I will attempt with ALLAH’s permission to put down some pertinent ‘facts’ surrounding this most beautiful event that never happened. Like with all things, patience is a virtue and the Non-crucifixion event does require that a person has the ‘insight’ to think logically as well as outside the ridged, worldly structured box.
The Non-Crucifixion of Jesus (pbh) is indeed a very thoughtful lesson and brings us one SMALL step closer to understanding what has been called ‘the nature of things’ by putting things into a clearer perspective and what it has cost the human race on its journey through life. Salvation truly does come at a cost but in the end it will seem a rather small cost.
I’m not saying that the so-called crucifixion event of and by itself is important. Some people made it important while trying to impose their pareidolia-type logic on the rest of mankind. However, the overall aspect of this story going all the way back in time acts like a ‘tracer event’ of human activity born from greed, ignorance, the need to control and absolute distain for truth and reality. The proof is in the evidence as they say!
The evidence comes from Paul in one of his epistles and the Quran on matters such as this and can be sensed when 2 Thessalonians (2: 11-12) and the Quran (40: 75) are taken with humble sincerity.
We know that it is clearly impossible to see how all things are interconnected in their minute form and that is how it should be. But to have just a glimpse of awareness can either bring anger or praise for the ONE LORD in HIS MAGNIFICIANT SYSTEM OF PERFECTION. So we can say, “All Praise, Honor and Glory belong unto HIM WHO made us and gave us the precious gift of life and the chance to know HIM better.
And Allah has brought you forth from your mother’s wombs knowing nothing – but HE has given you hearing and sight and hearts that you might give thanks (to ALLAH). Q (16: 78)
The phases of the Non-Crucifixion event can be broken down into several broad areas with each area requiring extensive detail. Here, we will only be outlining the various areas but with the understanding that various corruptions and allegorical meanings will have been used to alter the truth:
1. Ancient times and ancient legends
2. The foreshadowing of events during the time of Abraham (pbh)
3. A look into the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls
4. A look into the New Testament
5. Historical events after the Resurrection of Jesus (pbh)
5. A look into the Quran.
What kind of world do we live in? It would seem to be a world that is full of things that give us amusement and play keeping us quite busy at times in our daily lives. Is that a sentiment from the Quran? In a word, yes it is. There are reasons for this but because we don’t know the Unseen, we just can’t penetrate this forbidden curtain for the hidden answers. However, we are NOT left deaf, dumb and blind because we have the sentiment and earnestness of Faith giving us some reasons for our life activities and that should be enough.
Lots of people have broken dreams and disruptive life patterns being placed in front of them as ‘burdens’ to bear, problems to overcome and the challenge of life in general. In fact, life is somewhat like the ancient La Brea Tar Pits which used to present a serene scene to the surrounding fauna only to entrap and ensnare them when they partook of its deadly and unforgiving embrace.
If ALLAH wants to do good to somebody, HE afflicts him with trials. (Bukhari)
The Prophet (pbh) said, “Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent.” (Tirmidhi)
In other words, a false step while one is trying to feed one’s belly can and will end in some type of disaster. This is an imperfect example because one can’t blame the La Brea Tar Pits or the animals for each doing their job. However, the La Brea Tar Pits do mimic this often times nonsensical and deceptive world. A world where hardly anything is at it first appears.
One has to start someplace concerning the Non-Crucifixion of Jesus (pbh) but we are hampered by the fact that either we accept the validity of real religious sentiment or else we don’t. That definitely does NOT mean that we should guide ‘religion’. We should be guided by religion, history, relevancy and the notion that there is a harmonious agreement or ‘unified field’ theory showing consistency throughout.
If we think back, very, very far back to a time nearly forgotten, we might awaken an understanding. Because according to Prophet Muhammad (pbh) every prophet from Noah (pbh) onwards discussed the Anti-christ, it can be safely assumed that all of these prophets would have talked to their various peoples about the Christ (pbh) to come. One has to ask oneself, “if that guy (the Anti-christ) is the bad man who will be calling us to ruin and we should avoid him, who then is the good man or his antithesis who will be calling us to righteousness and salvation?
In other words, if we have an anti-something, what then is the positive-something? And so people were getting it straight from the truthful servants of ALLAH but one can be sure that the information given to the populace did not stay stagnant. Others were around who would turn this information into gold for their own benefit.
Some people say that this is a reach but that is NOT true because we have a witness in verse form from the New Testament (to name one place) discussing how the prophets (and the believing people one would guess) looked for THAT DAY. The problem is “How do people look for something, if they don’t know anything about what they are looking for?”
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which you see and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them. Luke (10: 24)
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. 1 Peter (1: 10)
Anyway, a general reading of any true holy book will give us the knowledge of the skullduggery of certain corrupters found in all religions who like to ‘twist’ things around especially for their own advantage (their corrupted lusts). This class of individual is generically known as the ‘priest-class’ and they have held, especially in ancient times, a strong sway over the people and their beliefs.
The example of the Samiri found in the Quran, as given in one of my articles, speaks of a budding little jester who made people dance to the notion of following falsehood in an attempt at claiming special guidance from on High. Naturally, he couldn’t succeed in the presence of Moses (pbh) but when Moses (pbh) was out of the picture (as he went up to the mountain top); he twisted those children of Israel around his little finger except for the few. And see how easy it was for them to be deceived!
Historically in the records left by past civilizations, we keep turning up, if one digs deep enough, ‘tales of the ancients’ whereby a certain individual, who is miraculous, gifted, highly blessed and such a legendary figure given by the gods from above sounds as if he was only partly human and partly god.
Naturally, such a wunderkind is so special and magical that it takes a specially gifted individual (not anyone will do) to open up the ‘treasure chest of goodness and divine graces’. Lo and Behold we have that special class of people called the corrupt priest-class, who just so happens to have a direct line to the ear of this mighty wonder, and who is empowered (by whom – supposedly by the legendary figure from above) to dispense certain blessings and wishes upon the lucky followers – all for a small price of course.
By touching the TV while this perverted speaker talks, or touching a piece of cloth or statue, or even dancing a Sufi jig, people can get in touch with this seemingly invisible rapture. This is especially true for those who would donate a small fee for the continuation of these miraculous occurrences. This presumably means that a little coin will ensure in keeping the beneficial favors flowing.
We also know that certain verses found in the holy books as well as certain sayings are extremely dangerous because they are allegorical* and therefore can be mightily abused by those seeking self-aggrandizement. We also know and it has been made clear to us that HE, THE ONE GOD, is well aware of this and has set up the unparalleled PLAN taking into account ALL THINGS that can happen or ever happen. ALLAH is THE AWARE, THE POWER!!!
One interesting thing, for example, stated throughout timeless legend has a bird called the Phoenix who rises up from the ashes of DEATH symbolic of a resurrection. From a dead thing to a changed thing, this so-called bird has been rejuvenated and has conquered death and like a bird can soar heavenward where it majestically lives.
One can take this legend and go in different directions. However, according to the verses that I used in my writings from the New Testament and the Quran, I maintained that if this is the dead world of men trapped in human bodies (where else would the soul inhabit?) and IF THESE MEN HAD THROWN REAL RELIGION OUT LIKE IT WAS TRASH, then we can say, “Let the dead bury the dead” which is a sentiment taken from the New Testament.
But Jesus said to him, “Follow me {that is to say ‘pay heed to me’ and let the worldly matters alone}; and let the dead bury their dead.” Matthew (8: 22)
If a person is living his or her life just to have an existence as in ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ then that person is indeed considered dead. He is alive to the world but ‘dead’ to the spirit. Though that person exists, it is just like he is taking up space and is accounted for nothing much. These are the people in the various scriptures who have been called deaf, dumb and blind.
Or do you think that most of them understand? They are only like cattle – nay, they are even farther astray from the WAY. Q (25: 44)
It can be said in this light that the Phoenix Bird had conquered death as a Symbol or SIGN by being transformed. Is this ancient tale a story of a person who will come in the future and be lifted up to the heavens? If Jesus (pbh) is going to be ‘lifted up’ into the heavens and live in that condition, he had better be transformed (logically because he is a human being) or else he better put on a suit fit for astronauts and then some.
The dramatic key to this perceptiveness is in the understanding that allegorical verses or sayings should NOT be stressed as the ‘essential keys’ to salvation. Like the Venus flytrap, they are there to catch the unwary (careless). For like all things, they serve a purpose but to what total end we know not.
*Anyway, allegorical verses or even sayings can cause certain kinds of trauma to appear (hatched by those bent on evil and followed by those savoring the plot (for whatever ‘hidden reason’ but to satisfy a vacuous need found in the depths of a person’s ‘private’ soul) as can be sensed from Q (3: 7).
And pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; for surely the hearing, the sight, the heart all of those shall be questioned (concerning this). Q (17: 36)
For a chilling reminder of just WHO IS IN CONTROL, a man will get (somehow, somewhere) what he earnestly strives for. That is why it is dangerous to have a corrupted nefs. We may obtain our goal but what good is that when we are given a one-way ticket to the Hell-fire in the end. We can’t know the Unseen so we can’t pretend to know how this can be done but when ALLAH gives a promise HE MOST DEFINITELY KEEPS IT!!!
Man will get nothing but what he strives for. Q (53: 39)
The next thing that comes to mind occurred during the time of father Abraham (pbh). He is a very key figure for the Monotheistic Faiths along with his two sons – Ishmael and Isaac (peace be upon them both).
We know that Abraham (pbh) had some insight into his first born as to him being very, very important. We know this because Prophet Muhammad (pbh) discusses Abraham’s (pbh) actions about leaving his handmaiden Haggar with his little child Ishmael (pbh) all alone in a very desolate area and a seemingly impossible situation with the sure knowledge that ALLAH had promised to take care of them.
This young boy Ishmael (pbh) was to grow up and be a foundation for the Arab line and the line giving us Prophet Muhammad (pbh). Imagine his father’s distraught heart when he heard the ‘Command of the LORD’ to sacrifice his only begotten son – his first seed (offspring).
Being a very old man, Abraham (pbh) did not expect he would have any more children and to kill his one and only son who was to represent something monumental {the rebuilding of the Kabah and being of the seed to the eventual introduction into the world of the mighty Messenger known as Muhammad (pbh)} could only mean that Abraham (pbh) somehow displeased his LORD.
Anyway, with heavy but fully obedient heart, Abraham (pbh) would fulfill his task. But lo! His willingness to go beyond just normal faith ended up with a most beautiful sacrifice! Ishmael (pbh) was spared and his place was taken by that most telling AND SYMBOLIC SUBSTITUTION – A RAM.
Not only that, for Abraham’s awesome courage and faith, he was given a mighty gift of the knowledge of a very important second son – Isaac (pbh) the line that would eventually give us Jesus the son of Mary the Messiah (pbh).
And we don’t stop there for we are told that this future new holy high priest, the Messiah to come, will not be like those priests of old but just like the ram substitute sacrifice, after (what appears to some as magical) the ORDER of MELCHIZEDEK.
This is a monumental change also in that it represents a new order of things. And this is also declared in the New Testament. It is more of a spiritual change from what was before such that more emphasis is placed on the spiritual rather than the physical emphasis.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Wherefore when he {Jesus} cometh into the world, he said {concerning GOD}, Sacrifice and offering YOU would not, but a BODY YOU have prepared {for} me:
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin YOU have had no pleasure.
Then said I, Lo, I come {in the volume of the book it is written about me,) to do YOUR WILL, O GOD. Hebrews (10: 4-7)
The above sentiments have been discussed in the book The Great Sacrifice of Jesus the Christ which can be downloaded free from this website.
The Old Testament has some knowledge about the Non-Crucifixion of Jesus (pbh) and its possible correct interpretations have been gone into in depth by several Muslim brothers of whom Dr. Jamal Badawi comes to mind.
The Dead Sea Scrolls also talk about a savior-type of man who returns at the end of time (or an end of an age as was put into the Six Ages of Man theory in my books, The Real Holy Grail: The Messiah on Trial and He IS Not My Ancestor and some articles).
The characteristics of this man are very consistent with what we know about the ‘righteous one’ – Jesus the son of Mary (pbh). That is to say the discussion of the Teacher of Righteousness in the Dead Sea Scrolls is the discussion (prophecy) of the soon to be born Jesus the son of Mary (pbh) who will be given to the world as a certain kind of monumental sacrifice and be ‘turned into’ or re-formed into ‘as one representing the spiritual order of Melchizedek’.
From the book The Shining Light of Islam: The Teacher of Righteousness has been given certain characteristics found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Here is a list of some of these characteristics.
- He is a healer of the sick.
- He will cause the dead to live.
- He will proclaim glad tidings to the poor.
- He is known as the elect of God meaning here the Messiah.
- He is the leader of the poor who shall bring forth a New Covenant.
- He is likened to a priest of God meaning he is a Word sent and approved by Him.
- He shall be delivered from his enemies, i.e., he will escape their attempts to kill him but the ‘snares’ of the enemy will eventually ensnare those transgressors by their own devices.
- Before the Last Day of Judgment, he will be with the ‘elect’ meaning that he will again come into the world.
- He will be a just judge between mankind as is found in Islamic hadiths.
- God taught the Teacher of Righteousness through the auspices of the Archangels Gabriel and Michael “all the secrets of the words of His servants the prophets”.
- After him will come another ‘one’ called the ‘spirit of truth’ who will act as purifying water to clean falsehoods and misconceptions away and will give the upright insight (to faith and future things to come) after they have been cleaned. This description completely fits the function that Prophet Muhammad (pbh) did with his people as well as that to which he brought to mankind.
That is not all the Dead Sea Scrolls discuss! Put into this concept is the notion that the placers of snares against this man will themselves be ensnared – a dynamic concept meaning the villainy tried on your opponent will in the end fail. It will fail such that what you tried to tarnish him with, you will be tarnished with. He will be cleared of all falsehoods but you will not!
And (remember) when ALLAH said: “O Jesus! I will take you and raise you to MYSELF and clear you of the blasphemies of those who disbelieve… Q (3: 55)
Now we can go onto the New Testament. The important thing to remember is that Jesus (pbh) knew his fate (what was going to happen to him) as can be gleaned from the New Testament. We know he tells his ‘direct’ followers (the twelve) to stay in a ‘private’ safe place (house) and after the ‘things that must come to pass’ in three days, especially after he, with ALLAH’s Permission, rebuilds a certain temple, he will come to see them.
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen to him. Mark (10: 32)
Saying, “Sir, we remember that the deceiver {Jesus} said, while he was yet alive, after three days I will rise again.” Matthew (27: 63)
We also know that Jesus (pbh) was a much loved individual through his preaching and healings such that a few thousand had loved him with their tongues. It is logical to think that amongst these throngs there appears to be those who were enlightened and earnest enough to follow on the heels of his specially chosen followers. In other words, companions of his closest companions were available.
We can see that after Jesus (pbh) left the Earth after 40 days from his ‘Passion’ there was already an organization of believers called saints who would go forth to form the ’70’ in Jerusalem.
The importance of this information forms the backdrop for the book that can be downloaded from this site, The Non-Crucifixion of Jesus which is a must reading for those who want the true flavor of what took place – or as much of it as is safe to declare anyway.
Several articles and parts of my books deal with the early period of preaching the wonderful truth of salvation unto those who would listen. This would go to form the background for how to live amongst the worldly. It is not about philosophy or pipe dreams that a man or woman can be saved but about his or her actions and not to be contrary to the ‘spirit’ that is essential.
What does that mean? Those are key words that simply mean good deeds plus good and sound faith. It takes both of these things for man to climb out of this often crazy nonsensical world. The ‘spirit’ of man must therefore be that part of man either at odds with the TRUTH or willing to sacrifice for the TRUTH. In other words, it is that UNKNOWN PLACE IN THE HEART THAT ACTS AS A TILTING EFFECT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
So if man is ‘in the spirit’ in this sense, he is at one or desires to be at oneness (harmony) of will or purpose towards his CREATOR LORD. Therefore, he can earnestly cry out “Labaik allahuma labaik. Labbaika la shareeka laka labbaik…” “Here I am O ALLAH, at YOUR SERVICE; here I am at YOUR SERVICE. Here I am at YOUR SERVICE…”
Anyway, as time passed the centers for ‘Christian’ learning became quarrelsome and often at odds with one another. After a while, the center of Rome due to its magnetic attraction of high-powered philosophy, Greek logic, scholarly and even pompous show and tell strategies became a dominant center.
And WE granted them Clear Signs in Affairs (of Religion – the Correct Pathway of belief and Behavior): it was only after knowledge had been granted to them that they fell into schisms {wrangling disputes}, through insolent envy among themselves {arrogant hairsplitting}. Verily your LORD will judge between them on the Day of Judgment as to those matters in which they set up differences. Q (45: 17)
It is here that an early Church Father over a hundred years removed from the Ascension of Jesus (pbh) is embattled to prove that Jesus was in reality crucified in the flesh – physically speaking. That idea would be so odd if only a few scholars from various factions believed differently for they would be looked upon as kooks or bizarre individuals. But they were not and proved to be quite a force to deal with.
Justin Martyr took it upon himself in around 148 AD to settle a ‘church doctrinal issue’ which we now know was very much in doubt!!!
The nay sayers to Jesus being crucified had their own documents and stories passed down by what they would call as reliable witnesses. Without a definite answer giving a strong conclusion to the so-called ‘fate’ of Jesus (pbh) it is goodbye Rome as the center of what is now called Christianity and goodbye Christianity for that matter. So it was essential to pin down this question, “What happened to Jesus on that fateful day – which one can call the ‘day of the cross’?”
If one thinks about it, one will be led to the idea that this is going to have a great impact on how the ‘new’ religion would develop in the future and what direction it would take – the simple route or the elaborate priest-class route with pomp and ceremony. You be the judge on that one!!!!!!
Not everything disappears from history. Cover ups may succeed for a while but then things start to unravel in one way or the other. For example, and along came Islam and that is all she wrote…
However, before Islam came on the scene, we have the faint knowledge that Peter’s secretary (Glaucias) declared that Jesus (pbh) was not crucified but that another man was crucified in his place. The man’s name was given and it proved to be quite enlightening.
Unfortunately, we have two explanations for this event. The ‘substitution event’ and the Christ is only spiritual and did not have a corporal body event.
Without a real understanding of ‘everyone must carry his own cross’ and; hence, everyone must be crucified in the flesh as it pertains to the desires of the soul or big Jihad in Arabic, the outcome would be in favor of the philosophical/literalists in their approach to Greek logic (wisdom).
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks (Gentiles) seek after wisdom {trying to delve too deep into matters that don’t concern them}:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness 1Cor. (1: 22-23)
Well they got what they sought after and just like in ages before they could have their god and eat him too because they could always sew a vest on a button!
There have been other things of course but time and a certain determination tend to rub things out. Researchers know that there apparently was a book called, Journeys of the Apostles claiming the Non-Crucifixion of Jesus ‘amongst other things’ but the problem is where is that book now?
This is not an isolated event. Just when the idea of modern Christianity is about to take wing in later modern times, along comes the Dead Sea Scrolls to puncture certain balloons except among the diehard.
To solve this puzzle, we can only take a sure thing and what can be surer than the PURE HOLY WORDS OF ALLAH – THE QURAN?
From the article A Touch of Evil and a Touch of Class:
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, 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 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. Practically that amounts to about the same thing.
It is clear and unambiguous that the GIVER of the ‘gift’ being spoken about comes directly from THE ONE LORD 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.
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 it 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. 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 or the continuation of life rather than just living and dying for no reason. Hence, this protected language which is PURE and going to remain PURE is a religious language.
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.
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.
In other words, this 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 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 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 not a book of rules but 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.
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 separate phase or form of religion.
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 a carbon copy of the preceding religion even though it may harmonize with the old.
For where a testament is {paradigm change}, there must also of necessity be the {some form of} death {transformation – thus causing him to physically leave the world} of the testator. Heb. (9: 16)
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 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 Islam 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 – 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 joyfully in one accord during one of the essential pillars of faith and that is prayer – for the prayer to be accepted. This does not apply to any ‘false sect’ but only to mainstream Islam.
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’ 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 known as Ethiopia.
The rivers in Ethiopia 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 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 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 – translations, yes but originals, NO!
The other branch of this ‘tribe’ commonly called Christians do tend to be propagating as to their faith but do not present either a pure language kept in book form or form 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.
These thoughts may be taken as a form of nitpicking but what does the word PURE mean? Does it mean almost or nearly 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 tarnished philosophy. There is another thought to this, however.
Considering the New Testament and its warnings of the ‘deterioration of the truth’ brought by Jesus (pbh) (see the article Islam and the Rise and Fall of the Teachings of Jesus) 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 LORD 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.
And remember ALLAH took a Covenant from the People of the Book to make it known and clear to mankind and not to hide it; 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)
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. Q (47: 1)
In the Quran we find all that we need to know and more besides if our fancy takes us in that direction – proof upon proof (see the free download – The Non-Crucifixion of Jesus).
What we can be certain of from the Quran is that one who is put on the cross even for a twentieth of a second has in fact been crucified but will probably not die when taken off within a very short time. Therefore, we can be certain that Jesus (pbh) was NOT placed on the cross or else he would have been by definition crucified and the second thing we know is that he didn’t die.
That they said (in boast), “We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of ALLAH” – but they did not kill him and they did not crucify him, but it was made to seem so to them. And those who differ therein are full of doubts with NO (certain) knowledge but ONLY CONJECTURE TO FOLLOW. In truth they killed him not. Q (4:157)
We also know that he rose up into the heavens as his physical self without the aid of any device or protective clothing. Hence, he is a man who is transformed and this transformation is a very good SIGN for those who have a HOPE in ALLAH and the Last Day.
That, in part, translates into the knowledge that man will not always be in his current condition but will once again go back to that purity of form from whence he was originally created. Therefore, he will not always have to vie (compete) with the beasts of the field or be hunted down by various diseases.
We also know that Jesus (pbh) will miraculously come back to Earth and show us what excellence he has become but also THAT HE IS FOREVER FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT TO his LORD AND WILL ACCORDING TO HIS PLAN BOW DOWN IN OBEDIENCE AND DIE A PHYSICAL DEATH – SUCH THAT ALL MEN MUST DIE AND he IS BUT A MAN AND ONLY A MAN AS WELL AS A TRUE SERVANT OF THE ONE GOD.
So what is so hard to understand about that?
The Prophet (pbh) said, “Make matters easy and do not make them difficult, give glad tidings and do NOT make people averse (unenthusiastic) {by breaking peoples’ backs with the iron fist of religion being a punishment for mankind}.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
