Welcome to all our Christian Guests here today ! In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) in Islam Welcome to all our Christian Guests here today ! http://www.islamiccenterofolympia.org/

Objectives To learn what the muslims believe in about Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) To see some particular verses of HQ To see some verses of the HB To demonstrate the true spirit of Interfaith dialogue with love, afection & tolerance To build bridges and set a precedent for joint study of Bible / Torah / Quran etc.

Who are nearest to the Muslims ? "...And nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say: 'We are Christians': because among these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world. And they are not arrogant." (The Holy Qur’ân 5:82)

Jesus - His Titles Though Jesus is mentioned by name in twenty-five places in the Holy Qur’ân, he is also addressed with respect as: Ibn Maryam, meaning "The son of Mary"; and as the Maseeh (in Hebrew it is the Messiah), which is translated as "Christ". He is also known as Abdullah, "The servant of Allah"; and as Rasul u Allah, the messenger of Allah.

25+15=40 total He is spoken of as "The Word of God", as "The Spirit of God", as a "Sign of God", and numerous other epithets of honor spread over fifteen different chapters. The Holy Quran honors this mighty messenger of God, and the Muslims have not fallen short over the past fourteen hundred years in doing the same. There is not a single disparaging remark in the entire Quran to which even the most critical among the Christians can take exception.

Muslims love Jesus and defend him Protested against painting “Naked Jesus” Against the movie “Last temptation of Christ” Prevent defamation of his name Never written a word against this person Make it an article of faith to believe in him

Islam: definition, linguistic and religious. Articles of faith. The 'Five Pillars' of Islam. MARY (Peace Be Upon her). Isa (Jesus) (Peace Be Upon him)

Islam: Submission. Islam: It is the same truth that God revealed to all His prophets throughout history: Submission to one God (ALLAH) in all aspects of life. Worshipping Allah based on his legislation that was revealed in divine revelation through the prophethood

Articles of faith ALLAH: the one and only GOD Messengers and the Prophets of Allah. Revelations and the Quran. The Angels. The Day of Judgment. Qadaa and Qadar.

Messengers and the Prophets of Allah A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of Allah without any discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind

Revelations and the Quran A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in their original versions The Quran is the sacred book of the Muslims. It is the last book of guidance from Allah, sent down to Muhammad (Pbuh), through the angel Jibraeel (Gabriel). Every word of it is the word of Allah. It has remained unchanged even to a dot over the past fourteen hundred years. The Quran deals with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its teachings cover all areas of this life and the life after death.

The Day of Judgment This world as we know it will come to an end, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records Absolute justice.

Qadaa and Qadar Means the Timeless Knowledge of Allah and His power to plan and execute His plans It implies that everything on this earth originates from the one and only Creator who is also the Sustainer and the Sole Source of guidance Man should think, plan and make sound choices, but if things do not happen the way he wants, he should not lose faith and surrender himself to mental strains or shattering worries.

Status of Human beings Man and woman are not a condemned race from birth to death, but dignified beings potentially capable of good and noble achievements. Every person is born FREE FROM SIN . When the person reaches the age of maturity and if he is sane, he becomes accountable for all his deeds and intentions Adam committed the first sin, but he prayed to Allah for pardon and Allah granted Adam pardon. (NO ORIGINAL SIN on every baby)

Salvation A Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the guidance of Allah A person must combine faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without doing good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith. Allah does not hold any person responsible until he has shown him the Right Way . If people do not know and have no way of knowing about Islam, they will not be responsible for failing to be Muslim.

Acceptance of Faith Islam ensures freedom to believe and forbids compulsion in religion (one of the oldest synagogues and one of the oldest churches in the world are in Muslim countries).

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam Are the foundation of Muslim life. The first of which is a state of faith, the other four are major exercises of faith of which some are daily, some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required as a minimum once in a lifetime The five pillars of Islam are: Faith or belief in the Oneness of God (Allah) and the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh); Establishment of the daily prayers; Zakah; Fasting; and The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

Iman or Faith "There is none worthy of worship except God (Allah) and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah. The Oneness of Allah: is the rejection of any form of deity other than Allah. Muhammad is His Messenger: is the acceptance of him being chosen by Allah to convey His message of Islam to all humanity and to deliver it from the darkness of ignorance into the light of belief in, and knowledge of, the Creator.

Establishment of the daily prayers Salah: the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. Praying to the Creator on a daily basis is the best way to cultivate in a man a sound personality and to actualize his aspiration

Zakah. The financial obligation upon Muslims Refers to the annual amount (2.5%) in kind or coin which a Muslim with means must distribute among the rightful beneficiaries. Everything belongs to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. Zakah means both "purification" and "growth." Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and for the society in general. Like the pruning of plants, this cuts back balances and encourages new growth.

Zakah….cont’d purifies the contributor heart from selfishness and greed. purifies the heart of the recipient from envy, hatred and uneasiness and it fosters instead good-will and warm wishes for the contributors it frees society from class welfare, from ill feelings and distrust and from corruption. Islam does not hinder private enterprise or condemn private possession

Fasting abstaining completely from eating, drinking, intimate sexual contacts and smoking from the break of dawn till sunset a method of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint" (Surah 2:183)

Hajj or Pilgrimage It is a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime and it is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is mentally, physically and financially fit. Peace is the dominant theme. Peace with Allah, with one's soul, with one another, with all living creatures. To disturb the peace of anyone or any creature in any shape or form is strictly prohibited.

Hajj or Pilgrimage…cont’d Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments that strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God The rites of the hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include going around the Ka'bah seven times, and going seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar (Hajir, Abraham's wife) during her search for water.

MARY (PBUH) Mary's Birth The Birth of Mary - Qur'anic Zechariah Becomes Mary's Guardian Mary's High Status Mary's Sustenance - Qur'anic Mary's High Status – Sayings of Muhammad (PBUH)

Mary's Birth Prophet Zechariah's wife's sister had a daughter named Hannah. She was married to Imran, a leader of the Israelites She turned to the Lord of the heavens and the earth and pleaded with Him for a child. She would offer the child in the service of Allah's house, in the temple of Jerusalem. Allah granted her request. However, while she was pregnant her husband passed away. Hannah wept bitterly. Alas, 'Imran did not live to see their child for whom they had so longed. She gave birth to a girl (Mary).

The Birth of Mary - Qur'anic Allah the Almighty said: Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham and the family of Imran above the Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times). Offspring, one of the other, and Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Remember) when the wife of Imran said: "0 my Lord! I have vowed to You what (the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your Place of worship), so accept this, from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing." Then when she delivered her (child Mary), she said: "0 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 Mary, and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast." Surah 3: 33-36

Zechariah Becomes Mary's Guardian Hannah had a big problem in reference to her promise to Allah, for females were not accepted into the temple, and she was very worried. She wrapped the baby in a shawl and handed it over to the temple elders. This was a child of their late and beloved leader, and everyone was eager to take care of her. Zechariah said to the elders: "I am the husband of her maternal aunt and her nearest relation in the temple; therefore, I will be more mindful of her than all of you. As it was their custom to draw lots to solve disagreements, they followed this course. Each one was given a reed to throw into the river. They had agreed that whoever's reed remained afloat would be granted guardianship of the girl. All the reeds sank to the bottom except Zechariah's. With this sign, they all surrendered to the will of Allah and made him the guardian.

Mary's High Status To ensure that no one had access to Mary, Zechariah built a separate room for her in the temple One day, he was surprised to find fresh fruit which was out of season in her room. As he was the only person who could enter her room, he asked her how the fruit got there. She replied that these provisions were from Allah, as He gives to whom He wills. Zechariah understood by this that Allah had raised Mary's status above that of other women. Thereafter, Zechariah spent more time with her, teaching and guiding her. Mary grew to be a devotee of Allah, glorifying Him day and night.

Mary's High Status - Qur'anic So her Lord (Allah) accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zechariah. Every time he entered Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room), he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: "0 Mary! From where have you got this?" She said: "From Allah. Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit." Surah 3: 37

Mary's High Status – Sayings of Muhammad (PBUH) The Prophet Muhammad said: “The best of the world's women is Mary (in her lifetime), and the best of the world's women is Khadijah (in her lifetime)”.

Isa (Jesus) (PBUH). Mary Receives News of Jesus The Birth of Jesus Mary Returns to the City with Jesus  The Miracles of Jesus - Qur'anic Jesus's Abilities and Disciples - Qur'anic Jesus's Crucifixion - Bible Version Jesus's Crucifixion - Qur'anic

Which is the only non-Christian religion that makes it compulsory for it’s 1.3 billion followers to believe in Jesus Christ (pbuh) ?

Well, maybe Bahai too ! (upto a certain extent) Only ISLAM ! Well, maybe Bahai too ! (upto a certain extent)

Mary Receives News of Jesus, Qur'anic While Mary was praying in the temple, an angel in the form of a man appeared before her. Filled with terror, she tried to flee: Allah the Exalted revealed: And mention in the Book (the Qur'an, 0 Muhammad the story of) Mary, when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh (angel Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah."

Mary Receives News of Jesus, Qur'anic …cont’d (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 said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: That is easy for me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah). Surah 19: 16-21

The Birth of Jesus Mary left the temple and went to Nazarene, the city in which she had been born where she settled in a simple farm house to avoid the public After some months, she could not bear the mental strain any longer. Burdened with a heavy womb, she left Nazarene, not knowing where to go to be away from this depressing atmosphere. She had not gone far, when she was overtaken by the pains of childbirth.

The Birth of Jesus , Qur'anic So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e.., Bethlehem valley, about four to six miles from Jerusalem). And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!"

The Birth of Jesus, Qur'anic Then (the baby "Jesus") cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you; and shake the trunk of palm tree 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 (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day. Surah 19: 22-26

Mary Returns to the City with Jesus, Qur'anic The baby began to speak: "If you meet any person say: 'I have vowed to fast for The Beneficent and may not speak to any human today “ Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "0 Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyya (an unheard mighty thing). 0 sister of Aaron! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor was your mother an unchaste woman."

Mary Returns to the City with Jesus, Qur'anic …cont’d. Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" He (Jesus) said: "Verily! I am a servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet; And He has made me blessed whosesoever I be, and has enjoined on me prayer, and Zakat, as long as I live, and dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblessed. And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!" Surah 19: 27-33

The Miracles of Jesus - Qur'anic Allah the Almighty said: (Remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): 'O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My Favor to you and to your mother when I supported you with Ruh-ul-Qudus (Gabriel) so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity and when I taught you writing Al-Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Torah and the Gospel; and when you made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission;

The Miracles of Jesus - Qur'anic…cont’d and when I restrained the Children of Israel from you (when they resolved to kill you) since you came unto them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic’. And when I (Allah) put in the hearts of the disciples (of Jesus) to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: "We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims. " Surah 5: 110-111

Jesus's Abilities and Disciples - Qur'anic Almighty Allah also revealed: And He (Allah) will teach him (Jesus) the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunna, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom, etc.), (and) the Torah and the Gospel.

Jesus's Abilities and Disciples - Qur'anic…cont’d And will make him (Jesus) a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah's leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe. 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 to you with proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me. Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path."

Jesus's Abilities and Disciples - Qur'anic…cont’d Then when Jesus came to know of their disbelief he said: "Who will be my helpers in Allah's Cause?" The disciples said: "We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah)." Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger (Jesus); so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. La ilaha ill Allah - none has the right to be worshiped but Allah). And they (disbelievers) plotted (to kill Jesus), and Allah planned too. And Allah is the Best of the planners. Surah 3: 48-54

Jesus's Crucifixion - Bible Version Finally, they reached a place called Golgotha, meaning the Place of Skulls, outside the walls of Jerusalem. Instead of giving him a cup of wine diluted with scent to help lessen the pain on the cross, the soldiers gave Jesus a cup of vinegar diluted with gall. Then they crucified him and, as a further mockery, two thieves with him.

Jesus's Crucifixion - Qur'anic But the faith of Islam came with views quite different from that of the extinct gospels with regards to both the end of Jesus and his nature. The Glorious Qur'an affirms that Allah the Exalted did not permit the people of Israel to kill Jesus or crucify him. What happened was that Allah saved him from his enemies and raised him to heaven. They never killed Jesus.

Jesus's Crucifixion - Qur'anic…cont’d Allah the Almighty declared: And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah Jesus, son of Mary the Messenger of Allah," - but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of 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. Jesus, son of Mary): But Allah raised him (Jesus) up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, all- Wise. Surah 4: 157-158

Comment - At the end of the debate - "Christianity and Islam" - which appeared on the SABC-TV program "Cross Questions" on Sunday 5th June 1983, the Chairman, Mr. Bill Chalmers commented: "I think it can be said from this discussion that there is, at present, somewhat more accommodation on the Islamic side for the founder of Christianity than there is on the Christian side for the founder of Islam. What the significance of that is, we leave it to you, the viewer, to determine, but I do think you will agree that it is a good thing that we are talking together."

Comment on Sura Maryam There is a Chapter in the Holy Qur’ân, named Surat Maryam "Chapter Mary", named in honor of Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; again, such an honor is not to be found given to Mary in the Christian Bible. Out of the 66 books of the Protestants and 73 of the Roman Catholics, not one is named after Mary or her son. You will find books named after Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul and two score more obscure names, but not a single one is that of Mary! If Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, was the author of the Holy Qur’ân, then he would not have failed to include in it with Mary, the mother of Jesus, his own mother Aamina, his dear wife Khadija, or his beloved daughter Fatimah. But No! No! This can never be. The Qur’ân is not his handiwork!.

Jesus Defended Muhammed, salla Allah u alihi wa sallam, the Messenger of God, is made to absolve Jesus from the false charges and calumnies of his enemies. "And He (God Almighty) hath made me (Jesus) kind to my mother, and not overbearing or unblest" (19:31).

Gospel of St.John "And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, 'Woman, what have I to do with thee?

"Mother" or "Woman"? According to St. John, in the fourth verse above, describing the marriage feast at Cana, we are told that Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, behaved insolently towards his mother. He calls her "woman," and to rub more salt into the wound he is made to say "what have I to do with thee?" What connection is there between you and me, or what have I got to do with you? Could he have forgotten that this very "woman" had carried him for nine months, and perhaps suckled him for 2 years, and had borne endless insults and injuries on account of him? Is she not his mother? Is there no word in his language for "mother"?

Discussion Time – 30 mins. Comments, Questions, Contributions, Additions, Corrections, anything goes !

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