At the onset, Religion has no name

Date: 28th of November 2017

It's been slightly more than 2 months since my return from the Hajj pilgrimage. There were many conversation that I had with Allah that I wish to pen down in this blog. This worldly life has taken away a lot of my focus and attention until this afternoon on my way back from the project site, I told myself that this 1 cannot be delayed anymore. I shared this thoughts of mine purely from reading and understanding the Quran translation during the 10 days of having my menstrual (9th till 18th August 2017) while in Mecca.  

Land of the prophets

Okay, the Holy scripture held a story of how Prophet Adam by God’s will has sinned, later being sent down to earth from heaven. In a process of repentance, he taught his descendant of Holy’s teaching (no written documents, rather a way of life). Prophet Noah, born from Patriarch of Adam's generation learned the Holy teaching that has being passed down to him. His people still sinned. Thereafter he was brought to the place where Adam and Eve reunited, i.e. the land of the prophet after the flood (you may read further on the history of Kaabah).

Thamūd, in ancient Arabia is a tribe or group of tribes existed from about the 4th century BC to the first half of the 7th century AD. Although the Thamūd probably originated in southern Arabia, a large group apparently moved northward at an early date, traditionally settling on the slopes of Mount Athlab. Recent archaeological work has revealed numerous Thamūdic rock writings and pictures not only on Mount Athlab but also throughout central Arabia.

Gradually over times, the later generations forgot what such statues were for and began worshiping other idols than God. Prophet Abraham then brought back the teaching of Noah to his father and his people. Abraham was the first monotheist in a world live at the time where monotheism was lost. He was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a true Monotheism that worship none but Allah Alone (Quran 3: verses 65 & 67). He said to his father and to his people, "What is that which your worship?” “Is it a falsehood gods other than Allah that you desire?” (Quran 37: 85&86). For further reading, please click Prophet Ibrahim, father of the prophets. He had left a Zuhuf Ibrahim that records his good teaching. Allah has blessed him with 2 sons that became prophets and his grandchildren, Prophet Yaakob was Israel where his progeny called themselves Bani Israel. Moses was given a Holy scripture, Torah to bring the descendant of Israel back to true Monotheism. And another Holy scripture, Zabur (Psalm) was sent down at the time of Prophet David, a son of Prophet Suleiman.

Though no one knows for sure when either of these groups existed, it is clear from the Quran that the Aad were successors to the people of Noah. Therefore, the Aad were a society that sprung up from the survivors of the flood, perhaps some of the same people who rode in the Ark with Prophet Noah (AS). Allah sent the Prophet Hud to give the Aad the message of Islam. Hud was from among the Aad himself, as Allah mentions in the Quran; Aad denied the Messengers when their brother Hud said to them: “Will you not fear Allah?”QS 26, Verses 124 – 125

Jesus Ibnu Maryam brought Moses teaching back into lives. He fulfills the Law that Moses brought down while preaching (Gospel, Book of Matthew 5:17-19, 15:3-9). With him, his disciples recorded his teaching (new testament in the Bible, that includes both Psalm and Torah as old testament; i.e. earlier prophet's teaching.

And Prophet Muhammad, seen that the people of the scripture has disputed from Allah’s Law has taught the Arabs about Abrahamic Religion with a hope that the community of those monotheism will stay truthful to Allah’s teaching (Quran 3:95).

Jesus taught his disciples in Book of Mathew

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted;

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth;

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled;

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy;

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God;

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God;

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;”

Hence, my views is that none of the prophets created a new religion. They all has worshiped of the same and the only Monotheist God, Allah, Ilah, Lord, God whatever it is referred in the Holy Book that we are reading and had undeniable faith with, a One God! Before I pen off, I wish to share some common views of Judaism, Christianity & Islam that I hold close to heart:-

1. Monotheism: Torah: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6); Bible: “The Lord our God is one Lord” (Mark 12:29); Quran: “He is God, The One and Only” (Quran 112:1).
2. Prophets: Muslims believe and accept all the Prophets mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran.
3. Miraculous Birth of Jesus: Besides Christianity, Islam is the only religion on earth that accepts the miraculous birth of Jesus. Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Quran.
4. The Highest Honor of Women is Given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in the Quran (chapter Surah 19).
5. Greetings: All prophets had customs to greet believers with the words: “Peace be with you” (that is Assalamualaikum for Muslims).
6. Taking Off Shoes: God ordered Moses to take off shoes (Exodus 3:5); “Put off shoes from your feet…”(Joshua 5:15). Muslims take off shoes when they enter Mosque.
7. Purification Before Prayers: “Moses…washed his feet…” (Exodus 40:31-32). “St. Paul…purified himself…went into the temple” (Acts 21:26). Muslim purify themselves before each prayer, 5 times a day.
8. Fasting: Jesus fasted 40 days. (Matthew 4:2). Muslims fast one month each year during Ramadan.
9. Humbling while Praying by Bowing Heads to the Ground: “Abraham fell his face…”(Genesis 17:3). “Moses…bowed his head…”(Exodus 34:8). “Jesus…fell on his face and prayed…” (Matthew 26:39). Muslims bow their heads to the ground while praying.
10. Not Bowing to Statues/Images: “ Thou shall not..any graven image…(Exodus). Muslims do not bow to statues, images or anything except God.
11. Decoration of Trees: It is forbidden in Bible (Jeremiah 10:2-5). Muslim do not decorate trees.
12. Everlasting Covenant: God made everlasting covenants with Abraham and his descendents. Muslim still keep this covenant; they circumcise their sons at birth.
13. Abraham ’s Son Ishmael : The name Ishmael was chosen by God Himself (Genesis 16:11). Muslims respect Ishmael like Isaac as a son of Abraham.
14. Wine Drinking Prohibited: “…drink neither wine nor strong drink…”(Luke 1:15). Muslims do not drink wine or alcohol ever.
15. Pork Forbidden: God ordered Moses: “And the swine is unclean to you…”(Leviticus 11:7). Jesus never ate pork in his life. Muslims never eat pork.
16. Usury/Interest Forbidden: “Take thou no usury…” (Leviticus). “He has put not out his money to usury.” (Psalms 15:5). Interest is forbidden in Islam. 
17. Disapprove Homosexuality: “…the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah… He overthrew those cities…” (Genesis). Homosexuality is forbidden in Islam.
18. No Original Sin: “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father…” (Ezekiel 18:20). Muslims believe that sin cannot be transferred or inherited from person to person.
19. Accountability: “…every man shall receive his own reward…to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8). Muslims believe that every person is accountable for his/her deeds and will be rewarded accordingly. Muslims observe and maintain many instructions from the Torah & Bible

Remarks: I pray that what I share in this blog benefited everyone. May all our deeds be accepted by Him, aameen