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American Pastor Joel Osteen talking to his Christian congregation about pork. He highlights the reasons why pork is forbidden in the Holy Bible; hence why, to this day Jews and Muslims abstain from eating pork, bacon and other pig derived foods.
By Paul Salahuddin Armstrong
Everyone seeks forgiveness, lacking as we do in our present form, the state of perfection… We all depend upon divine grace, and we should never despair of the infinite mercy of the Almighty!
Consider for a moment; Prophet Jesus’ famous rebuttal, to a group of people who’s hearts had become so hardened, they couldn’t wait to stone a woman for an alleged act of adultery…
“He that is without sin among you,
let him first cast a stone at her”
John 8:7
He that is without sin? Other than the Almighty, only the prophets and angels are without sin, something Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, was well aware! One after another, the people left… Then Jesus, peace be upon him, said:
“Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11
The greatness of showing mercy, is emphasised time and time again, throughout religious scriptures and by all of God’s messengers and sages. Being merciful is an attribute of the Almighty, as God says in the Holy Qur’an:
“My Mercy embraces all things…”
Holy Qur’an 7:156
God sent prophets and revealed His revelations to them, out of His divine mercy for humankind. As God reveals about Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him…
“And We have sent you not but as a mercy to all the worlds.”
Holy Qur’an 21:107
People who show mercy in the face of adversity, demonstrate true strength. Those who consistently have mercy and compassion towards others, will always have clean hearts. Whereas those who bear grudges, are vengeful or worse, will find out in the end, they’ve only harmed their own souls.
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”
Proverbs 11:17
In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, is reported to have said:
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:7-8
If we desire forgiveness for our own sins, we must be merciful towards others. Our forgiveness is connected to how we treat others… Those who are merciful shall obtain mercy. But how can we rightfully expect God to bestow upon us mercy, if we’ve never been merciful towards others?
“Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.”
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 26
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
James 2:13
Above all though, God’s mercy reigns supreme! As narrated in a hadith by Abu Huraira: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“When Allah created creation, He wrote a book, which is with Him above the Throne, saying: My mercy overcomes My wrath.”
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadith 416
The Conference Of Devils: (Read even if you’re busy)
The king of devils called a worldwide conference of all his minions.
In his opening address he said,
“We can’t keep believers from their prayers and meditations.”
“We can’t keep them from reading their holy scriptures and knowing the truth.”
“We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Lord.”
“Once they gain that connection with their Creator, our power over them is broken.”
“So let them go to their houses of worship; let them have their community dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with God.”
“This is what I want you to do,” said the Devil:
“Distract them from remembering their Lord and maintaining that vital connection throughout the day!”
“How shall we do this?” his helpers asked.
“Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life, inventing innumerable schemes to occupy their minds, bodies and souls” he answered.
“Tempt people to keep spending with no end in sight, continually borrowing to fund their addiction!”
“Persuade people to go to work all hours of the day and night, 6-7 days each week, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.”
“Keep them from spending time with their children.”
“As their families fragment, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of life!”
“Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.”
“Entice them to play the radio constantly whenever they drive, and further entertainment throughout the day and night in their homes! Make sure there is no escape from our entertainments, so they get so lost in the material world, they begin to forget their spiritual reality…”
“This will jam their minds and break their union with God.”
“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.”
“Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.”
“Invade their driving moments with billboards.”
“Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogues, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotion offering free products, services and false hopes.”
“Keep skinny, beautiful models on magazines and TV, so husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives. Women will be so distracted trying to attain these impossible looks, they’ll have no time for the more important things in life, destroying their health into the bargain!”
“Keep husbands and wives too tired, to spend time loving each other at night. Give them headaches too!”
“If they don’t give their spouses the love they need, they may begin to look elsewhere…”
“That will fragment families quickly!”
“Even in their recreation, let them go to excess!”
“Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”
“Keep them too busy to take walks in the park, amongst the natural world, preventing their reflection upon God’s creation. Send them instead to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies. Keeping them ever so busy!”
“And when they go to their congregational prayers, involve them in internal politics, gossip and small talk, so they leave with troubled hearts…”
“Crowd their lives with ever so many distractions, they have no time to seek the pleasure of their Lord.”
“Soon they will be working on their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”
“It will work!” “It will work!”
It was quite a plan!
The devils went eagerly to their assignments, causing believers everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for God or their families. Having no time to tell others, about the infinite love and mercy of the Almighty to change lives.
I guess the question is, have the devils been successful in their schemes?
You be the judge…
Does “BUSY” mean:
B-eing
U-nder
S-atan’s
Y-oke?
Please pass this on, if you aren’t too BUSY!
The Blessed Saint Mary (Maryam al-Muqaddasa) is a sensational film of the life of Saint Mary, the Virgin mother of Jesus, based on classical Islamic texts. The film begins with the birth of Mary and ends with the birth of Jesus, skilfully recreating the major events which Mary went through as well as that of Prophet Zachariah, Mary’s guardian and a righteous Prophet of God.
This two hour presentation is a glorious illustration and depiction of the lofty station held by Mary in Islam, as well as the great stature of Prophet Zacharias.
“O Children of Israel! Remember My favor wherewith I favored you, and fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant and fear Me. And believe in that which I reveal, confirming that which ye possess already (of the Scripture), and be not first to disbelieve therein, and part not with My revelations for a trifling price, and keep your duty unto Me.
Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth. Establish worship, pay the poor-due, and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship). Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind while ye yourselves forget (to practise it)? And ye are readers of the Scripture! Have ye then no sense?
Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded, Who know that they will have to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are returning. O Children of Israel! Remember My favor wherewith I favored you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures. And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped.
And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh’s folk, who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women: That was a tremendous trial from your Lord. And when We brought you through the sea and rescued you, and drowned the folk of Pharaoh in your sight.”
Holy Qur’an 2:40-50 (M.Pickthall)
“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal- zephon, over against it shall ye encamp by the sea. And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel: They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.’ And they did so. And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned towards the people, and they said: ‘What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
And he made ready his chariots, and took his people with him. And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand. And the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid; and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses: ‘Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to bring us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we spoke unto thee in Egypt, saying: Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.’
And Moses said unto the people: ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you to-day; for whereas ye have seen the Egyptians to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.’ And the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. And lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thy hand over the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them; and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten Me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.’
And the angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud removed from before them, and stood behind them; and it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness here, yet gave it light by night there; and the one came not near the other all the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And it came to pass in the morning watch, that the LORD looked forth upon the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, and made them to drive heavily; so that the Egyptians said: ‘Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.’ And the LORD said unto Moses: ‘Stretch out thy hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.’ And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, even all the host of Pharaoh that went in after them into the sea; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore. And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD, and in His servant Moses.”
Exodus 14:1-31 JPS (1917)
“For a child has been born to us,
A son has been given us.
And authority has settled upon his shoulders.
He has been named
‘The Mighty God is planning grace;
The Eternal Father, a peaceable ruler’ -
In token of abundant authority
And of peace without limit
Upon David’s throne and kingdom,
That it may be firmly established
In justice and in equity
Now and evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts
Shall bring it to pass.”
Isaiah 9:5-6 JPS Tanakh (1985)
Commentary: “The Mighty God … ruler”: This long sentence is the throne name of the royal child. Semitic names often consist of of sentences that describe God; thus the name Isaiah in Hebrew means “The Lord saves”; Hezekiah, “The Lord strengthens”; in Akkadian, the name of the Babylonian king Merodach-baladan (Isa. 39:1) means “the god Marduk has provided an heir.” These names do not describe that person who holds them but the god whom the parents worship. Similarly, the name given to the child in this verse does not describe that child or attribute divinity to him, contrary to classical Christian readings of this messianic verse.
Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas
Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan), at the time when Allah’s Apostle had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius’s question said to them, “Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?” Abu Sufyan replied, “I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group).”
Heraclius said, “Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him.” Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me.” Abu Sufyan added, “By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was:
‘What is his family status amongst you?’
I replied, ‘He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.’
Heraclius further asked, ‘Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?’
I replied, ‘No.’
He said, ‘Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?’
I replied, ‘No.’
Heraclius asked, ‘Do the nobles or the poor follow him?’
I replied, ‘It is the poor who follow him.’
He said, ‘Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?’
I replied, ‘They are increasing.’
He then asked, ‘Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?’
I replied, ‘No.’
Heraclius said, ‘Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?’
I replied, ‘No.’
Heraclius said, ‘Does he break his promises?’
I replied, ‘No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.’ I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that.
Heraclius asked, ‘Have you ever had a war with him?’
I replied, ‘Yes.’
Then he said, ‘What was the outcome of the battles?’
I replied, ‘Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.’
Heraclius said, ‘What does he order you to do?’
I said, ‘He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our kith and kin.’
Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man’s statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom.
I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Allah. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.’ Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah’s Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: “In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the slave of Allah and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah’s Statement: )
‘O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).’ (3.64).
Abu Sufyan then added, “When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet Muhammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Allah guided me to it).”
The sub narrator adds, “Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of Ilya’ (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting Ilya’ (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, ‘At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?’ The people replied, ‘Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews).
‘Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.’
While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Allah’s Apostle to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, ‘Arabs also practice circumcision.’
(After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs (a town in Syria) and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, ‘O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).’
(On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience.
(When they returned) he said, ‘What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.’ The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius’s story (in connection with his faith).
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Number 6
