JESUS & MUHAMMAD BROUGHT THE SAME MESSAGE

People Import Pagan Traditions Into Deen

Muhammad (s.a.w.) & Jesus (a.s.)

Brought The Same Message:

‘Worship Allah, None Other!’

(M. Javed Naseem)

Christmas ‘Mela’ vs Eid Milad-un-Nabi ‘Mela’,

And ‘Deewali’ vs ‘Shab-e-Meraj’:

December is generally dedicated to Prophet Jesus, the son of Mary, as many falsely claim that he was born on the 25^th of December. Almost all Christian scholars and religious leaders believe that he was not. But people wanted to celebrate the birthday of Jesus so they (majority) picked up 25^th of December (as it was promoted by an influential group), although it happened to be the date of birth of Nimrod – the one who claimed to be god on earth, during Prophet Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) era. Still it gave the modern Christians an excuse to celebrate and enjoy the ‘mela’.

Similarly, some groups of ignorant (Jaahil) Muslims are competing with the Christians and they decided to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) on the 12^th of Rabi-al-Awwal. There are scholars and other groups who claim that he was not born on the 12^th, he was rather born on the 10^th, while the third group claims that he was born on the 8^th of Rabi-al-Awwal. But why is that important?

What’s important for these people that they can compete with the Christians with a parallel celebration on the same lines and enjoy the ‘mela’. That’s the ‘Islamization’ of the Christmas.

They are the same ignorant people who competed with Hindus and copied their ‘Deewali’ celebration converting it into ‘Shab-e-Meraj’ celebration and have fun with lighting. No such thing existed during the lifetime of the Prophet (s.a.w.) or during the times of ‘Khulafa-e-Raashideen’. But ‘Jaahil’ Mullahs wanted a parallel festival, so they ‘Islamized’ the festival of lights ‘Deewali’.

Muslims in India and Pakistan very badly need education – the Quranic education. Otherwise, ignorant Mullahs (Maulvis) will corrupt Islam just like their Christians brothers corrupted Christianity. And that’s what Kaafireen want.

The messengers were chosen by Allah for the guidance of mankind from among the nations living on earth at that time. They were the best models for people to show them how to implement the commands of Allah, and how to live by the Book (the Message) of Allah. We should look at the lives of these messengers or prophets of God and try to follow these role-models in living by the rules prescribed for us by Allah. It’s the Message and ‘living by the Message’ which is more important than anything else in this world because we’ll be questioned about it in the next world.

Since we are very easily influenced by the Devil, we look for joy and glitter of this worldly life. We love ‘mujras’, ‘dharnas’, ‘jalsa’, ‘jaloos’, ‘tamasha’, ‘jashn’, fun, parties and celebrations, directly or indirectly attributed to the religion.

It’s ironical as well as sad, unfortunate and unforgivable that we spend millions on the birthday celebrations (lighting and decorations) of Muhammad (s.a.w.) ignoring, at the same time, the teachings, the instructions and recommendations of Muhammad (s.a.w.) on how to live as Muslims. The same amount of money can bring food to many mouths in Pakistan and India. This money can build shelters for the homeless who sleep on the streets. This money can be used to help those young girls who could not get married because of the dowry and wedding expenses. These millions can give orphan children some means to pursue good education, a bright future and a respectable life.

Unfortunately, the general attitude is: ‘It’s not our problem. The Govt. should help them’. If, what the Prophet (s.a.w.) tells us to do, is not our problem, then celebrating Prophet’s birthday is not our problem either. We should not be collecting donations by knocking at every door in the street if we are not going to spend that money as per the teachings of the Prophet (s.a.w.). It’s not right. People’s money must be spent on people’s welfare, not on parties!

We glorify the messengers and

ignore or practically reject the

message they brought. But they

brought us the Message of Allah,

and we’ll be questioned about it!

Listen, people! If you are Muslims, then follow Islam! Simple as that! Don’t try to import Pagan festivals and traditions to your Deen by ‘Islamizing’ Deewali, Holi, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc., etc.! Prophet Jesus (a.s.) and Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) never celebrated their birthdays nor did they ask or recommend anybody to do that. Christians imported and started celebrating Christmas over 300 years after the death of Jesus. Munafiqeen started that.

Similarly, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)’s birthday was never celebrated in his lifetime, nor during the time of Khalifah Abu Bakr (r.a.a.), nor during the time of Khalifah Umar bin al-Khattab (r.a.a.), nor during the time of Khalifah Usman bin Affan (r.a.a.), and nor during the time of Khalifah Ali bin Abu Talib (r.a.a.). When was it started and who started it? Go figure it out and please do some research before putting on me a stupid label or issuing a ‘Jaahilana Fatwa’.

The best homage to the Prophet (s.a.w.) is to follow his Sunnah; and the best way to remember him is to implement his teachings. He lived a very simple but clean and honest life as a leader, as a reformer, as a teacher, as a father, as a husband and as a man. He’s the best role-model on the face of earth! May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him!

Islam is a very simple Deen based on social justice, equality, and piety (or Taqwa). As a Muslim, you should know what Taqwa (piety or righteousness) is! Taqwa (righteousness) is the foundation stone of Faith (Iman). Here’s what Allah says about it in the Quran:

لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ

ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ وَٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَابِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّينَ

وَآتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَامَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَاكِينَ

وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلاةَ وَآتَى ٱلزَّكَاةَ

وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُواْ وَٱلصَّابِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وٱلضَّرَّاءِ

وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ أُولَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوآ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ
“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces

towards east or west; but it is righteousness to

believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels,

and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of

your wealth, out of love for Him, for your kin,

for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for

those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be

steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity;

to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and

to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and

adversity, and throughout all periods of panic.

Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing.”

(al-Quran 2:177)

That’s precisely the true meaning of Islam – the Deen Allah prescribed for the entire human race.

Jesus On Faith:

“Wherefore God, having created before all things His Messenger, gave to him before aught else the faith which is as it were a likeness of God and of all that God has done and said. And so the faithful by faith sees all things better than one sees with his eyes; because the eyes can err; no they do almost always err; but faith errs never, for it has for foundation God and His word. Believe me that by faith are saved all the elect of God. And it is certain that without faith it is impossible for any one to please God.”

                                                                                                                    --- Jesus Christ

Jesus says:

“God is a spirit; and they that worship Him must

worship Him in spirit and in truth”. (John 4:24).

And the Bible says God will not accept worship when people take a pagan custom or manner of worship and try to honor Jesus with it.

Again Jesus said:

“In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men”. (Matt. 15:9).

Jesus said further:

“Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition”.

This is precisely what the millions are doing today. They ignore the commandment of God and follow pagan customs.

Christmas Was Outlawed:

In England, as the authorized Bible became available to the common people by the decree of King James II in 1611, people began to discover the pagan roots of Christmas (Yule, its true name) which are clearly revealed in Scripture. The Puritans in England, and later in Massachusetts Colony, outlawed this holiday as witchcraft. Near the end of the nineteenth century, when other Bible versions began to appear, there was revival of the celebration of Christmas.

The Last Trumpet Ministries International declares:

1. “To say that Jesus was born on December 25^th is a lie! The true date is sometime in September according to the Scriptures.
2. Trees, wreaths, holly, mistletoe and the like are strictly forbidden as pagan and heathen! To say that these are Christian or that they can be made Christian is a lie!
3. The Lord never spoke of commemorating his birth but rather commanded us to remember the sacrifice of His suffering and death, which purchased our salvation.”

Allah sent His Messengers to the world to guide humans to choose the right path. They all promoted and preached Islam – the Faith Allah chose for the mankind. Those who, after receiving the true guidance from the Prophets, knowingly make the wrong choices and defy Allah and His Messengers, they earn the wrath of Allah. All those people who follow the Pagan teachings and customs, make that category. They are not true believers. The Almighty warns us:

وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ

لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ

مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيراً

‘If anyone contends with the Messenger

even after guidance has been plainly

conveyed to him, and follows a path

other than that becoming to men of

Faith, We shall leave him in the path

he has chosen, and land him in Hell –

what an evil refuge!’

(Quran 4:115)

It Was Islam!

Yes, Islam. That’s the faith Allah Himself chose for the mankind and that was the religion promoted by all messengers of God in every era. We humans changed the contents and gave different names to it. Allah mentions in the Holy Quran the instance when Jesus asks his disciples to help him in the cause of Allah. Here is the verse:

فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ

قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ

قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنْصَارُ ٱللَّهِ

آمَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

‘When Jesus found unbelief on their

part he said: Who will be my helpers

to (the work of) Allah? Said the

disciples: We are Allah’s helpers;

we believe in Allah, and do you

bear witness that we are Muslims.’

(Quran 3:52)

The disciples asked Jesus to be a witness for them in front of Allah testifying that they were Muslims. Yes, Muslims! Islam was the Faith of Prophet Jesus, and of all the other Prophets/Messengers of Allah.

Here are a few excerpts from the Gospel of Barnabas:

 “Everything that may hinder you from

serving God, cast it from you as man casts

away everything that hinders his sight.”

--- Jesus Christ

Jesus Defines God:

                                  

“… God is a good without which there is naught good; God is a being without which there is naught that is; God is a life without which there is naught that liveth; so great that he filleth all and is everywhere. He alone hath no equal. He hath had no beginning, nor will he ever have an end, but to everything hath he given a beginning, and to everything shall he give an end. He hath no father nor mother; he hath no sons, nor brethren, nor companions. And because God hath no body, therefore he eateth not, sleepeth not, dieth not, walketh not, moveth not, but abideth eternally without human similitude, for that he is incorporeal, uncompounded, immaterial, of the most simple substance. He is so good that he loveth goodness only; he is so just that when he punisheth or pardoneth it cannot be gainsaid.”

(From the Gospel of Barnabas, Chapter 17)

“And it is certain that without faith it is

impossible for any one to please God.”

--- (Jesus Christ)

Love Thy Neighbor!

“Woe to that man through whom the offence

comes. It were better for the man if he

should have millstone about his neck and

should be sunk in the depths of the sea than

that he should offend his neighbor.”

--- (Jesus Christ)

We choose the path we want to follow, and that will lead us to Heaven or Hell. We’ll be held accountable for our choices. Allah has made everything clear for us in the Quran so that we don’t look for excuses.

وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْأَلُونَ

“This (Quran) is indeed a Reminder

for you and your people; and you

shall soon be questioned.”

(Quran 43:44)

قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاَتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحْيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

"Say (O Muhammad): Indeed, my prayer, my rites

of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God,

Lord of the Worlds. No partner has He. And this

I have been commanded and I am the first

(among you) of the Muslims.”

(al-Quran 6:162-163)

We are commanded by Allah to live and die for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. The best role-model for us to follow is the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself. So, we shouldn’t do anything that the Prophet (s.a.w.) didn’t do.

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ

وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you do love Allah, follow

me. Allah will love you and forgive you your sins;

for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful’."

(al-Quran 3:31)

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ  قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ

أَفإِنْ مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنْقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ وَمَن يَنْقَلِبْ

عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَنْ يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيْئاً وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّاكِرِينَ
“Muhammad is no more than a Messenger.

Many were the messenger that passed away before

him. If he died or were slain, will you then turn back

on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not

the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the

other hand) will swiftly reward those who

(serve Him) with gratitude”.

(al-Quran 3:144)

Prophet Jesus (a.s.) was the second to the last of all Prophets. In the Bible, he talks about the last Prophet. In Chapter 43 of the Gospel of Barnabas, we find these paragraphs:

“… Then said Andrew: “You have told us many things of the Messiah, therefore of your kindness tell us clearly all”. And in like manner the other disciples besought him.’

“Accordingly, Jesus said: Truly I say to you, that every prophet when he is come has borne to one nation only the mark of the mercy of God. And so their words were not extended save to that people to which they were sent. But the Messenger of God, when he shall come, God shall give to him as it were the seal of his hand, insomuch that he shall carry salvation and mercy to all the nations of the world (‘Mercy for the Mankind’) that shall receive his doctrine. He shall come with power upon the ungodly, and shall destroy idolatry, insomuch that he shall make Satan confounded; for so promised God to Abraham, saying: “Behold, in your seed I will bless all the tribes of the earth; and as you have broken in pieces the idols, O Abraham; even so shall your seed do.”

In another part of the Gospel (Chapter 44), we find this passage in which Jesus is talking to his disciples about Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.):

“I, therefore, say to you that the Messenger of God is splendour that shall give gladness to nearly all that God has made, for he is adorned with the spirit of understanding and of counsel, the spirit of wisdom and might, the spirit of fear and love, the spirit of prudence and temperance, he is adorned with the spirit of charity and mercy, the spirit of justice and piety, the spirit of gentleness and patience, which he has received from God three times more than he has given to all his creatures.”

“O blessed time, when he shall come to the world! Believe me that I have seen him and have done him reverence, even as every prophet has seen him; seeing that of his spirit God gives to them prophecy. And when I saw him my soul was filled with consolation, saying: “O Muhammad, God be with you, and may he make me worthy to untie, your shoe-latchet, for obtaining this I shall be a great prophet and holy one of God”. And having said this, Jesus rendered his thanks to God.”

What is ‘Iman’ (Faith)?

Allah, the Almighty, sent angel Jibril (Gabriel) to teach Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) the elements of true Faith (Iman) and the elements of ‘Deen’ (Islam). Here is what Allah tells us in the Holy Quran:

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ

كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ

لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ وَقَالُواْ سَمِعْنَا

وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ
“The Messenger believes in what has been

revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith.

Each one (of them) believes in Allah, His angels, His

books, and His messengers. ‘We make no distinction

(they say) between one and another of His messengers’.

And they say: ‘We hear, and we obey’; (we seek)

your forgiveness, our Lord, and to you

is the end of all journeys."

(al-Quran 2:285)

According to a Hadith, narrated Abu Hurairah (Bukhari, Book No.2, Chapter 37, No.50):

“One day while the Prophet (s.a.w.) was sitting out with people, a man came to him and asked:

“What is Faith (Iman)?”

Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) replied: "Faith is to believe in Allah; His angels; His Messengers; (the) meeting with Him (on Judgment Day); and to believe in the Resurrection."      

Then he (the man) further asked: "What is Islam?"

Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.), replied: "To worship Allah alone and none else; to perform Salat (prayers); to pay Zakat; and to observe Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan".

Then he (the man) further asked: "What is Ihsan (perfection)?"

Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you."

Then he (the man) further asked: "When will the Hour be established?”

Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) replied: "The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents:

1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.

2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings.

And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah. The Prophet (s.a.w.) then recited (from the Quran):

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ

"Verily, Allah, with Him (alone) is

the knowledge of the Hour”.

(al-Quran 31:34).

Then that man left and the Prophet (s.a.w.) asked his Companions to call him back, but they could not see anything (him). Then the Prophet (s.a.w.), said:

"That was Jibril (Gabriel) who came to teach people their religion.”

Abu Abdullah said: He (the Prophet, s.a.w.) considered all that as a part of Faith (Iman).”

People always try to make religion easier for themselves and invent things. When they cannot find any support for these inventions or innovations from the Quran, they go for weak or fake Ahadith. The researchers have proved that the fabricated Ahadith have been included in the authentic ones to confuse people and create Fitnah. We should be careful. The best source of knowledge is the Quran.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said:

“Whoever ascribes to me what I have not said

then let him occupy his place in Hell-fire!”

(Sahih Bukhari, Book 3, No: 109)

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