| Prophet Jesus (alaihis-salaam) and the Da Vinci Code
This article has been adapted and additional footnotes have been added to it by the editor ‘Say (O Muslims), ‘We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibraheem (Abraham), Isma’eel (Ishmael), Issaquah (Isaac), Yaqoob (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Yaqoob], and that which has been given to Moosa and Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).’ [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 136] ‘(Remember) when the angels said, ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [‘Be!’ - and he was! i.e. Iesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam] from Him, his name will be the Messiah Iesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam, held in honor in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.’ [Soorah aal-Imran (3): 45] We believe in all the prophets and messengers of Allah. We respect and honor all of them without any discrimination. We believe that all prophets preached the message of Tawheed (oneness of Allah) and all of them invited human beings to worship Allah alone and to live righteous lives. Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was not the only prophet of God, but he was the last and final prophet of God. Prophet Muhammad was not the founder of Islam; all prophets submitted to God and followed the way of submission to God (Islam). We believe that Jesus was one of the great prophets of God. In the Qur’aan, Jesus is called Isa. He is also known as al-Masih (the messiah) and Ibn Maryam (son of Mary). He has many other honorable names and titles in the Qur’aan. Every Muslim believes in him, honors and loves him. His mother Mary is also highly respected, loved and honored. There is a big controversy going on all over the world at this time about Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code. Many Christians, especially Catholics, are outraged with this novel. Some Muslims and non-Muslims are asking for our reactions to this book. We stand for the respect of all religious figures of all religions. Furthermore, Jesus (alaihis-salaam) is also a blessed prophet for us. We believe in him and honor him. We also have something to say about this novel and movie. There are two things that I would like to say about The Da Vinci Code. One is positive and the other is negative. The positive thing is that it says that for the first four centuries, Jesus was known only as a prophet of God, and not God. At the Council of Nicea around the year 325 CE, the Emperor Constantine and some bishops changed the true teachings of Jesus (*1). The Da Vinci Code also says that Jesus (peace be upon him) married one of his female disciples, Mary Magdalene, and had children and that his descendants still exist today. Although the Qur’aan does not say anything about Jesus’s marriage, his wife, or his children (neither does the New Testament), there is nothing wrong, from the Islamic point of view, if he were married and had children. Allah says in the Qur’aan, ‘We did send Messengers before thee, and appointed for them wives and children…’ [Soorah Hud (13): 38] Some Christians consider this story about Jesus to be blasphemous. According to them, to say that Jesus was married means that he is not God. Although they say that God had a son, they say that Jesus could not have had a son. However, as Muslims, we say that just because Jesus wasn’t married doesn’t make him God. Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist), who was Jesus’ contemporary, was not married, yet no one considered him to be divine. Celibacy does not make any person divine. If Jesus were married, then this does not take away his honor because there were many prophets who came before and after him who were married and had offspring. It is interesting to see a number of books produced today by Christian writers that also say that Jesus was not crucified and that he never claimed to be the son of God. This is what the Qur’aan said a long time ago. There is, however, a negative side of The Da Vinci Code, that we as Muslims should criticize. The Da Vinci Code is a novel, a work of fiction. It does not present facts about Jesus’s life in a serious and respectful manner. It has fictionalized his life and story, and in this sense, it has downgraded this great messenger of Allah. The author of The Da Vinci Code took some historical facts and then spun a mystery story to thrill and chill his readers. Allah’s Prophets and His Messengers should not be treated in this manner. They are entitled to receive utmost honor and respect from us. It is for this reason that Islam forbids making pictures of Allah’s prophets and messengers and also forbids creating fictitious stories and movies about them. Islam teaches us that we should present the prophets’ life stories with great care, respect, and the utmost authenticity. Narrated Abdullah bin Amr, ‘The Prophet said, ‘Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence, and tell others the stories of Bani Israel (which have been taught to you), for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire.’ [Saheeh al-Bukharee (56/667)] We hope that more and more truth will come out about the life and teachings of Jesus (alaihis-salaam). We totally reject those who abuse his person through fiction and falsehood. We as Muslims should use this opportunity to inform others about the Islamic position regarding Jesus (alaihis-salaam). Ameen. ** Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the president of the Fiqh Council of North America. Footnotes 2. Allah says about Himself in the Qur’aan, ‘He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children when He has no wife He created all things and He is the Knower of everything) (6:101) 3. And because of their saying (in boast), ‘We killed Messiah Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), 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 (i.e. Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam.’ [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 157] From As-Sunnah Newsletter (issue11)
Taken from As-Sunnah Newsletter – http://www.qsep.com
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Prophet Jesus (alaihis-salaam) and the Da Vinci Code
October 10, 2008
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ARTICLES, ISLAM, JESUS | Tagged: allah, DA VINCI CODE, FABRICATIONS, FAITH, GOD, ISLAM, muslims, PICTURES, PROPHET JESUS, PROPHET MOHAMMED, RELIGIONS | 
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A MOST BEAUTIFUL STORY
October 10, 2008By Ann Spaulding
I love to read revert stories. It is amazing to me how people come to
know about the love of Allah and the way of life in Islam, and how many
come to the conclusion that Islam is the Truth out of many different
ways of life. This is a miracle of our faith.
I would like to tell you how I too found the Truth. Part of this was
written when I moved to Virginia around December 2002.
Childhood
I was born and raised in West Virginia in a Christian family. My father
was a Jew. Needless to say we never talked much after my reversion to
Islam, not that we really talked much before then. My father and mother
divorced when I was only 1 year old. My older sisters said it was
because I was born a female, and he had wanted a male. I think he was a
man that could not handle the responsibilities of his actions. So he
left my mother with four daughters to raise and support without his
help. Thus, we grew up very poor.
My father died in July of 2003 as a Jew. He refused to talk to me
during those last few years since I reverted to Islam. We did talk a
little before then. I am afraid that when I was older and met my
father, I did not like him as a man. My mother believed in God but also
was a scientist of some sort. But, al-hamdu lillah, she believed in
charity and in helping others. I came from a mostly Christian family
that knew fear of God and practiced it to the best of their ability. In
the area where I grew up, people did even know what a Muslim was, and
they certainly never saw a woman walking down the street wearing hijab!
I started playing the flute when I was only five and became a
professional flute player when I was only 12. I also played many other
instruments, such as the oboe, the saxophone, and more. I even made
good money playing in jazz groups and symphonies. My family never
really had time for me. I was dropped off at my grandparents’ house a
lot, and because my grandfather was bedridden, my grandmother never
truly had time to care about what I did. Fortunately for me, I never
sought out bad things. I was just busy with my flute and music. This
was my life and my only love in life.
My mother was a social worker; she was out saving the lives of many
children who were handicapped or had mental disabilities. She got them
out of abusive homes and placed them into safer homes. I was proud of
her for that. But when I needed her as my own mother, she was just not
there. I guess she could not save all the children in the world, so
someone had to be left out. I basically raised myself. Read the rest of this entry »
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SUCCESS
October 10, 2008
Success is only Achieved by Performing Righteous Deeds, not Wishful Thinking
“It will not be in accordance with your desires, nor those of the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whoever works evil will have the recompense thereof, And he will not find any protector or helper besides Allah. And whoever does righteous deeds, male or female, and is a believer, such will enter Paradise, and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqir, will be done to them. And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face to Allah; and he is a Muhsin (a doer of good deeds)…” [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 123-125]
BIRD OF PARADISE
Qatadah said, ‘We were told that the Muslims and the people of the Scriptures mentioned their own virtues to each other. People of the Scriptures said, ‘Our Prophet came before your Prophet and our Book before your Book. Therefore, we should have more right to Allah than you have.’ Muslims said, ‘Rather, we have more right to Allah than you, our Prophet is the final Prophet and our Book supersedes all the Books before it.’ Allah sent down, ‘It will not be in accordance with your desires, nor those of the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof,…’ [See, Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Also, al-Awfi reported that Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) commented on this verse, ‘The followers of various religions disputed; the people of the Tawrah said, ‘Our Book is the best Book, and our Prophet (Moosa u) is the best Prophet.’ The people of the Injil (also) said similar (statements), the people of Islam said, ‘There is no religion except Islam, our Book has abrogated every other Book, our Prophet is the final Prophet and you were commanded to believe in your Books and adhere to your Books.’ Allah judged between them saying, ‘It will no be in accordance with your desires, nor those of the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), whoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof.’ [At-Tabaree 9: 230]
This verse, thus, indicates that religion is not accepted on account of wishful thinking or mere hopes. Rather, the accepted religion relies on what resides in the heart (i.e. faith, sincerity) and which is made truthful through actions. Every person who claims to be on the truth is not considered as such or he does not attain the merit merely on account of his words, rather, the key lies in obeying Allah and following what He has legislated. This is why Allah said following this,’whoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof…’ Similarly, Allah said in Soorah al-Zalzalah, ‘So whoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. And whoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.’ [Soorah al-Zalzalah (99): 7-8]
It was reported that when the above verses [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 123-124] were revealed, they became hard on the Sahabah y. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Aa’isha (radhi allahu anha) said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I know the hardest verse in the Qur’aan. He asked, ‘What is it, O Aa’isha!’ I said, ‘whoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof…’ He (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) said, ‘That is what strikes the believing servant, even the problems that bother him.’ [Abu Dawud]
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) said, ‘When the verse, ‘whoever works evil, will have the recompense 
thereof…’ was revealed, it was hard on the Muslims. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) said to them, ‘Be steadfast and seek closeness. Everything that afflicts the Muslim, even the thorn that pierces his skin and the hardship he suffers, will be an expiation for him.’ [See, Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Thus, Allah will surely inflict punishment on His slaves as a recompense of evil actions; either in this life, which is better for him, or in the Hereafter (we see refuge with Allah from this end.) Aa’isha (radhi allahu anha) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) used to say, ‘O Aa’isha! Beware of the sins that are belittled, for verily, they will be taken account of by Allah.’ [Musnad Ahmad] and in another Hadeeth Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) said, ‘Beware of the sins that are belittled. For verily, they are gathered in a man until they destroy him.’ [Musnad Ahmad] Also, in another Hadeeth of Musnad Ahmad, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) made an example of sins that are taken lightly by saying that they are like a people who settle in barren land. Then their leader orders them to go out at a time and bring back a stick each until they have gathered a large number of sticks. They then kindled a fire and burned everything that they threw into it
Allah says further, ‘and he will not find any protector or helper besides Allah.’ Ali Ibn Abi Talha reported that Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) said, ‘Unless he repents and Allah forgives him.’ [At-Tabaree 9: 239]
‘And whoever does righteous deeds, male or female, and is a believer, such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqir, will be done to them.’ Allah mentions His kindness, generosity and mercy in accepting good deeds from His servants, whether male or female, with the condition that they embrace the faith. He also stated that He will admit the believers into Paradise and will not withhold any of their good deeds, even the weight of a Naqir – speck on the back of a date stone. Therefore, ‘Do not under rate any good act, even if it is offering drinking water from your bucket to one, who is seeking a drink, or meeting your brother with a cheerful face.’ [Saheeh Muslim (4): 2026]
Allah then said, ‘And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allah…’ meaning, performs the good actions in sincerity for his Lord with faith and awaiting the reward with Allah, ‘and he is a Muhsin’ i.e., He follows the correct guidance that Allah legislated on the tongue of His Messenger.
These are the two conditions, in the absence of which, no deed will be accepted from anyone, and they are – sincerity and correctness. The work is sincere when it is performed for Allah alone, and it becomes correct when it conforms to the Sharee’ah. Consequently, the deed becomes outwardly correct with following the Sunnah and inwardly correct with sincerity.
When any deed lacks either of these two conditions, the deed becomes invalidated. For instance, if one lacks the pillar of sincerity in his work, he becomes a hypocrite who performs deeds to shows off.
And the importance of Ittiba is manifest in the following narration. Narrated Anas Ibn Malik (radhi allahu anhu), ‘A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) enquiring how the Prophet (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) worshipped (Allah). When they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, ‘Where are we compared to the Prophet (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) since his past and future sins have been forgiven.’ Then one of them said, ‘I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever.’ The other said, ‘I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast.’ The third said, ‘I will keep away from women and will never marry.’ Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) (upon hearing the incidents, summoned them and) asked, ‘Are you the same people who said so-andso? By Allah! Indeed, I am the one who fears Allah the most amongst you, and the most pious of you; yet, I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. So, he who opposes my Sunnah, is not from me.’ [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
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