Sufis&Catholics Ahmed H Mirza M.D Naqshbandiya Foundation For Islamic Education WW.NFIE.COM

Quran&Prophets "And We bestowed upon Abraham (offspring) Isaac and Jacob and each of them did We guide to the right way as We had earlier guided Noah to the right way; and (of his descendants We guided) David and Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good. (And of his descendants We guided) Zecheriah, John, Jesus and Elias: each one of them was of the righteous." (Quran 6:84- 85).

Quran&John the Baptist "'O John! Hold fast the Book with all your strength. We had bestowed wisdom upon him while he was still a child; and We also endowed him with tenderness and purity; and he was exceedingly pious and cherishing to his parents. Never was he insolent or rebellious. Peace be upon him, the day he was born, and the day he will die, and the day he will be raised up alive. (Quran 19: 12-15)

Quran&Jesus “And remember when Isa(Jesus), the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of God sent to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me (the Torah), and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad (the praised one)." Quran

Quran&Jesus And nearest among them in love To the Believers wilt thou Find those who say, "We are Christians": Because amongst these are Men devoted to learning And men who have renounced The world, and they Are not arrogant. Qur'an 5:82

Quran&Jesus Behold! the angels said, 'Oh Mary! God gives you glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter, and in (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. He shall be (in the company) of the righteous... And God will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel'" (3:45-48).

Quran&Jesus "He [Jesus] said: 'I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet; He has made me blessed wheresoever I be; and He has enjoined on me prayer and charity as long as I live. He has made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable. So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!' Such was Jesus the son of Mary. It is a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is" (19:30-35).

Quran&Jesus "When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way.' But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. So woe to the wrongdoers, from the penalty of a Grievous Day!" (43:63-65)

Quran&Jesus "Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75).

Rumi&Jesus “ Be Lost in the Call” Lord, said David, since you do not need us, why did you create these two worlds? Reality replied: O prisoner of time, I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity, and I wished this treasure to be known, so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart; its darkened back, the world; The back would please you if you've never seen the face. Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw? Yet clean away the mud and straw, and a mirror might be revealed. Until the juice ferments a while in the cask, it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright, you must do a little work. My King addressed the soul of my flesh: You return just as you left. Where are the traces of my gifts? We know that alchemy transforms copper into gold. This Sun doesn't want a crown or robe from God's grace. He is a hat to a hundred bald men, a covering for ten who were naked. Jesus sat humbly on the back of an ass, my child! How could a zephyr ride an ass? Spirit, find your way, in seeking lowness like a stream. Reason, tread the path of selflessness into eternity. Remember God so much that you are forgotten. Let the caller and the called disappear; be lost in the Call.

Quran&Jesus "Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75).

Quran&Jesus "When Jesus came with Clear Signs, he said: 'Now I have come to you with Wisdom, and in order to make clear to you some of the (points) on which you dispute. Therefore, fear God and obey me. God, He is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him -- this is a Straight Way.' But sects from among themselves fell into disagreement. So woe to the wrongdoers, from the penalty of a Grievous Day!" (43:63-65)

Quran&Mary "Behold! The angels said, 'Oh Mary! God has chosen you and purified you, chosen you above the women of all nations. Oh Mary! Worship your Lord devoutly. Prostrate yourself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down '(3:42-43 ) Mary The Blessed Virgin Of Islam.Aliah Schleifer

Jesus in Islamic Tradition On the Form and Figure of Jesus (upon Him be peace). - Said Kaab: Jesus, the son of Mary, was a ruddy man, inclining towards white. His hair was not lank, and He never oiled it. He went barefooted; and He never owned a place, or a change of garments, or property or vesture or provisions, except His daily bread. And whenever the sun began to set, He would kneel and pray until the morning. He was in the habit of healing the sick and the lepers, and raising the dead by the will of God. He could tell those about Him what they ate in their houses, and what they laid up against the morrow. He walked on the face of the water on the sea. He had disheveled hair, and His face was small. He was an ascetic in this world and greatly desirous of the world to come; diligent in serving God. And He was a wanderer in the earth till the Jews sought Him and desired to kill Him. Then God lifted Him up to heaven, and God knows best.

Quran&Bible:Ten Commandments 0) (Exodus 12: 1-17 & Deuteronomy 5: 6-21) 0) Confirmation in the Quran (Chapter: Verse) 1. Thou shall not take any God except one God. 1. «"There is no God except one God"» (47:19) 2. Thou shall make no image of God. 2. «"There is nothing whatsoever like unto Him"» (42:11) 3. Thou shall not use God's name in vain. 3. «"Make not God's name an excuse to your oaths"» (2:224) 4. Thou shall honor thy mother and father. 4. «"Be kind to your parents if one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not a word of contempt nor repel them but address them in terms of honor."» (17:23) 5. Thou shall not steal. 5. «"As for the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands, but those who repent After a crime and reform shall beforgiven by God for God is forgiving and kind."» (5: )

Quran&Bible:Ten Commandments 6. Thou shall not lie or give false testimony. 6. «"They invoke a curse of God if they lie."» (24:7) «"Hide not the testimony"» (2:283) 7. Thou shall not kill. 7. «"If anyone has killed one person it is as if he had killed the whole mankind"» (5:32) 8. Thou shall not commit adultery. 8. «"Do not come near adultery. It is an indecent deed and a way for other evils."» (17:32) 9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbors wife or possessions. 9, «"Do good to your parents, relatives and neighbors."» (4:36) Saying of the Prophet Muhammad (P) “"One of the greatest sins is to have illicit sex with your neighbors wife”". 10. Thou shall keep the Sabbath holy. to the remembrance of God and leave off your business."» (62:9) 10. «"When the call for the Friday Prayer is made, hasten

Islam&Chrisianity (A) Submission Thee only do we worship and of Thee only do we ask aid. (B) Adoration Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, the Compassionate, the Merciful. King of the Day of Reckoning. (A) Submission Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (B) Adoration Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Islam&Christianity Islam&Christianity-©Supplication Fateh:Opening Lord's Prayer Guide us unto the right path- the path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious, not the path of those who are the objects of Thy wrath, nor of those who have gone astray. Amen The Qur'an 1:1-7 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors [Other translations say: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."] And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, The Power and the Glory. For ever and ever. Amen The Matthew 6:9-13 [The New Testament, King James version]

The Aramaic Lord’s Prayer O Thou from whom comes the breath of life, which is present in all realms of vibration and light. Let Thy light/sound be experienced in my own ‘holy of holies.’ Let Your ideals and counsel rule. Let Your desire be, as in the universe (all that vibrates), so also on earth. Give us bread (understanding/support) for our needs from day to day. Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others’ faults. Do not let surface things delude us. But free us from what holds us back from our true purpose. To You belongs the ruling will, the life and power to do, the song which beautifies all, from age to age it renews. Amen (Sealed in trust and faith.) Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz But free us

Muslims&Catholics:Second Vatican Council Muslims thus appreciate the following words from the SecondVatican Council: “The church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is One, Living and Subsistent, Merciful and Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth,Who has also spoken to humanity. They endeavor to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet; his virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devotly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting” (Nostra Aetate)

Muslims&Catholics:Pope John Paul And equally the words of the late Pope John Paul II, for whom manyMuslims had great regard and esteem: “We Christians joyfully recognize the religious values we have in common with Islam.Today I would like to repeat what I said to youngMuslims some years ago in Casablanca: “We believe in the same God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings his creatures to their perfection” (Insegnamenti, VIII)

Sufis & Jesus Shaykh Ibn al-'Arabi claims that his conversion (tawba) took place between the hand of Jesus, his first master. He said about Jesus: "He has prayed for me in order that I might persist in the religion... and has called me his beloved. He ordered me to practise zuhd (renunciation) and tajrid (the stripping away of all that is unnecessary)"Ibn al-'Arabi

Sufis&Jesus Jesus articulated specifically Muslim concerns. He was a great model for Muslim ascetics, preaching poverty, humility and patience. Jesus was becoming internalised by Muslims as an exemplar and inspiration in their own spiritual quest. Shias felt that there was a strong connection between Jesus and their inspired imams, who had also had miraculous births and inherited prophetic knowledge from their mothers. The Sufis were especially devoted to Jesus and called him the prophet of love. The 12th-century mystic Ibn al-Arabi called him "the seal of the saints" - deliberately pairing him with Muhammad, the "seal of the prophets". Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time: Karen Armstrong

Rumi&Jesus Where Jesus lives, the great-hearted gather. We are a door that’s never locked. If you are suffering any kind of pain, stay near this door. Open it. I called through your door, “The mystics are gathering in the street. Come out!” “Leave me alone. I’m sick.” “I don’t care if you’re dead!” Jesus is here, and he wants to resurrect somebody!”

Rumi&Jesus “ Be Lost in the Call” Lord, said David, since you do not need us, why did you create these two worlds? Reality replied: O prisoner of time, I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity, and I wished this treasure to be known, so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart; its darkened back, the world; The back would please you if you've never seen the face. Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw? Yet clean away the mud and straw, and a mirror might be revealed. Until the juice ferments a while in the cask, it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright, you must do a little work. My King addressed the soul of my flesh: You return just as you left. Where are the traces of my gifts? We know that alchemy transforms copper into gold. This Sun doesn't want a crown or robe from God's grace. He is a hat to a hundred bald men, a covering for ten who were naked. Jesus sat humbly on the back of an ass, my child! How could a zephyr ride an ass? Spirit, find your way, in seeking lowness like a stream. Reason, tread the path of selflessness into eternity. Remember God so much that you are forgotten. Let the caller and the called disappear; be lost in the Call.

Louis Massignon ( )&Sufism French scholar of Islam and its history. Although a Catholic himself, he tried to understand Islam from within and thus had a great influence on the way Islam was seen in the West; among other things, he paved the way for a greater openness inside the Catholic Church towards Islam as it was documented in the pastoral Vatican II declaration Nostra Aetate.He Studied al-Hallaj,Salman Farsi,Fatima& Quranic origin of Sufism’s lexiconFrenchIslamCatholic ChurchVatican IINostra Aetate

Thomas Merton&Sufism Thomas Merton ( ) was a preeminent pioneer of inter-religious dialogue and spiritual friendship, have assembled a vast array of materials illustrating his deep interest and attraction to Sufism, the mystical side of Islam. Merton was especially intrigued with its emphasis upon action, love, and knowledge. In a letter to Abdul Aziz in Pakistan, he wrote: "I am tremendously impressed with the solidity and intellectual sureness of Sufism. I am stirred to the depths of my heart by the intensity of Moslem piety toward His names, and the reverence with which He is invoked as the 'Compassionate and the Merciful.' May He be praised and adored everywhere forever.“ Fons Vitae

St.Francis of Assisi

Peace Prayer of St.Francis Lord make me an instrument of Thy Peace Where there is hatred,let me sow Love Where there is injury,Pardon Where there is doubt,Faith Where there is despair,Hope Where there is darkness,Light Where there is sadness,Joy O Divine Master,grant that I might seek Not so much to be consoled,as to console To be understood,as to understand And not so much to be loved,as to love another