World religion chat Public Class

The Plot: Evil Conspiracy.
Unhappy with his preaching, the disbelieves from among the Jews conspired an evil plot: to suppress the voice of truth, to assassinate the great teacher, to murder the wise preacher.
"And they (the disbelieves) plotted [to kill Jesus] and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of planners. When Allah said:

'O I'esa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to my Myself and clear you of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (your teachings) superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.'" (Quran 3:54-55).

God saved him and raised him to the heavens so that the conspirators did not succeed.
Crucifixion
It is important to know that Islam is the only non-Christian faith in the world that believes in the miraculous birth of Jesus. Islam makes it a fundamental issue of faith to believe in Jesus. He along with Noah, Abraham and Moses are considered 4 of the 5 best men, ever. However, there are differences between the Christian belief in Jesus and the Islamic one. The first is in regards to Adam and the Original Sin, and the second concerns the crucifixion of Jesus


The Jews planned to kill and crucify Jesus but God saved Jesus. This is described in the Quran:

"And their saying (the Jews):
'We killed Messiah I'esa, son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah (God)' - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but was his resemblance. And those who differ therein are full of doubts, they have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not. But Allah raised him up unto Himslef. And Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise." (Quran 4:157-158)

A question is raised by the above verse: Is there doubt in the crucifixion of Jesus as the Quran states?


Doubt in the Bible?
The Quran states that those who say that Jesus was crucified are in doubt and have no certain knowledge. Here, we will turn to study the Bible and the crucifixion. The focus will be on these issues:

1. The Issue of Resurrection.
2. Discrepencies in the Story ?
3. The Sign of Jonas.

1. The Issue of Resurrection.

The following verse takes place after the event of crucifixion.
"Jesus himself stood in their midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you.... But they were terrified, and supposing that they were seeing a spirit. And he said unto them:

'Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see; for a spirit has no flesh and bones, as you see me have.' And showed them his hands and feet. And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, he said unto them:

'Have ye here any meat?' And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." (Luke 24:36-43).



Two this understood from the verses:

1. The disciples where shocked to see Jesus, in flesh and bone.
2. Jesus asserts that he was not a spirit and that he was flesh blood. He asserts that by letting them feel him and by eating.

The disciples of Jesus were scared because they were not EYEwitnessess or EAR-witnesses to the actual happenings of the crucifixion on the previous three days, as described by St. Mark who says that at the most critical juncture in the life of Jesus, "they all forsook him and fled." (Mark 14:50). All the knowledge of the disciples regarding their Master was from hearsay. They had heard that their master was HANGED ON THE CROSS; they had heard that he had GIVEN UP THE GHOST; they had heard that he was DEAD AND BURIED. A logical conclusion is that they were seeing a ghost. However, Jesus comforts them, telling them he is not a spirit, but he is flesh and blood.

The fact that Jesus was flesh and blood is what creates some of the doubt. According to the Bible, after the resurrection :

"Neither shall they die any more: for they (the resurrected bodies) are equal unto the angles, and the children of God, for such are the children of the resurrection.' (Luke 20:36)

The verse explains that resurrected bodies will be 'angelized' or spiritualised, and will become spirit-creatures. However, Jesus states that he is flesh not a spirit ( i.e. he has not been resurrected).


2. Contradiction ?
There is a question as to what hour was Jesus actually crucified. The following verses of the Bible seem to contradict each other.
"It was the third hour, and they crucified him." (Mark 15:25)
"It was the sixth hour, and he was not crucified yet." (John 19:14)

Another is the place where Jesus was put.

"They put Jesus on the cross." (Mark 15:21)
"They put Jesus on the tree." (1 Peter 2:24 see also Gal. 3:13)

And, doubt in how Judas died:

"Judas went and hanged himself." (Mathew 27:5)
"Judas fell headlong, and burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1:18)

2. The Sign of Jonas.
Matthew records that the learned men among the Jews -- the Scribes and Pharisees -- came to Jesus and asked:
"Master, we would see a sign from thee" Jesus replies:

"An evil and adulterous generations seeketh after a sign; And there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; So shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Mathew 12:39-40).

We understand the following from the above verses:

1. Jesus Christ stands or falls by the only sign (i.e. miracle) he was prepared to give: the special sign similar to that of Jonas.
2. The sign of Jonas is: Jonas lived inside the whale for 3 days and 3 nights.
3. The sign that Jesus is going to give: remain buried in the earth for 3 days and 3 nights.

Although, the sign of Jonas states that Jonas lived in the whale, Christians believe that Jesus died and was dead while fulfilling the sign, we will not argue that point there . Christians say that: it is the time factor that Jesus was stressing.

The whole Christian world believes that Jesus was crucified on Friday afternoon. According to the Gospel, the Jews were in a hurry to eliminate Jesus. However, as much as they were in a hurry to hang him on the cross, they were in equal hurry to bring him down from the cross before sunset on Friday because of the Sabbath. The Sabbath starts at about 6 p.m. on Friday and the Jews were warned in Deuteronomy 21:23 that the victim of crucifixion was an "accursed of God" and was not to be permitted to remain hanging on the Sabbath day, "that thy land be not defiled which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance". To satisfy the religious scruples of the Scribes and Pharisees the "secret disciples" of Jesus took down the body from the cross. They gave the body the Jewish burial-bath, plastered it with "one hundred pounds weight of aaloes and myrrh" (John 19:39), then placed the shrouded body into the sepulcher before night-fall.


Three Days and Three Nights.
We must not forget that the Gospels are explicit in telling us that it was "before sunrise" on Sunday morning (the First day of the week), that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. This means that Jesus was in the tomb Friday night, Saturday Day, and Saturday Night which does not add up to three days and three nights.
Furthermore, the Jews (like the early Muslims) considered the day to start after sunset. Which means that Saturday would start on what we would consider in our modern day and age Friday after sunset. Similarly, Sunday would start on Saturday after sunset.

Some argue: any part of the day is a day! No matter how poor this argument is (since Jonas spent 3 days and 3 nights in full) we shall examine that argument. We shall assume that Jesus was "dead" and buried before sunset on Friday (and not after). And that he remained in the tomb until few minutes before Mary Magdalene examined the tomb on Sunday morning. So, if any part of the day is a day, then:


Friday day is the 1st day.
Friday night becomes the 1st night.
Saturday day is the 2nd Day.
Saturday night is the 2nd night.
Sunday day is 3rd day.

In those very relaxed conditions, there are 3 days and only 2 nights. So there is a night missing compared to the prophecy!

Jesus: His First Miracle.
After the questioning and accusations of the Jews (read the earlier section), Mary in obedience to her Lord, spoke nothing and pointed to the baby. The crowd was outraged. They proclaimed: 'What kind of an answer is this! You turn to your child in your defense?!' And they were right. Under normal circumstances and in usual situations this is not a proper behavior of a sane person. But the circumstances were not normal, and the situation was far from usual. It is then that the miracle happened.
"They said:

'How can we talk to one who is a child, in the cradle?' He (The baby) said:

'I am a slave of Allah [i.e. created by God and belong to Him], He has given me the Scriptures and made me a Prophet; And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat (giving alms to the poor) as long as I live. And dutiful to my mother (i.e. made me kind and good to my mother) and made me not arrogant, unblest. And peace be upon me the day I was born, and the day I shall be raised alive (i.e. on The Day of Judgment and Resurrection)!' "(Quran 19:29-33)

And this was the first miracle of Jesus son of Mary. Only a baby, he talked to the Jews, asserting his subjugation to his Lord, and describing that this miracle - his talking - is a sign from their Lord - a sign of his prophet hood. He told them of the Scriptures to be given to him from God, and told them that he was ordered to pray and be kind to the poor as long as he lived. He told them that he was blessed by God, and was kind and respectful to his great mother, not arrogant. And that peace is upon him the day his was born, and peace will be upon him the day he will be resurrected on The Day of Judgment and Resurrection, when every person is going to be resurrected and Judged by God according to his/her deeds

Jesus: Life Full of Miracles and Preaching.
The life of Jesus son of Mary was full of miracles. To this the Quran states:
"He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous ... And He (God) will teach him (Jesus) the Book and the wisdom (of the prophets) and the Torah and the Injeel (name of Scriptures). And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying):

'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you of clay, as it were, a figure of a bird and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's Leave (with God's Permission); and that I heal him who is born blind, and the leper, and I bring to life, the dead by Allah's Leave (with God's Permission). And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, this is a sign for you, if you believe." (Quran 3:46,48-49)

Like all the Prophets, Jesus was given miracles as signs and support from God to his divine inspiration. With that inspiration he preached:

"And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come with proof from your Lord. So fear Allah (God) and obey me. Truly! Allah (God) is my Lord and yours, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.' " (Quran 3:50-51).

The Disciples and The Table Spread.
Despite all the signs from God and preaching, Jesus found resistance among the Jews. But some became dedicated disciples:
"And when I (God) put in the hearts of the disciples to believe in Me and My Messenger (Jesus), they said:

'We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims (Muslims means submitters to God in peace and obedience, see meaning of Islam). When the disciples said:

'O I'esa (Jesus) son of Maryam! Can your Lord send down to us a table spread (with foods) from the heavens?' He (Jesus) said:

'Fear Allah (God) if you are indeed believers (i.e. dot ask for more miracles if you truly believe).' They said:

'We wish to eat thereof and to be stronger in Faith, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth and that we ourselves be its witnesses.' I'esa (Jesus) son of Maryam said:

'O Allah, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread that will be an Eid (a festival and celebration) to the first and last of us and a sign from You; and provide us sustenance, for You are the Best of sustainers.' " (Quran 3:111-114).

And God answered his request and sent down the table spread of food, another sign from Him.

Mary in the Quran

Her Birth.
"When the wife of Imran said:
'O my Lord! I have vowed to You what is in my womb [my child] to be dedicated to Your services, so accept this [my vow] from me. Verily, All-Hearer, the All-Knowing.' Then we she delivered her she said:

'O my Lord! I have delivered a female child' - and Allah knew better what she delivered - 'And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam (Mery)and I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast.' " (Quran 3:35-36)

The wife of Imran, and mother of Mary, out of her devotion to God vowed to dedicate the child in her womb to the sacred service of God and asked God to accept her vow. Her hopes were in a male child who will be brought up to service the places of worship and be dedicated to serve God. Delivering a female child, she realized that things did not go according to her plan, but decided to fulfill her vow, and Maryam was the name of the child. And she made a prayer for her newly born asking God to protect her and her offspring from Satan. The verses following described the response of God to the vow and to the prayer of the mother:

"So her Lord accepted her [Maryam] with good acceptance." (Quran 3:37).


Her Upbringing.
Quran verses 3:37 continue ..

"So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zachariya. Every time he entered Al-Mihrab (the praying place) to visit her, he found her supplied with sustenance [food]. He said:
'O Maryam! From where have you got this?' She said:
'This is from Allah. Verily, Allah provides sustenance who He wills, without limit.' "

So Mary was accepted by God, and was brought up in a good manner after she was put under the care of Zachary. Through her devotion and righteous upbringing and the prayer from her mother, Mary became the best woman to ever live as depicted in the Quran in the verses 3:42:

"And (remember) when the angels said: 'O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah (God) has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the world (of her lifetime).' "

Mary Receives a Visit.
In the19th chapter of the Quran (which is called Maryam) Mary receives a visitor from God:
"And mention in the Book, Maryam [i.e. mention, O Mohammed, in the Quran the story of Mary], when she withdrew from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen from them; then We sent to her our angel (Jibrael, or Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in full human form. She said:

'I seek refuge with The Most Beneficent [God] from you, if you do fear Him.' (The angel) said:

'I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.' She said:

'How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?' He (the angel) said:

'So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me: And to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (from God)', and it is a matter (already) decreed (by God).' " (Quran 19:16-21)

In these verses, it is described how the pious virgin Mary is visited by angel Gabriel, who appears before her in a form of a man. Not knowing who he is, she fears for herself, but he asserts to her that he is an angel, a Messenger from her Lord, and announces to her news of her miraculous conception of a son. In shock, she questions, affirming her chastity. The angel answers that such a conception, though miraculous, is easy for The Lord, all He needs to say is "Be." and it is. And that these are matters decreed by Him, for greater purposes and to the benefit of mankind


The Miracle.
And then, miraculously, Mary becomes pregnant. The emotional story of her pregnancy follows:
"So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place . And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said:

'Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!' Then a call unto her from bellow, said:

'Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; And shake the trunk of the date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you. So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say:

'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent so I shall not speak to any human being this day.' " (Quran 19:22-26)

From these versus one mentally pictures Mary, driven out of town, out of sight to Bethlehem valley 4-6 miles from Jerusalem, in the pain of labor, and in fear of what is going to happen to her. It is her first child, she has no husband. What will her people, the Jews, say? What will they do? How will she react? With all that, she wishes that she was dead, but the God who gave her the miracle, the God to Whom she worshipped, to Whom she devoted her life, did not forsake her. A voice came from beneath her, soothing and comforting her, and guiding her. And when she gave birth, the voice instructed her not to speak or explain, but make a vow of silence and everything will workout.

"Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said:

'O Maryam! Indeed you have brought a thing which is greatly evil! O sister of Haron (i.e. O you who we consider the like of Haron, who was a pious man at the time of Mary)! Your father was not a bad man (adulterous), nor was your mother an unchaste woman.' Then she pointed to him (to the baby). They said:

'How can we talk to one who is a child, in the cradle?' " (Quran 19:27-29)

Mary gives birth to the child, and takes him back to her village. And there Mary meets the Jews. Upon seeing her with her baby, they are struck. In their eyes, she has done a heinous crime. Their argument was: 'How could you do something so evil! We always considered you a model person of piety, and you come from a pious family -- known and respected!'. But Mary obeys the commands of her Lord. She is quiet and points to the baby.

this part talking about Jesus peace be upon him:;

The Quran refers to Jesus as "Jesus son of Maryam" many times. All Muslims believe that Jesus was miraculously born without a father by Mary, the virgin. In previous sections, we read how Mary has an exalted status over the rest of women of the world, and how she became pregnant with Jesu