THE "GOD" THAT NEVER WAS

Part 4


THE MISSION OF "GOD"

The Confession and Repentance of "God": before the beginning of his public
ministry: "Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist" (Matthew, 3:13), "which
signified the confession of sins" (Matthew, 3:6), "and repentance from sins
(Matthew, 3:11).

"God" Did Not Come to Save the Sinners: "And when he was alone, they that
were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto
them, unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but
unto them that without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing
they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not
understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should
be forgiven them." (Mark, 4:10-12)


THE RACIAL "GOD"

"God" Was a Tribal Jew: "The lion of the tribe of Juda." (Revelation, 5:5)

"God" Came For The Jews Only: "But he answered and said, I am not sent but
unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew, 15:24)

Racial Discrimination of "God": "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and
commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any
city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel." (Matthew, 10:5-6)

According to "God", The Gentiles Are Dogs: "It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." (matthew, 15:26)

The Kingdom of "God": And he (Jesus) shall reign over THE HOUSE OF JACOB for
ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke, 1:33)

The Titles of "God": "The king of the Jews" (Matthew, 2:2), "The king of
Israel" (John, 1:49; 12:13)


A "GOD" UNLIKE THE GOD

A Hungry "God": "And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was
afterward an hungered." (Matthew 4:2), "Now in the morning as he returned
into the city, he hungered." (Matthew, 21:18), "and on the
morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry." (Mark, 11:12)

A Thirsty "God": "(He) saith, I thirst." (John, 19:28)

A Sleepy "God": "He was asleep." (Matthew, 8:24), "He fell asleep" (Luke,
8:23), "And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow."
(Mark, 4:38)

A Weary "God": Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on
the well." (John, 4:6)

A Groaning "God": "He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled." (John,
11:33), "Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave."
(John, 11:38)

A Weeping "God": "Jesus wept." (John, 11:35)

A Sorrowing "God": "And (he) began to be sorrowful and very heavy." (Matthew
26:37). "Then saith he unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death." (Matthew, 26:38)

A Hysterical "God": "And (he) began to be soreamazed and to be very heavy."
(Mark, 14:33)

A Weak "God": "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven,
strengthening him." (Luke, 22:43)


THE WARRING "GOD"

The Strong-Arm Method of "God": "And he went into the temple, and began to
cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought." (Luke, 19:45). "And
the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in
the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of
money sitting: and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them
all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the
changers' money, and overthrew the tables." (John, 2:13-15)

The "God" of War: Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to send peace on
earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew, 10:34)

The Sabre-Rattling "God": Jesus said: "And he that hath no sword, let him
sell his garment, and buy one." (Luke, 22:36)

THE "GOD" THAT NEVER WAS

Part 3

THE FAMILY OF "GOD"

"God" Was the Son of Joseph: "Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him,
we have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write,
Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John, 1:45)

Brothers and Brothers-in-law of "God": "And when he was come into his own
country, he taught them in their
synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, whence hath this man
this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is
not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and
Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence hath
this man all these things? (Matthew, 13:54-56)



THE DEVELOPMENT OF "GOD"

Spiritual Development of "God": "And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom." (Luke, 2:40)

Mental, Physical and Moral Development of "God": "And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke, 2:52)

"God" Was 12 Years Old When His Parents Took Him to Jerusalem: "Now his
parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when
he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the
feast." (Luke, 2:41-42)

The Powerless "God" (Jesus) said: "I can of mine own self do nothing."
(John, 5:30)

"God" Was Ignorant of the Time. Jesus said: "But of that day and that hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but
the Father." (Mark, 13:32)

"God" Was Ignorant of the Season: "And on the morrow, when they were come
from Bethany, he (Jesus) was hungry: and seeing a fig tree afar off having
leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when
he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not
yet." (Mark, 11:12-13)

"God" Was Unlettered: "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into
the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man
letters, having never learned?" (John, 7:14-15)

"God" Learnt Through Experience: "Learned he obedience by the things which
he sufered." (Hebrews, 5:8)


THE TEMPTING OF "GOD"

The Devil Tempted "God" For 40 Days: "And immediately the spirit driveth him
into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted
of Satan." (Mark, 1:12-13)

The Devil Tempted "God" Continuously: "And when the devil had ended all the
temptation, he departed from him for a season." (Luke, 4:13)

Like the Sinners, "God" Was Tempted In All Things: "But (he) was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews, 4:15)

True God Cannot be Tempted With Evil: "God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man." (James,
1:13)

Only The Ungodly Are Tempted With Evil: "But every man is tempted, when he
is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (James, 1:14)

THE "GOD" THAT NEVER WAS

Part 2

THE BIRTH OF "GOD"

"God" was created from the seed of David: "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord, which was made of the SEED of David according to the flesh."
(Romans, 1:3)

"God" was the fruit of the loins of David: "Therefore being a prophet, and
knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his
loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his
throne." (Acts, 2:30)

The Ancestors of "God": "The generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David,
the son of Abraham." (Matthew, 1:1)

The Sex of "God": "And when eight days were accomplished for the
circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus." (Luke, 2:21)

How Mary Conceived and Delivered "God". Mary conceived Jesus like any other
woman: "The days were accomplished that she should be delivered," (Luke,
2:6) which means that she went through all the normal stages of pregnancy.
Nor was her delivery any different from other expectant mothers: "And she
being with child cried, travelling in birth, and pained to be delivered."
(Revelation, 12:2)

"God" Sucked The Paps of a Woman: "And it came to pass, as he spake these
things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto
him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast
sucked." (Luke, 11:27)

The Country of Origin of "God": "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in
the days of Herod the king. (Matthew, 2:1)

The Occupation of "God": "Jesus was a carpenter by trade." (Mark, 6:3),
"and the son of a carpenter." (Matthew, 13:55)

The Transport of "God": "Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, meek, and
sitting upon an ass." (Matthew, 21:5) "And Jesus, when he had found a young
ass, sat thereon." (John, 12:14)

The Wining and Dining of "God": "The Son of man came eating and drinking,
and they say, behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of
publicans and sinners." (Matthew, 11:9; Luke, 7:34)

The Poverty of "God": "And Jesus saith unto him, the foxes have holes, and
the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his
head." (Matthew, 8:20)

The Meagre Possessions of "God": "Shoes of Jesus" (Luke, 3:16), "Garments
and coat of Jesus" (John, 19:23)

"God" Was a Devout Jew: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before
day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
(Mark, 1:35)

"God" Was a Loyal Subject: Jesus was a good citizen, he was loyal to Caesar.
He said: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and
unto God the things that are God's." (Matthew, 22:21) He paid his tax
regularly. (Matthew, 17:24-27)

THE "GOD" THAT NEVER WAS

Part 1

Islam is the only religion which teaches the existence of a PERFECT God. A
perfect God means that there is no sharer in His Nature and His Attributes:

"Say: He is God, the One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth
not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him." (Holy Qur'an,
112:1-4)

There has appeared a man in Benoni. He is not qualified in theology, but is
fondly cherishing the self-delusion that he is an apostle of Christ,
appointed by God to convert Muslims to Christianity. Because he is a lawyer
by profession, he is adept at juggling with words and quoting the Holy Qur'an
totally out of context without knowing a word of Arabic. He wants Muslims to
believe that Jesus was also a God, a belief that is abhorrent to us, because
it is an antithesis of the Absolute perfection of Allah Subhaanahoo Wa Ta
'Aala!

Thus intent upon reversing the process of Truth, which is: "And say: The
Truth has come and falsehood vanished. Surely falsehood is ever bound to
vanish." (Qur'an, 17:81). In this he will never succeed because the process
of Truth is irreversible.

TWO REASONS

He has given two reasons to prove that Jesus is God, viz: (i) "When we say
Jesus is deity (or even God for that matter), we do not make him the Father!
He is one with the Father and therefore HE SHARES HIS NATURE", and (ii) "HE
IS IN EVERY WAY LIKE THE FATHER but he is not the Father".

In short, according to him, Jesus is God because He SHARES THE NATURE OF GOD,
and HE IS IN EVERY WAY LIKE GOD. These two reasons given by him to prove the
divinity of Jesus are so puerile that they speak volumes of his legal
training.

Numerous quotations from the Bible are given below to prove that Jesus
neither SHARED THE NATURE OF GOD, nor is he IN EVERY WAY LIKE GOD. He can,
therefore, NEVER be GOD. We have given the quotations from the Bible without
comment, because the Bible speaks for itself! TO SAY THAT JESUS IS GOD OR SON
OF GOD IS NOT ONLY A MOCKERY OF GODHOOD, BUT BLASPHEMY OF THE LOWEST ORDER
AND AND INSULT TO THE INTELLIGENCE OF MEN! (Note: Unless otherwise stated,
all quotations from the Bible are given from the Authorized Version. In our
headings and subheadings we have referred to Jesus as "God" in inverted
commas in order to show the ABSURDITY of the claim of this man that Jesus is
God!)

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 9

APPENDIX

The Muslim reader of this and other allied tracts may be tempted to ask, "Do we Muslims need to use the Bible to get at the Truth of God?"

The answer is an emphatic NO!
The Muslim position is very clear:

1) Sin is not inherited.
2) The "Trinity" is a fabrication.
3) Jesus is not God.
4) God does not beget sons or daughters.
5) Christ was neither killed nor crucified.

These doctrines are expounded in the most unambiguous terms in the Holy Qur'an. Why, then, must the Muslim adduce the Christian Scriptures to prove his point of view? This is because we are dealing with a mind which has been programmed from childhood to accept dogmas without reasoning. Today, the Christian is groping for the Truth. He is asking questions which he did not dare to ask a few centuries ago.

Questions like:-

a) IS JESUS GOD?
b) WHAT WAS THE SIGN OF JONAH?
c) IS THE BIBLE GOD'S WORD?
d) WHO MOVED THE STONE?
e) WAS JESUS CHRIST AN IMPOSTER? (A Christian Magazine "Plain Truth" - April '77), etc., etc.

It is the duty of the Muslim to help his Christian brethren, "The Ahle-Kitab", i.e. "THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK" - as they are respectfully addressed in the pages of the Holy Qur'an, in freeing them from the shackles that bind their thinking for the past two thousand years. It instructs us:



Ye are the best

Of Peoples, evolved

For mankind,

Enjoining what is right,

Forbidding what is wrong,

And believing in God,

If only the People of the Book

Had faith, it were best

For them: among them

Are some who have faith,

But most of them

Are perverted transgressors.

Holy Qur'an 3: 110

In this treatise and others, we have used the Christians' own book of authority, the BIBLE, and his own logic, to refute his claims. This is the system which Allah Subha nahu Wa Ta'aala uses when reasoning with His creatures.

The Holy Qur'an commands the Muslim to demand from the Jews and the Christians their authority for their fanciful claims that "SALVATION" is exclusively their right.

It says: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful."

Holy Qur'an 2:111

THE ISLAMIC (HIJRI) CALENDAR

The Hijrah, which chronicles the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah in September 622 C.E., is the central historical event of early Islam. It led to the foundation of the first Muslim city-state, a turning point in Islamic and world history.

The Islamic Calendar, which is based purely on lunar cycles, was first introduced in 638 C.E. by the close companion of the Prophet and the second Caliph, `Umar ibn Al-KHaTTab (592-644 C.E.). He did it in an attempt to rationalize the various, at times conflicting, dating systems used during his time. `Umar consulted with his advisors on the starting date of the new Muslim chronology. It was finally agreed that the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic calendar was the _Hijrah_. The actual starting date for the Calendar was chosen (on the basis of purely lunar years, counting backwards) to be the first day of the first month (1 MuHarram) of the year of the Hijrah. The Islamic (Hijri) calendar (with dates that fall within the Muslim Era) is usually abbreviated A.H. in Western languages from the latinized _Anno Hegirae_. MuHarram 1, 1 A.H. corresponds to July 16, 622 C.E.

To Muslims, the Hijri calendar is not just a sentimental system of time reckoning and dating important religious events (e.g., Siyaam (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)). It has a much deeper religious and historical significance.

The Islamic (Hijri) year consists of twelve (purely lunar) months.
They are:

(1) MuHarram
(2) Safar
(3) Raby` al-awal
(4) Raby` al-THaany
(5) Jumaada al-awal
(6) Jumaada al-THaany
(7) Rajab
(8) SHa`baan
(9) RamaDHaan
(10) SHawwal
(11) Thw al-Qi`dah
(12) Thw al-Hijjah

The most important dates in the Islamic (Hijri) year are:
1 MuHarram (Islamic new year); 27 Rajab (Isra & Miraj); 1 RamaDHaan
(first day of fasting); 17 RamaDHan (Nuzul Al-Qur'an); Last 10
days of RamaDHaan which include Laylatu al-Qadar; 1 SHawwal
(`iyd al-FiTr); 8-10 Thw al-Hijjah (the Hajj to Makkah); and
10 Thw al-Hijjah (`iyd al-'aDHHae).

http://www.islamicfinder.org/hijri_intro.php

Last Breath

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 8


SIMPLE ANSWER

As to the original question of this pamphlet - "WHO MOVED THE STONE?" the answer is so simple and so natural that one is at a loss to understand how this problem has eluded Christian scholars of the highest eminence.

The answer to the question, "WHO ROLLED THE STONE INTO PLACE?" is the answer to the title of this tract. "....and HE (Joseph of Arimathea) rolled a stone against the door of the tomb" (Mark 15:46). St. Mark is here supported word by word by St. Matthew who in Chapter 27 and verses 60 states that "....HE (Joseph of Arimathea) rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed". If this ONE man alone could move the stone into place as witnessed by Matthew and Mark, then let me be more generous in adding the name of the other faithful 'secret disciple' - NICODEMUS. It was JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA and NICODEMUS, the two stalwarts who did not leave the Master in the lurch when he was most in need. These two had given to Jesus a Jewish burial (?) bath, and wound the sheets with the "aloes and myrrh", and temporarily moved the stone into place, if at all; they were the same two real friends who REMOVED THE STONE, and took their shocked Master soon after dark, that same Friday night to a more congenial place in the immediate vicinity for treatment. Reasoning even on the Biblical narration, Jesus was A-L-I-V-E! He had escaped death by the skin of his teeth, as he himself had fortold. Write for your FREE copy of "WHAT WAS THE SIGN OF JONAH?", as well as for a detailed account of the alleged "crucifixon", under the heading, "CRUCIFIXION or CRUCI-FICTION?"

Those of you who have already mastered Lesson No. 1 from the booklet "WHAT WAS THE SIGN OF JONAH?" will now do well to memorise the following verses for your Lesson No. 2.

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him. Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him. Rabboni, which is to say, Master.

"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my father:...."
John 20:15-17

The Quran is the delight of the heart

Allaah, the Exalted, revealed the Quran, to be a beacon of light that cannot be extinguished. It is a methodology and way of life that is perfect in all respects. In it is strength that cannot be equaled or repelled. It is the foundation of Eemaan (Faith) and the spring of knowledge. Allaah willed that the Quran be what quenches the thirst for knowledge. It is the delight of the people of wisdom. The Quran is the greatest cure for all ailments. It is Allaah's Rope that cannot be severed. It is the Wise Reminder and the truly Straight Path.

In the Quran are the parables of those who were before us, a prophesy of that which will be after us and a criterion to judge between us. It is Truth with certainty that was revealed to us. The one who lives according to its dictations will be rewarded. The one who judges according to it will be just. The one who calls to it is on the Straight Path. Allaah raises and lowers people's status based on their adherence to it. The Quran, on the Day of Judgment, will intercede on behalf of those who recited it.

Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "The one who reads a single letter from the Book of Allaah will be rewarded with one good deed. (Know that) A good deed is multiplied ten times over. I do not say Alif Laam Meem is one letter. Verily, Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter, Meem is one letter." [At-Tirmithi]

The Book of Allaah to mankind's guidance is like the soul in relation to the body. Therefore, he who abandons its recitation and does not act in accordance to its laws is in a state of spiritual death. Allaah Almighty says (what means): "And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge there from?" [Quran 6:122]

A person without Quran is like a person without water, air and medicine. Allaah, the Most Exalted, says (what means): "And We send down of the Quran, that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss." [Quran 17:82]

The Quran is a healing for the body and the soul. Whenever life becomes hard and complicated, the Light of the Quran will always brighten the way. It will be a source of solace and tranquility. It will be a defender to you when you are powerless and in need. When the Muslim recites the Quran, he will feel matchless tranquility in his heart and being. This causes him only to fear Allaah alone.

Allaah Almighty says (what means):

"Those to whom people [i.e. hypocrites] said, “Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, “Sufficient for us is Allaah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.” So they returned with favor from Allaah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allaah, and Allaah is the Possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers." [Quran 3:173-175]

Sadly, many have not taken this Quran into consideration and have neglected its recitation and implementation. They sought the worldly life and neglected the Hereafter. Allaah says (what means): "And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allaah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying." [Quran 6:116]

Tragically, there are those who recite the Quran in its entirety and finish with little more than with what they began with in terms of contemplation and action. Some are so concerned with how they sound, they beautify their voice without ever listening to what is being ordered or prohibited. Truly, there are many reciters of the Quran that the Quran is free from them and their evil. They recite the Quran and are oppressive to themselves and others by not following its orders or forbidding its prohibitions.

Nothing is more valuable to a Muslim in his worldly life and in the Hereafter than reciting the Quran and reflecting and trying to comprehend its meaning. In doing so, an individual will become acquainted with what is good and what is evil. He will see the effects of disobedience of Allaah and its punishment in the parables of those who have come before us. An example of such a punishment is the flood that was sent upon the people of Nooh (Noah) may Allaah exalt his mention and others similar to it. It is a source of inspiration and it strengthens one's belief in Allaah. For this reason, Allaah says (what means):
" … and when His (Allaah's) verses (Quran) are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely." [Quran 8:2]

This Book was sent and revealed from above the seven Heavens so that it could be comprehended and implemented, it is not just to be recited while the heart is pre-occupied. Allaah Almighty says (what means):
"[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded." [Quran 38:29]

What has happened to our hearts? Why are our hearts locked out and unresponsive to the Quran? Why do the words enter from one ear and exit out the other? Why have our hearts hardened? Let us comprehend the Quran and implement it in our lives. Let us be from those who implement the Quran in our days and recite it during our nights.

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 7

When Mary makes the effort, Jesus shies back a step or two, saying, "TOUCH me not," (John 20:17).

Q13: I SAY - WHY NOT?
Is he a current of electricity or a dynamo, that if she touches him, she will get electrocuted?
Ans: No! Don't touch me, because it will hurt. Though he had given no indication of any physical pain or injury he might have suffered, it would be excruciatingly painful if he now allowed her to touch him with love and affection. Can another reason be advanced for this "Touch me not"?
Jesus continues, "For I am not yet ASCENDED unto my Father;" (John 20:17).

Q14: IS SHE BLIND?
Could she not see that the man she was talking to all the time was standing before her? Does it make any sense when he (Jesus) says that - 'HE IS NOT GONE UP', when he is DOWN right here.
Ans: What Jesus is telling Mary in so many different words is that 'HE IS NOT RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD', for in the colloquial language and idiom of the Jew, the expression, "For I am not yet ASCENDED unto my Father" means - "I AM NOT DEAD YET'.

It is a sad fact of history that though the Christian Bible is an Eastern Book, full of eastern metaphors and similes, like - "Let the dead bury their dead" (Matthew 8:22) or "Seeing they see not and hearing they hear not" (Matthew 13:13), all the commentators of the Bible have come from the West. The Western World is made to see a Jewish Book, written by the Jews for a Jewish audience, through Greek and Western glasses. An Eastern book ought to be read as an Easterner would read and understand it. All the problems would then be solved.

The difficulty lies not only in apprehending the correct meaning of the Jewish expressions, but Christendom is so programmed that Christians of every race and language group are made to understand the passages differently or opposite to their literal connotations. I will give examples of this anomaly in Lesson No. 3 under the heading "RESURRECTION OR RESUSCITATION?" In that booklet, I will also endeavor to answer the problem as to why one woman - Mary Magdalene - was not AFRAID when she recognised the DISGUISED Jesus yet ten brave men (the Disciples of Jesus) were PETRIFIED on recognising their Master in that 'upper-room', after his alleged passion.

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 6

Q12: HOW CAN SHE ALONE CARRY A DEAD BODY?
Ans: She is not thinking of a dead, rotting corpse. She is looking for the L-I-V-E Jesus. She is not a "super-woman" of the American comics, who could with ease carry a corpse of at least a hundred and sixty pounds, wrapped with another 'hundred pounds weight of aloes and myrrh' (John 19:39) making a neat bundle of 260 pounds. This frail Jewess was not expected to carry this decaying parcel like a bundle of straws. Even if she could carry it, how was she to bury it ALONE? She might have had to dump it in some hole like a heap of rubbish. But dumping and burying are poles apart.

She was looking for a Jesus who was very much alive, a Jesus she could hold by the hand and take him home for rest, relaxation and recuperation, "so that, I might take him away".

The joke that Jesus was playing on this woman had gone too far. During the whole course of the dialogue between Mary and Jesus, she did not suspect in the least that she was actually talking to her Master. She had failed to see through the gardener's DISGUISE. Jesus must have been laughing under his breath. He could suppress it no longer. "M·A·R·Y!" he uttered. Only one word, but it was enough. This one word "Mary!" did, all that the exchange of words failed to do. It enabled Mary to recognise Jesus. Everyone has his own unique and peculiar way of calling his or her near one or dear one. It was not the mere sound of the name, but the way he must have deliberately intoned it that made Mary to respond - "Master!, Master!" She lunged forward to grab her spiritual master, to pay her respects and to give reverence.

The Muslims, when they meet their learned men, or respected elders or saintly people, hold such person's right hand in the palm of their own hands and fondly kiss the back of the respected one's hand. The Frenchman kisses the cheeks to show respect and the Arab kisses the neck. Mary the Jewess would have done what any Muslim might have done under similar circumstances.

Acknowledgements and Final word

Praise is to Allah who guided my steps to finish this modest work. I am much obliged to Brother Djaber , to whom I owe a deep respect and gratitude. I thank him endlessly for his help to publish this work. I am also indebted to the administration and the head of Veecos.net that honored my pen to write on their blessed and great website. I am particularly thankful to all who read this work. Finally, I acknowledge all who helped in producing and revealing The Path of the Beloved Teacher of Teachers Muhammad BPUH.

A Final word :

Never before in history had been there any great man like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); a fact that all humankind bear witness. He brought illumination and reforms to the world, the reforms that freed men from their ancient fetters and awakened women to a realization of their equal position to men, in Islam .
So that to follow him, I tried, so far, to reveal the path of the Prophet . However, it is up to each one of us to find his own way according to his goals, needs, and the designed task. Still, it is hoped that the common target would be making a revival to our Islamic nation, and reforming on Earth for the sake of worshipping Allah, to realize His saying:" Say: truly, my prayers and my service of Sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for God, the Cherisher of the world. No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am, the first of those who bow to His will."(TMQ, 6:162-163)
In fact, the articles published so far can no way cover the present topic. Nevertheless, I wish that this modest work would be a simple beginning to other further studies to explore and develop such topics as relating our Islamic identity to the study of foreign languages and cultures.
I would like to bring this research to a close by these ayahs which carry a message to foreign languages learners and even teachers: first, about the importance of languages in Islam, and second about the aim behind studying them. Allah says what can be translated as:" And among His Signs in the creation of the heavens and the variations in your languages and your colors: verily in that are signs for those who know."(TMQ, 30:12) and:"O mankind! We crated you from a single male and a single female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other(not that ye may despise each other)Verily the most honored of you in sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things."(TMQ, 49:13)
Finally I ask all who benefit from these articles to pray to me and my parents. May God bless you all!

Your sister Tiaiba Imane

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 5:

Q10: WHY WAS HE AFRAID OF THE JEWS?
Ans: Because he had not DIED and was not RESURRECTED. If he had DIED and if he was RESURRECTED he would not have any reason to be AFRAID. Why? Because the resurrected body can't DIE twice. Who says so? The Bible says so: ".... it is ordained unto all men ONCE to die, and after that the judgment." (Hebrew 9:27). The idea that the resurrected person cannot die TWICE is further supported by what Jesus Christ had most authoritatively pronounced regarding the resurrection.

The learned men of the Jews came to Jesus with a poser, a riddle. They said that there was a woman who had seven husbands in turn. "in the resurrection therefore whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her." (Matthew 22:28). Jesus could have brushed off the Jews with some curt retort because here was another of their tricks to catch him out. Instead, he has enshrined for us the dearest statement in the Bible regarding the resurrected soul. He said, "Neither shall they die any more, for they are equal unto the angels, and the children of God, for such are the children of the resurrection" (Luke 20:36).

"NEITHER SHALL THEY DIE ANYMORE" - that they will be immortalised. They will not be subjected to death a SECOND time. No more hunger and thirst. No more fatigue or physical dangers. Because the resurrected body will be 'angelised' - spiritualised - they will become like spirit creatures, they will become SPIRITS.

Mary Magdalene was not looking for a spirit. She, taking the disguised Jesus to be a gardener, says, "Sir, if you have taken HIM hence, tell me where have you LAID him..." (John 20:15). Note, she is searching for HIM and not IT - a dead body. Further, she wants to know as to where they had LAID him, not as to where they had BURIED him? So that, "I might take HIM away." (John 20:15).

Q11: WHAT DOES SHE WANT TO DO WITH A DECOMPOSING CORPSE?
Ans: She wants to put it under her bed? Absurd! She wants to embalm him? Nonsense! She wants to bury him? If so, who dug the grave? No! No! 'she wants to take him away'.

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 4:

Jesus was watching his lady disciple out of whom he had cast out seven devils. He comes up to her. He finds her crying. He questions her, "Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?" (John 20:15).

Q7: DOESN'T HE KNOW? WHY DOES HE ASK SUCH A SEEMINGLY SILLY QUESTION?
Ans: He knew why she was crying, and he knew who she was looking for and he was not asking any silly questions. Actually, he was pulling her leg, figuratively of course! He knew that she was looking for him in the tomb, and not finding him there, was crying in her disappointment. He also knew that she would not be able to see through his disguise. Though he had been through an ordeal, he still had that sense of humour to ask her, "Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?
"SHE SUPPOSING HIM TO BE THE GARDENER, SAITH UNTO HIM" (John 20:15).

08: WHY DID SHE THINK THAT HE (JESUS) WAS A GARDENER? DO RESURRECTED BODIES LOOK LIKE GARDENERS?
Ans: Can you imagine the scene on the RESURRECTION DAY, that you, dear reader, will be made to look like a "gardener" and your father-in-law will also be transformed into a "gardener" and your son-in-law will also be made to look like a "gardener" and your beloved wife will be left in confusion to find her husband! Does this make sense? No! The resurrected body will be you, yourself! Everyone will readily recognize you. It will be the REAL you and not your camouflage. Never mind at what age or under what condition one dies, everyone will know one another. Then why did Mary think that Jesus was a "gardener"?
Ans: Because Jesus was DISGUISED as a gardener.

Q9: WHY WAS HE DISGUISED AS A GARDENER?
Ans: Because he was AFRAID of the Jews.

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 3:

Q5: DOES IT MAKE SENSE THAT MARY MAGDALENE WANTS TO MASSAGE A ROTTING DEAD BODY AFTER THREE DAYS?
Ans: It makes no sense, unless we confess that she was looking for a L-I·V·E Jesus, not a dead one. You will recognise this fact for yourself on analysing her reactions towards Jesus when she eventually saw through his disguise. You see, she had seen signs of life in that limp body when it was taken down from the cross. She was about the only woman beside Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who had given the final (?) rites to the body of Jesus. This man NICODEMUS, somehow, has been deliberately blotted out by the synoptists. The Gospel writers of Matthew, Mark and Luke are totally ignorant of this devoted and self-sacrificing disciple of Jesus. His name is NOT even mentioned in the first three Gospels in ANY context. "it is difficult to avoid concluding that the omission in the synoptic tradition of the mysterious disciple was intentional", says Dr Hugh J Schonfield, one of the world's leading Biblical scholars.

When Mary of Magdala reached the tomb, she found that the stone had already been rolled away, and the winding sheets bundled on the ledge within the sepulcher. The question now arises:

Q6: WHY WAS THE STONE REMOVED, AND WHY WERE THE WINDING SHEETS FOUND UNWOUND?
Ans: Because it would be impossible for any tangible material body to come out with the stone blocking the opening, and the same physical body could not walk out with the winding sheets encasing the body. For a resurrected body, it would have been unnecessary to remove the stone or to unwind the winding sheets. Probably having the resurrected, immortalized body, or the spirit of man in mind, a poet said: "STONE WALLS DO NOT A PRISON MAKE, NOR IRON BARS A CAGE".

While the poor, dejected Mary was investigating the sepulcher, Jesus was watching her from the vicinity. Not from heaven, but from terra firma, from mother earth. We must remember that this tomb was a privately owned property belonging to his "secret disciple" Joseph of Arimathea - who was a very rich, influential Jew, and one who could afford to have carved a big roomy chamber, out of a rock which according to Jim Bishop (a Christian scholar of note) was 5 feet wide by 7 feet high by 15 feet deep with a ledge or ledges inside. Around this tomb was this "secret disciple's" own vegetable garden. It is hardly expected of any Jew or Gentile to grow vegetables 5 miles out of town for other peoples' sheep and goats to graze upon! Surely, this husbandman must have provided his labourers with the gardeners' quarters to protect his own interests, and perhaps he also had his 'country home' around the place where he could relax with his family during the weekends.

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
part 2:

It was Sunday morning, according to the Bible, the first day of the week, when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus (John 20:1). The first question that bedevils the mind is:-

Q1: WHY DID SHE GO TO THE TOMB?
Ans: The Gospel writers say that she went to "anoint" him. The Hebrew word for anoint is "masaha", which means - 'to rub', 'to massage', 'to anoint'. The word and its meaning are the same in the Arabic language also. From this root word "masaha" we get the Arabic word "MASEEH" and the Hebrew "MESSIAH" both meaning the same thing - "the anointed one" which is translated into Greek as "Christos" from which we derive the word Christ.

Q2: DO JEWS MASSAGE DEAD BODIES AFTER THREE DAYS?
Ans: "No!"

Q3: DO MUSLIMS MASSAGE DEAD BODIES AFTER THREE DAYS?
Ans: "No!"

Q4: DO CHRISTIANS MASSAGE DEAD BODIES AFTER THREE DAYS?
Ans: "No!"

It is common knowledge that within three hours after death, rigor mortis sets in - the breaking up of the body cells - the hardening of the body. In three days the corpse starts rotting from within. If we massage such a rotting body, it will fall to pieces.

WHO MOVED THE STONE?

By Ahmed Deedat
Part 1:

"WHO MOVED THE STONE?" or "who ROLLED away the stone?" (Mark 16:3) is a question which has worried theologians for the past two thousand years. Mr Frank Morison, a prominent Bible scholar, tried to nail down this ghost(s) in a book bearing the same title as this tract. Between 1930 and 1975 his book has gone through ELEVEN editions. Through all his 192 pages of conjectures he failed to answer ,"WHO MOVED THE STONE?" (Faber and Faber, London). On page 89 of his book, he writes, "We are left, therefore, with the problem of the vacant tomb unsolved" and proceeds to advance SIX hypotheses, very nearly knocking the proverbial nail on the head with his FIRST supposition, i.e. "THAT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA SECRETLY REMOVED THE BODY TO A MORE SUITABLE RESTING PLACE". After confessing that this Joseph "might himself have removed it for private reasons to another place, is one which seems to carry considerable weight" (italics mine), he hurriedly disposes this hypothesis on the flimsiest ground. As you read on, dear reader, I trust that you as well as Mr Morison will have a satisfactory answer to this problem. Let us begin at the beginning of this problem.

A Message to the Nation of “Read!”

sister TIAIBA IMANE //

Believing in Allah's own words that can be translated as: " Most certainly , you have in the messenger of Allah an excellent pattern ( of behaviors ) " (TMQ 33 / 21), let us reveal the path of the beloved which any learner in general , and teacher in particular are asked to follow in order to take part in the revival of our Ummah.
The pith of argument, in all my work, is a message called "Learn from the Teacher" which consists of the following points:
A) Our Prophet (PBUH) said: " I have left with you something which you will hold fast to, you will never fall into error; the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet ". So, we should appreciate this heritage if we want to succeed in any field. Thus, learning a foreign language and culture implies that we should first stick to our identity and take what fits us as Muslims.
B) The use of faith as a stimulus : it is the faith in Allah which makes the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) succeed in their lives. Faith is the pillar of religion. Through out our studies of civilizations and literature, we have learnt that people and nations are always dragged by religious ideology. The best example to give here, is the way the USA came to existence. We all know that it was due to the faith of the pioneer pilgrims in "The Promised Land". Our turn came now to make a revival with faith, and to use it even in our teaching to realize Allah’s saying that can translated as : " you have been the most charitable nation brought out to mankind : you command beneficence , and forbade malfeasance, and believe in Allah …" (TMQ,3 : 110 )
C) The good word : Allah says what can be translated as " seets thou not how Allah coineth a similitude : a goodly saying , as a good tree , its roots set firm , its branches reaching into heaven. Giving its fruits every season by permission of Its Lord? Allah coineth the similitude for mankind in order that they may reflect. And the similitude of a bad saying is as a bad tree, uprooted from upon the earth, possessing no stability "(TMQ 24-25/13). In fact, this ayah is the heart of the message which we address to teachers: you are responsible for the word which is of a great importance in the task of teaching. The word can either build or destruct. So, teachers should select what to say in order to plant the idea of revival in the minds of the coming generations. It is the strength and purity of a good word that would have the snowball effect in our revival.
D) Teachers are asked to encourage creativity and innovation in order to create the art and literature that fits our identity and serve our revival.
E) The last point is to follow the path of the Beloved (PBUH) in every thing and mainly in the way he dealt with situations i.e. to change the opportunities into points of strength. A teacher might ask how? It is then by :
- Making students feel proud to be the grand sons of the great companions and to be Muslims when studying civilization, for example.
- Relating modern theories and studies to our culture ( as we tried to do in this work )
- Presenting the lessons in a way that fits our identity.
- Benefiting from the study of history in order to learn how nations stand and fall, baring in mind that the civilization that never falls is that inspired from the Holy Book”Quran” and the tradition of the Prophet(P.B.U.H)

Iraq rally for Bush shoe attacker

echoroukonline//

Thousands of Iraqis have demanded the release of a local TV reporter who threw his shoes at US President George W Bush at a Baghdad news conference.

Selected verses..

surely disbelieve who say..

[5:73]
They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.

[5:74]
Will they not rather turn unto Allah and seek forgiveness of Him ? For Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

[5:75]
The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how We make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away!

[5:76]
Say: Serve ye in place of Allah that which possesseth for you neither hurt nor use ? Allah it is Who is the Hearer, the Knower.

[5:77]
Say: O People of the Scripture! Stress not in your religion other than the truth, and follow not the vain desires of folk who erred of old and led many astray, and erred from a plain road.

Teaching of the prophet (P.B.U.H) concerning sacrificing

On the authority of Abu Yala Shaddad bin Aus ( may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The prophet ( peace and blessings of Allah be upon him ) said: Allah has made it obligatory to adopt a benevolent attitude towards everything. If you have to kill any animal kill it in the kindest way. When you have to slaughter an animal you must make it less painful for the animal you slaughter. Every one of you must get his knife sharpened to reduce the suffering of the animal to be slaughtered. (Muslim)

Sami Yusuf-The Day of Eid

Happy Eid..

What Is Eid Al-Adha?

Arafat Day

Arafat Day

Standing at Arafat is one of the greatest pillars of hajj as stated by the prophet (PBUH), He said, "Hajj is Arafat". On that day the Islamic religion was completed with the descent of the Quranic verse 5:3", today I have chosen Islam as your religion and completed my favor upon you, and accepted Islam as a religion for you".
Arafat Day is the day of forgiveness of sins, release from hell fire and submission for those standing there. For those Muslims who are not performing Hajj, it is preferable that they keep a fast on that day; but not by those who are doing the Hajj.

The Virtues of Hajj

The virtues of Hajj is emphasized in the Qu'ran in the verse 3:96: "the first (of worship) ordained to mankind was at Bakka; full of blessings and guidance for all people".
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and one of the most significant acts of worship in the lives of Muslims as individuals or people. Quranic verse 22:27 states: "And proclaim the Hajj among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean because of the journey through long and distant mountain roads".
Hajj equates all peoples, whatever their social status. All wear the same simple clothing and recite the "Oneness of Allah (swt)."

The Prophet’s Methodology in Teaching

BY SISTER: TIAIBA IMANE..

Can you believe that the methodology used by our Prophet 14 centuries ago are nearly the very same used by modern schools?? This will let no room for doubt that Muhammad (pbuh) is certainly the ignorant teacher who brought illumination to both literates and illiterates. Above all, this fact will add an other argument of the truthfulness of our beloved teacher . But how was that????
The Prophet (PBUH) relied on the Divine methodology in teaching which was not theoretical, but an educational one , with different events and situations. Many modern researchers in the field of teaching are trying to bring to the task such methods that were innovated by the Apostle of Allah i.e. to make people take part in the learning process. To illustrate this point we have the following examples:
In teaching the grammar of a language, for example, we have ways: explicit and implicit grammar. Most modern pedagogues preferred the implicit way that means that learners deduce the rules from the examples they practise. The teacher's role comes at the end to give the right rule. Thus , the learner takes part in this process.
As for the Divine methodology used by the Prophet (PBUH), people used to learn from the events and situations. A problem happens, people deal with it the way they want, then, Allah sends Quranic ayahs to tell them where right is.
When we come to speak about the approaches used by the Prophet (PBUH) we find that they are the most important aspects at large in our task. Again, a question might be asked about their nature. In teaching, there are different approaches varying and evolving according to the designed goals, but for our Prophet's teaching, all the approaches are inspired and derived from the Holy Book " Quran ". The latter is valid for all the times and its goals, in addition to teaching different aspects of knowledge, are to provide a life style for people that cover all the sides in order to hold a good life. Quran was the miracle of the Ignorant Teacher who becomes afterwards, the teacher of mankind. It was verily Allah's gift for his creatures through His Apostle Muhammad (PBUH). We can learn this meaning from the last verses which were revealed on the Prophet (PBUH). Allah says what can be translated as: "Today I have completed your religion for you, and I have perfected My favor on you, and I am satisfied with Islam as a religion for you" (TMQ, 5:3).

*****read*****

The Death of the Prophet (SAAS)

The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam breathes his last

When the pangs of death started, ‘Aishah leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allah’s bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed his saliva with mine at his death. For ‘Abdur Rahman - the son of Abû Bakr - came in with a Siwak (i.e. the root of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was leaning the Messenger of Allâh against me. I noticed that he was looking at the Siwak, so I asked him - for I knew that he wanted it — "Would you like me to take it for you?" He nodded in agreement. I took it and gave it to him. As it was too hard for him, I asked him "Shall I soften it for you?" He nodded in agreement. So I softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth).

In another version it is said: "So he brushed (Istanna) his teeth as nice as he could." There was a water container (Rakwa) available at his hand with some water in. He put his hand in it and wiped his face with it and said:

"There is no god but Allah. Death is full of agonies." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 2/640]

As soon as he had finished his Siwak, brushing, he raised his hand or finger up, looked upwards to the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘Aishah listened to him. She heard him say: "With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (As-Siddeeqeen), the martyrs and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high." [ibid, 2/638-641] Then at intervals he uttered these words: "The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode." This event took place at high morning time on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi’ al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah. He was sixty-three years and four days old when he died.