History of Islam|- Malaysia And Indonesia

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Farther east in the Malay world, Islam began to spread in the 12th
centuryin northem Sumatra and soon Muslim kingdoms were establishd in
Java, Sumatra and mainland Malaysia.
Despite the colonization ofthe Malay world, Islam spread in that area
covering present day Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Phililppines
and southern Thailand, and is still continuing in islands farther
east.

1-Me'raj - The Physical Ascension by the Prophet (S)

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1- Me'raj - The Physical Ascension by the Prophet (S)
The heavenly journey of the Prophet of Islam has been
straight-forwardly explained in two Chapters of Qur'an.
Glorified be He who carried His servant at night from Masjid al- Haram
to Masjid al-Aqsa, the precincts of which We have blessed so that We
may show him of Our signs. Verily He is the AllHearing, the
All-Seeing.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter 17, Verse 01)
Will you then argue with him about what he saw? He certainly saw him
(Jibraeel) during his other ascent to the Lote-tree (in the seven
heavens) near which is Paradise. When the tree was covered with a
covering, (Muhammad's) eyes did not deceive him,nor did they lead him
to falsehood. He certainly saw the greatest (signs) of the existence
of his Lord.
(al-Qur'an - Chapter Najm,Verses 12-18)
From the apparent reading of the verses, thephysical journey took
place with the Prophet riding on Buraq and began from Masjid al-Haram
to Masjid al-Aqsa - The Bayt al-Muqaddas. After the journey, the
Prophet said:
During the Me'raj, I met with the various Prophets; I saw the angels;
Heaven and Hell were shown to me; I was brought to the Arsh (Throne)
and reached to Sidratul-Muntaha. I also met people in heaven who were
being showered with the blessings of Allah and also I saw people in
hell who were being punished by the harshest types of punishment; I
was also informed as to why they were in such a state.
Faidh al-Kashani summarizes the above event very nicely in his book
Me'raj - The Night Ascension, and says:
The Prophet of Islam began his historical nightjourney, along with the
trusted protector of the revelation, the angel Jibraeel from the house
of Umm al-Hani, the daughter of his uncle andsister of
Amirul-Mu'mineen Ali, in the blessed city of Makkah.
With the aide of his steedal-Buraq, he traveled to Bayt al-Muqaddas,
which (at that time) was locatedin the country of Jordan and is also
known as Masjid al-Aqsa (the furthest Masjid). He disembarked at this
placeand in a very short period of time, visited various places inside
the Masjid - including Bayt al-Laham, the birthplace of Prophet Isa
al-Masih, in addition to the houses and other important places of the
various Prophets. In some of these places, he even recited two units
of prayer.
In the next stage (of his journey) he traveled from this spot to the
heavens, where he was witness to the celestial bodies and the entire
universe. He spoke with the spirits of the (previous) Prophets and the
angels; he saw from very close both Paradise and Hell; and the various
stages and levels of the people of paradise and those in hell. It was
these unknowns of the creation, the secrets of the origin of the
universe, the expanse of the world of creation, and the unlimited
power of Allah, the Highest, that he was given complete knowledge of.
Subsequently, he continued on with his journey until he reached to the
region known as Sidratul- Muntaha, a place that was covered ingrandeur
and magnificence. It was from this same path that he traversed that he
returned, and upon coming back, once again visited to Bayt
al-Muqaddas, proceeded on to Makkah and then to his home.
On the return trip, he came across a trade caravan from the tribe of
the Quraish who during their journey had lost one of their camels
which they were searching for. The Prophet drank from the water that
the people of the caravan had with them and by the rising ofthe
morning sun, reached back to the house of Umm al-Hani.
Upon his return, the Prophet told Umm al-Haniof the secrets (that he
saw) and that evening, ina gathering of the peopleof the Quraish,
lifted all the curtains of the secretsof the Me'raj and his journey
and opened their minds to this event. The word of his travels spread
from mouth to mouth amongst all the groups, and now more than ever,
the Quraish were upset (with him).
The Quraish, as was their old-time habit, belied theProphet and in the
gathering, a man stood up and asked if there was anyone in Makkah who
has seen Bayt al-Muqaddas so that he could ask the Prophet in regards
to the physical building.
Did the Prophet describe the physical particularities of Bayt
al-Muqaddas, rather, he even informed them of the event that took
place between Makkah and Bayt al-Muqaddas - and itwas not long after
that the travelers (of that caravan) reported the exact events (as had
occurred).
The Prophet Before Me'raj
The Prophet has said:
Every time I went to Me'raj (the minimum number of times reported for
ascents to Me'raj is two and the maximum reported is one hundred and
twenty.For more information, refer to Biharul- Anwar - Volume 18,
Pages 306-307 and 387. Allah told me to convey His Salaam to you and
to tell you that you are the Imam of His friends and the light of
those who obey Him.
O Ali! I congratulate you for this honor. (Biharul-Anwar - Volume 40,
Page 53. Amali of Saduq, Page 252)
Apparently, this has been the practice of Allah (SWT) since He created
the one light of the Prophet (S), the first and foremost creation, and
centuries before any other thing were created. In the form of light
and energy, the Prophet is said to have gone through many decades and
centuries of journey and transformation in which Allah taught the
Prophet first-hand many things and made him the most perfect human
being. In the end, the light was transferred into the human body and
the Prophet of Allah was born. No wonder, the Prophet has remarked
that he has moments with his creator ALLAH, that no angel or human can
withstand - the experience is so challenging.
al-Majlisi (1627) writes in his Hayatul-Qulub that Shaykh Saduq (AR)
states,on the authority of al-Sadiq (AS), that the Commander of the
Faithful declared that theMost High, Allah (SWT) created the Sacred
Light of Muhammad, the asylum of Prophecy, before the heavens or
earth, empyrean or throne, table of decrees or divine pen, paradise or
hell were formed. His light was also created previous to the creation
of any other Prophets by the period of 424,000 years.
Apparently, only Allah and the Infallible (AS) canexplain years here,
as during that period even time was not created yet.The Laws we see
today were not in effect in that era.
al-Majlisi (1627) continues the narration by Ali that:
In this light Allah formed twelve compartments; namely of Power,
Greatness, Grace, Mercy, Felicity, Munificence, Official Dignity,
Religious Direction, Prophecy, Exaltation, Majesty and Intercession.
Allah then stationed that intelligent light in the compartment of
power for the period of 12,000 years, and the journeys for this light
continued. In the last journey to the compartment of intercession, the
light cried for one thousand years - glory and thanks to the Mighty
Lord!
The Most High then formed twenty seas of light, in each of which were
a number of sciences that no one understands but Allah. Hethen
commanded the light of Muhammad to godown through the sea of Glory; of
Patience; of Humility; of Submission; of Contentment; of Faithfulness;
of Mildness; of Abstinence; of Fear; of Repentance; of Good works; of
Abundance; of Religious Direction; of Carefulness and of Modesty, till
he had passed through the twenty seas.
When he came forth fromthe last sea, the Most High addressed him
saying, O My Beloved! Best of My Prophets! First of My Creatures! Last
of My Apostles! Be the Advocate on the Day of Reward! That light (of
Muhammad) then fell into adoration, and when it arose, 1,24,000 drops
fell from the light, from everyone of which Allah made a Prophet, thus
completing the number of those sacred Prophets.
It is further reported thatthe Prophet, in the form of light and
energy, dwelt under the Empyrean 73,000 years, and then resided 70,000
years in Paradise. Afterwards, the light was rested another period of
70,000 years at Sidratul-Muntaha (The Prophet visited this very place
during the Me'raj in the human form). Emigratingform heaven to heaven
itarrived at length in the lowest of these celestial mansions, where
it remained until the Most High willed the creation of Adam, the
Father of Mankind.
Me'raj, a Physical Possibility - A Note on TheInfallible's Ability to
be Present and Respond to Millions of Prayer, Salutations, and
Requestsat the Same Time
al-Ridha (AS) has said:
One who denies (any of these) three things is not among our followers:
TheMe'raj, the questioning inthe grave and Intercession.
In brief, it is related in most reliable and authentic traditions that
on this blessed night, the Prophet was taken from his resting bed to
the celestial boundaries and the ends of the universe, and to a place
where even angels were not permitted to visit. He wasshown many
secrets of the world, met many Prophets of Islam, and several orders
and Islamic Laws were revealed and changed. Allthis happened in a very
little earth time and the Prophet returned to his bed the same night
and the whole event took place within a short time.
Moreover, as we shall note later, this kind of journey took place many
times and by other Infallible and humans as well. The grandson of Ali,
al-Sajjad (AS) was observed to travel hundreds of miles within seconds
to bury his father and relatives who were left barren in the desert of
Karbala, after the merciless massacre ofhis father. Ali (after his
physical death) was also present at an instant when his daughter
Zainab (AS) called for her the night after the killings of her brother
and many relatives in Karbala.
Further, Ali is also reported to be aware of the Ascension and the
possibility of his presencecannot be refuted. The Almighty could have
allowed Ali to experiencethe same journey, as both of them were ONE
light and energy. Mir Ahmad Ali (1988) writes that when the Prophet
(S) returned from his heavenly journey, before he could relate his
experiences, Ali began giving him the minutest details of the journey,
making it quite obvious that Ali was with the Prophet (S) throughout
his journey. The Prophet (S) was true in saying that him and Ali are
of one and the same light.
Ali and His Travel to the Other Worlds
As mentioned before, Mir Ahmed Ali (1988) writes that Ali had to
manifest himself many times and fulfill some divine plans and assist
the creation (animals, humans, jinn, trees or just about anything or
any matter) in so many different aspects of life in the different
worlds and in space. He quotes an authentic tradition (mentioned
earlier) from the Prophet (S) to have confirmed Ali's presence in
countless events that required his presence.
He says:
Ali Ibn Abi Talib is known as mazhar al aja-ib and mazhar al ghara-ib
because, as willed by Allah, he used to appear in different forms to
carry out divine plans under very special circumstances. These
twoepithets are exclusively reserved for Ali. Even today the true
believers invoke Allah to send him for help.
In every age, to many persons he comes personally to remove hardships.
Through his name great spiritual achievements are attained. The Holy
Prophet, and after him, Ali are acknowledged as the most superior
possessors of the spiritualpowers.
To be able to do this, he had to be living before any other thing that
was created. And his ability totravel long distance at shorter periods
of time and be physically presentmeans that his body was able to
transform into energy particles, travel atspeeds greater than the
speed of sound and light,and then transform himself back to physical
form - and all with the assistance of the Almighty. Ali could also
have accessed wormholes, or Allah just willed and Ali was there. These
aspects are explained in detail a bit later in this section only. In
any case, all the laws of physics and chemistry, and other laws of the
entire creation have an obligation to the Infallible as Allah willed
this from the beginning of creation.
In the book Kashful-Ghummah, as narrated byFaidh al-Kashani, from Umar
that when the Prophet (S) was asked as to what voice did Allah (SWT)
speak to him during the Journey, the Prophet replied:
My Lord spoke to me withthe voice of Ali Ibn Abi Talib and said, O
Ahmad! Iam an Entity that is not like anything else. I cannot be
compared to anything else and I knowall the secrets of your heart.
With the exceptionof Ali Ibn Abu Talib, you have no other close
friend. Thus, I speak to you with the voice of Ali Ibn Abi Talib so
that your heart will be at ease.
Schwartz and Russek, andseveral other established Physicists have
noted that energy waves can radiate out at the velocity of sound or
light (and even faster) into thefarthest reaches of the universe.
According to Jablonski (2000), everything, everyone, every action,
every thought, every feeling - ALL is energy. The laws ofenergy also
relate that energy may be transformed into matter and back to energy.
Based on these scientific facts, there was no difficulty in taking the
Prophet to the farthest ofthe cosmos and the Heavens on the Night of
Ascension. The physical Ascension was possible then and is possible
now,with the permission of the Almighty.
During the initial creation, the Prophet was pure energy and light and
was able to undergo the entire journey Allah assigned for him and
mentioned earlier. However, on earth the Prophet had a human body and
becausethe human body cannot withstand itself at speedsfaster than the
speed of light or sound, a good and reliable explanation is that the
Prophet's bodywas transformed into energy, traveled at extremely fast
speeds; then his energy-self transformed into matter so he could
experience everything in a physical manner - this process is termed as
dematerialization. He wasthen sent back into earth in a similar manner
and transformation.
Another good explanation is that the Prophet (S) could have easily
accessed a wormhole and ventured at extremely and unbelievably fast
speeds into the Heavens. Time on earth slowed down and was
significantly distorted. When the Prophet came back, it was as if just
a few moments had passed by, when he made remarkable journeys and met
many Prophets, and experienced lots of Allah's secrets of the
universe.
Ali and His Responsibilities to the Jinn Community
Besides the Prophet's Me'raj and sacred journey, Ali also had to
venture into other worlds of the Jinn and other communities (The jinn
are among the creatures that Allah (SWT)created). Allah (SWT) created
angels, jinn, mankind, animals, plants and others. Jinn have some
qualities like human beings. These qualities are intellect,
discrimination, freedom, and the power to choose between right and
wrong, between true and false, as well as between good and bad. Jinn
are created from fireof hot wind (al-Qur'an - Chapter 15, Verse 27)
andfrom smokeless fire (al-Qur'an - Chapter 55, Verse 15)
Ali had to journey severaltimes and fought many battles with the
unbelieving Jinns, and also solved their problems - he was the Leader
of all creations, not only humans. Therefore, it is a
scientificpossibility that Ali could have transformed himselfinto
energy and venture into those worlds at a speed faster than the speed
of sound and light.When he came back into the earth, only little time
had passed and he could resume his other responsibilities. This aspect
is well explained by science.
It is reported by Sayyid Lavasani that, Imam al-Khui (AR), one of the
greatest Shiite Mujtahid (Jurist) of his time, used to communicate
with the spiritual community (in particular the Jinn community) and
they often came to him so thathe can answer the questions from the
jinn.
Several narrations follow:
Muhaqiq Ardabili in the book, Manhaj al-Tahqiq Ila Sawa al-Tariq, from
Abu Saeed Khudri has narrated that one day, Abu Saeed Khudri was with
the Prophet (S) along with a group of hiscompanions in Abtah. While
the Prophet (S) was busy talking, a dust suddenly appeared from afar
and gradually came nearer until it stopped in front of the Prophet
(S). From the dust came a loud voice, which said
Peace be upon you O Messenger to all the worlds, O Seal of the Prophets!
He answered his greetingand asked him as to who he was? He replied:
O Messenger of God, I am a member of the people of the jinn. My people
bother me and even take possession of my pasture and water. This is
why I have sought your support and I beg you to send someone with me
to issue a just ruling for us. In your presence I promise and
guarantee the safe return of your messenger to you.
The Prophet (S) then asked as to what was his tribe? He replied:
I am Arafat bin Shimrakh from the tribe of jinn. Weused to approach
the heavens before your appointment to the Prophethood and we would
overhear some of the news and tell others about them. When God had
chosen you as a prophet we were barred from doing this, so we believed
and accepted your prophecy. There aresome of us who acted in a hostile
manner and did not believe, unfortunately, their number is too great
and we are unable to resist them. We hope that you would be generous
to us because you are a mercy to the worlds.
The Prophet (S) asked him to show them the form in which he was
created so they could see his face in that form. The Jinn said, I hear
and obey. At that very moment, he showed his face.
I saw a person coming out of the dust with an elongated head, with one
eye in a small eye-socket in the middle of his head, teeth like that
of a beast and his entire body was covered with hair like a bear.
The Prophet (S) made him promise to guarantee the safe return of
whomever he sent with him. He then turned toward Abu Bakr and said,
Stand up and go with your brother Arafat to see his tribe, askabout
their situation, issue a fair ruling for them and then come back. Abu
Bakr asked, O Messenger of God, wheredo they live? He answered, Under
the ground. Abu Bakr said, I cannot go through the earth and judge
among them when I don't understand their language.
Then, the Prophet (S) turned to Umar and asked him the same questions
as Abu Bakr didand made the same response. Thereupon the Prophet (S)
looked to the left and right and said, Where is the light of my eyes?
Where is the victor over my sorrow? Where is my son-in-law? Where is
the father of Hasan andHusain? Where is the payer of my debts?
Amirul-Mu'mineen, Ali (AS) answered, Here am I, here am I, O Messenger
ofGod! I am at your service, I will do whatever you command.
The Prophet (S) said, O Ali! Go with Arafat and ask about the
situation ofhis people and make a legal ruling between himand his
people.
Ali (AS) declared, I hear and obey, Ya Rasulullah!
Arafat then stood up and Amirul-Mu'mineen (AS) girded his sword and
went off with Arafat. AbuSaeed Khudri, Salman Farsi and a group of
companions set out behind them to see where the Jinn was taking him
and what the result would be. When Ali(AS) arrived between Safa and
Marwa they sawthe earth opened and Arafat entered the ground.
Amirul-Mu'mineen (AS) looked atthe companions and said,May God reward
you, andhe himself followed Arafat into the ground which once more
closed up after they disappeared within. The Companions went back to
where they had been concerned about the fateof Amirul-Mu'mineen (AS).
The next day the Prophet (S) said the morning prayer with the
companions and they sat together until noon but there was no news
aboutAli (AS).
The time for the noon prayer came, they prayedand still there was no
word of Ali (AS). The companions were very concerned, but the
hypocrites were happy and said to each other that the Jinn must have
tricked Ali (AS) and took him away to kill him. Thus they would be
free of the Prophet (S) pridinghimself on Ali (AS) and berelieved of
the latter's presence. The time of theafternoon prayer arrived,but
there was still no news of Ali (AS).
The Prophet (S) went to Safa and sat down talking all the while about
Ali. When the hypocrites felt sure that he had been killed they began
to rejoice at his misfortune. By the time the sun had begun to set the
companions were in a somber mood. Suddenly they saw the same ground in
which they had disappeared split apart, Arafat came out in front, Ali
(AS) cameout behind him with his famous sword DHULFIQAR.
The Companions gave a loud Takbir (the cry of ALLAHU AKBAR) and the
Prophet (S) got up and embraced Ali (AS). He kissed between the eyes
of Ali and said, Dear Ali! Why did you delay? You had us worried. He
answered:
O Messenger of Allah! When I arrived there I invited Arafat's family
to three things, the first of which was to bear witness that there was
no god but Allah and thatMuhammad (S) was the Messenger of Allah,
which they did not accept.
Second, they refused to pay the jizya poll tax (tax levied upon
non-Muslims living under the protection of the Islamic State).
Third, I ordered them to come to an agreement with him that they
wouldhave the use of the waterand pasture one day and he would have
the use ofthem on the other day but they did not accept this either.
So out of necessity I drewmy sword and fought them and I killed many
ofthem, then they shouted, al-Aman! (pardon). I said to them, Aman
would only be given with belief , so they were forced to believe in
God, the prophecy of the Messenger of Allah and they agreed to make
peace with Arafat. I reconciled them with each other and they shook
hands in fraternitydissipating the hostility among them. O Messenger
of God, I was busy with these tasks up till just now.
Arafat then came forward and declared:
O Messenger of Allah, mayGod reward you and strengthen Islam
throughyou for it has helped us secure our rights. Our tongues are not
able to thank you for what you have done. If it was not for this help,
there wouldnot have been any Islam among us.
And then the Jinn went away.
Muhaqiq Ardabili again narrates in his book, Shawahid al-Nabuwwa, from
ibn Abbas that when the Messenger of God (S) headed towards Makkah
from Hudaybiyyathe army was overcome by thirst by the time they
reached Juhfa. In that arid environment, the Prophet (S) said, The
trees you see in the distance have a well nearthem. Who among you will
take a group with him and go over there to bring us back some water
for us? One man got up and said, I am ready. He set out with a large
group towards the direction of the trees. When they got there a
blazing fire burst out andthey heard very loud and terrifying voices.
Fear overcame them and they came back and told the Prophet (S) what
had happened. He said, They are Jinn, if you had gone ahead you would
have been victorious and whoever goes and is not afraid I will
guarantee him Paradise.
Another man got up and set out with the same group. They had not gone
too far when the voices got louder and thefires increased in intensity
with a huge roar and there were flashes of lightning and the clash of
thunder. Fearonce again took hold of them and they came backwithout
reaching the well and the fear now started to affect the others.
The third time, a group known for their bravery pressed forward but as
soon as they saw heads without bodies and bodies without heads they
were forced to remain thirsty preferring to escape than to stay there.
When they came back to the Messenger of God (S) they told all they had
seen. The Prophet (S)called for the Commanderof the Faithful (AS)
saying, Go and save the men from the trials of thirst.
Salmat ibn Akwa said:
I was with the group all four times, but when the Commander of the
Faithful (AS) reached the trees and heard the men speaking out of fear
and terror, he ordered them to walk directly in his footprints and not
look around and he recited some lines of poetry which meant:
I seek refuge in Allah Who is the One and Only, He is the Creator of
jinn and men, and earth nd the sky, I don't care about fire and
thunder, I am not afraid of noises and voices like the others.
When they reached the well, they let the bucket down the well and
filled it but when they tried to pull it up the jinn cut the rope
leaving the bucket at the bottom. Imam Ali (AS) asked his men as to
who was ready to enter the well, when none came forward.
At that moment I saw that the Commander of the Faithful (AS) was ready
and willing to serve. He said, Be patient!Do not be afraid of anything
you see and hear! He climbed into the well and not long after he had
descended into it the sounds of singing and laughing were heard.
There were also noises that sounded as if some people had a blockage
intheir throats and were asphyxiating. Suddenly, the men heard a
sound, which made them think that Ali (AS) had fallen into the well.
They became very afraid and their patience changed into anxiety.
Then they heard the cry of ALLAHU AKBAR by the Commander of the
Faithful (AS) and they understood that he had drawn his sword to fight
with them, because the jinn began to utter the cries of al-Hazar and
al-Aman.
The boisterous laugh hadbeen converted into the sounds of weeping. The
Commander of the Faithful (AS) asked for a rope to be thrown into the
well, to which he tiedthe bucket full of water and then shouted to
pull it up! Thus did his men draw up bucket after bucket of water,
filling water skin after water skin with water until they were
completely satisfied and then he climbed out. Each of them had taken
one water skin while he had taken two. When they arrived at the trees
the fires and the dreadful voices had disappeared.
- to be contineud

Ch 5: The Second Meeting

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On Monday the priests began to assemble in the great church. Many
Christian women also came with Isabella to hear the discussion. A
little later Umar Lahmi, Muaz and some other Muslim divines also
arrived and the priests were perturbed on seeing them and they began
whispered conversation among them. Just then Umar Lahmi addressed
them.
Umar Lahmi: As decided yesterday, the Divinity of Christ and Atonement
willbe discussed today. Sinceit will be difficult to deal with both
these subjects simultaneously it will be better to take them up one by
one.
Peter: Both the problems are in fact one and interconnected, so you
may take any one of them you like.
Umar Lahmi recited someverses of Surah Furqan. This changed the colour
of the face of Isabella; she was so affected that she fell down in a
swoon and her companions helped to raise her up. Peter and Michael
asked the reason of her upset but she did not reply andwarm drops of
tears began to trickle down her face. She was revivedwith great
difficulty and said on enquiry that she was having such fits for the
last month which they should not mind butcarry on the discussion. Some
of the priests suspected that she was affected by Islam , but
herassumed reply removed the suspicion and the proceedings of the
meeting were resumed. After this interval Umar Lahmi got up again and
spoke.
Umar Lahmi: Gentlemen, we have been told that the basic principles of
Christianity are Divinity of Christ and Atonement, so I want to put
just one question which will also solve the problem of the Divinity of
Christ. What was the need of the sacrifice of the "Son of God" as an
atonement ? For this purpose any pious man could have been selected
who would have given his life as atonement for all sinners. Why in
particularwas the "Son of God" crucified?
To answer this question holy Peter was again selected, but he was in
such a plight that he got up falteringly and spoke with a wavering
tongue.
Peter: For atonement the "Son of God" was necessary, for all men,
whether prophets or apostles are sinful and a sinner cannot atone for
other sinners. Since Lord Jesus Christ was the only "Son of God" and
free from sins, so he was sacrificed for the sake of all the sinners.
Umar Lahmi: Right, but just say what was crucified, whether it was
divinity or the humanity in Christ. If the divinity ofChrist was
crucified, then it means that God as one and without any partner bore
all the tortures of crucifixion and that death came on the personality
of God, that is, "God" died. But if the humanity in Christ was
crucified, then your answer loses all its force, as in that case
crucifixionof a human being and not of God could have suited, for in
both cases it was humanity in Christ that was sacrificed and not his
divinity.
Peter: Surely, Lord Jesus was perfect divinity and perfect humanity,
that both these were fully represented in him. But his humanity, like
his divinity, was free from sins and so his sacrifice was necessary.
As other human beings are all sinful, therefore, they could not suit
for atonement.
Umar Lahmi: That is, because there was no human being in the world
free from sin, "God" Himself had to come down, and His divinity was
not crucifiedbut His humanity. Suppose a person free from sins was
needed foratonement, why did not God create a sinless man to die on
the cross for atonement?
Peter: God alone knows His secrets. We cannot say why He did not do it
and came Himself to the world for the purpose. But this much we know
that God's coming to the earth for atonement indicates His great love
and affection. That is, God loved His creatures to such an extent that
He sent here His only "Son" to give his life as a recompense for
others. This purpose could never have been accomplished by sending
merely a man.
Umar Lahmi: If God had such a great love for His creatures, why did He
notsend this Son in the very beginning to be crucified? Was there no
humanity before Christ for God's concern? Why did He manifest His love
after thousands of years?
Peter: We do not know about this mystery. God's mysteries are known to God only.
Umar Lahmi: My question still stands. Reference to mystery again and
again does not serve the purpose. Now if you say it was humanity which
was crucified, then God's coming down was purposeless Some other
person could have been sacrificed.
Peter: I have given my reply. Man being sinful could not serve for
atonement. Christ's humanity served for atonement and it was an
embodiment of innocence and sinlessness.
Umar Lahmi: Since Christ's humanity was innocent and sinless, it
became necessary to put on it the burden of the sins of all humanity.
Holy priest, even you cannot understand your logic. How can I? What
harm would have been done if this "Son of God," insteadof taking on
him the burden of others' sins, had done some such good which would
have dominated the sins of all?In this case neither the burden of sins
of all should have been put on sinless Christ, nor had he been
crucified, nor even would it have given rise to the controversy of
divinity and humanity. The remedy of sin is doing good. Christ on
coming to the world should have done such a good as to atone for all
the sins, not to commit suicide for atonement.
Peter: We cannot advise God. He did as He liked. Itis your impudence
to teach God.
Umar Lahmi: You know that Christ was born fromthe womb of Virgin
Mary.Now say whether this birth related to man or God, that is,
whether it was "God" who was born, or was it man?
Peter: God is immune from birth. It was the humanity in Christ which was born.
Umar Lahmi: And who died on the cross, God or man ?
Peter: God is also immune from death. It was man who died on the cross
that is humanityin Christ.
Umar Lahmi: So the birth and death relate to Christ's humanity and
notto his divinity.
Peter: Certainly, certainly.
Umar Lahmi (holding the Bible in his hand): Just see, it is written in
the Book of Job (Ayyub) (15:14) that "he which is born of a woman" is
sinful and since the birth was not of divinity but ofhumanity,
therefore, according to the judgment of Job, even the humanity of
Christ was sinful. And see it is written in Romans 6:23 that "the
wages of sin is death," that is, death is the proof that the dead
issinful, therefore, the question comes again : why did not God
crucify some other sinful man so that His divinity was saved ?
Further, according to you, a sinner cannot atone for the sins of
others. So Christ did not serve for atonement.
Peter (perturbed and perspiring): I have also said that all these are
Divine mysteries. God didas He liked. How can you or I criticise Him?
Umar Lahmi: If your religion is based just on Divine mysteries, then
why did you call us here and thus wasted your time and ours for two
weeks?
Since Isabella was keenly interested in theological questions, she
listened toall this talk most attentively and felt in herheart that
when these priests cannot answer a question, they take the cover of
Divine mystery. Just then priest Michael rose.
Michael: Brethren, today is a confrontation between Christian religion
and Mohammedan religion. But do you know what is Mohammedan religion?
This religion allows for four marriages. It has ordered indiscriminate
killing of non-Muslims and its Apostle married eleven women and…
Umar Lahmi: If you are unable to answer my questions, say so clearly,
and then whatever criticism you have against Islam you may put forth
and I am ready to answer all. But is this your morality to call us
atyour place and then indulge in abusive talk instead of answering
ourquestions. (Pointing to Isabella Now say if this attitude of your
priests is proper.
On this Isabella at once got up and spoke in broken words.
Isabella: I have heard thistalk from beginning to end. I am sorry that
neither holy Peter nor Michael answered the questions put to them.
Umar Lahmi's demand is quite justified that eitherhis questions should
be answered or defeat admitted. But I think you will do neither. So it
is better to conclude the discussion now so that Christian religion is
not ridiculed and whatever your learning it is not exposed. It is
quite strange that…
Peter: Isabella! are you mad that you have come down to such nonsense
talk ? (Addressing the audience:) Surely this girlis possessed by the
devil and she has deviated far from Christ, and no wonder if she has
lost her senses.
Isabella : Instead of venting your anger on mypoor self you should
either answer the question of Muslims or end the discussion. I do not
want to answer here the allegations made against me, but if this is
the reward of my frankness I do not mind if you take me to be
demented.
Michael: Will you not keep quiet? Talking, talking and talking. We
have answered all questions of Muslims. If you have the courage, come
forward and answer.
A priest: It seems that thisgirl has secretly become an unbeliever.
How couldshe answer the questionsof Muslims? Her respected father
should be informed about her impudence and she should be duly
punished.
Catherine (a companion of Isabella): It is unfortunate that you have
not done justice and all of you fall upon poor Isabella. Some call her
mad, others threaten her, but no one puts his mind to the real matter.
Isabella is quite right to say that you people have not been able to
answer the questions of Umar Lahmi, but it does not mean that
Christian religion is not just. You people are worthless andare trying
to give bad name to Christianity on account of your worthlessness.
Peter : Turn out these girls from here. Who allowed these wretched
girls to interfere in our talk?
Umar Lahmi: If you allow me to speak I will explainwhat Isabella meant.
Michael: Do not interfere in our talk. It is a matter of our own.
Another priest: What if Isabella and Catherine have both become apostates!
Michael: We cannot say this just now. These girls are foolish and want
to expedite the result of thisdiscussion, although these matters take
months and even years to settle.
These were adverse comments on these poor girls and charges framed and
attributed. Seeing this tumult Umar Lahmi in his sonorous voice
recited some versus of Surah Maryam, on which the whole assembly was
struck dumb. Eminent priests closed their ears with fingers lest the
words of the Qur'an should affect their hearts. Since there was praise
of Prophet Jesus and his holy mother and the charges leveled against
them by the Jewswere refuted, Christians were favourably affectedand
Isabella's face in particular brightened. But this time she exercised
patience and firmly set. After the recitation Isabella spoke.
Isabella: Gentlemen, I call upon you to bear witnessthat I am a strict
Christianand so I do not want thatChristians should be humiliated. I
do not mean that we have no answer to their questions, only our
priests do not put their mind to them, as they think that the help of
theHoly Ghost is needed to understand the creed of Christianity.
Muslims attribute this to our weakness. I hope that after this there
will be nomisunderstanding about me. Now I request that the discussion
be resumed.
One priest: We do not at all need any talk with these "unbelievers".
Already the talk has shaken our faith. What I mean is that these
"unbelievers" should be at once turned out from the church.
Another priest: Do not talk in excitement. The matter should be
decidedafter careful consideration. I also think that the discussion
should end, as it is of no use.
Umar Lahmi: Gentlmen, you were very proud of the teaching of your
Master that if anyone slaps you on one cheek you should present to him
the other cheek also.But what is this that we see here? Have we
entered here by force? Did you not call us here? Even now if you
frankly say that you do not want to talk we will immediately leave.
But I may tell you that we have delivered our message and Allah will
not let our efforts go waste. Now, tell me if we should go or you want
totalk.
Peter: Respected monitor, the thing is thatyou cannot understand the
realities of Christian faith, nor have you come here for this purpose.
Butif you want to continue the talk you shall have to answer my
questions.
Umar Lahmi; Very well. I give you full freedom to put any question and
we shall calmly answer.
Peter: Has the Qur'an praised the Bible? Do youbelieve in the Bible?
Umar Lahmi; Certainly theQur'an has praised the Bible and we, all
Muslims believe in the Bible, Taurat (the Psalms) and all the books
revealed to Prophets.
Peter: Then why do you not believe in our Bible ?
Umar Lahmi: Because it isnot the Bible. If anyone composes a fiction
and names it Bible we are notbound to believe in it. You may put
before us the Bible which the Qur'an has praised.
Peter: Is the Bible of the Qur'an different from ourBible? Its proof?
Umar Lahmi: Because the Qur'an, while praising the original Bible, has
falsified this Bible and pointed out its wrong statements.
Peter: What are the wrong statements of our Bible?
Umar Lahmi: For instance,the Gospel of St. Matthewin 12 : 46-50 has
called Mary an unbeliever, while the Qur'an has called her Siddiqah
(the truthful), which means that she was not an unbeliever but a
believerand pious. Similarly, in the Bible (Matthew, 12:46-50 it is
said about Prophet Jesus that he was very arrogant and used to be
disrespectful to his mother, although the Taurat strictly
enjoinsrespect and veneration to mothers. But the Qur'an refutes it
and saysthat Jesus had said that he was obedient to his mother and has
been enjoined to do good to her. Or just as the Bible says that Jesus
was accursed and because of his being accursed he was crucified [*On
Christ being accursed, see Galatians, 3 : 13. t iii, 45.].But the
Qur'an calls him the "Spirit of God" and the "Word of God" and that he
was venerable both in this world and the next (wajihan fid-dunya
wal-akhirah).
A voice: You are wrong. In the Bible he is said to be God.
Umar Lahmi: Yes, it is more surprising that according to you God
canalso be accursed. That you have cursed Christ while acknowledging
him as God and do not mind at all how God Whois the Fountainhead of
allgood and perfections candeserve curse. It is the devil who deserves
curse and not God. Islam does not deify Christ but calls him human and
at the same time makes him innocent and free from sins. Now, you can
judge whether an accursed "God" is better or a pure and sinless man.
Peter: The point is why you do not believe in the Bible. You have
thrown into it the question of curse. If you have any original Bible
which the Qur'an has confirmed, then bring that to us.
Umar Lahmi: You have noright to demand this from us. If you first
agreethat your Bible is made up and forged, then you can call for the
real Bible.I have proved that the Qur'an does not affirm the validity
of the currentBible but proves it false and has openly recounted its
mistakes. Just fancy, can this Bible in which Christ has been deified
and then killed on the cross be the Bible of the Qur'an which says
that Christ says : "Inni 'Abd Allah" [I am a servant of God) and
that"Ma qataluhu wa ma salabuho" [he was neither killed nor
crucified].* Has the Qur'an affirmed your Bible or proved it false?
Peter: Has not the Qur'an called Jesus the "Spirit of God" and the
"Word of God" ? Is it not a proof that he was above humanity.
Umar Lahmi: Surely the Qur'an has called Christ "the Word of God," but
the Qur'an also says that words of God are innumerable and that if all
oceans become ink and all trees pens they will not be able to recount
all words of God as they are beyond count. So Christ also is one of
these words of God. As to Christ being "the spirit of God," this also
does not make him above humanity for the same word is used for Adam in
the Qur'an which says: "fa iza sav-vaituhu wa nafakhfu fihi min ruhi"
[when I completed the form of Adam I breathed My Spirit into him]* so
in that respect Christ is also like Adam. If Christ is "God," then
Adam and all his progeny are "God".
Peter: If the Qur'an has called Adam the "spirit ofGod," it is a
mistake as there is no other "spirit of God" except Christ.
Umar Lahmi: You think the entire Qur'an is wrong, but it was you who
wanted that the divinity of Christ be proved from the Qur'an and so I
proved from the Qur'an that he was not divine. If he can be "God"just
by being the "spirit of God," then Adam was also "God". If you think
the Qur'an is wrong in this respect, then why did you bring in the
Qur'an?
Isabella; But you believe in the divinity of Prophet Muhammad ,
although heinitiated bloodshed in the world and ordered killing of
non-believers.
Umar Lahmi: Allah forbid! I seek protection of Allah from this
perverse belief! We regard our Holy Prophet just a man, only Chief of
all Apostles and Crown of all Goodness. The essence ofour belief is
"La ilaha ill Allah Muhammad Rasul Allah" [There is no one worthy of
worship except Allah and Muhammad is His apostle]. Anyone who regards
the Holy Prophet as a God is a non-believerand against Islam. As to
the Prophet's initiating bloodshed in the world, this is utterly
wrong. He surely waged war against non-believers as they wanted to
annihilate the Prophet and the religion which he brought, but he did
not touch those who were not so. The Qur'an enjoins fighting against
those who fight with you.
Christian priests have since long spread calumnies against Islam and
attributed various ills to it. It is these priests who used to defame
Islam by alleging that Muslims regarded the Prophet as God. The
question of Isabella is theresult of this propaganda.
Michael: You say it again and again that our Bible is not real,
although it has been compiled by Disciples with the aid of the Holy
Ghost, whom even the Qur'an praises and regards them as believers.
Further, the Christians of the world have affirmed them.
Umar Lahmi: This is just the question, whether this Bible has actually
been compiled by the Disciples to whom it is attributed or some
non-believers wrote their books giving Disciples' names as authors.
Even Christians do not agree that the Disciples have composed them.
The Qur'an does not believe in the compiled Bible. It praises only
that Bible which was revealed to Christ direct from Allah, as the
Qur'an says : " Wa atainanal, Injila" [We gave the Book to Christ] and
Christ himself says : "Atain al-Kitaba" [God has given me the Book],
On the other hand, you yourself admit that the books of the Bible were
compiled by the Disciples when the Qur'an affirms revelation of the
Bible to Christ.
Just then Isabella's father(the head priest) came and took the priests to task.
Head Priest: What is this wrestling ground you have put up here? You
are talking to "unbelievers" in the holy church and disrupting the
faith of Christians. Christians come to me daily and complain of your
inability. Many Christians have wavered in their faith and say
thateven my daughter Isabella has become unrestrained. (To Isabella
You girl, who asked you to come here and what have you got to do with
these discussions? You study the Quran secretly. I know all that you
are doing. (Turning to the priests:) Yet she is a foolish girl, but
what has happened to all of you that you are bandying words with these
unbelievers and displeasing Lord Jesus. If you do any such thing in
future I will dismiss all of you.
With this snub of the head priest all the priestswere perturbed and
Isabella's face turned pale. No one could venture to give an
explanation to the head priest. But one of the priests took courage
and addressed the head priest.
The priest: Our holy father, what you say is quite true. Surely there
isnothing but loss in talking with these "unbelievers". But, O
holyfather! do you want us tobe humiliated throughout Spain? Do you
want Christianity to die out in Spain? By our Lord Jesus, if we do not
suppress them we will not be able to show face in this country. I may
alsomention that none of us could answer the objections of Muslims. If
you are kind enough to attend to our humble request I will say that
thequestions put forth by Muslims cannot be solvedwithout your
honour's help. In the whole of Spain there is no better savant of
Christianity than your honour, who can discharge this duty, and
silence the "unbelievers" by terse answers. If your honour does not
come forward to save Christianity at thistime, then, our revered
father, the consequences for us and for Christianitywill be most
serious and our preachers will be humiliated and defamed.May I hope
that your honour will be ready to solve the problems raisedby Muslims?
Head Priest: You have yourself given importance to this matterby
calling over Muslims here. It is unfortunate that you have not been
able to answer foolish questions of Muslims, even after studying the
problems of theology. Will these Muslims be rightly guided on gettinga
satisfactory answer?
Michael: Yes, it is their promise that on being satisfied they will
give upIslam and embrace Christianity. They have also given to us a
writtenundertaking to this effect.
Head Priest (to Umar Lahmi): Say, what are your questions?
Umar Lahmi: It is only if you listen calmly to what I say that I will
put my questions. The way you have treated us and demonstrated the
Christian ethics demand that I should refuse to talk to you. But since
I ama seeker of truth, I want to seek the light of guidance through
you.
Head Priest: Gentleman, you should not take offence at my harsh words
and if our talk has injured your feelings I seek your pardon on behalf
of all. Surely you seem to be a lover of truth and surely our Lord
Christ will help and guideyou. So you may come to my house sometime
tomorrow when your doubts and misunderstandings will be
dispassionately set at naught. (To priests:) You, gentlemen, may also
come so that you may know answers to the questions of Muslims and in
future you may yourselves deal with them.
Isabella – A girl of Islamic Spain

Endurance

G

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Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi, Narrated AbuUmamah [Ibn Majah transmitted it.]
The Prophet stated that Allah, who is Blessed and Exalted, said"Son of
Adam, if you show endurance and seek your reward from me in the first
affliction, Ishall be pleased with no lesser reward than Paradise for
you. "
Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, and Nasa'i, Narrated 'A'ishah
The Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "Do not say, 'I feel
rotten*.' Instead, say, 'I do not feel well."
*or any expression that involves corruption of any type.
Epilepsy
Hadith - Bukhari 7:555, Narrated 'Ata bin Abi Rabah
Ibn 'Abbas said to me,"Shall I show you a woman of the people of
Paradise?" I said, "Yes." He said, "This black lady came to the
Prophet and said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes
uncovered; please invoke Allah for me.' The Prophet said (to her), '
If you wish, be patient and you will have (enter)Paradise; and if you
wish,I will invoke Allah to cureyou. ' She said, 'I will remain
patient,' and added, 'but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah
for me that Imay not become uncovered.' So he invoked Allah for her."
Kindness to the sick
Hadith - Mishkat, Narrated Abu Sa'id
Allah's Messenger said, " When you go in to visit an invalid, express
a hope that he will live long. That will not avert anything, but it
will comfort him. "
Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 40, Narrated
An-Nu'man bin Bashir
Allah's Apostle said, " You see the believers as regards their being
merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being
kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not
well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever
with it. "
Visit the sick
Hadith - Qudsi 18
O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord,
and how should I visit You when You are the Lord ofthe worlds? He will
say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so hadfallen ill and you
visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would
have found Me with him?O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed
Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are
the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant
So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know
that had you fed him youwould surely have found that (the reward for
doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and
you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You
to drinkwhin You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant
So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to
drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that
with Me.