The use of the symbols { } are for clarification purposes only!
Their {the Unbeliever’s} intention is to extinguish ALLAH’s LIGHT (by blowing) {vain and erroneous talk} with their mouths: But ALLAH will complete (the revelation of) HIS LIGHT, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). Q (61:8)
What is the universal symbol of religion? ALLAH ALONE KNOWS FOR SURE! However, common sense tells us that it must be there in the beginning and there at the end.
To be truly UNIVERSAL that ‘concept’ has to be pre-universe (as in pre-planned) and post apocalypse (that is lasting forever). Such a symbol will NOT BE AN OBJECT but something that can STICK IN THE HEART OF MAN!
While the Star of David and the Cross/Fish are ‘PHYSICAL’ symbols of their respective religions, a truly finished product such as Islam should carry with it the DEFINITIVE SYMBOL or UNIVERSAL SYMBOL of what could be called ‘the whole package‘.
In my opinion, based on hadith material and the Quran discussing the first prophet (adam) as the BELIEF PATTERN OR THE WAY SET IN ADAM and therefore, mankind, a pattern would reflect this universal symbol.
What is found reflected in all major beliefs (FEATURING THE ONE GOD CONCEPT) as an essential and prime component of that religion or THE UNIVERSAL WAY would make the following The Universal Symbol of Religion:
There is no god but ALLAH and Muhammad is ALLAH’s Prophet!
Indeed, GOD and HIS angels are saluting the Prophet {Muhammad}. O you who have believed! salute him, and greet him with the greetings of peace. Q. (33:56)
And thus WE have made you {your FAITH} a just community that you will be witnesses over the {various other religious communities} people {while} and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And WE did not make the Qibla {direction of prayer} which you used to face {Jerusalem IN THE HOLY LAND} except that WE might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom ALLAH has guided. And never would ALLAH have caused you to lose your faith. Indeed ALLAH is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.
WE have certainly seen the turning of your face, (O Muhammad), toward the heaven, and WE will surely turn you to a Qibla with which you will be pleased {the KABBAH in Makkah, THE GLORIOUS LAND}. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you {believers} are, turn your faces toward it {in prayer}. Indeed, those who have been given the Scripture {Jews and Christians} well know that it is the truth from their LORD. And ALLAH is not unaware of what they do. Q (2: 143-144)
And {recall, O People of the Scriptures}, when GOD took the covenant of the prophets, (saying), “Whatever I give you of the Scripture and Wisdom and then there comes to you an apostle confirming what is with you, you (must) believe in him and support him.” {GOD} said, “Have you acknowledged and taken upon that MY commitment {MY COMMITTED PLAN}?” They said, “We have acknowledged it.” HE said, “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.” Q (3:81)
A perfect symbol this is indeed! ALL of the Abrahamic Faiths stress the importance of worshiping THE ONE GOD and then go about their business but Islam has the ONENESS OF GOD stressed over and over and over again in many ways as its central theme!
The Jewish problem came about with the glorification of themselves such that Holy Israel and the return of the Jews from foreign lands to Israel became their ‘proud point’. So apparently GOD better ‘own up’ to them if HE knew what was good for HIM!?
‘PRIDE and GLORY are MY {MINE AND MINE ALONE} garments {coverings} and whoever claims them {like a little false god}, I {will} torture him.’ (Muslim)
Hence, the tragic story of the Jews as they got their collective faces rubbed into life’s tragedies throughout the centuries by various so-called ‘liberated peoples’. That is, they took themselves above others as in the story ‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all’!
In other words, they misrepresented the truths about ‘GOD’s Chosen People (people of ANY faith being people who adhered to the UNIVERSAL BELIEF PATTERN set in adam (pbh) versus their constricted viewpoint.
Hence, they paid a very huge, historical price for their impertinence. They became ‘constricted‘ as a people and have had to endure massive humiliations down throughout the centuries!
Anti-Semitism is a strange example of this ego booster. Most of the Jewish people in Israel, in fact most of the Jews in the world, are not strictly speaking 100% Semitic. Besides this, the Arab (Muslim, Christian and Jewish) populations, which far out numbers ‘Jewish’ people in the nation of Israel or world, are Semitic in nature. So being anti-Semitic would most logically apply to the Arab peoples first and foremost – logically that is!
The Christians took the ‘golden torch’ but wanted more out of life than just the mundane practices of worship. There was a whole lot of ‘worldly‘ life out there to explore and dominate! And dominate they did!!!
Like the ‘gods’ of old who sent their offspring to be sacrificed for the ‘human race’ (a recurring theme from the Whore in the Book of Revelation) – particularly for them, they became blessed and enriched from the ‘tragedies of others’ (rape of the indigenous peoples).
And being self-centered as to believing themselves especially blessed, they could reinforce that idea from their exploits showing how superior their ways and religion were – as opposed to actual reality.
This goes for those who were not oppressed by their designs (the designs of the ‘kings of the Earth’) but grew fat and comfortable in their ‘lordship’ on the home front even though many of ‘her’ citizens were treated as ‘inferiors’.
Many people, on this account, seem to relate to Charles Dickens’ novels quite well featuring the ‘downtrodden’ peoples in these so-called ‘rich’ countries.
The Arabs are not in any position to gloat as they also have put Islam on the back burner in many of their countries. We can’t expect perfection in an instant, however. An appreciation and an understanding how this volatile planet works as it corrodes the hungry soul may help the soul see the WHORE featured in the Book of Revelation somewhat.
So in trying to understand Islam and what Islam is should show the person the truth about the Universal Symbol of Religion and the chosen and correct pathway of life – when understood and practiced in sincerity and not for show or historical reasons.
On another topic:
Why is it feasible to believe that Jesus (pbh) was in the ‘tomb’ for several days and nights? Because it is stated that he (Jesus) will be like Jonah (pbh). Not only was Jonah (pbh) ALIVE during the process of being swallowed by the big fish creature, he also was ALIVE after being expelled from it though very, very weary.
And the Quran states that Jesus (pbh) was neither killed by being crucified or in any other manner nor was he even on the Cross to begin with. BUT SOMEBODY WAS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND PUT INTO THE GRAVE. IT WASN’T JESUS (pbh) though!
However, in order to be like Jonah (pbh), Jesus (pbh) had to be INSIDE the ‘belly’ so to speak of the earth. So that makes two people in that grave: Jesus AND the man who was actually put on the Cross (Simon the Cyrenian).
Yet ONLY ONE MAN CAME OUT FROM THAT GRAVE meaning that the grave became EMPTIED when Jesus (pbh) left that place. So, two people were there – one who actually died by crucifixion and then there was Jesus. One came out and the grave became empty!
Now a very WEARY man was seen and identified as Jesus (pbh) OUTSIDE the grave and when the grave was later searched, it revealed no other entity alive or dead inside the grave. So, the rumor spread that the ‘friends’ of Jesus (pbh) stole his {Jesus’} body from the grave.
So logically, according to this scenario, we have LIKE JONAH in every similar aspect!!!:
Going into the grave very much ALIVE and coming out WEARY. But since ‘they’ placed an actual, crucified dead man in the grave (a complete replica of Jesus) and a miracle was to be performed, we have two people IN THE GRAVE at the same time and when one left (JESUS) we have AN EMPTY GRAVE!
If we follow the Biblical account carefully, avoiding any pitfalls, we will find that we cannot account for the saying ‘you will be with me THIS DAY IN PARADISE’ UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE ‘OTHER MAN’ IN THE TOMB CAUSING HIM TO PHYSICALLY DISAPPEAR AS IT WERE.
{Then he {one of the criminals hanging on the cross} said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, TODAY you will be with me in paradise.” Luke (23: 42-43)}
Historically, the Church takes this mysterious saying to mean it was uttered by Jesus (pbh) to one of the guys hanging on the Cross next to Jesus. That is odd for several reasons when one thinks about it especially when one thinks that it will be ‘THAT DAY’ that he was supposedly taken down and will be in Paradise.
That equates to a bad man who believes in Jesus being good gets a ‘hot’ ticket right to Paradise whereas others who do believe but struggle mightily in life as to being good, might end up sitting near the back of the bus!
It is more logical to believe that the statement made by Jesus (pbh) was meant for the one WHO WAS ACTUALLY CRUCIFIED IN HIS PLACE. It is logical to assume this because the STATION of Jesus is very, very HIGH!
A common believer who is not a crook can reach Paradise on a good level but doubtfully will he be honored like a ‘prophet of renown’ – unless he was to lay down his life as a martyr and was previously owed a great debt – of which we know nothing about because such a thing would be locked up in the UNSEEN.
Furthermore, Jesus (pbh) gave indications that he would ‘REBUILD a TEMPLE‘ in a certain amount of time showing that he had GOOD FOREKNOWLEDGE about future events.*
{The Jews then responded to him {Jesus}, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”
But the temple he had spoken of was his body. John (2: 18-21)}
Moreover, he was deceitfully teased by some Jews OF A CERTAIN CITY who FEIGNED INTEREST IN HIM BY ASKING HIM TO DO A CERTAIN MIRACLE – as in ‘PHYSICIAN (JESUS) HEAL THYSELF!
{Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown {raise the DEAD} what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” Luke (4:23)}
The miracle he was asked to PERFORM WAS TO BE ON HIMSELF OR WHOM PEOPLE THOUGHT TO BE HIMSELF AS ALL EYES SAW WHAT THE ONE GOD MADE THEM SEE!
AS TO WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT PARTICULAR CITY (CAPERNAUM) THE MIRACLE WAS ONE OF RISING A PERSON FROM THE DEAD. It is recorded in the New Testament that Jesus (pbh) left that city because those particular Jews were NOT serious about keeping their word!
*Knowledge of FUTURE EVENTS puts Jesus in a precarious position if one believes that the Book of Hebrews has him crying and carrying on about his impending ‘crucifixion’.
We know from the Quran that ALLAH will protect him from his people, the Jews, AND HE KNEW THAT FOR A FACT!**
Secondly, he knows what will happen and AFTER scolding his Disciples for being scared, it is hardly fitting in his very high station to turn into a ‘hypocrite’ and do what he scolded them about.
{During the days of Jesus’ {during the existence of the Christ’s -soul’s life on Earth as adam after his ‘fall’} life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from {a spiritual} death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Son {a LEADER of the SPIRITUAL LIGHTS} though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered Hebrews (5:7-8)}
**Thirdly, Jesus (pbh) had been known to walk out of the way of being encircled by an angry crowd desiring to stone him to death. Without haste and leisurely strolling past his would be assassins, Jesus (pbh), kept his full trust in his LORD and feared the people not! Yet, he would not have them overly taxed by teasing them against ALLAH’s WILL in a forced type of confrontation. That was NOT GOD’s WILL.
{Then they took up stones to cast at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John (8:59)}
Jesus (pbh), a man of dignity, did not need to run away in fear or in a ‘cowardly’ act. He simply walked calmly by those maniacal thugs whom he knew could do him no harm.
{…And behold! I {ALLAH} did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) you when you did show them the Clear Signs and the Unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.’ Q (5: 110)}
One can follow the story of Jesus (pbh) with the help of the Quran and with the help of the Quran, we can ‘untwist’ some of the twisted stuff but to go too far beyond that becomes mere guess work with no certain knowledge.
For example, why did it take him so long in the tomb and what else did he do or accomplish while inside this ‘womb-like’ structure? About such things we are not privy to and in fact such things will NOT increase our faith.
It is better to let the worldly play at their dreams if being rebuffed when discussing faith, for the old saying still applies: one can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear!
Fain would they extinguish ALLAH’s LIGHT with their mouths, but ALLAH will not allow but that HIS LIGHT should be perfected, even though the Unbelievers may detest (it). Q (9:32)
And what is there to keep back men from believing now that GUIDANCE has come to them {placed before their hearts in various ways}, nor from praying for FORGIVENESS from their LORD but that (they wait for) the ways {of destruction} of the ancients to overtake them or the WRATH {of the raging FIRE} be brought to them face to face? Q (18: 55)