Miracle in the Sky: clouds
spelling Allah, the word for The One and Only God: The Creator and Sustainer
of the whole Universe. The Word Allah does not have a plural nor gender
and it is used by the Arab Christians and Jews for the God (Eloh-im
in Hebrew; 'Allaha' in Aramaic, the mother tongue of Jesus, alayhisalam).
"Soon will We show them Our signs in the furthest regions (of the
Earth) and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that
this is the Truth."(~41:53 the Holy Qur'an)
Islam
or Submission/Surrender is the authentic position of the entire Creation before its
Creator, The One God. The Universe and all it contains willingly or unwillingly
exists in Islam:
"Do they seek for other than the religion of Allah? While all creatures in
the heavens and on earth have willingly or unwillingly bowed to His Will
(accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back."
3: 83 Qur'an)
Islam is derived from the Arabic word salam, meaning peace.
All atoms of existence know that state of peace as they exist in harmony with
the Divine Law and Order established by The Creator.
Knowledge of this state of Surrender or Islam to only Him has been
instilled in each soul before the bodily form's creation:
"And remember when thy Lord brought forth from Children of Adam, from their
reins, their seed, and made them testify of themselves, (saying): 'Am I not
your Lord?' They said: 'Yea, verily. We testify...' That was lest ye should
say at the day of resurrection: 'Lo! Of this we were unaware'." 7:172 ~Qur'an
Man, endowed with an individuality, tends to be dominated by the ego-conciousness
therefore he is inclined to be forgetful of this state of Surrender
to his Creator and thinks himself independent and in control whereas all his
ego-driven life and actions are shackled by the Law of Nature as he opposes
not only his soul's innate Islam to its Creator but also his own grace.
Such is the condition of those who reside in the confining region of the ego,
and who omit their complete dependency upon The All-Encompassing for sustenance.
All the created who strive to be in accordance with the Divine Order behind
all manifestations are called Muslims (submitters). The greatest freedom
is appointed through that universal position of Islam or Submission
to The Most High as Nature is Muslim, the Sun is Muslim, the Moon is Muslim,
the planetary system is Muslim; all these celestial bodies, the elements it
contains, which honor the Divine System are Muslims. Each new born child enters
the world as a Muslim. The higher spheres relentlessly express their Islam
to Allah (swt) with immense beauty and we would have much to learn from these
subtle signs if only we had the humility and took the time to contemplate
on their perfect activities.
December 26th 2004: image overview of Tsunami Waves whose motions clearly
resemble the spelling of Allah (swt) on the southern coast of Sri-Lanka
(Image source: DigitalGlobe) "Soon
will We show them Our signs in the furthest regions (of the Earth) and
in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the
Truth."(~41:53 the Holy Qur'an)
The Prophets (alayhumsalam) and Messengers
of Allah (swt) embodied on Earth to remind us of that innate, soul state of
Islam to The Creator. Islam has existed since the beginning
of the Creation and is the same Way of life all the prophets (as) of The Creator
preached to mankind. The Path of Islam as taught by prophets Adam (as),
Noah (as), Abraham (as), Ismael (as), Isaac (as), Jacob (as), Joseph (as), Job (as),
Moses (as), Aaron (as), David (as), Solomon (as),
Elias (as), Jonah (as), John the Baptist (as) and Jesus Christ (as) was corrupt and altered
by the self-serving "religious" and political "authorities" with time.
Thus Islam was reestablished in
its authenticity through the prophet Muhammad (saw) whose coming was prophesied
in the Bible: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their
brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything
I command him." (Deuteronomy 18:18)
All the Prophets from Adam (as) including Abraham (as),
Moses (as), Noah (as), Solomon (as), David (as),
Joseph (as), Jacob (as), Jesus Christ (as) to the
last one Muhammad (saw) were but Prophets of Islam as the essence of
their teachings was to show us how to attain peace in our lives through submission
to The Unique God; "the only religion approved by God is Submission (Islam)" (3:19
Qur'an)
"The prophets are brothers of different mothers but their religion
is One. Of all prophets I am the most deserving of being the brother
of Jesus Son of Mary for there was no prophet between me and him."
~Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Furthermore, the Holy Qur'an reveals more about the Prophets (as)
and the unique Source of their Inspiration and their Islam:
"Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Noah and the prophets after him, as
We inspired Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus
and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as We imparted unto David the
Psalms." 4:163 ~Qur'an
The Qur'an as well verifies:
"Say, We believe in Allah and in that which has been revealed to us, and
that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the
Tribes, and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and other Prophets from
their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit."
3:84 ~Qur'an
"The same religion has He established for you as that
which He enjoined on Noah, that which We have sent by inspiration to you and
that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: namely, that you should
remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein
... " 42:13 ~Qur'an
"And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline).
He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the
cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and
in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be
witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity,
and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!
22:78 ~Qur'an
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught that the divine revelation of Islam
completes the message of former Prophets (as) and that therefore
it reposes upon principles of Universal Brotherhood and equality of all humanity.
With its multidimensional profundity, Islam continues to be the fastest
growing religion in the world as well as the most misunderstood and dreaded
one.
As our world is dominated by the reign of ill-intended self-appointed "authorities" who for
centuries have falsified history and modified the authentic Message of the Prophets (as),
it is no wonder that Islam which englobes and preserves the integralness of all
aspects of life (social, economic, political, spiritual) represents such
a threat to their usurpation which imposes unlawful, prejudicial systems
upon mankind and which supports the prosperity of an elite at the
expense of the collectivity, of the masses. These practices of exclusion reflect
a total disregard for the Divine Principles taught by the Prophets (as)
as elitism, inequality, divisiveness, discrimination, oppression, ignorance
and disregard for diversity are ills that Islam does defeat.
Humanity's Submission to The Unique only and observance of the Divine
Principles all the Messengers (as) of Allah (swt) revealed would restore
peace, freedom, equality and prosperity amongst the whole and that occurrence
is the greatest threat to an usurping global system based upon usury, corruption, greed,
control, exploitation, prejudice, subjugation, injustice, disunity, falsehood
and all the other tangible evils that only are manifestations of the ego reign
and its baseness.
A wise quote of Mahatma Gandhi illustrated well the sentiment of paranoia
that seems to exist in the mind of oppressors in regard to Islam:
"Someone has said that the Europeans
in South Africa dread the advent of Islam -- Islam that civilized Spain,
Islam that took the torch light to Morocco and preached to the world the
Gospel of brotherhood- as they (Muslims) claim equality with the white
races. They may well dread it. If brotherhood is a sin, if it is equality
of the coloured races that they dread, then their dread is well-founded."
~Mahatma Gandhi.
Islam is the highest mercy ever bestowed upon mankind as it advocates
love, equality, peace, unity and authentic freedom which honor the soul's
disposition to express its divine purpose; this sacred work unfolds as its
complete surrender to the Will of Allah (swt) is attained.
The Last Prophet: Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Prophet Jesus Christ (alayhisalam) had prophesied the coming of Prophet Muhammad
(saw) as the Qur'an reveals:
"And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said, `O children of Israel, surely
I am Allah's Messenger unto you, fulfilling that which is before me of the
Torah, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger who will come after
me. His name will be Ahmad.' And when he came to them with clear
proofs, they said, `This is clear enchantment.' " 61:6 ~Qur'an
As prophesied
by Prophet Jesus Christ (as), Prophet Muhammad (saw) graced
the Earth. On April 20th 571, in the night the Last Prophet was born, the
whole of East and West got illuminated.
From childhood, Muhammad (saw) whose name means "Highly Praised",
displayed a virtuous character with special visible traits such as the illumination
of his forehead. His father Abdullah (as), had died before Muhammad
(saw) was born and his mother Amina (as) died when he was
six years-old so he was brought up by his paternal uncle Abu Talib.
As a young man, Muhammad (saw) was distressed about the moral evils
that were rampant amongst his people. When the time for Revelation came, Muhammad
(saw) now forty years-old was contemplating in solitude in the cave
of Hira when the angel Gabriel (as) appeared to him and requested
him to recite the following verse in spite of his illiteracy:
"Recite in the name of thy Lord Who created man from a clot of blood, for
thy Lord is Beneficent, He who taught by the pen, taught men that which he
knew not." 96:1-5, ~Qur'an
Thus began the revelation of Muhammad's (as) prophethood. The Holy
Qur'an is replete with references to the long line of Apostles (as)
of Allah (swt) and the seal of that line of prophethood who was prophet Muhammad
(saw):
"Surely, We have sent revelation to thee, as We sent revelation to Noah
and the Prophets after him; and We sent revelation to Abraham and Ishmael
and Isaac and Jacob and his children and to Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron
and Solomon, and We gave David the Psalms." 4:163 ~Qur'an
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger
of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah has full knowledge of all
things." 33:40 ~Qur'an
The
Five Pillars of Islam
Satellite
picture of the City of Makkah (pilgrimage site for Muslims) here miraculously
shining from space.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)
has compared Islam to a structure which reposes on five pillars which
Muslim must observe:
1. testify to the Oneness of God and that Muhammad (saw) is His Messenger
2. establishment of prayer
3. payment of Zakat (poor due)
4. fasting of Ramadan
5. pilgrimage to Makkah which is the city where the Holy Kabbah was initially
built by Prophets Abraham (as) and his son Ismael (as). Kabbah
can be seen in the center on the satellite picture of Makkah (right).
This verse of the Holy Qur'an elaborates on the proper duties and the disposition
of a Muslim:
"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the West;
but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and
the Scripture and the prophets; and giveth wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk
and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set
slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor-due. And those
who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and
adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the Allah-fearing."
- Qur'an 2:177
Prophet Muhammad (saw) was illiterate, he never learnt how to read nor
write when suddenly at 40 years old he miraculously began to recite the Qur'an
marvelous Revelation which descended over a period of 23 years:
"Read, in the Name of your Lord and Cherisher,
who created man out of a leech-like clot of congealed blood. Read and your Lord
is Most Bountiful, He Who taught the use of the pen, taught men that which he
knew not." ~Qur'an 96:1-5
"They ask: ‘Why has no sign been given him by his
Lord?’ Say: 'Signs are in the hands of God. My mission is only to give plain
warning.' Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book which
is recited to them? Surely in this there is a blessing and an admonition to
true believers." ~Qur’an, 29:50-51
The Holy Qur'an meaning "the Recitation" was revealed by Allah (swt)
to Prophet Muhammad (saw) through Angel Gabriel (as):
"Say: whoever is an enemy to Gabriel, he has brought down the revelation
to your heart by Allah's will, a confirmation of what went before, and a guidance
and glad tidings for those who believe " ~Qur'an, 2:97
"Do they not consider the Qur'an with care? Had it been from other than Allah,
they would surely have found therein much discrepancy." ~Qur'an, 4:82
"Say: If the ocean were ink wherewith to write out the words of my Lord,
sooner would the ocean be exhausted than would the words of my Lord, even if
We added another ocean like it, for its aid." ~Qur'an, 18:109
The Glorious Qur'an is addressed to all of mankind and was revealed in Arabic,
the language of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his people.
Each year the Prophet (saw) reviewed the Holy Scriptures with Angel
Gabriel (as) and during the last year of his life, he and angel Gabriel
(as) reviewed it twice.
Ever since its revelation, not one word of the Holy Qur'an has been changed
as Allah (swt) promised: "...there is none that can alter the words and decrees of Allah" ~Qur'an
6:34
"To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture
that came before it, and guarding it in safety..." ~Qur'an 5:48
The Holy Quran is the only Scripture revealed by Allah (swt) that has not undergone
any alterations as hundred of thousands of Muslim devotees have memorised the
6246 verses of the Sacred Book throughout the centuries.
The Grace of Islam
Sign
on Water: an aquatic rock in the Islamic prayer position of prostration.
All the experiences we encounter as human
souls are meant to stir anew the remembrance of The Creator in us and our
Islam (Submission/Surrender) to Him as He is our Source and to Him is our return.
The light of Islam resides in the fact that it naturally draws out our
deepest potential and invites it out to the surface of our being: progressively
the soul rejoices in this opportunity to at last externalize its true disposition,
its happiness, its love, its gratitude to The Most Wise for all the mercy He
has bestowed upon it. That sacred moment when we consciously live acknowledging
His Grace is a sign of Islam.
When the awareness of our Surrender to The Most High becomes our reality, all
our movements become purposeful and they mirror the benefits of righteous living
to the material dimension, to the world. These movements manifest themselves
in us through gestures of selflessness, truth, peace, wisdom and love: in Islam,
our whole being compares to a musical notation which contributes its own unique
tone to the collective, sublime symphony of existence. When all we do becomes
an act of worship of Allah (swt) and we humbly participate to the
waltz
of the entire Universe, then we exist in the grace of Islam ... Allahu Akbar!
