WE bring them together and clothe them with flesh.” When this was shown clearly to him, he said: “I know {now} that ALLAH has power over all things.” Quran (2:259)
And He {that Spirit} said to me {Ezekiel}: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against ME; they and their fathers have transgressed against ME to this very day.
For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them {the Children of Israel}, ‘Thus says the LORD GOD.’ Ezekiel (2:3-4)
“Son of man,” he said to me, “look with your eyes, hear with your ears, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Report to the House of Israel everything you see.” Ezekiel (40:4)
Then He said to me: “Son of man, this is what the LORD GOD says: ‘These are the statutes for the altar on the day it is constructed, so that burnt offerings may be sacrificed on it and blood may be sprinkled on it {until this LAW is revoked}: Ezekiel (43:18)
Sixty-nine times in just the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus (pbh) declares of himself to be the Son of man! That is just in the Synoptic Gospels and he, being a chosen servant of the ONE GOD, should know, shouldn’t he?
A truly amazing story showing how ALLAH is in control of all things and that even he, who is declared the son of Man, was, in all things, under HIS DOMINION AND CONTROLL (at every stage) and that he gave homage to the ONLY REAL POWER and GLORY WHO was his CREATOR LORD through his obedience and servitude:
ALLAH will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of ALLAH’?” He will say: “GLORY BE TO YOU! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, YOU would indeed have known it. {FOR}YOU know what is in my heart though I do not know what is in YOUR HEART. For YOU know in full everything that is hidden. Quran (5:116)
And that is the son of Man so be not uncertain and if it is true about your claim to love him, then respect his wishes about the Spirit of truth sent after him, so be not of those who are in doubt!
Factors like people’s personalities of wanting to be like someone else (certain successful individuals that they are attracted to, feelings of fear of being marginalized, various psychological paranoias that they may have, feelings of financial insecurities and being left out of the societal equation, may all influence what thoughts or groups they lean towards and how group solace gives some people artificial levels of psychological comfort.
And with more souls entering into the earth’s environs (meaning more people being born and at the designated place, times and conditions that they are born under) will act as the ‘chain that binds’ leading the soul or person to acts and satisfactions that may be a cause for their eventual entry into the Hell-Fire or the paradise of Earth and Paradise in the Heavens.
That means there is no escape for any individual except through the approved channels set forth by the CREATOR LORD. It is HIS UNIVERSE so one must be careful to remember that as we are just ‘partakers’ in this role called life.
That is absolutely correct! HE is the ONE IN CONTROL for HE is AL-JABBAR and HE requested those that would believe to turn to HIM and WORSHIP (with approved acts) none but HIM. A simple Islamic formula but one that is overlooked by those whose heads are in the proverbial clouds with their thinking functions highly impaired.
So, we can find in Scripture many a saying that equates to ‘Taste ye the penalty that you were want to refuse (to believe in)’ such that a partial payment of billowing darkness lays upon the soul. And if man really desires in his heart to change his tune, then he can be helped ONLY by the ONE WHO is MOST MERCIFUL.
Otherwise it (the soul) reaches a partitioned part of no return and is aided in further sliding down the ‘rabbit hole’ for eventual destruction. Like Pharaoh in the time of Moses (pbh), who had opportunities to change his tune but his ‘nefs’ got in the way and his ego (his own personal god) could not let go and face reality. So, he is now awaiting his time when he will lead his people (the weak ones who followed his lead) into the terrible Fires of Hell.
Fortunately for mankind, we don’t know the particulars of who is doomed or who is going to be saved in the end and of that knowledge it would be in the Unseen written in a RECORD well-guarded (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfouz). This then would necessitate a wise decision (for those interested) in looking for the proper and acceptable way home (to the Garden) Paradise.
Islam is the proper WAY but it must also be acceptable for both parties involved: the CREATOR LORD and the human soul and no good movement occurs without HIS PERMISSION! So one reads in the Quran about the ‘enjoyment of life’ but to take heed that there is more to ‘life’ in reality than just living for the pleasure of one’s senses.
To any that desires the tilth {what you cultivate for or strive for} of the Hereafter, WE give increase in his tilth, and to any that desires the tilth {what you cultivate or strive for} of this world, WE grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter. Quran (42:20)
Permanency is what the wise value above hot satisfaction for the moment. Do they not see that as time rolls on that they grow older and then enter their graves? The graves are not the time to start thinking of how to improve upon one’s soul-record!
In fact, the grave is a dimensional place of rest or torture which no soul can avoid. That discussion is for religious scholars to express as it relates to Islamic processes and is well beyond the scope of this paper except to say that there is no escape from ALLAH!
Narrated `Aisha that the Prophet (pbh) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by ALLAH?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves {strenuously overexert yourself above your realistic capacity}, (but do) the deeds which are within your ability.” (Bukhari)
Abu Huraira narrated that ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh) said, “The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the Hell-Fire).” They said, “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh)?” He said, “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until ALLAH bestows HIS Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship ALLAH in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise). (Bukhari)
That discussion, in truth, is for religious scholars to express as it relates to Islamic processes and is well beyond the scope of this paper.
One should, however, show some exertion upon one’s being in trying to develop a form of struggle to learn about one’s capacity involving growing in truth without breaking the ‘spirit’ so as to conform to one’s potential or adding on falsehoods like the more you know the better you are.
Anas bin Malik narrated that A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (pbh) asking how the Prophet (pbh) worshipped ALLAH and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, “Where are we from the Prophet (pbh) as his past and future sins have been forgiven.” Then one of them said, “I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever.” The other said, “I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast.” The third said, “I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever.” ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh) came to them and said, “Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By ALLAH, I am more submissive to ALLAH and more afraid of HIM than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I also marry women. So he who does not follow my tradition in religion, is not from me (not one of my followers). (Bukhari)
When it comes to critical thinking, fairness must be in play! Because one may have a favorite ‘philosophy’ does not mean one is allowed to cheat! With that in mind, let us take a very brief look at one aspect of scriptural integrity.
It is easy to declare supremacy of one Testament over the other just as easy as it is to declare that the Moon is made of green cheese. However, for rational people to operate in an honest environment comparing oranges to oranges is a lot more practical than comparing oranges to grapes!
With that in mind one can take a look at the advanced European culture and the dedication of any in that culture to preserve and protect sanctified records of heavenly import. Certainly such a society would be thought of as being much better equipped to preserve exalted records of DIVINE ORIGIN than a group of formerly squabbling illiterates from a desert background!
One would think so given the circumstances involved. So, when it comes time to argue about the worth of any Holy Book and what was taken out, changed or copied faithfully in a comparison flavor of ‘friendly inquisitiveness’, then go and compare and ask those vital questions!
If the New Testament and the Quran are put side by side in a historical comparison and both of them are looked at with reverence, then one must bring a set of ‘originals’ as close to the date of the last appearance of its founder.
It would be nice for judgment sake to see a precious copy of the New Testament within 75 or 100 years of its founder’s removal from daily earthly life – considered by some to be around the year 30 to 33 CE. Especially since the greatness and exalted position of that record would be beyond value and extremely priceless!
To be fair, one doesn’t need a whole Testament to judge but at least half of one will do – especially in knowing how valued it must have been being the voice of the Messiah and all. Yet where is this ‘original’?
Now the Quran was not developed over 23 years in front of ‘learned scholars’ who were the ‘refined’ from the general rabble of society but it came to the desert Arabs viz the transmission of Archangel Gabriel to Muhammad (pbh). Otherwise, saving an intact script from some desert, poet, wanderer in a society that produced only a handful of literates seems just a tad too much when compared to the so-called educated scholars of early Rome.
So, from this example one can ask about showing the earliest manuscript form of at least half the book one is joyfully parading around as GOD’s Holy Word! To make it easy on the ‘combatants’, we don’t need a complete Testament. Half of one will do but this, the Christian side cannot produce until several centuries after Jesus (pbh) rose up to the heavens.
Islamically, things are quite different and that is very amazing considering the ‘type of society’ from Arabia and surrounding areas that one is dealing with.
Granted that European society had advantages but the premise about the combatants (various schools of thought from the early part of the second century onwards) gives credence to some altercations in the manuscripts to ‘fit the agreed upon policy of the day’!!!
This is why an ‘honest individual’ can find certain problems with the New Testament Script that shows certain peculiar oddities. That does not, however, destroy the value of these documents when read and interpreted correctly. In retrospect, it is far more productive for a Believer to go to approved Islamic materials and get the real ‘goods’ as it is a more protected and honorable source!
O you who believe, fear ALLAH and let every single soul look to what (provision) he has sent forth for the morrow. Yes, fear ALLAH for ALLAH is well-acquainted with (all) that you do.
And don’t be like those who forgot ALLAH; and HE {then} made them forget themselves {the true nature that they were originally created on – their FITRA}! Such are the rebellious transgressors. Quran (59:18-19)
And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of ALLAH: and remember ALLAH much so that you will be successful. Quran (62:10)
And so it goes!
