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AL-ISLAM BOOK 12 UNDERSTANDING OF THE HOLY
QURAN AND THE HOLY
BIBLE Selected sacred passages from the Holy Bible and its comparative passages from the Holy Quran are written. Similarity and dissimilarity between the two revelations discussed. The reasons for the need of Allah’s last book emphasized.
By Muhammad Farooque Kemal B. Pharmacy (Punjab) M.Sc. Pharmaceutical Technology (University of London) 1969 SCIENTIST, INDUSTRIALIST & WRITER
DEFENDERS OF ISLAM TRUST EMPRESS HOUSE, 28, EMPRESS ROAD, LAHORE
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Book 12 First Edition: ............................ November 2012 Price: ......................................................... 350.00
Composing at: Muhammad Saleem Sultani Composing Centre, 0322 8421268
Printed at: Sahara Punjab Printers, Ratigon Road, Lahore.
PUBLISHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE INVITED TO GET SOLE PUBLISHING RIGHTS FROM THE WRITER CONTACT:
MUHAMMAD FAROOQUE KEMAL 28-EMPRESS ROAD, LAHORE, PAKISTAN 0321-4062858
THIS BOOK MAY BE TRANSLATED INTO ANY LANGUAGE OF THE WORLD
DEDICATED TO:
MUHAMMAD (S.A.A.W.)
The Final Prophet of all Religions and all Nations of the World His Family & His Ummah
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CONTENTS PREFACE .................................................................................................. 6
Book 1
PART I
Genesis ...................................................................... 7
Creation of the World, Creation of the World, Adam Ousted From the Paradise, Children of Adam, Noah’s Story, Story of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, Lot and Sodom, The Test for Abraham, Children of Isaac, Jacob’s Trick, Jacob’s Escape, Jacob’s Marriages with Two Sisters, Return of Jacob, Jacob Named Israel, Rape of Jacob’s Daughter, Revenge by Sons of Jacob, Jacob’s Children, Story of Joseph, 32, Judah’s Children, Adultery With Daughter-in-Law, Israel’s Prophecies, Death of Joseph, Author’s Remarks.
Book 2
EXODUS .................................................................. 30
Israelis Enslaved by Pharaoh, Killing of Sons of The Hebrews, The Birth of Moses, Calf Worship, Splitting of Sea, Body of Pharaoh Saved, Murmuring of Israelis for Food, Israelis Quarrel With Moses for Water, Commandments of God, Sale of Daughter, Worship of Golden Calf, Killing of Three Thousand Israelis, Author’s Remarks.
Book 3
LEVITICUS.............................................................. 44
Treatment Towards Non-Israelis, Pre-Condition for the Promised Land.
Book 4
NUMBERS ............................................................... 48
Israelis Refuse to Fight, Good Treatment to Aliens, Rebellion of 250 Israelis, Killing by Plague, Israelis Rebel, Snake Bites, Twenty-Four Thousand Israelis killed from the Scourge, Israelis Turned Idolators, Enemies Killed in the War, Only Virgins Spared, Remarks by the Author.
Book 5
DEUTERRONOMY .................................................. 51
Regulations, Prophecy about the prophet, War Regulations, Law of Inheritance, Law for Woman’s Virginity, Prostitution and Usury, Law of Divorce, Wages, Justice, Moses’ Blessing, Author’s Remarks.
Book 6
JOSHUA .................................................................. 58
Israel Given the Promised Land, Joshua Warns Israel.
Book 7
JUDGES ................................................................... 60
The Sons of Israel Enslaved, The Israelis Enslaved Second Time, The Israelis Enslaved Third Time, The Israelis Enslaved Fourth Time, God Raised a Saviour Fifth Time, Israelis Enslaved Sixth Time, The Israelis Enslaved Seventh Time, Saviour Samson Visits a Prostitute, Samson in Love With a Philistine Girl Delilah, The Death of Samson, Mass Rape by The Benjaminites, War with the Benjaminites Ninety-Two Thousand Deaths.
Book 8 Book 9
RUTH ....................................................................... 63 THE FIRST OF SAMUEL ....................................... 64
The Israelis Demand a King, Author’s Remarks.
Book 10
2 SAMUEL .............................................................. 66
David as the King, God Angry with David, Sister’s Rape, Slaughter of the Israelis by David, Jehovah Kills Seventy Thousand Israelis.
Book 11
1 KINGS .................................................................. 68
Solomon as the King, Building of Temple, Solomon Turned Idolator Jehovah Angry with Solomon, Splitting of Israeli Kingdom, Wars Among the Sons of Israel, Killing of Baal’s Prophets.
Book 12
2 KINGS .................................................................. 73
Israel Enslaved, Jehovah Destroys Israel, Jehovah Decides to Destroy Judah and the Temple, Judah in Exile.
Book 13 Book 14 Book 15
1 CHRONICLES ................................................... 76 2 CHRONICLES ................................................... 76 EZRA ........................................................................ 77
Israelis again Disobey Jehovah, Israelis Divorce Foreigners Wives.
Book 16 Book 17 Book 18 Book 19 Book 20 Book 21 Book 22
NEHEMIAH ............................................................. 78 ESTHER................................................................... 79 JOB .......................................................................... 80 PSALMS .................................................................. 82 PROBERBS .............................................................. 88 ECCLESIASTES ...................................................... 91 THE SONG OF SOLOMON ..................................... 92
Author’s Remarks.
Book 23
ISAIAH..................................................................... 93
ADMONISHMENT AND THE GOOD NEWS.
Book 24
JEREMIAH .............................................................. 95
Rebukes
Book 25
LAMENTATIONS .................................................... 96
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EZEKIEL ................................................................. 97
Jehovah Furious, God Extremely Outraged, Coming of the Saviour.
Book 27
DANIEL ................................................................... 99
Dream of Nebuchadnezzar, Danial Expounds Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream.
Book 28 Book 29 Book 30 Book 31 Book 32 Book 33 Book 34 Book 35 Book 36 Book 37 Book 38 Book 39
HOSEA ................................................................... 101 JOEL ...................................................................... 102 AMOS ..................................................................... 104 OBADIAH .............................................................. 105 JONAH ................................................................... 106 MICAH ................................................................... 108 NAHUM ................................................................. 109 HABAKKUK .......................................................... 111 ZEPHANIAH.......................................................... 112 HAGGAI ................................................................. 113 ZECHARIAH .......................................................... 114 MALACHI .............................................................. 115
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5 PART II -------118 From the Gospels, Geneology of Jesus, The Birth of Jesus, The Birth of John The Baptist, Jesus only for Israelis, Jesus Came for War and Division! Jesus claimed as the Christ? The Christ will not be a Jew, The Christ will Come in Future, Jesus Curses the Jews, Parables of Kingdom of Heavens, Jesus Condemns Divorce, Jesus Drives out Sellers With Whip, End of Jerusalem Prophecied, Incident of a Sinner Woman, Prophecy about a Prophet, Prayer, Agony and Weeping of Jesus, Arrest and Crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus Raised from Dead, Author’s Remarks.
PART – III Chapter 1 Chapter 2
OF ALLAH ........................................................ 135 OF THE PROPHETS ........................................ 140
Chapter 3
GLORIFICATION OF THE PROPHETS ......... 142
Chapter 4
THE WORLD SAVIOUR................................... 143
Chapter 5
THE WORLD SAVIOUR WHO?................... 145
Chapter 6
CHOSEN NATION WHO? ........................... 148
Chapter 7
PROPHET AS A MODEL MAN ........................ 151
Chapter 8
UNITY OF ALL MANKIND AND FAITHS ...... 152
Chapter 9
NEW LAWS ...................................................... 153
Chapter 10
OF TRINITY AND THE CROSS....................... 156
Chapter 11
LESSONS FROM THE PAST REBEL NATIONS---158
Chapter 12
DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT ........................... 159
Chapter 13
OF GREETINGS ............................................... 160
Chapter 14
OF THE ORPHANS .......................................... 161
Chapter 15
OF THE PARENTS ........................................... 162
Chapter 16
WOMEN’S RIGHTS .......................................... 163
Chapter 17
OF MARRIAGE ................................................. 164
Chapter 18
OF HEAD COVERING ..................................... 165
Chapter 19
OF REPENTANCE ........................................... 166
Chapter 20
THE FASTING.................................................. 167
Chapter 21
THE PRAYER ................................................... 168
Chapter 22
OF PURIFICATION ......................................... 169
Chapter 23
ZAKAT, ALMS AND CHARITABLE SPENDINGS---170
Chapter 24
OF INTOXICANTS ........................................... 171
Chapter 25
OF JUSTICE ..................................................... 172
Chapter 26
INSTRUCTIONS FOR KNOWLEDGE AND PONDERING
Chapter 27
COMMANDMENTS ABOUT REVENGE ......... 175
Chapter 28
OF STRIVING AND FIGHT FOR ALLAH, AL-JEHAD
Chapter 29
OF THE ANIMALS ........................................... 178
Chapter 30
LYING FOR GOD ............................................. 179
Chapter 31
COMMANDMENTS AGAINST IDOLATRY .... 180
Chapter 32
SCIENCE AND THE HOLY QUR’AN .............. 182
Chapter 33
PROPHECIES ABOUT MODERN TIMES ....... 185
Chapter 34
UNPLEASANT INCIDENCES ABOUT THE PROPHETS
Chapter 35
HUMAN RIGHTS ............................................. 189
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6 PREFACE It is a fundamental article of the Muslims’ faith to believe in all the revelations of the Holy Qur’an as well as in all the revelations which were revealed to the prophets before the advent of Prophet Muhammad (). But unfortunately, very few Muslims including many scholars have ever read the Holy Bible fully; which contains many revelations sent to prophets like Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua and other prophets till Prophet Jesus. Even majority of the Christians have not read the Holy Bible fully. The author undertook the task to write down a short and abridged version of the Holy Books (Old Testament and the Gospels only) to make it readable and understandable easily; and also to let know the non-Muslim readers that (i)
the Holy Qur’an is not a plagiarism of the Holy Bible, the mention of Moses, Joseph, Jesus and other prophets mean that they are the heroes and are the role-models for the Muslims too; they are all reverend prophets of the Muslims too that is why the Holy Qur’an mentions them repeatedly, this is in no manner a plagiarism of the Holy Bible. Alongwith the Biblical stories, we have written equivalent passages from the Holy Qur’an to dispel the propaganda. The Muslims show more respect to the Biblical prophets than the Jews and the Christians; our non-Muslim readers will be convinced after reading this book.
(ii) The Holy Qur’an is perfectly suited for the modern world, for its security, unification of the mankind, elimination of discrimination and prejudice among the people of different faiths, colours and languages. This book, though abridged, will give a true message of Jehovah, Allah in the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an Past 1 Contains the Old Testament Past 2 Contains the Gospels Past 3 Contains some of those new revelations of the Holy Qur’an which restore respect of the prophets; it abrogates some revelations of the Holy Bible; it gives new commandments for which the world and the nations of the old waited for anxiously. We invite all the non-Muslim readers to read this book and accept the truth of the message of Islam; also we expect from all the Muslims to convey the final revelations of the Holy Qur’an to all the people of the world. The Muslims should join with the good people of other faiths to frustrate the designs of evil men who intend and struggle for the spread of wars, bloodshed, prostitution, adultery, obscenity, gambling, use of drugs and intoxicants, racial prejudice and hatred, and violates human rights. This is what for which all the religions stand for and the Muslims must take leadership in the cause of Allah the One, and guide the people of the world. First of all they must unite and become a role-model themselves and then start guiding others. The elimination of poverty, illiteracy, social injustice, low morality and hypocrisy are the greatest challenges for the humanity. Let all of us start now to achieve the goal.
We invite all our readers to study Islam, embrace it and join the forces of Islam to build a new civilization full of mutual love and peace. With love, good wishes prayer. Muhammad Farooque Kemal
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PART I Book 1
GENESIS
CREATION OF THE WORLD
2 In [the] beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of [the] watery deep; and God’s active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters. 3 And God proceeded to say: “Let light come to be.” Then there came to be light. 4 After that God saw that the light was good, and God brought about a division between the light and the darkness. 5 And God began calling the light Day, but the darkness he called Night. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a first day. 6 And God went on to say: “Let in expanse come to be in between the waters and let a dividing occur between the waters and the waters. 7 Then God proceeded to make the expanse and to make a division between the waters that should be beneath the expanse and the waters that should be above the expanse. And it came to be so. 8 And God began to call the expanse Heaven. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a second day. 9 And God went on to say: “Let the waters under the heavens be brought together into one place and let the dry land appear.” And it came to be so. 10 And God began calling the dry land Earth, but the bringing together of the waters he called Seas. Further, God saw that [it was] good. 11 And God went on to say: “Let the earth cause grass to shoot forth, vegetation bearing seed, fruit trees yielding fruit according to their kinds, the seed of which is in it, upon the earth.” And it came to be so. 12 And the earth began to put forth grass, vegetation bearing seed according to its kind and trees yielding fruit, the seed of which is in it according to its kind. Then God saw that [it was] good. 13 And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a third day. 14 And God went on to say: “Let luminaries come to be in the expanse of the heavens to make a division between the day and the night; and they must serve as signs and for seasons and for days and years. 15 And they must serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth.” And it came to be so. 16 And God proceeded to make the two great luminaries, the greater luminary for dominating the day and the lesser luminary for dominating the night, and also the stars. 17 Thus God put them in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth, 18 and to dominate by day and by night and to make a division between the light and the darkness. Then God saw that [it was] good. 19 And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a fourth day. 20 And God went on to say: “Let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls and let flying creatures fly over the earth upon the face of the expanse of the heavens.” 21 And God proceeded to create the great sea monsters and every living soul that moves about, which the waters swarmed forth according to their kinds, and every winged flying creature according to its kind. And God got to see that [it was] good. 22 With that God blessed them, saying: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the waters in the sea basins, and let the flying creatures become many in the earth.” 23 And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a fifth day. 24 And God went on to say: “Let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds, domestic animal and moving animal and wild beast of the earth according to its kind.” And it came to be so. 25 And God proceeded to make the wild beast of the earth according to its kind and the domestic animal according to its kind and every moving animal of the ground according to its kind. And God got to see that [it was] good. 26 And God went on to say: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth.” 27 And God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 Further, God blessed them and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth.” 29 And God went on to say: “Here I have given to you all vegetation bearing seed which is on the surface of the whole earth and every tree on which there is the fruit of a tree bearing seed. To you let it serve as food. 30 And to every wild beast of the earth and to every flying creature of the heavens and to everything moving upon the earth in which there is life as a soul I have given all green vegetation for food.” And it came to be so. 31 After that God saw everything he had made and, look! [it was] very good. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a sixth day. 2 Thus the heavens and the earth and all their army came to their completion. 2 And by the seventh day God came to the completion of his work that he had made, and he proceeded to rest on the seventh day from all his work that he had made. 3 And God proceeded to bless the seventh day and make it sacred, because on it he has been resting from all his work that God has created for the purpose of making. 4 This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time of their being created, in the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven. Genesis 1:1 to 2:4 FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 54. Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day, which is in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! Al Araf 7:54
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8 Say: Do you really disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two days? And do you ascribe rivals to Him? Such is the Lord of the worlds. He placed therein firm hills rising above it and blessed it and provided therein its sustenance in proper measure in four Days, alike for seekers. Then He turned to the heaven when it was like smoke, and said unto it and unto the earth: Come ye both of you willingly or unwillingly. They said: we come willingly. Then He completed them into seven heavens in two Days and He inspired to each heaven its function. And We adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the decree of the Mighty, the Knower. Ha Mim Sajdah 10 Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We parted them? And We made every living thing from water? Will they not then believe? Al Anbiya 31
CREATION OF MAN FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 7 And Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul. 8 Further Jehovah God planted a garden in Eden, toward the east, and, there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Thus Jehovah God made to grow out of the ground every tree desirable to one’s sight and good for food and also the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. 15 And Jehovah God proceeded to take the man and settle him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it. 16 And Jehovah God also laid this command upon the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. 17 But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.” 18 And Jehovah God went on to say: “It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him, as a complement of him.” 19 Now Jehovah God was forming from the ground every wild beast of the field and every flying creature of the heavens, and he began bringing them to the man to see what he would call each one; and whatever the man would call it, each living soul, that was its name. 20 So the man was calling the names of all the domestic animals and of the flying creatures of the heavens and of every wild beast of the field, but for man there was found no helper as a complement of him. 21 Hence Jehovah God had a deep sleep fall upon the man and, while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and then closed up the flesh over its place. 22 And Jehovah God proceeded to build the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman and to bring her to the man. 23 Then the man said: “This is at last bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, Because from man this one was taken.” Genesis 2:7 FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 11. And We created you, then fashioned you, then told the angels: Fall ye prostrate before Adam! And they fell prostrate, all save Iblis, who was not of those who make prostration. 12. HE said: What hindered thee that thou didst not fall prostrate when I bade thee? (Iblis) said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire while him Thou didst create of mud. 13. HE said: Then go down hence! It is not for thee to show pride here, so go forth! Lo! thou art of those degraded. 14. He said: Reprieve me till the day when they are raised (from the dead). 15. HE said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved. 16. He said: Now, because Thou hast sent me astray, verily I shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy Right Path. 17. Then I shall come upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right hands and from their left hands, and Thou wilt not find most of them beholden (unto Thee). 18. HE said: Go forth from hence, degraded, banished. As for such of them as follow thee, surely I will fill hell with all of you. 19. And (unto man): O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat from whence ye will, but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers, 20. Then Satan whispered to them that he might manifest unto them that which was hidden from them of their shame, and he said: Your Lord forbade you from this tree only lest ye should become angels or become of the immortals. 21. And he swore unto them (saying): Lo! I am a sincere adviser unto you. 22. Thus did he lead them on with guile. And when they tasted of the tree their shame was manifest to them and they began to hide (by heaping) on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called them, (saying): Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you: Lo! Satan is an open enemy to you? 23. They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If Thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! 24. He said: Go down (from hence), one of you a foe unto the other. There will be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a while. Al-Araf 7:11 26. Verily We created man of potter’s clay of black mud altered. 27. And the jinn did We create aforetime of essential fire. 28. And (remember) when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am creating a mortal out of potter’s clay of black mud altered, 29. So, when I have made him and have breathed into him of My Spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him. 30. So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together 31. Save Iblis. He refused to be among the prostrate. 32. HE said: O Iblis! What aileth thee that thou art not among the prostrate?
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9 33. He said: I am not one to prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter’s clay of black mud altered! 34. HE said: Then go thou forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast. 35. And lo! The curse shall be upon thee till the Day of Judgment. 36. He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised. 37. HE said: Then lo! thou art of those reprieved 38. Till the Day of appointed time. 39. He said: My Lord! Because Thou hast sent me astray, I verily shall adorn the path of error for them in the earth, and shall mislead them every one, Al Hijr 15:26 113. Thus We have revealed it as a Lecture in Arabic, and have displayed therein certain threats, that per-adventure they may keep from evil or that it may cause them to take heed. 114. Then Exalted be Allah, the True King! And hasten not (O Muhammad) with the Qur’an ere its revelation hath been perfected unto thee, and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge. 115. And verily We made a covenant of old with Adam, but he forgot, and We found no constancy in him. 116. And when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, they fell prostrate (all) save Iblis; he refused. 117. Therefor We said: O Adam.’ This is an enemy unto thee and unto thy wife, so let him not drive you both out of the Garden so that thou come to toil. 118. It is (vouchsafed) unto thee that thou hungerest not therein nor art naked, 119. And that thou thirstest not therein nor art exposed to the sun’s heat. 120. But the devil whispered to him, saying: O Adam! Shall I show thee the tree of immortality and power that wasteth not away? 121. Then they twain ate thereof, so that their shame became apparent unto them, and they began to hide by heaping on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, so went astray. 122. Then his Lord chose him, and relented toward him, and guided him. 123. HE said: Go down hence, both of you, one of you a foe unto the other. But when there come unto you from Me a guidance, then whoso followeth My guidance, he will not go astray nor come to grief. 124. But he who turneth away from remembrance of Me, his will be a narrow life, and I shall bring him blind to the assembly on the Day of Resurrection. 125. He will say: My Lord! Wherefor hast Thou gathered me (hither) blind, when I was wont to see? 126. HE will say: So (it must be). Our revelations came unto thee but thou didst forget them. In like manner thou art forgotten this Day. 127. Thus do We reward him who is prodigal and believeth not the revelations of his Lord; and verily the doom of the Hereafter will be sterner and more lasting. 128. Is it not a guidance for them (to know) how many a generation We destroyed before them, amid whose dwellings they walk? Lo! therein verily are signs for men of thought. Ta Ha 20:113 30. And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not. 31. And He taught Adam all the names, then showed them to the angels, saying: Inform Me of the names of these, if ye are truthful. 32. They said: Be glorified! We have no knowledge saving that which Thou hast taught us. Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Knower, the Wise. 33. He said: O Adam! Inform them of their names, and when he had informed them of their names, He said: Did I not tell you that I know the secret of the heavens and the earth? And I know that which ye disclose and which ye hide. 34. And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, they fell prostrate, all save iblis. He demurred through pride, and so became a disbeliever. 35. And We said: O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat ye freely (of the fruits) thereof where ye will; but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers. 36. But Satan caused them to deflect therefrom and expelled them from the (happy) state in which they were; and We said: Fall down, one of you a foe unto the other! Al Baqarah 2:30 71. When thy Lord said unto the angels: lo! I am about to create a mortal out of clay. 72. And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate, 73. The angels fell down prostrate, every one, 74. Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers. 75. HE said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted? 76. He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay. 77. HE said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast. 78. And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment. 79. He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised. 80. HE said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved. 81. Until the day of the time appointed. 82. He said: Then thy might, I surely will beguile them every one. 83. Save Thy single-minded slaves among them.
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10 84. He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak 85. That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together. 86. Say (O Muhammad) I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no impostor. 87. Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples 88. And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof. Sa’ad 38:71 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE ADAM OUSTED FROM THE PARADISE 3 Now the serpent proved to be the most cautious of all the wild beasts of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it began to say to the woman: “Is it really so that God said YOU must not eat from every tree of the garden?” 2 At this the woman said to the serpent: “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat. 3 But as for [eating] of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat from it no, YOU must not touch it that YOU do not die.’” 4 At this the serpent said to the woman: “You positively will not die. 5 For God knows that in the very day of YOUR eating from it YOUR eyes are bound to be opened and YOU are bound to be like God, KNOWING good and bad.” 6 Consequently the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something to be longed for to the eyes, yes, the tree was desirable to look upon. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward she gave some also to her husband when with her and he began eating it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them became opened and they began to realize that they were naked. Hence they sewed fig leaves together and made loin coverings for themselves. 8 Later they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden about the breezy part of the day, and the man and his wife went into hiding from the face of Jehovah God in between the trees of the garden. 9 And Jehovah God kept calling to the man and saying to him: “Where are you? 10 Finally he said: “Your voice I heard in the garden, but I was afraid because I was naked and so I hid myself.” 11 At that he said: ‘Who told you that you were naked? From the tree from which I commanded you not to eat have you eaten?” 12 And the man went on to say: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me [fruit] from the tree and so I ate.” 13 With that Jehovah God said to the woman: “What is this you have done?” To this the woman replied: “The serpent—it deceived me and so I ate.” 14 And Jehovah God proceeded to say to the serpent: “Because you have done this thing, you are the cursed one out of all the domestic animals and out of all the wild beasts of the field. Upon your belly you will go and dust is what you will eat all the days of your life. 15 And I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.” 16 To the woman he said: I shall greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in birth pangs you will bring forth children, and your craving will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.” 17 And to Adam he said: “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and took to eating from the tree concerning which I gave you this command, ‘You must not eat from it, cursed is the ground on your account. In pain you will eat its produce all the days of your life. 18 And thorns and thistles it will grow for you, and you must eat the vegetation of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:1 CHILDREN OF ADAM
4 Now Adam had intercourse with Eve his wife and she became pregnant. In time she gave birth to Cain and said: “I have produced a man with the aid of Jehovah.” 2 Later she again gave birth, to his brother Abel. And Abel came to be a herder of sheep, but Cain became a cultivator of the ground. 3 And it came about at the expiration of some time that Cain proceeded to bring some fruits of the ground as an offering to Jehovah. 4 But as for Abel, he too brought some firstlings of his flock, even their fatty pieces. Now while Jehovah was looking with favor upon Abel and his offering, 5 he did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his offering. And Cain grew hot with great anger, and his countenance began to fall. 6 At this Jehovah said to Cain: “Why are you hot with anger and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you turn to doing good, will there not be an exaltation? But if you do not turn to doing good, there is sin crouching at the entrance, and for you is its craving; and will you, for your part, get the mastery over it?” 8 After that Cain said to Abel his brother: [“Let us go over into the field.”] So it came about that while they were in the field Cain proceeded to assault Abel his brother and kill him. Genesis 4:1 16 With that Cain went away from the face of Jehovah and took up residence in the land of Fugitiveness to the east of Eden. 17 Afterward Cain had intercourse with his wife and she became pregnant and gave birth to E’noch. Then he engaged in building a city and called the city’s name by the name of his son” E’noch. 18 Later there was born to E’noch I’rad. And I’rad became father to Me.hu’ja.el, and Me.hu’ja.el became father to Me.thu’sha.el and Me.thu’sha.el became father to La’mech. 19 And La’mech proceeded to take two wives for himself. The name of the first was A’dah and the name of the second was Zil.lah. 20 In time A’dah gave birth to Ja’bal, He proved to be the founder of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 And the name of his brother was Ju’bal, He proved to be the founder of all those who handle the harp and the pipe. 22 As for Zil’lah, she too gave birth to Tu’bal-cain, the forger of every sort of tool of copper and iron. And the sister of Tu’bal-cain was Na’a.mah. 23 Consequently Lamech composed these words for his wives A’dah and Zillah: “Hear my voice, you wives of La’mech; Give ear to my saying: A man I have killed for wounding me, Yes, a young man for giving me a blow. 24 If seven times Cain is to be avenged, Then La’mech seventy times and seven.” 25 And Adam proceeded to have intercourse again with his wife and so she gave birth to a son and called his name Seth, because, as she said: “God has appointed another seed in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” 26 And to Seth also there was
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11 born a son and he proceeded to call his name. Enosh. At that time a start was made of, calling on the name of Jehovah. Genesis 4:16
5 This is the book of Adam’s history. In the day of God’s creating Adam he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them. After that he blessed them and called their name Man in the day of their being created. 3 And Adam lived on for a hundred and thirty years. Then he became father to a son in his likeness, in his image, and called his name Seth. 4 And the days of Adam after his fathering Seth came to be eight hundred years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 5 So all the days of Adam that he lived amounted to nine hundred and thirty years and he died. 6 And Seth lived on for a hundred and five years. Then he became father to E’nosh. 7 And after his fathering E’nosh Seth continued to live eight hundred and seven years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 8 So all the days of Seth amounted to nine hundred and twelve years and he died. 9 And, E’nosh lived on for ninety years. Then he became father to Ke’nan 10 And after his fathering Ke’nan E’nosh continued to live eight hundred and fifteen years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 11 So all the days of E’nosh amounted to nine hundred and five years and he died. 12 And Ke’nan lived on for seventy years. Then he became father to Ma.hala.lel. 13 And after his fathering Ma.hala.lel Ke’nan continued to live eight hundred and forty years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters 14 So all the days of Ke’nan amounted to nine hundred and ten years and he died. 15 And Ma.hala.lel lived on for sixty-five years. Then he became father to Ja’red. 16 And after his fathering Ja’red Ma.hala.lel continued to live eight hundred and thirty years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 17 So all the days of Ma.hala.lel amounted to eight hundred and ninety-five years and he died. 18 And Ja’red lived on for a hundred and sixty-two years. Then he became father to E’noch, 19 And after his fathering Enoch Ja’red continued to live eight hundred years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 20 So all the days of Ja’red amounted to nine hundred and sixty-two years and he died. 21 And E’noch lived on for sixty-five years. Then he became father to Me.thusatellite. 22 And after his fathering Me.thusatellite E’noch went on walking with the [true] God three hundred years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of E’noch amounted to three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And E’noch kept walking with the [true] God. Then he was no more, for God took him. 25 And Me.thuse.lah lived on for a hundred and eighty-seven years. Then he became father to La’mech. 26 And after his fathering La’mech Me.thuse.lah continued to live seven hundred and eighty-two years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 27 So all the days of Me.thu’se.lah amounted to nine hundred and sixty-nine years and he died. 28 And La’mech lived on for a hundred and eighty-two years. Then he became father to a son. 29 And he proceeded to call his name Noah, saying: “This one will bring us comfort from our work and from the pain of our hands resulting from the ground which Jehovah has cursed.” 30 And after his fathering Noah La’mech continued to live five hundred and ninety-five years. Meanwhile he became father to sons and daughters. 31 So all the days of La’mech amounted to seven hundred and seventy-seven years and he died. 32 And Noah got to be five hundred years old. After that Noah became father to Shem, Ham and Ja’pheth. Genesis 5:1 NOAH’S STORY
6 Now it came about that when men started to grow in numbers on the surface of the ground and daughters were born to them, 2 then the sons of the [true] God began to notice the daughters of men, that they were good-looking; and they went taking wives for themselves, namely, all whom they chose. 3 After that Jehovah said: “My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Neph’i.lim proved to be in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of the [true] God continued to have relations with the daughters of men and they bore sons to them, they were the mighty ones who were of old, the men of fame. 5 Consequently Jehovah saw that the badness of man was abundant in the earth and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time. 6 And Jehovah felt regrets that he had made men in the earth, and he felt hurt at his heart. 7 So Jehovah said: “I am going to wipe men whom I have created off the surface of the ground, from man to domestic animal, to moving animal and to flying creature of the heavens, because I do regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah. 13 After that God said to Noah: “The end of all flesh has come before me, because the earth is full of violence as a result of them; and here I am bringing them to ruin together with the earth. 14 Make for yourself an ark out of wood of a resinous tree. You will make compartments in the ark, and you must cover it inside and outside with tar. 15 And this is how you will make it: three hundred cubits the length of the ark, fifty cubits its width, and thirty cubits its height. 16 You will make a tsohar [roof; or, window] for the ark, and you will complete it to the extent of a cubit upward, and the entrance of the ark you will put in its side; you will make it with a lower story, a second story and a third story. 17 “And as for me, here I am bringing the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh in which the force of life is active from under the heavens. Everything that is in the earth will expire. 18 And I do establish my covenant with you; and you must go into the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living creature of every sort of flesh, two of each, you will bring into the ark to preserve them alive with you. Male and female they will be. 20 Of the flying creatures according to their kinds and of the domestic animals according to their kinds, of all moving animals of the ground according to their kinds, two of each will go in there to you to preserve them alive. 21 And as for you, take for yourself every sort of food that is eaten; and you must gather it to yourself, and it must serve as food for you and for them.” 22 And Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so. Genesis 6:1
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12 FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 36. And it was inspired in Noah, (saying): No one of thy folk will believe save him who hath believed already. Be not distressed because of what they do. 37. Build the ship under Our eyes and by Our inspiration, and speak not unto Me on behalf of those who do wrong. Lo! they will be drowned. 38. And he was building the ship, and every time that chieftains of his people passed him, they made mock of him. He said: Though ye make mock of Us, yet We mock at you even as ye mock; 39. And ye shall know to whom a punishment that will confound him cometh, and upon whom a lasting doom will fall. 40. (Thus it was) till, when Our commandment came to pass and the oven gushed forth water, We said: Load therein two of every kind, a pair (the male and female), and thy household, save him against whom the word hath gone forth already, and those who believe. And but a few were they who believed with him. 41. And he said: Embark therein! In the name of Allah be its course and its mooring. Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful. 42. And it sailed with them amid waves like mountains, and Noah cried unto his son—and he was standing aloof—O my son! Come ride with us, and be not with the disbelievers. 43. He said: I shall betake me to some mountain that will save me from the water. (Noah) said: This day there is none that saveth from the commandment of Allah save him on whom He hath had mercy. And the wave came in between them, so he was among the drowned. 44. And it was said: O earth! Swallow thy water and, O sky! be cleared of clouds! And the water was made to subside. And the commandment was fulfilled. And it (the ship) came to rest upon (the mount) Al-Judi and it was said: A far removal for wrongdoing folk! 45. And Noah cried unto his Lord and said: My Lord! Lo! my son is of my household! Surely Thy promise is the Truth and Thou art the Most Just of Judges. 46. HE said: O Noah! Lo! he is not of thy household; lo! he is of evil conduct, so ask not of Me that whereof thou hast no knowledge. I admonish thee lest thou be among the ignorant. 47. He said: My Lord! Lo! in Thee do I seek refuge (from the sin) that I should ask of Thee that whereof I have no knowledge. Unless Thou forgive me and have mercy on me I shall be among the lost. 48. It was said (unto him): O Noah! Go thou down (from the mountain) with peace from Us and blessings upon thee and some nations (that will spring) from those with thee. (There will be other) nations unto whom We shall give enjoyment a long while and then a painful doom from Us will overtake them. Hood 11:36 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day all the springs of the vast watery deep were broken open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. 12 And the downpour upon the earth went on for forty days and forty nights. 13 On this very day Noah went in, and Shem and Ham and Japheth, Noah’s sons, and the wife of Noah and the three wives of his sons with him, into the ark; Genesis 7:11 17 And the deluge went on for forty days upon the earth, and the waters kept increasing and began carrying the ark and it was floating high above the earth. Genesis 7:17 21 So all flesh that was moving upon the earth expired among the flying creatures and among the domestic animals and among the wild beasts and among all the swarms that were swarming upon the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything in which the breath of the force of life was active in its nostrils namely, all that were on the dry ground, died. Genesis 7:21
8 After that God remembered Noah and every wild beast and every domestic animal that was with him in the ark, and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters began to subside. 2 And the springs of the watery deep and the floodgates of the heavens became stopped up, and so the downpour from the heavens was restrained. 3 And the waters began receding from off the earth, progressively receding; and at the end of a hundred and fifty days the waters were lacking. 4 And in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ar’a.rat. Genesis 8:1 FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 23. And We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people.’ Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)? 24. But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This is only a mortal like you who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels. We heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old. 25. He is only a man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while. 26. He said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me. 27. Then We inspired in him, saying: Make the ship under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Then, when Our command cometh and the oven gusheth water, introduce therein of every (kind) two spouses, and thy household save him thereof against whom the Word hath already gone forth. And plead not with Me on behalf of those who have done wrong. Lo! they will be drowned. 28. And when thou art on board the ship, thou and whoso is with thee, then say: Praise be to Allah Who hath saved us from the wrongdoing folk! 29. And say: My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for Thou art Best of all who bring to land. 30. Lo! herein verily are portents, for lo.’ We are ever putting (mankind) to the test. Al Muminoon 23:23 FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 20 Now Noah started off as a farmer and proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 And he began drinking of the wine and became intoxicated, and so he uncovered himself in the midst of his tent. 22 Later Ham the father of Ca’naan saw his father’s nakedness and went telling it to his two brothers outside. 23 At that Shem and Ja’pheth took a mantle and put it upon both their shoulders and
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13 walked in backwards. Thus they covered their father’s nakedness, while their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 Finally Noah awoke from his wine and got to know what his youngest son had done to him. 25 At this he said: “Cursed be Ca’naan. Let him become the lowest slave to his brothers.” 26 And he added: “Blessed be Jehovah, Shem’s God, And let Ca’naan become a slave to him. 27 Let God grant ample space to Ja’pheth, And let him reside in the tents of Shem. Let Ca’naan become a slave to him also.” Genesis 9:20
10 And this is the history of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham and Ja’pheth. Now sons began to be born to them after the deluge. 2 The sons of Ja’pheth were Go’mer and Ma’-gog and Ma’da-i and Ja’van and Tu’bal and Me’shech and Ti’ras. 3 And the sons of Go’mer were Ash.ke.naz and Ri’phath and Togar’mah. 4 And the sons of Ja’van were E.li’shah and Tar’shish, Kit’tim and Do’da.nim. 5 From these the population of the isles of the nations was spread about in their lands, each according to its tongue, according to their families, by their nations. 6 And the sons of Ham were Cush and Miz’ra.im and Put and Ca’naan. 7 And the sons of Cush were Se’ba and Hav’i.lah and Sab’tah and Ra’a.mah and Sab’te.ca. And the sons of Ra’a.mah were She’ba and De’dan. 8 And Cush became father to Nim’rod. He made the start in becoming a mighty one in the earth. 9 He displayed himself a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah. Genesis 10:1
STORY OF ABRAHAM FROM THE HOLY BIBLE
12 And Jehovah proceeded to say to Abram: “Go your way out of your country and from your relatives and from, the house of your father to the country that I shall show you; 2 and I shall make a great nation out of you and I shall bless you and I will make your name great; and prove yourself a blessing. 3 And I will bless those who bless you, and him that calls down evil upon you I shall curse, and all the families of the ground will certainly bless themselves by means of you. Genesis 12:1 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 51. And We verily gave Abraham of old his proper course, and We were Aware of him, 52. When he said unto his father and his folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion? 53. They said: We found our fathers worshippers of them. 54. He said: Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error. 55. They said: Bringest thou unto us the truth, or art thou some jester? 56. He said: Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them; and I am of those who testify unto that. 57. And, by Allah, I shall circumvent your idols after ye have gone away and turned your backs. 58. Then he reduced them to fragments, all save the chief of them, that haply they might have recourse to it. 59. They said: Who hath done this to our gods? Surely it must be some evil-doer. 60. They said: We heard a youth make mention of them, who is called Abraham. 61. They said: Then bring him (hither) before the people’s eyes that they may testify. 62. They said: Is it thou who hast done this to our gods, O Abraham? 63. He said: But this, their chief hath done it. So question them, if they can speak. 64. Then gathered they apart and said: Lo! ye yourselves are the wrong-doers. 65. And they were utterly confounded, and they said: Well thou knowest that these speak not. 66. He said: Worship ye then instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you? 67. Fie on you and all that ye worship instead of Allah! Have ye then no sense? 68. They cried: Burn him and stand by your gods, if ye will be doing. 69. We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham. 70. And they wished to set a snare for him, but We made them the greater losers. 71. And We rescued him and Lot (and brought them) to the land which We have blessed for (all) peoples. 72. And We bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made righteous. 73. And We made them chiefs who guide by Our command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds and the right establishment of worship and the giving of alms, and they were worshippers of Us (alone). 74. And unto Lot We gave judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the community that did abominations. Lo! they were folk of evil, lewd. 75. And We brought him in unto Our mercy. Lo! he was of the righteous. Al Anbiya 21:51 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 7 Jehovah now appeared to A’bram and said: “To your seed I am going to give this land.” After that he built an altar there to Jehovah, who had appeared to him. 8 Later he moved from there to the mountainous region to the east of Beth’el and pitched his
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14 tent with Beth’el on the west and A’i on the east. Then he built an altar there to Jehovah and began to call on the name of Jehovah. 9 Afterward A’bram broke camp, going then from encampment to encampment toward the Neg’eb. Genesis 12:7 14 So it happened that, as soon as A’bram entered Egypt, the Egyptians got to see the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15 And the princes of Phar’aoh also got to see her and they began praising her to Phar’aoh, so that the woman was taken to the house of Phar’aoh. 16 And he treated A’bram well on her account, and he came to have sheep and cattle and asses and menservants and maidservants and she-asses and camels. 17 Then Jehovah touched Phar’aoh and his household with great plagues because of Sar’ai, A’bram’s wife. 18 With that Phar’aoh called A’bram and said: “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I was about to take her as my wife? And now here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 And Phar’aoh issued commands to men concerning him, and they went escorting him and his wife and all that he had. Genesis 12:14 12 A’bram dwelt in the land of Ca’naan. Genesis 13:12 14 And Jehovah said to A’bram after Lot had separated from him: “Raise your eyes, please, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 because all the land at which you are looking, to you and to your seed I am going to give it until time indefinite. 16 And I will constitute your seed like the dust particles of the earth, so that, If a man could be able to count the dust particles of the earth, then your seed could be numbered. 17 Get up, go about in the land through its length and through its breadth, because to you I am going to give it.” 18 So A’bram continued to live in tents. Later on he came and dwelt among the big trees of Mam’re, which are in He’bron; and there he proceeded to build an altar to Jehovah. Genesis 13:14
16 Now Sar’ai, A’bram’s wife, had borne him no children; but she had an Egyptian maidservant and her name was Ha’gar. 2 Hence Sar’ai said to A’bram: “Please now! Jehovah has shut me off from bearing children. Please, have relations with my maidservant. Perhaps I may get children from her.” So A’bram listened to the voice of Sar’ai. 3 Then Sar’ai, A’bram’s wife, took Ha’gar, her Egyptian maidservant, at the end of ten years of A’bram’s dwelling in the land of Ca’naan and gave her husband as his wife. 4 Accordingly he had relations with Ha’gar, and she became pregnant. When she became aware that she was pregnant, then her mistress began to be despised in her eyes. Genesis 16:1 9 And God said further to Abraham: “As for you, you are to keep my covenant, you and your seed after you according to their generations. 10 This is my covenant that you men will keep, between me and YOU men, even your seed after you: Every male of YOURS must get circumcised. 11 And YOU must get circumcised in the flesh of YOUR foreskins, and it must serve as a sign of the covenant between me and YOU. 12 And every male of YOURS eight days old must be circumcised, according to your generations, anyone born in the house and anyone purchased with money from any foreigner who is not from your seed. 13 Every man born in your house and every man purchased with money of yours must without fail get circumcised; and my covenant in the flesh of you men must serve as a covenant to time indefinite. 14 And an uncircumcised male who will not get the flesh of his foreskin circumcised even that soul must be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant.” Genesis 17:9 ISHMAEL AND ISAAC 18 After that Abraham said to the [true] God: “O that Ish’ma.el might live before you!” 19 To this God said: “Sarah your wife is indeed bearing you a son, and you must call his name Isaac. And I will establish my covenant with him for a covenant to time indefinite to his seed after him. 20 But as regards Ish’ma.el I have heard you. Look! I will bless him and will make him fruitful and will multiply him very, very much. He will certainly produce twelve princes and I will make him become a great nation. 21 However, my covenant I shall establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this appointed time next year.” Genesis 17:18
18 Afterward Jehovah appeared to him among the big trees of Mam’re, while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent about the heat of the day. 2 When he raised his eyes, then he looked and there three men were standing some distance from him. When he caught sight of them he began running to meet them from the entrance of the tent and proceeded to bow down to the earth. 3 Then he said: “Jehovah, if, now, I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be taken, please, and YOU must have YOUR feet washed. Then recline under the tree. 5 And let me get a piece of bread, and refresh YOUR hearts. Following that, YOU can pass on, because that is why YOU have passed this way to YOUR servant.” At this they said: “All right. You may do just as you have spoken.” Genesis 18:1 9 They now said to him: “Where is Sarah your wife?” To this he said: “Here in the tent!” 10 he continued: “I am surely going to return to you next year at this time, and, look! Sarah your wife will have a son.” Genesis 18:9 LOT AND SODOM FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 20 Consequently Jehovah said: “The cry of complaint about Sodom and Go.mor’rah, yes, it is loud, and their sin, yes, it is very heavy. 21 I am quite determined to go down that I may see whether they act altogether according to the outcry over it that has come to me, and, if not, I can get to know it.” 22 At this point the men turned from there and got on their way to Sod’om; but as for Jehovah, he was still standing before Abraham. 23 Then Abraham approached and began to say: “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous men in the midst of the city. Will you, then, sweep them away and not pardon the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are inside it? 25 It is unthinkable of you that you are acting in this manner to put to death the righteous man with the wicked one so that it has to occur with the righteous man as it does with the wicked! It is unthinkable of you. Is the Judge of all the earth not going to do what is right?” 26 Then Jehovah said: “If I shall find in Sod’om fifty righteous men in the midst of the city I will pardon the whole place on their account.” Genesis 18:20
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FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 31. And when Our messengers brought Abraham the good news, they said: Lo. we are about to destroy the people of that township, for its people are wrong-doers. 32. He said: Lo! Lot is there. They said: We are best aware of who is there. We are to deliver him and his household, all save his wife, who is of those who stay behind. 33. And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled upon their account, for he could not protect them; but they said: Fear not, nor grieve.’ Lo. we are to deliver thee and thy household, (all) save thy wife, who is of those who stay behind. 34. Lo! We are about to bring down upon the folk of this township a fury from the sky because they are evil-livers. Al Ankaboot 29:31 51. And tell them of Abraham’s guests, 52. (How) when they came in unto him, and said: Peace. He said: Lo! we are afraid of you. 53. They said: Be not afraid! Lo! we bring thee good tidings of a boy possessing wisdom. 54. He said: Bring ye me good tidings (of a son) when old age hath overtaken me? Of what then can ye bring good tidings? 55. They said: We bring thee good tidings in truth. So be not thou of the despairing. 56. He said: And who despaireth of the mercy of his Lord save those who are astray? 57. He said: And afterward what is your business, O ye messengers (of Allah)? 58. They said: We have been sent unto a guilty folk, 59. (All) save the family of Lot. Them we shall deliver every one, 60. Except his wife, of whom We had decreed that she should be of those who stay behind. 61. And when the messengers came unto the family of Lot, 62. He said: Lo! ye are folk unknown (to me). 63. They said: Nay, but we bring thee that concerning which they keep disputing, 64. And bring thee the Truth, and lo! we are truth-tellers. 65. So travel with thy household in a portion of the night, and follow thou their backs. Let none of you turn round, but go whither ye are commanded. 66. And We made plain the case to him, that the root of them (who did wrong) was to be cut at early morn. 67. And the people of the city came, rejoicing at the news (of new arrivals). 68. He said: Lo! they are my guests. Affront me not! 69. And keep your duty to Allah, and shame me not! 70. They said: Have we not forbidden you from (entertaining) anyone? 71. He said: Here are my daughters, if ye must be doing (so). 72. By thy life (O Muhammad) they moved blindly in the frenzy of approaching death. 73. Then the (Awful) Cry overtook them at the sunrise. 74. And We utterly confounded them, and We rained upon them stones of heated clay. 75. Lo! therein verily are portents for those who read the signs. Al-Hijr 15:51 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 32 Finally he said: “May Jehovah, please not grow hot with anger, but let me speak just this once: Suppose ten are found there.” In turn he said: “I shall not bring it to ruin on account of the ten.” 33 Then Jehovah went his way when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. 19 Now the two angels arrived at Sod’om by evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sod’om When Lot caught sight of them then he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the earth. 2 And he proceeded to say: “Please, now, my lords, turn aside please, into the house of YOUR servant and stay overnight and have YOUR feet washed. Then YOU must get up early and travel on YOUR way.” To this they said: “No but in the public square is where we , shall stay overnight.” 3 But he was very insistent with them, so that they turned aside to him and came into his house. Then he made a feast for them, and he baked unfermented cakes, and they went to eating. 4 Before they could lie down, the men of the city, the men of Sod’om, surrounded the house, from boy to old man, all the people in one mob. 5 And they kept calling out to Lot and saying to him: “Where are the men who came in to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have intercourse with them.” 6 Finally Lot went out to them to the entrance, but he shut the door behind him. 7 Then he said: “Please, my brothers, do not act badly. 8 Please, here I have two daughters who have never had intercourse with a man. Please, let me bring them out to you. Then do to them as is good in YOUR eyes. Only to these men do not do a thing, because that is why they have come under the shadow of my roof.” 18:32 14 Hence Lot went on out and began to speak to his sons-in-law who were to take his daughters, and he kept on saying: “Get up! Get out of this place, because Jehovah is bringing the city to ruin!” But in the eyes of his sons-in-law he seemed like a man who was joking. Genesis 19:14 17 And it came about that, as soon as they had brought them forth to the outskirts, he began to say: “Escape for your soul! Do not look behind you and do not stand still in all the District! Escape to the mountainous region for fear you may be swept away!” Genesis 19:17 23 The sun had gone forth over the land when Lot arrived at Zo’ar. 24 Then Jehovah made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah, from the heavens, upon Sod’om and upon Go.mor’rah. 25 So he went ahead overthrowing these cities, even the entire District and all the inhabitants of the cities and the plants of the ground. 26 And his wife began to look around from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:23
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16 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 80. And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination such as no creature ever did before you? 81. Lo.! ye come with lust unto men instead of women. Nay, but ye are wanton folk. 82. And the answer of his people was only that they said (one to another): Turn them out of your township. They are folk, forsooth, who keep pure. 83. And We rescued him and his household, save his wife, who was of those who stayed behind. 84. And We rained a rain upon them. See now the nature of the consequence for evil-doers! Al-Araf 7:80 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 30 Later Lot went up from Zo’ar and began dwelling in the mountainous region, and his two daughters along with him, because he got afraid of dwelling in Zo’ar. So he began dwelling in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 And the first-born proceeded to say to the younger woman: “Our father is old and there is not a man in the land to have relations with us according to the way of the whole earth. 32 Come, let us give our father wine to drink and let us lie down with him and preserve offspring from our father.” 33 So they kept giving their father wine to drink during that night; then the first-born went in and lay down with her father, but he did not know when she lay down and when she got up. 34 And it came about on the next day that the first-born then said to the younger: “Here I lay down with my father last night. Let us give him wine to drink tonight also. Then you go in, lie down with him, and let us preserve offspring from our father.” 35 So they repeatedly gave their father wine to drink during that night also; then the younger got up and lay down with him, but he did not know when she lay down and when she got up. 36 And both the daughters of Lot became pregnant from their father. 37 In time the first-born became mother to a son and called his name Mo’ab. He is the father of Mo’ab, to this day. 38 As for the younger, she too gave birth to a son and then called his name Benam’mi. He is the father of the sons of Am’mon, to this day. Genesis 19:30 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 69. And Our messengers came unto Abraham with good news. They said: Peace! He answered: Peace! and delayed not to bring a roasted calf. 70. And when he saw their hands reached not to it, he mistrusted them and conceived a fear of them. They said: Fear not! Lo! we are sent unto the folk of Lot. 71. And his wife, standing by, laughed when We gave her good tidings (of the birth) of Isaac, and, after Isaac, of Jacob. 72. She said: Oh, woe is me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman, and this my husband is an old man? Lo! this is a strange thing! 73. They said: Wonderest thou at the commandment of Allah? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house! Lo! He is Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory! 74. And when the awe departed from Abraham, and the glad news reached him, he pleaded with Us on behalf of the folk of Lot. 75. Lo! Abraham was mild, imploring, penitent. 76. (It was said) O Abraham! Forsake this! Lo! thy Lord’s commandment hath gone forth, and lo! there cometh unto them a doom which cannot be repelled. 77. And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was distressed and knew not how to protect them. He said: This is a distressful day. 78. And his people came unto him, running towards him —and before then they used to commit abominations—He said: O my people! Here are my ‘daughters! They are purer for you. Beware of Allah, and degrade me not in (the person of) my guests. Is there not among you any upright man? 79. They said: Well thou knowest that we have no right to thy daughters, and well thou knowest what we want. 80. He said: Would that I had strength to resist you or had some strong support (among you)! 81. (The messengers) said: O Lot! Lo! we are messengers of thy Lord; they shall not reach thee. So travel with thy people in a part of the night, and let not one of you turn round—(all) save thy wife. Lo! that which smiteth them will smite her (also). Lo! their tryst is (for) the morning. Is not the morning nigh? 82. So when Our commandment came to pass We over-threw (that township) and rained upon it stones of clay, one after another, 83. Marked with fire in the providence of thy Lord (for the destruction of the wicked). And they are never far from the wrongdoers. Hood 11:69 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 13 And as for the son of the slave girl I shall also constitute him a nation, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham got up early in the morning and took bread and a skin water bottle and gave it to Ha’gar, setting it upon her shoulder, and the child, and then dismissed her. And she went her way and wandered about in the wilderness of Be’er.she’ba. 15 Finally the water became exhausted in the skin bottle and she threw the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went on and sat down by herself, about the distance of a bow shot away, because she said: “Let me not see it when the child dies.” So she sat down at a distance and began to raise her voice and weep. 17 At that God heard the voice of the boy, and God’s angel called to Ha’gar out of the heavens and said to her: “What is the matter with you, Ha’gar? Do not be afraid, because God has listened to the voice of the boy there where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy and take hold of him with your hand, because I shall constitute him a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes so that she caught sight of a well of water; and she went and began to fill the skin bottle with water and to give the boy a drink. 20 And God continued to be with the boy, and he kept growing and dwelling in the wilderness; and he became an archer. 21 And he took up
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17 dwelling in the wilderness of Pa’ran, and his mother proceeded to take a wife for him from the land of Egypt. 21:13
Genesis
THE TEST FOR ABRAHAM
22 Now after these things it came about that the [true] God put Abraham to the test. Accordingly he said to him: “Abraham!” to which he said: “Here I am!” 2 And he went on to say: “Take, please, your son, your only son whom you so love, Isaac, and make a trip to the land of Mo.ri’ah and there offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall designate to you.” 3 So Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his ass and took two of his attendants with him and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering. Then he rose and went on the trip to the place that the [true] God designated to him. 4 It was first on the third day that Abraham raised his eyes and began to see the place from a distance. 5 Abraham now said to his attendants: “You stay here with the ass, but I and the boy want to go on over there and worship and return to YOU.” 6 After that Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and put it upon Isaac his son and took in his hands the fire and the slaughtering knife, and both of them went on together. 7 And Isaac began to say to Abraham his father: “My father!” In turn he said: “Here I am, my son!” So he continued: “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 To this Abraham said: “God will provide himself the sheep for the burnt offering, my son.” And both of them walked on together. 9 Finally they reached the place that the [true] God had designated to him, and Abraham built an altar there and set the wood in order and bound Isaac his son hand and foot and put him upon the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham put out his hand and took the slaughtering knife to kill his son. 11 But Jehovah’s angel began calling to him out of the heavens and saying: “Abraham, Abraham!” to which he answered: “Here I am!” 12 And he went on to say: “Do not put out your hand against the boy and do not do anything at all to him, for now I do know that you are God-fearing in that you have not withheld your son, your only one, from me.” 13 At that Abraham raised his eyes and looked and there, deep in the foreground, there was a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering in place of his son. Genesis 22:1 63 And Isaac was out walking in order to meditate in the field at about the falling of evening. When he raised his eyes and looked, why, there camels were coming! 64 When Ke.bek’ah raised her eyes, she caught sight of Isaac and she swung herself down from off the camel. 65 Then she said to the servant: “Who is that man there walking in the field to meet us?” and the servant said: “It is my master.” And she proceeded to take a headcloth and to cover herself. 66 And the servant went,’ relating to Isaac all the things he had done. 67 After that Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother. Thus he took Re.bek’ah and she became his wife; and he fell in love with her, and Isaac found comfort after the loss of his mother. 25 Furthermore, Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Ke.tu’rah. 2 In time she bore him Zim’ran and Jok’shan and Me’dan and’ Mid’i.an and Ish’bak and Shu’ah. 3 And Jok’shan became father to She’ba and De’dan. And the sons of De’dan became As.shu’rim and Le.tu’shim and Le.um’mim. 4 And the sons of Mid’i.an were E’phah and E’pher and Ha’noch and A.bi’da and El.Da’ah. All these were the sons of Ke.tu’rah. Genesis 24:63 CHILDREN OF ISAAC 24 Gradually her days came to the full for giving birth, and, look! twins were in her belly. 25 Then the first came out red all over like an official garment of hair; so they called his name E’sau. 26 And after that his brother came out and his hand was holding onto the heel of E’sau; so he called his name Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old at her giving them birth. 27 And the boys got bigger, and E’sau became a man knowing how to hunt, a man of the field, but Jacob a blameless man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac had love for E’sau, because it meant game in his mouth, whereas Re.bek’ah was a lover of Jacob. 29 Once Jacob was boiling up some stew, when E’sau came along from the field and he was tired. 30 So E’sau said to Jacob: “Quick, please, give me a swallow of the red—the red there, for I am tired!” That is why his name was called E’dom. 31 To this Jacob said: “Sell me, first of all, your right as first-born!” 32 And E’sau continued: “Here I am simply going to die, and of what benefit to me is a birthright?” 33 And Jacob added: “Swear to me first of all!” And he proceeded to swear to him and to sell his right as firstborn to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave E’sau bread and lentil stew, and he went to eating and drinking. Then he got up and went his way. So E’sau despised the birthright. Genesis 25:24
26 Now there arose a famine in the land, besides the first famine that occurred in the days of Abraham, so that Isaac directed himself to A’bim’e.lech, king of the Phi.lis’tines, to Ge’rar. 2 Then Jehovah appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt. Tabernacle in the land that I designated to you. 3 Reside as an alien in this land, and I shall continue with you and bless you, because to you and to your seed I shall give all these lands, and I will carry out the sworn statement that I swore to Abraham your father, 4 ‘And I will multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and I will give to your seed all these lands; and by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves,’ 5 due to the fact that Abraham listened to my voice and continued to keep his obligations to me, my commands, my statutes, and my laws.” 6 So, Isaac went on dwelling at Ge’rar. Genesis 26:1 JACOB’S TRICK
27 Now it came about that when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see he then called E’sau his older son and said to him: “My son!” at which he said to him: “Here I am!” 2 And he went on to say: “Here, now, I have become old. I do not know the day of my death. 3 So at this time take, please, your implements, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt some venison for me. 4 Then make me a tasty dish such as I am fond of and bring it to me and, ah, let me eat, in order that my soul may bless you before I die.” 5 However, Re.bek’ah was listening while Isaac spoke to E’sau his son. And E’sau went on out into the field to hunt game and to bring it in. 6 And Re.bek’ah said to Jacob her son: “Here I just heard your father speaking to E’sau your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me some game and make me a tasty dish and, ah, let me eat, that I may bless you before Jehovah before my death.’ 8 And now, my son, listen to my voice in what I am commanding you. 9 Go, please, to the herd and get me from there two kids of the
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18 goats, good ones, that I may make them up into a tasty dish for your father such as he is fond of. 10 Then you must bring it to your father and he must eat it, in order that he may bless you before his death.” 11 And Jacob proceeded to say to Re.bek’ah his mother: “But E’sau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. 12 What if my father feels me? Then I shall certainly become in his eyes like one making a mockery, and I shall certainly bring upon myself a malediction and not a blessing.” 13 At this his mother said to him: “Upon me be the malediction meant for you, my son. Only listen to my voice and go, get them for me.” 14 Accordingly he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made a tasty dish such as his father was fond of. 15 After that Re.bek’ah took garments of E’sau her older son, the most desirable ones which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the kids of the goats she put upon his hands and upon the hairless part of his neck. 17 Then she gave the tasty dish and the bread that she had made into the hand of Jacob her son. 18 So he went on in to his father and said: “My father!” to which he said: “Here I am! Who are you, my son?” 19 And Jacob went on to say to his father: “I am E’sau your first-born. I have done just as you have spoken to me. Raise yourself up, please. Sit down and eat some of my game, in order that your soul may bless me.” 20 At that Isaac said to his son: “How is it that you have been so quick in finding it, my son?” In turn he said: “Because Jehovah your God caused it to meet up with me.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob: “Come near, please, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son E’sau or not.” 22 So Jacob came near to Isaac his father, and he went feeling him, after which he said: “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of E’sau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands proved to be hairy like the hands of E’sau his brother. Hence he blessed him. 24 After that he said: “You are really my son E’sau?” to which he said: “I am.” 25 Then he said: “Bring it near to me that I may eat some of the game of my son, to the end that my soul may bless you.” With that he brought it near to him and he began to eat, and he brought him wine and he began to drink. 26 Then Isaac his father said to him: “Come near, please, and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him, and he could smell the scent of his garments. And he proceeded to bless him and to say: “See, the scent of my son is like the scent of the field which Jehovah has blessed. 28 And may the [true] God give you the dews of the heavens and the fertile soils of the earth and an abundance of grain and new wine. 29 Let peoples serve you and let national groups bow low to you. Become master over your brothers, and let the sons of your mother bow low to you. Cursed be each one of those cursing you, and blessed be each one of those blessing you.” 30 Now it came about as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, yes, it indeed came about when Jacob had barely come out from before the face of Isaac his father, that E’sau his brother came back from his hunting. 31 And he too went about making a tasty dish. Then he brought it to his father and said to his father: “Let my father get up and eat some of his son’s game, in order that your soul may bless me.” 32 At this Isaac his father said to him: “Who are you?” to which he said: “I am your son, your first-born, E’sau.” 33 And Isaac began to shake with a great trembling in extreme measure, and so he said: “Who, then, was it that hunted for game and came bringing it to me, so that I ate of everything before you could come in and I blessed him? Blessed too he will become!” Genesis 27:1 JACOB’S ESCAPE 41 However, E’sau harbored animosity for Jacob on account of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and E’sau kept saying in his heart: “The days of the period of mourning for my father are getting closer. After that I am going to kill Jacob my brother.” 42 When the words of E’sau her older son were told to Re.bek’ah, she at once sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him: “Look! E’sau your brother is comforting himself in regard to you— to kill you. 43 Now, then, my son, listen to my voice and get up, run away to Laban my brother at Ha’.ran. 44 And you must dwell with him for some days until the rage of your brother calms down, 45 until the anger of your brother turns away from you and he has forgotten what you have done to him. And I shall certainly send and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of both of YOU in one day? Genesis 27:41
JACOB’S MARRIAGES WITH TWO SISTERS 16 As it was, La’ban had two daughters. The name of the older was Le’ah and the name of the younger Rachel. 17 But the eyes of Le’ah had no luster, whereas Rachel had become beautiful in form and beautiful of countenance. 18 And Jacob was in love with Rachel. So he said: “I am willing to serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19 To this La’ban said: “It is better for me to give her to you than for me, to give her to another man. Keep dwelling with me.” 20 And Jacob proceeded to serve seven years for Rachel, but in his eyes they proved to be like some few days because of his love for her. 21 Then Jacob said to La’ban: “Give over my wife, because my days are up, and let me have relations with her.” 22 With that La’ban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast. 23 But it turned out that during the evening he resorted to taking Le’ah his daughter and bringing her to him that he might have relations with her. 24 Moreover, La’ban gave to her Zil’pah his maidservant, even to Le’ah his daughter, as a maidservant. 25 So it followed in the morning that here it was Le’ah! Consequently he said to La’ban: “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? So why have you tricked me?” 26 To this La’ban said: “It is not customary to do this way in our place, to give the younger woman before the firstborn. 27 Celebrate to the full the week of this woman. After that there shall be given to you also this other woman for the service that you can serve with me for seven years more.” 28 Accordingly Jacob did so and celebrated fully the week of this woman, after which he gave him Rachel his daughter as his wife. 29 Besides, La’ban gave Bilhah his maidservant to Rachel his daughter as her maidservant. Genesis 29:16 2 When Jacob would look at the face of La’ban, here it was not with him as formerly. 3 Finally Jehovah said to Jacob: “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I shall continue with you.” 4 Then Jacob sent and called Rachel and Le’ah out to the field to his flock, 5 and he said to them: “I am seeing the face of YOUR father, that he is not the same toward me as formerly; but the God of my father has proved to be with me. 6 And YOU yourselves certainly know that with all my power I have served YOUR father. 7 And YOUR father has trifled with me and he has changed my wages ten times, but God has not allowed him to do me harm. 8 If on the one hand he would say, ‘The speckled ones will become your wages,’ then the whole flock produced speckled ones; but if on the other hand he would say, “The
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19 striped ones will become your wages,’ then the whole flock produced striped ones. 9 So God kept taking the herd of YOUR father away and giving it to me. Genesis 31:2 RETURN OF JACOB 17 Then Jacob got up and lifted his children and his wives onto the camels; 18 and he began driving all his herd and all the goods that he had accumulated, the herd of his acquisition that he had accumulated in Pad’dan-a’ram, in order to go to Issac his father to the land of Ca’naan. Genesis 31:7 30 While you have actually gone now because you have been yearning intensely for the house of your father, why, though, have you stolen my gods?” 31 In answer Jacob proceeded to say to La’ban: “It was because I was afraid. For I said to myself, ‘You might tear your daughters away from me.’ 32 Whoever it is with whom you may find your gods, let him not live. Before our brothers, examine for yourself what is with me and take them for yourself.” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. 33 So La’ban went on into the tent of Jacob and into the tent of Le’ah and into the tent of the two slave girls, but did not find them. Finally he went out of Le’ah’s tent and went on into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, and she resorted to putting them in the woman’s saddle basket of the camel, and she kept sitting upon them. So La’ban went feeling through the whole tent, but did not find them. 35 Then she said to her father: “Do not let anger gleam in the eyes of my lord, because I am not able to get up before you, for the customary thing with women is upon me.” So he searched on carefully, but did not find the teraphim. Genesis 31:30 41 This makes twenty years for me in your house. I have served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock, and you kept changing my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the dread of Isaac, had not proved on my side, you would now have sent me away empty-handed. Genesis 31:41 3 Then Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to E’sau his brother to the land of Se’ir, the field of E’dom, 4 and he commanded them, saying: “This is what YOU will say to my lord, to E’sau, ‘This is what your servant Jacob has said: “With La’ban I have resided as an alien and I have stayed for a long time till now. 5 And have come to have bulls and asses, sheep, and menservants and maidservants, and I would like to send to notify my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.” Genesis 32:3 22 Later during that night he rose and took his two wives and his two maidservants and his eleven young sons and crossed over the ford of Jab’bok. 23 So he took them and brought them over the torrent valley, and he brought over what he had. Genesis 32:22 JACOB NAMED ISRAEL 24 Finally Jacob was left by himself. Then a man began to grapple with him until the dawn ascended. 25 When he got to see that he had not prevailed over him, then he touched the socket of his thigh joint; and the socket of Jacob’s thigh joint got out of place during his grappling with him. 26 After that he said: “Let me go, for the dawn has ascended.” To, this he said: “I am not going to let you go until you first bless me.” 27 So he said to him: “What is. your name?” to which he said: “Jacob.” 28 Then he said: “Your name will no longer be called Jacob but Israel, for you have contended with God and with men so that you at last prevailed.” 29 In turn Jacob inquired and said: “Tell me, please, your name.” However, he said: “Why is it that you inquire for my name?” With that he blessed him there. Genesis 32:22 Rape of Jacob’s Daughter
34 Now Di’nah the daughter of Le’ah, whom she had borne to Jacob, used to go out to see the daughters of the land. 2 And She’chem the son of Ha’mor the Hi’vite, a chieftain of the land, got to see her and then took her and lay down with her and violated her. 3 And his soul began clinging to Di’nah the daughter of Jacob, and he fell in love with the young woman and kept speaking persuasively to the young woman. 4 Finally She’chem said to Ha’mor his father: “Get me this young lady as a wife.” 5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Di’nah his daughter. And his sons happened to be with his herd in the field; and Jacob kept silent until they should come in. 6 Later Ha’mor, She’chem’s father, went out to Jacob to speak with him. 7 And the sons of Jacob came in from the field as soon as they heard of it; and the men became hurt in their feelings and they grew very angry, because he had committed a disgraceful folly against Israel in lying down with Jacob’s daughter, whereas nothing like that ought to be done. 8 And Ha’mor proceeded to speak with them, saying: “As for She’chem my son, his soul is attached to YOUR daughter. Give her, please, to him as a wife, 9 and form marriage alliances with us. YOUR daughters YOU are to give to us, and our daughters YOU are to take for yourselves. 10 And with us YOU may dwell, and the land will become available for YOU. Dwell and carry on business in it and get settled in it.” 11 Then She’chem said to her father and to her brothers: “Let me find favor in YOUR eyes, and whatever YOU will say to me I shall give it. 12 Raise very high the marriage money and gift imposed upon me, and I stand willing to give according to what YOU may say to me; only give me the young woman as a wife.” 13 And Jacob’s sons began to answer She’chem and Ha’mor his father with deceit and to speak so because he had defiled Di’nah their sister. 14 And they went on to say to them: “We cannot possibly do such a thing, to give our sister to a man who has a foreskin, because that is a reproach to us. 15 Only on this condition can we give consent to YOU, that YOU become like us, by every male of YOURS getting circumcised. 16 Then we shall certainly give our daughters to YOU, and YOUR daughters we shall take for ourselves, and we shall certainly dwell with YOU and become one people. 17 But if YOU do not listen to us to get circumcised, then we will take our daughter and go.” 18 And their words seemed good in the eyes of Ha’mor and in the eyes of She’chem, Ha’mor’s son, 19 and the young man did not delay to perform the condition, because he did find delight in Jacob’s daughter and he was the most honorable of the whole house of his father. 20 So Ha’mor and She’chem his son went to the gate of their city and began to speak to the men of their city, saying: 21 “These men are peace-loving toward us. Hence let them dwell in the land and carry on business in it, as the land is quite wide before them. Their daughters we can take as wives for ourselves and our own daughters we can give to them. 22 Only on this
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20 condition will the men give us their consent to dwell with us so as to become one people, that every male of ours gets circumcised just the way they are circumcised. 23 Then their possessions and their wealth and all their livestock, will they not be ours? Only let us give them our consent that they may dwell with us.” 24 Then all those going out by the gate of his city listened to Ha’mor and to She’chem his son, and all the males got circumcised, all those going out by the gate of his city. REVENGE BY SONS OF JACOB 25 However, it came about that on the third day, when they got to be aching, the two sons of Jacob, Sim’e.on and Le’vi, brothers of Di’nah, proceeded to take each one his sword and to go unsuspectedly to the city and to kill every male. 26 And Ha’mor and She’chem his son they killed with the edge of the sword. Then they took Di’nah from She’chem’s house and went on out. 27 The other sons of Jacob attacked the fatally wounded men and went plundering the city, because they had defiled their sister. 28 Their flocks and their herds and their asses and what was in the city and what was in the field they took. 29 And all their means of maintenance and all their little children and their wives they carried off captive, so that they plundered all that was in the houses. 30 At this Jacob said to Sim’eom and to Le’vi: “You have brought ostracism upon me in making me a stench to the inhabitants of the land, with the Ca’naan.ites and the Per’iz-zites; whereas I am few in number, and they will certainly gather together against me and assault me and I must be annihilated, I and my house.” 31 In turn they said: “Ought anyone to treat our sister like a prostitute?” 35 After that God said to Jacob: “Rise, go up to Beth’el and dwell there, and make an altar there to the [true] God who appeared to you when you were running away from E’sau your brother.” 2 Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him: “Put away the foreign gods that are in the midst of YOU and cleanse yourselves and change YOUR mantles, 3 and let us rise and go up to Beth’el. And there I shall make an altar to the [true] God who answered me in the day of my distress in that he proved to be with me in the way that I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their hands and the earrings that were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the big tree that was close by She’chem. Genesis 34:1 JACOB’S CHILDREN 12 As for the land that I have given to Abraham and to Isaac, to you I shall give it, and to your seed after you I shall give the land.” 13 After that God went up from above him at the place where he had spoken with him. 14 Consequently Jacob stationed a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured a drink offering upon it and poured oil upon it. 15 And Jacob continued to call the name of the place where God had spoken with him Beth’el. 16 Then he pulled away from Beth’el. And while there was yet a good stretch of land before coming to Eph’rath, Rachel proceeded to give birth, and it was going hard with her in making the delivery. 17 But so it was that while she had difficulty in making the delivery the midwife said to her: “Do not be afraid, for you will have this son also.” 18 And the result was that as her soul was going out (because she died) she called his name Ben.o’ni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 Thus Rachel died and was buried on the way to Eph’rath, that is to say, Beth’le.hem. 20 Hence Jacob stationed a pillar over her grave. This is the pillar of Rachel’s grave down to this day. 21 After that Israel pulled away and pitched his tent a distance beyond the tower of E’der. 22 And it came about while Israel was tabernacling in that land that once Reu’ben went and lay down with Bil’hah his father’s concubine, and Israel got to hear of it. So there came to be twelve sons of Jacob. 23 The sons by Le’ah were Jacob’s first-born Reu’ben and Sim’e.on and Le’vi and Judah and Is’sa.char and Zeb’u.lun. 24 The sons by Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. 25 And the sons by Bil’hah, Rachel’s maidservant, were Dan and Naph’ta-li. 26 And the sons by Zil’pah, Le’ah’s maidservant were Gad and Asher. Genesis 35:12. STORY OF JOSEPH 2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years old, happened to be tending sheep with his brothers among the flock, and, being but a boy, he was with the sons of Bil’hah and the sons of Zil’pah, the wives of his father. So Joseph brought a bad report about them to their father. 3 And Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he had a long, striped shirt like garment made for him, 4 When his brothers came to see that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they began to hate him, and they were not able to speak peacefully to him. 5 Later on Joseph had a dream and told it to his brothers, and they found further reason, to hate him. 6 And he went on to say to them: “Listen, please, to this dream that I have dreamed. 7 Well, here we were binding sheaves in the middle of the field when here my sheaf got up and also stood erect and here YOUR sheaves proceeded to encircle and bow down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers began to say to him: “Are you going to be king over us for certain? or, Are you going to dominate over us for certain?” ‘So they found; fresh reason to hate him over his dreams and over his words. 9 After that he had still another dream; and he related it to his brothers and said: “Here I have had a dream once more, and here the sun: and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 Then he related it to his father as well as his brothers, and his father began to rebuke him and say to him: “What does this dream that you have dreamed mean? Am I and also your mother and your brothers for certain going to come and bow down to the earth, to you?” 11 And his brothers grew jealous of him, but his father observed the saying. Genesis 37:2. FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 3. We narrate unto thee (Muhammad) the best of narratives in that We have inspired in thee this Qur’an, though aforetime thou wast of the heedless. 4. When Joseph said unto his father: O my father! Lo! I saw in a dream eleven planets and the sun and the moon, I saw them prostrating themselves unto me. 5. He said: O my dear son! Tell not thy brethren of thy vision, lest they plot a plot against thee. Lo! Satan is for man an open foe. 6. Thus thy Lord will prefer thee and will teach thee the interpretation of events, and will perfect His grace upon thee and upon the family of Jacob as He perfected it upon thy forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. Lo! thy Lord is Knower, Wise. 7. Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (of Allah’s Sovereignty) for the inquiring.
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21 8. When they said: Verily Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, many though we be. Lo.’ our father is in plain aberration. 9. (One said): Kill Joseph or cast him to some (other) land, so that your father’s favour may be all for you, and (that) ye may afterward be righteous folk. 10. One among them said: Kill not Joseph but, if ye must be doing, fling him into the depth of the pit; some caravan will find him. 11. They said: O our father! Why wilt thou not trust us with Joseph, when lo! we are good friends to him? 12. Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and play. And lo! we shall take good care of him. 13. He said: Lo! in truth it saddens me that ye should take him with you, and I fear lest the wolf devour him while ye are heedless of him. 14. They said: If the wolf should devour him when we are (so strong) a band, then surely we should have already perished. 15. Then, when they led him off, and were of one mind that they should place him in the depth of the pit, We inspired in him: Thou wilt tell them of this deed of theirs when they know (thee) not. 16. And they came weeping to their father in the evening. 17. Saying: O our father! We went racing one with another, and left Joseph by our things, and the wolf devoured him, and thou believest not our saying even when we speak the truth. 18. And they came with false blood on his shirt. He said: Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something. (My course is) comely patience. And Allah it is Whose help is to be sought in that (predicament) which ye describe. 19. And there came a caravan, and they sent their water-drawer. He let down his pail (into the pit). He said: Good luck! Here is a youth. And they hid him as a treasure, and Allah was Aware of what they did. 20. And they sold him for a low price, a number of silver coins; and they attached no value to him. 21. And he of Egypt who purchased him said unto his wife: Receive him honourably. Perchance he may prove useful to us or we may adopt him as a son. Thus We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah was predominant in His career, but most of mankind know not. 22. And when he reached his prime We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus We reward the good. 23. And she, in whose house he was, asked of him an evil act. She bolted the doors and said: Come! He said: I seek refuge in Allah! Lo! he is my lord, who hath treated me honourably. Lo! wrong-doers never prosper. 24. She verily desired him, and he would have desired her if it had not been that he saw the argument of his Lord. Thus it was, that We might ward off from him evil and lewdness. Lo! he was of Our chosen slaves. 25. And they raced with one another to the door, and she tore his shirt from behind, and they met her lord and master at the door. She said: What shall be his reward, who wisheth evil to thy folk, save prison or a painful doom? 26. (Joseph) said: She it was who asked of me an evil act. And a witness of her own folk testified: If his shirt is torn from before, then she speaketh truth and he is of the liars. 27. And if his shirt is torn from behind, then she hath lied and he is of the truthful. 28. So when he saw his shirt torn from behind, he said: Lo! this is of the guile of you women. Lo! the guile of you is very great. 29. O Joseph! Turn away from this, and thou, (O woman), ask forgiveness for thy sin. Lo! thou art of the faulty. 30. And women in the city said: The ruler’s wife is asking of her slave-boy an ill-deed. Indeed he has smitten her to the heart with love. We behold her in plain aberration. 31. And when she heard of their sly talk, she sent to them and prepared for them a cushioned couch (to lie on at the feast) and gave to every one of them a knife and said (to Joseph): Come out unto them! And when they saw him they exalted him and cut their hands, exclaiming: Allah Blameless! This is not a human being. This is no other than some gracious angel. 32. She said: This is he on whose account ye blamed me. I asked of him an evil act, but he proved continent, but if he do not my behest he verily shall be imprisoned, and verily shall be of those brought low. 33. He said: O my Lord! Prison is more dear than that unto which they urge me, and if Thou fend not off their wiles from me I shall incline unto them and become of the foolish. 34. So his Lord heard his prayer and fended off their wiles from him. Lo! He is Hearer, Knower. 35. And it seemed good to them (the men-folk) after they had seen the signs (of his innocence) to imprison him for a time. 36. And two young men went to prison with him. One of them said: I dreamed that I was pressing wine. The other said: I dreamed that I was carrying upon my head bread whereof the birds were eating. Announce unto us the interpretation, for we see thee of those good (at interpretation). 37. He said: The food which ye are given (daily) shall not come unto you but I shall tell you the interpretation ere it cometh unto you. This is of that which my Lord hath taught me. Lo! I have forsaken the religion of folk who believe not in Allah and are disbelievers in the Hereafter. 38. And I have followed the religion of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. It never was for us to attribute aught as partner to Allah. This is of the bounty of Allah unto us (the seed of Abraham) and unto mankind; but most men give not thanks. 39. O my two fellow-prisoners! Are divers lords better, or Allah the One, the Almighty? 40. Those whom ye worship beside Him are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers. Allah hath revealed no sanction for them. The decision rests with Allah only, Who hath commanded you that ye worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not. 41. O my two fellow-prisoners! As for one of you, he will pour out wine for his lord to drink; and as for the other, he will be crucified so that the birds will eat from his head. Thus is the case judged concerning which ye did inquire. 42. And he said unto him of the twain who he knew would be released: Mention me in the presence of thy lord. But Satan caused him to forget to mention it to his lord, so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for some years. 43. And the king said: Lo! I saw in a dream seven fat kine which seven lean were eating, and seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry. O notables! Expound for me my vision, if ye can interpret dreams.
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22 44. They answered: Jumbled dreams! And we are not knowing in the interpretation of dreams. 45. And he of the two who was released, and (now) at length remembered, said: I am going to announce unto you the interpretation, therefore send me forth. 46. (And when he came to Joseph in the prison, he exclaimed): Joseph! O thou truthful one! Expound for us the seven fat kine which seven lean were eating and the seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry, that I may return unto the people, so that they may know. 47. He said: Ye shall sow seven years as usual, but that which ye reap, leave it in the ear, all save a little which ye eat. 48. Then after that will come seven hard years which will devour all that ye have prepared for them, save a little of that which ye have stored. 49. Then, after that, will come a year when the people will have plenteous crops and when they will press (wine and oil). 50. And the king said: Bring him unto me. And when the messenger came unto him, he (Joseph) said: Return unto thy lord and ask him what was the case of the women who cut their hands, Lo! my Lord knoweth their guile. 51. He (the king) (then sent for those women and) said: What happened when ye asked an evil act of Joseph? They answered: Allah Blameless! We know no evil of him. Said the wife of the ruler: Now the truth is out. I asked of him an evil act, and he is surely of the truthful. 52. (Then Joseph said: I asked for) this, that he (my lord) may know that I betrayed him not in secret, and that surely Allah guideth not the snare of the betrayers. 53. I do not exculpate myself. Lo! the (human) soul cnjoineth unto evil, save that whereon my Lord hath mercy. Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful. 54. And the king said: Bring him unto me that I may attach him to my person. And when he had talked with him he said: Lo! thou art to-day in our presence established and trusted. 55. He said: Set me over the storehouses of the land. Lo! I am a skilled custodian. 56. Thus gave We power to Joseph in the land. He was the owner of it where he pleased. We reach with Our mercy whom We will. We lose not the reward of the good. 57. And the reward of the Hereafter is better, for those who believe and ward off (evil). 58. And Joseph’s brethren came and presented themselves before him, and he knew them but they knew him not. 59. And when he provided them with their provision he said: Bring unto me a brother of yours from your father. See ye not that I fill up the measure and I am the best of hosts? 60. And if ye bring him not unto me, then there shall be no measure for you with me, nor shall ye draw near. 61. They said: We will try to win him from his father: that we will surely do. 62. He said unto his young men: Place their merchandise in their saddlebags, so that they may know it when they go back to their folk, and so will come again. 63. So when they went back to their father they said: O our father! The measure is denied us, so send with us our brother that we may obtain the measure, surely we will guard him well. 64. He said: Can I entrust him to you save as I entrusted his brother to you aforetime? Allah is better at guarding, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. 65. And when they opened their belongings they discovered that their merchandise had been returned to them. They said: O our father! What (more) can we ask? Here is our merchandise returned to us. We shall get provision for our folk and guard our brother, and we shall have the extra measure of a camel (load). This (that we bring now) is a light measure. 66. He said: I will not send him with you till ye give me an undertaking in the name of Allah that ye will bring him back to me, unless ye are surrounded. And when they gave him their undertaking he said: “Allah is the Warden over what we say. 67. And he said: O my sons! Go not in by one gate; go in by different gates. I. can naught avail you as against Allah. Lo! the decision rests with Allah only. In Him do I put my trust, and in Him let all the trusting put their trust. 68. And when they entered in the manner which their father had enjoined, it would have naught availed them as against Allah; it was but a need of Jacob’s soul which he thus satisfied; and lo! he was a lord of knowledge because We had taught him; but most of mankind know not. 69. And when they went in before Joseph, he took his brother unto himself, saying: Lo! I, even I, am thy brother, therefore sorrow not for what they did. 70. And when he provided them with their provision, he put the drinking-cup in his brother’s saddlebag, and then a crier cried: O camel-riders! Lo! ye are surely thieves? 71. They cried, coming toward them: What is it ye have lost? 72. They said: We have lost the king’s cup, and he who bringeth it shall have a camel-load, and I (said Joseph) am answerable for it. 73. They said: By Allah, well ye know we came not to do evil in the land, and are no thieves. 74. They said: And what shall be the penalty for it, if ye prove liars? 75. They said: The penalty for it! He in whose bag (the cup) is found, he is the penalty for it. Thus we requite wrong-doers. 76. Then he (Joseph) began the search with their bags before his brother’s bag, then he produced it from his brother’s bag. Thus did We contrive for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother according to the king’s law unless Allah willed. We raise by grades (of mercy) whom We will, and over every lord of knowledge there is one more knowing. 77. They said: If he stealeth, a brother of his stole before. But Joseph kept it secret in his soul and revealed it not unto them. He said (within himself): Ye are in worse case, and Allah knoweth best (the truth of) that which ye allege. 78. They said: O ruler of the land! Lo! he hath a very aged father, so take one of us instead of him. Lo! we behold thee of those who do kindness. 79. He said: Allah forbid that we should seize save him with whom we found our property; then truly we should be wrongdoers.
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23 80. So, when they despaired of (moving) him, they conferred together apart. The eldest of them said: Know ye not how your father took an undertaking from you in Allah’s name and how ye failed in the case of Joseph aforetime? Therefore I shall not go forth from the land until my father giveth leave or Allah judgeth for me. He is the Best of Judges. 81. Return unto your father and say: O our father! Lo! thy son hath stolen. We testify only to that which we know; we are not guardians of the Unseen. 82. Ask the township where we were, and the caravan with which we travelled hither. Lo! we speak the truth. 83. (And when they came unto their father and had spoken thus to him) he said: Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something. (My course is) comely patience! It may be that Allah will bring them all unto me. Lo! He, only He, is the Knower, the Wise. 84. And he turned away from them and said: Alas, my grief for Joseph! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow that he was suppressing. 85. They said: By Allah, thou wilt never cease remembering Joseph till thy health is ruined or thou art of those who perish! 86. He said: I expose my distress and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not. 87. Go, O my sons, and ascertain concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of the Spirit of Allah. Lo! none despaircth of the Spirit of Allah save disbelieving folk. 88. And when they came (again) before him (Joseph) they said: O ruler! Misfortune hath touched us and our folk, and we bring but poor merchandise, so fill for us the measure and be charitable unto us. Lo! Allah will requite the charitable. 89. He said: Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his brother in your ignorance? 90. They said: Is it indeed thou who art Joseph? He said: I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah hath shown us favour. Lo! he who wardeth off (evil) and endureth (findeth favour); for lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the kindly. 91. They said: By Allah, verily Allah hath preferred thee above us, and we were indeed sinful. 92. He said: Have no fear this day! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. 93. Go with this shirt of mine and lay it on my father’s face, he will become (again) a seer; and come to me with all your folk, 94. When the caravan departed their father had said: Truly I am conscious of the breath of Joseph, though ye call me dotard. 95. (Those around him) said: By Allah, lo! thou art in thine old aberration. 96. Then, when the bearer of glad tidings came, he laid it on his face and he became a seer once more. He said: Said I not unto you that I know from Allah that which ye know not? 97. They said: O our father! Ask forgiveness of our sins for us, for lo! we were sinful. 98. He said: I shall ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. 99. And when they came in before Joseph, he took his parents unto him, and said: Come into Egypt safe, if Allah will! 100. And he placed his parents on the dais and they fell down before him prostrate, and he said: O my father! This is the interpretation of my dream of old. My Lord hath made it true, and He hath shown me kindness, since He took me out of the prison and hath brought you from the desert after Satan had made strife between me and my brethren. Lo! my Lord is tender unto whom He will. He is the Knower, the Wise. 101. O my Lord.’ Thou hast given me (something) of sovereignty and hast taught me (something) of the interpretation of events Creator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my Protecting Friend in the world and the Hereafter. Make me to die submissive (unto Thee), and join me to the righteous. 102. This is of the tidings of the Unseen which We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou wast not present with them when they fixed their plan and they were scheming, 103. And though thou try much, most men will not believe. 104. Thou askest them no fee for it. It is naught else than a reminder unto the peoples. 105. How many a portent is there in the heavens and the earth which they pass by with face averted! 106. And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners (unto Him). Yusuf 12:3 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 12 His brothers now went to feed the flock of their father close by She’chem. 13 After a while Israel said to Joseph: “Your brothers are tending flocks close by She’chem, are they not? Come, and let me send you to them.” At this he said to him: “Here I am!” 14 So he said to him: “Go, please. See whether your brothers are safe and sound and whether the flock is safe and sound, and bring me back word.” With that he sent him away from the low plain of He’.bron, and he went on toward She’chem. 15 Later a man found him and here he was wandering in a field. Then the man inquired of him, saying: “What are you looking for?” 16 To this he said: “It is my brothers I am looking for. Tell me, please, Where are they tending flocks?” 17 And the man continued: “They have pulled away from here, because I heard them saying, ‘Let us go to Do’than.’“ So Joseph kept on after his brothers and found them at Do’than. 18 Well, they caught sight of him from a distance, and before he could get close by them they began plotting cunningly against him to put him to death. 19 So they said to one another: “Look! Here comes that dreamer. 20 And now come and let us kill him and pitch him into one of the waterpits; and we must say a vicious wild beast devoured him. Then let us see what will become of his dreams.” 21 When Reu’ben heard this he tried to deliver him out of their hand. So he said: “Let us not strike his soul fatally.” 22 And Reu’ben went on to say to them: “Do not spill blood. Pitch him into this waterpit which is in the wilderness and do not lay a violent hand upon him.” His purpose was to deliver him out of their hand in order to return him to his father. 23 So it came about that as soon as Joseph came to his brothers, they went stripping Joseph of his long garment, even the long striped garment that was upon him; 24 after which they took him and pitched him into the waterpit. At the time the pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat bread. When they raised their eyes and took a look, why, here was a caravan of Ishmaelites that was coming from Gil’e.ad, and their camels were carrying labdanum and balsam and resinous bark, on their way to take it down to Egypt. 26 At this Judah said to his brothers: “What profit would there be in case we killed our brother and did cover over his
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24 blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and do not let our hand be upon him. After all, he is our brother, our flesh.” So they listened to their brother. 28 Now men, Mid’ianite merchants, went passing by. Hence they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the waterpit and then sold Joseph to the Ish’maeltes for twenty silver pieces. Eventually these brought Joseph into Egypt. 29 Later Reu’ben returned to the waterpit and here Joseph was not in the waterpit. Consequently he ripped his garments apart. 30 When he returned to his other brothers he exclaimed: “The child is gone! And I—where am I really to go?” 31 However, they took Joseph’s long garment and slaughtered a male goat and repeatedly dipped the long garment in the blood. 32 After that they sent the long striped garment and had it brought to their father and said: “This is what we found. Examine, please, whether it is your son’s long garment or not.” 33 And he went examining it and exclaimed: “It is my son’s long garment! A vicious wild beast must have devoured him! Joseph is surely torn to pieces!” 34 With that Jacob ripped his mantles apart and put sackcloth upon his hips and carried on mourning over his son for many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters kept rising up to comfort him, but he kept refusing to take comfort and saying: “For I shall go down mourning to my son into She’ol!” And his father continued weeping for him. 36 However, the Mid’ianites sold him into Egypt to Pot’i-phar a court official of Phar’aoh, the chief of the bodyguard. Genesis 37:12 JUDAH’S CHILDREN, ADULTERY WITH DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
38 Now in the meantime it came about that when Judah went down from his brothers he pitched his tent near a man, an Adul’lamite, and his name was Hi’rah. 2 And there Judah got to see a daughter of a certain Ca’naanite, and his name was Shu’a. So he took her and had relations with her. 3 And she became pregnant. Later she bore a son and he called his name Er. 4 Again she became pregnant. In time she bore a son and called his name O’nan. 5 Yet another time she went on to bear a son and then called his name She’lah. Now he happened to be in Ach’zib at the time she bore him. 6 In time Judah took a wife for Er his first-born, and her name was Ta’mar. 7 But Er, Judah’s first-born, proved to be bad in the eyes of Jehovah; hence Jehovah put him to death. 8 In view of that Judah said to O’nan: “Have relations with your brother’s wife and perform brother-in-law marriage with her and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But O’nan knew that the offspring would not become his; and it occurred that when he did have relations with his brother’s wife he wasted his semen on the earth so as not to give offspring to his brother. 10 Now what he did was bad in the eyes of Jehovah; hence he put him also to death. 11 So Judah said to Ta’mar his daughter-in-law: “Dwell as a widow in the house of your father until She’lah my son grows up.” For he said to himself: “He too may die like his brothers.” Accordingly Ta’mar went and continued to dwell at her own father’s house. 12 Thus the days became many and the daughter of Shu’a, Judah’s wife, died; and Judah kept the period of mourning. After that he went up to the shearers of his sheep, he and Hi’rah his companion the Adul’lam.ite, to Tim’nah. 13 Then it was told to Ta’mar: “Here your father-in-law is going up to Tim’nah to shear his sheep.” 14 With that she removed the garments of her widowhood from her and covered herself with a shawl and veiled herself and sat down at the entrance of E.na’im, which is along the road to Tim’nah. For she saw that She’lah had grown up and yet she had not been given as a wife to him. 15 When Judah caught sight of her, he at once took her for a harlot, because she had covered her face. 16 So he turned aside to her by the road and said: “Allow me, please, to have relations with you.” For he did not know that she was his daughter-inlaw. However, she said: “What will you give me that you may have relations with me?” 17 To this he said: “I myself shall send a kid of the goats from the herd.” But she said: “Will you give a security until you send it?” 18 And he continued: “What is the security that I shall give you?” to which she said: “Your seal ring and your cord and your rod that is in your hand.” Then he gave them to her and had relations with her, so that she became pregnant by him. 19 After that she got up and went and removed her shawl off her and clothed herself with the garments of her widowhood. Genesis 38:1 24 However, about three months later it happened that it was told to Judah: “Ta’mar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot, and here she is also pregnant by her harlotry.” At that Judah said: “BRING her out and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out she herself sent to her father-in-law, saying: “By the man to whom these belong I am pregnant.” And she added: “Examine, please, to whom these belong, the seal ring and the cord and the rod.” 26 Then Judah examined them and said: “She is more righteous than I am, for the reason that I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he had no further intercourse with her after that. 27 Now it developed that in the time of her giving birth, why, here there were twins in her belly. 28 Further, it turned out that when she was giving birth one extended his hand, and the midwife at once took and tied a scarlet piece about his hand, saying: “This one came out first.” 29 Finally it developed that as soon as he drew back his hand, why, here his brother came out, so that she exclaimed: “What do you mean by this, that you have produced a perineal rupture for yourself?” Hence his name was called Pe’rez. 30 And afterward his brother upon whose hand the scarlet piece was came out and his name came to be called Ze’rah. Genesis 38:24 4 And Joseph kept finding favor in his eyes and waited upon him continually, so that he appointed him over his house, and all that was his he gave into his hand. 5 And it followed that from the time he appointed him. over his house and in charge of all that was his Jehovah kept blessing the house of the Egyptian due to Joseph, and Jehovah’s blessing came to be upon all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 Finally he left every thing that was his in Joseph’s hand; and he did not know what was with him at all except the bread he was eating. Moreover, Joseph grew to be beautiful in form and beautiful in appearance. 7 Now after these things it came about that the wife of his master began to raise her eyes toward Joseph and say: “Lie down with me.” 8 But he would refuse and would say to his master’s wife: “Here my master does not know what is with me in the house, and everything he has he has given into my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I am, and he has not withheld from me anything at all except you, because you are his wife. So how could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” 10 So it turned out that as she spoke to Joseph day after day he never listened to her to lie alongside her, to continue with her. 11 But it happened that on this day as other days he went into the house to do his business, and there was none of the men of the house there in the house. 12 Then she grabbed hold of him by his garment, saying: “Lie down with me!” But he left his garment
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25 in her hand and took to flight and went on outside. 13 So it occurred that as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand that he might flee outside, 14 she began to cry out to the men of her house and to say to them: “Look! He brought to us a man, a Hebrew, to make us a laughingstock. He came to me to lie down with me, but I began to cry out at the top of my voice. 15 And it followed that as soon as he heard that I raised my voice and began crying put, he then left his garment beside me and took to flight and went on outside.” 16 After that she kept his garment laid up beside her until his master came to his house. 17 Then she spoke to him according to these words, saying: “The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came to me to make me a laughingstock. 18 But it followed that as soon as I raised my voice and began to cry out, he then left his garment beside me and went fleeing outside.” 19 The result was that as soon as his master heard the words of his wife which she spoke to him, saying: “Like this and this your servant did to me,” his anger blazed. 20 So Joseph’s master took him and gave him over to the prison house, the place where the prisoners of the king were kept under arrest, and he continued there in the prison house. Genesis 39:4 9 And the chief of the cupbearers went on to relate his dream to Joseph and to say to him: “In my dream, why, here there was a vine before me. 10 And on the vine there were three twigs, and it was apparently sprouting shoots. Its blossoms pushed forth. Its clusters ripened their grapes. 11 And !” Phar’aoh’s cup was in my hand, and I proceeded to take the grapes and squeeze them out into Phar’aoh’s cup. After that I gave the cup into Phar’aoh’s hand.” 12 Then Joseph said to him: “This is its interpretation: The three twigs are three days. 13 In three days from now Phar’aoh will lift up your head and he will certainly return you to your office; and you will certainly give Phar’aoh’s cup into his hand, according to the former custom when you acted as his cupbearer. 14 Nevertheless, you must keep me in your remembrance as soon as it goes well with you, and you must, please, perform lovingkindness with me and mention me to Phar’aoh, and you must get me out of this house. 15 For I was in fact kidnaped from the land of the Hebrews; and here also I have done nothing at all for which they should put me in the prison hole.” 16 When the chief of the bakers saw that he had interpreted something good, he, in turn, said to Joseph: “I too was in my dream, and here there were three baskets of white bread upon my head, 17 and in the topmost basket there were all sorts of eatables for Phar’aoh, the product of a baker, and there were fowls eating them out of the basket on top of my head.” 18 Then Joseph answered and said: “This is its interpretation: The three baskets are three days. 19 In three days from now Phar’aoh will lift up your head from off you and will certainly hang you upon a stake; and the fowls will certainly eat your flesh from off you.” 20 Now on the third day it turned out to be Phar’aoh’s birthday, and he proceeded to make a feast for all his servants and to lift up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers in the midst of his servants. 21 Accordingly he returned the chief of the cupbearers to his post of cupbearer, and he continued to give the cup into Phar’aoh’s hand. 22 But the chief of the bakers he hung up, just as Joseph had given them the interpretation. 23 However, the chief of the cupbearers did not remember Joseph and went on forgetting him. 41 And it came about at the end of two full years that Phar’aoh was dreaming and here he was standing by the river Nile. 2 And here ascending out of the river Nile were seven cows beautiful in appearance and fat-fleshed, and they went feeding among the Nile grass. 3 And here there were seven other cows ascending after them out of the river Nile, ugly in appearance and thin-fleshed, and they took their stand alongside the cows by the bank of the river Nile. 4 Then the cows that were ugly in appearance and thinfleshed began to eat up the seven cows that were beautiful in appearance and fat. At this Phar’aoh woke up. 5 However, he went back to sleep and dreamed a second time. And here there were seven ears of grain coming up on one stalk, fat and good. 6 And here there were seven ears of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, growing up after them. 7 And the thin ears of grain began to swallow up the seven fat and full ears of grain. At this Phar’aoh woke up and here it was a dream. 8 And it developed in the morning that his spirit became agitated. So he sent and called all the magic-practicing priests of Egypt and all her wise men, and Phar’aoh went on to relate his dreams to them. But there was no interpreter of them for Phar’aoh. 9 Then the chief of the cup bearers spoke with Phar’aoh, saying: “My sins I am mentioning today. 10 Phar’aoh was indignant at his servants. So he committed me to the jail of the house of the chief of the bodyguard, both me and the chief of the bakers. 11 After that we both dreamed a dream in the one night, both I and he. We dreamed each one his dream with its own interpretation. 12 And there was with us there a young man, a Hebrew, a servant of the chief of the bodyguard. When we related them to him, he proceeded to interpret our dreams to us. He interpreted to each according to his dream. 13 And it turned out that just as he had interpreted to us so it happened. Me he returned to my office, but him he hanged.” 14 And Phar’aoh proceeded to send and to call Joseph, that they might bring him quickly from the prison hole. Hence he shaved and changed his mantles and went in to Phar’aoh. 15 Then Phar’aoh said to Joseph: “I have dreamed a dream, but there is no interpreter of it. Now I myself have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.” 16 At this Joseph answered Phar’aoh, saying: “I need not be considered! God will announce welfare to Phar’aoh.” 17 And Phar’aoh went on to speak to Joseph: “In my dream here I was standing on the bank of the river Nile. 18 And here ascending out of the river Nile were seven cows fat-fleshed and beautiful in form, and they began to feed among the Nile grass. 19 And here there were seven other cows ascending after them, poor and very bad in form and thin-fleshed. For badness I have not seen the like of them in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the skinny and bad cows began to eat up the first seven fat cows. 21 So these came into their bellies, and yet it could not be known that they had come into their bellies, as their appearance was bad just as at the start. At that I woke up. 22 “After that I saw in my dream and here there were seven ears of grain coming up on one stalk, full and good. 23 And here there were seven ears of grain shriveled, thin, scorched by the east wind, growing up after them. 24 And the thin ears of grain began to swallow up the seven good ears of grain. So I stated it to the magic-practicing priests, but there was none telling me.” 25 Then Joseph said to Phar’aoh: “The dream of Phar’aoh is but one. What the [true] God is doing he has told to Phar’aoh. 26 The seven good cows are seven years. Likewise the seven good ears of grain are seven years. The dream is but one. 27 And the seven skinny and bad cows that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears of grain, scorched by the east wind, will prove to be seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing that I have spoken to Phar’aoh: What the [true] God is doing he has caused Phar’aoh to see.
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26 29 “Here there are seven years coming with great plenty in all the land of Egypt. 30 But seven years of famine will certainly arise after them, and all the plenty in the land of Egypt will certainly be forgotten and the famine will simply consume the land. 31 And the plenty once in the land will not be known as a result of that famine afterward, because it will certainly be very severe. 32 And the fact that the dream was repeated to Phar’aoh twice means that the thing is firmly established on the part of the [true] God, and the [true] God is speeding to do it. 33 “So now let Phar’aoh look for a man discreet and wise and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Phar’aoh act and appoint overseers over the land, and he must take up one fifth of the land of Egypt during the seven years of plenty. 35 And let them collect all the foodstuffs of these coming good years, and let them pile up grain under Phar’aoh’s hand as foodstuffs in the cities, and they must safeguard it. 36 And the foodstuffs must serve as a supply for the land for the seven famine years, which will develop in the land of Egypt, in order that the land may not be cut off by the famine.” 37 Well, the thing proved to be good in the eyes of Phar’aoh and of all his servants. 38 So Phar’aoh said to his servants: “Can another man be found like this one in whom the spirit of God is?” 39 After that Phar’aoh said to Joseph: “Since God has caused you to know all this, there is no one as discreet and wise as you are. 40 You will personally be over my house, and all my people will obey you implicitly. Only as to the throne shall I be greater than you.” 41 And Phar’aoh added to Joseph: “See, I do place you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 With that Phar’aoh removed his signet ring from his own hand and put it upon Joseph’s hand and clothed him with garments of fine linen and placed a necklace of gold about his neck. 43 Moreover, he had him ride in the second chariot of honor that he had, so that they should call out ahead of him, “A.vrekh!” thus putting him over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 40:9 53 And the seven years of the plenty that had obtained in the land of Egypt gradually ended, 54 and, in turn, the seven years of the famine started to come, just as Joseph had said. And the famine developed in all the lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was found bread. 55 Finally all the land of Egypt became famished and the people began to cry to Phar’aoh for bread. Then Phar’aoh said to all the Egyptians: “Go to Joseph. Whatever he says to YOU, YOU are to do.” 56 And the famine obtained over all the surface of the earth. Then Joseph began to open up all the grain depositories that were among them and to sell to the Egyptians, as the famine got a strong grip on the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy from Joseph, because the famine had a strong grip on all the earth. 42 Eventually Jacob got to see that there were cereals in Egypt. Then Jacob said to his sons: “Why do YOU keep looking at one another?” 2 And he added: “Here I have heard that there are cereals in Egypt. Go down there and buy for us from there, that we may keep alive and not die off.” 3 Accordingly ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his other brothers, because he said: “Otherwise a fatal accident may befall him.” 5 So Israel’s sons came along with the others who were coming to buy, because the famine existed in the land of Ca’naan. 6 And Joseph was the man in power over the land. He was the one that did the selling to all people of the earth. Consequently Joseph’s brothers came and bowed low to him with their faces to the earth. 7 When Joseph got to see his brothers, he at once recognized them, but he made himself unrecognizable to them. So he spoke harshly with them and said to them:” “Where have YOU come from?” to which they said: “From the land of Ca’naan to buy foodstuffs.” 8 Thus Joseph recognized his brothers, but they themselves did not recognize him. 9 Immediately Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed respecting them, and he went on to say to them: “You are spies! You have come to see the exposed condition of the land!” 10 Then they said to him: “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy foodstuffs. 11 We are all of us sons of but one man. We are upright men. Your servants do not act as spies.” 12 But he said to them: “Not so! Because YOU have come to see the exposed condition of the land!” 13 At this they said: “Your servants are twelve brothers. We are the sons of but one man in the land of Ca’naan; and here the youngest is with our father today, whereas the other one is no more.” 14 However, Joseph said to them: “It is what I have spoken to YOU, saying, ‘You are spies!’ 15 By this YOU will be tested out. As Phar’aoh lives, YOU will not go out of here except when YOUR youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of YOU that he may get YOUR brother while YOU have been bound, that YOUR words may be tested out as the truth in YOUR case. And if not, then, as Phar’aoh lives, YOU are spies.” 17 With that he put them together in custody for three days. 18 After that Joseph said to them on the third day: “Do this and keep alive. I fear the [true] God. 19 If YOU are upright, let one of YOUR brothers be kept bound in YOUR house of custody, but the rest of YOU go, take cereals for the famine in YOUR houses. 20 Then YOU will bring YOUR youngest brother to me, that YOUR words may be found trustworthy; and YOU will not die.” And they proceeded to do so. Genesis 41:53 26 So they loaded their cereals upon their asses and got on their way from there. 27 When one opened his sack to give fodder to his ass at the lodging place, he got to see his money, and here it was in the mouth of his bag. 28 At that he said to his brothers: “My money has been returned and now here it is in my bag!” Then their hearts sank, so that they turned trembling to one another, saying: “What is this God has done to us?” 29 At length they came to Jacob their father to the land of Ca’naan and told him all the things that had befallen them, saying: 30 “The man who is the lord of the country spoke harshly with us, since he took us for men spying on the country. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are upright men. We do not act as spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, the sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is today with our father in the land of Ca’naan.’ 33 But the man who is the lord of the country said to us, ‘By this I am going to know YOU are upright: Have one brother of YOURS stay with me. Then YOU take something for the famine in YOUR houses and go. 34 And bring YOUR youngest brother to me, that I may know that YOU are no spies but YOU are upright. Your brother I shall give back to YOU, and YOU may carry on business in the land.’” 35 And it came about that when they were emptying their sacks here was each one’s bundle of money in his sack. And they as well as their father got to see their bundles of money, and they became afraid. 36 Then Jacob their father exclaimed to them: “It is I YOU have bereaved! Joseph is no more and Sim’e.-on is no more, and Benjamin YOU are going to take! Genesis 42:26
43 And the famine was severe in the land. 2 And it came about that as soon as they had finished eating up the cereals they had brought from Egypt, their father proceeded to say to them: “Return, buy a little food for us.” 3 Then Judah said to him: “The man unmistakably bore witness to us, saying, ‘You must not see my face again unless YOUR brother is with YOU.’ 4 If you are sending our brother with us, we are willing to go down and buy food for you. 5 But if you are not sending him, we shall not go down, because the
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27 man did say to us, ‘You must not see my face again unless YOUR brother is with YOU.’ 6 And Israel exclaimed: “Why did YOU have to do harm to me by telling the man YOU had another brother?” 7 At this they said: “The man directly inquired concerning us and our relatives, saying, ‘Is YOUR father yet alive? Do YOU have another brother?’ and we went on to tell him according to these facts. How could we know for certain that he would say, ‘Bring YOUR brother down’?” 8 Finally Judah said to Israel his father: “Send the boy with me, that we may get up and go and that we may keep alive and not die off, both we and you and our little children. 9 I shall be the one to be surety for him. Out of my hand you may exact the penalty for him. If I fail to bring him to you and present him to you, then I shall have sinned against you for all time. 10 But if we had not lingered around, we should by now have been there and back these two times.” 11 So Israel their father said to them: “If, then, that is the case, do this: Take the finest products of the land in YOUR receptacles and carry them down to the man as a gift: a little balsam, and a little honey, labdanum and resinous bark, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Also, take double the money in YOUR hand; and the money that was returned in the mouth of YOUR bags YOU will take back in YOUR hand. Maybe it was a mistake. 13 And take YOUR brother and get up, return to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give YOU pity before the man, that he may certainly release to YOU YOUR other brother and Benjamin. But I, in case I must be bereaved, I shall certainly be bereaved!” 15 Accordingly the men took this gift, and they took double the money in their hand and Benjamin. Then they rose and went their way down to Egypt and got to stand before Joseph. Genesis 43:1 26 When Joseph went on into the house, then they brought the gift that was in their hand to him into the house, and prostrated themselves to him to the earth. 27 After this he inquired whether they were getting along well and said: “Is YOUR father, the aged man of whom YOU have spoken, getting along well? Is he still alive?” 28 To this they said: “Your servant our father is getting along well. He is still alive.” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves. 29 When he raised his eyes and saw Benjamin his brother, the son of his mother, he went on to say: “Is this YOUR brother, the youngest one of whom YOU have spoken to me?” And he added: “May God show you his favor, my son.” 30 Joseph was now in a hurry, because his inward emotions were excited toward his brother, so that he looked for a place to weep and he went into an interior room and gave way to tears there. 31 After that he washed his face and went out and kept control of himself and said: “SET on the meal.” 32 And they proceeded to set it on for him by himself and for them by themselves and for the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves; for the Egyptians were not able to eat a meal with the Hebrews, because that is a detestable thing to the Egyptians. 33 And they were seated before him, the first-born according to his right as first-born and the youngest according to his youngness; and the men kept looking at one another in amazement. 34 And he kept having portions carried from before him to them, but he would increase Benjamin’s portion five times the size of the portions of all the others. So they continued banqueting and drinking with him to the full. 44 Later on he commanded the man who was over his house, saying: “Fill the bags of the men with food to the extent they are able to carry it and place the money of each one in the mouth of his bag. 2 But you must place my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the bag of the youngest and the money for his cereals.” So he did according to the word of Joseph which he had spoken. 3 The morning had become light when the men were sent away, both they and their asses. 4 They went out of the city. They had not gone far when Joseph said to the man who was over his house: “Get up! Chase after the men and be certain to overtake them and to say to them, ‘Why have YOU repaid bad for good? 5 Is not this the thing that my master drinks from and by means of which he expertly reads omens? It is a bad deed YOU have committed.’ 6 Eventually he overtook them and spoke these words to them. 7 But they said to him: “Why does my lord speak with such words as these? It is unthinkable that your servants should do anything like this. 8 Why, the money that we found in the mouth of our bags we brought back to you from the land of Ca’naan. How, then, could we steal silver or gold from the house of your master? 9 Let the one of your slaves with whom it may be found die and let us ourselves also become slaves to my master.” 10 So he said: “Let it be now exactly according to YOUR words. Thus the one with whom it may be found will become a slave to me but YOU yourselves will be proved innocent.” 11 With that they quickly let down each one his bag to the earth and they opened each one his own bag. 12 And he went searching carefully. He started with the oldest and finished with the youngest. At last the cup was found in Benjamin’s bag. Genesis 43:26 30 “And now, as soon as I should come to your slave my father without the boy along with us, when that one’s soul is bound up with this one’s soul, 31 then It is certain to occur that as soon as he sees that the boy is not there he will simply die, and your slaves will indeed bring down the gray hairs of your slave our father with grief to She’ol. 32 For your slave became surety for the boy when away from his father, saying, ‘If I fail to bring him back to you, then I shall have sinned against my father forever. 33 So now, please, let your slave stay instead of the boy as a slave to my master, that the boy may go up with his brothers.’ 34 For now can I go up to my father without the boy along with me, for fear that then I may look upon the calamity that will find out my father?” 45 At this Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all those who were stationed by him. So he cried out: “HAVE everybody go out from me!” And no one else stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he began to raise his voice in weeping, so that the Egyptians got to hear it and Phar’aoh’s house got to hear it. 3 Finally Joseph said to his brothers: “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were unable to answer him at all, because they were disturbed by reason of him. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers: “Come close to me, please.” With that they came close to him. Then he said: “I am Joseph YOUR brother, whom YOU sold into Egypt. 5 But now do not feel hurt and do not be angry with yourselves because YOU sold me here; because for the preservation of life God has sent me ahead of YOU. 6 For this is the second year of the famine in the midst of the earth, and there are yet five years in which there will be no plowing time or harvest. 7 Consequently God sent me ahead of YOU in order to place a, remnant for YOU men in the earth and to keep YOU alive by a great escape. 8 So now it was not YOU who sent me here, but it was the [true] God, that he might appoint me a father to Phar’aoh and a lord for all his house and as one dominating over all the land of Egypt. 9 “Go up quickly to my father, and YOU must say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph has said: “God has appointed me lord for all Egypt. Come down to me. Do not delay. 10 And you must dwell in the land of Go’shen, and you must continue near me, you and your sons and the sons of your sons and your flocks and your herds and everything you have.
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28 11 And I will supply you with food there, for there are yet five years of famine; for fear you and your house and everything you have may come to poverty.” 12 And here YOUR eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin are seeing that it is my mouth that is speaking to YOU. 13 So YOU must tell my father about all my glory in. Egypt and everything you have seen; and you must hurry and bring my father down here.” 14. Then he fell upon the neck of Benjamin his brother and gave to weeping, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15. And he proceeded to kiss all his brothers and to weep over them, and after that his brothers spoke with him. 16 And the news was heard at the house of Phar’aoh, saying: “Joseph’s brothers have come!” And it proved to be good in the eyes of Phar’aoh and of his servants. 17 Accordingly Phar’aoh said to Joseph: “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load YOUR beasts of burden and go enter the land of Ca’naan, 18 and take YOUR father and YOUR households and come here to me, that I may give YOU the good of the land of Egypt; and eat the fat part of the land. 19 And you yourself are commanded: “Do this: TAKE for yourselves wagons from the land of Egypt for YOUR little ones and YOUR wives, and YOU must lift YOUR father on one and come here. 20 And do not let YOUR eye feel sorry over YOUR equipment, because the good of all the land of Egypt is YOURS. 21 Following that the sons of Israel did so, and Joseph gave them wagons according to Phar’aoh’s orders and gave them provisions for the way. 22 To each of them he gave individual changes of mantles, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred silver pieces and five changes of mantles. 23 And to his father he sent as follows: ten asses carrying good things of Egypt and ten sheasses carrying grain and bread and sustenance for his father for the way. 24 Thus he sent his brothers off, and they proceeded to go. However, he said to them: “Do not get exasperated at one another on the way.” 25 And they began going up out of Egypt and at length came into the land of Ca’naan to Jacob their father. 26 Then they reported to him, saying: “Joseph is still alive, and he is the one dominating over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 44:30 ISRAEL’S PROPHECIES
49 Later on Jacob called his sons and said: “Gather yourselves together that I may tell YOU what will happen to YOU in the final part of the days. 2 Assemble yourselves and listen, YOU sons of Jacob, yes, listen to Israel YOUR father. 3 “Reu’ben, you are my firstborn, my vigor and the beginning of my generative power, the excellence of dignity and the excellence of strength. 4 With reckless license like waters, do not you excel, because you have gone up to your father’s bed. At that time you profaned my lounge. He went up to it! 5 “Sim’e.on and Le’vi are brothers. Instruments of violence are their slaughter weapons. 6 Into their intimate group do not come, O my soul. With their congregation do not become united, O my disposition, because in their anger they killed men, and in their arbitrariness they hamstrung bulls. 7 Cursed be their anger, because it is cruel, and their fury, because it acts harshly. Let me parcel them out in Jacob and let me scatter them in Israel. 8 “As for you, Judah, your brothers will laud you. Your hand will be on the back of the neck of your enemies. The sons of your father will prostrate themselves to you. 9 A lion cub Judah is. From the prey, my son, you will certainly go up. He bowed down, he stretched himself out like a lion and, like a lion, who dares rouse him? 10 The scepter will not turn aside from Judah, neither the commander’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him the obedience of the peoples will belong. 11 Tying his fullgrown ass to a vine and the descendant of his own she-ass to a choice vine, he will certainly wash his clothing in wine and his garment in the blood of grapes. 12 Dark red are his eyes from wine, and the whiteness of his teeth is from milk. 13 “Zeb’ulun will reside by the seashore, and he will be by the shore where the ships lie anchored; and his remote side will be toward Si’don. 14 “Is’sa.char is a strong-boned ass, lying down between the two saddlebags. 15 And he will see that the resting place is good and that the land is pleasant; and he will bend down his shoulder to bear burdens and he will become subject to slavish forced labor. 16 “Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Let Dan prove to be a serpent by the roadside, a horned snake at the wayside, that bites the heels of the horse so that its rider falls backward. 18 I shall indeed wait for salvation from you, O Jehovah. 19 “As for Gad, a marauder band will raid him, but he will raid the extreme rear. 20 “Out of Ash’er his bread will be fat, and he will give the dainties of a king. 21 “Naph’ta.li is a slender hind. He is giving words of elegance. 22 “Offshoot of a fruit-bearing tree, Joseph is the offshoot of a fruit-bearing tree by the fountain, that propels its branches up over a wall. 23 But the archers kept harassing him and shot at him and kept harboring animosity against him. 24 And yet his bow was dwelling in a permanent place, and the strength of his hands was supple. From the hands of the powerful one of Jacob, from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel. 25 He is from the God of your father, and he will help you; and he is with the Almighty, and he will bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, with the blessings of the watery deep lying down below, with the blessings of the breasts and womb. 26 The blessings of your father will indeed be superior to the blessings of the eternal mountains, to the ornament of the indefinitely lasting hills. They will continue upon the head of Joseph, even upon the crown of the head of the one singled out from his brothers. 27 “Benjamin will keep on tearing like a wolf. In the morning he will eat the animal seized and at evening he will divide spoil.” 28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them when he was blessing them. He blessed them each one according to his own blessing. DEATH OF JOSEPH 24 At length Joseph said to his brothers: “I am dying; but God will without fail turn his attention to YOU, and he will certainly bring YOU up out of this land to the land about which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” 25 Hence Joseph made the, sons of Israel swear, saying: “God will without fail turn his attention to YOU. Accordingly YOU must take my bones up out of here.” 26 After that Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten years; and they had him embalmed, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:24
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29 OUR REMARKS 1. The Holy Bible mentions creation of woman from a rib of Adam; the Holy Qur'an does not mention it, but words of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) confirms the claim of the Holy Bible. 2. The Holy Qur'an mentions refusal of the Devil Iblees to prostrate before Adam; the Holy Bible does not mention it. 3. In the Holy Qur'an, the genealogy of Adam as mentioned by the Holy Bible is absent. 4. The story of flood in Noah’s time is more in detail in the Holy Bible as compared to the Holy Qur'an’s description. 5. Both the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Bible mention the story of Abraham, but in the Holy Bible, the mention of breaking of the idols by Abraham and then his trial and throwing in the fire is missing. 6. God promises to give Abraham’s seed (i.e. all the sons of Sarah, Hagar and Katurah, and probably all their followers too) the land of Palestine. 7. The Holy Qur'an does not mention the adultery of the two daughters of Lot with their father after intoxication. 8. In the Holy Bible, the rift between Esau and Jacob i.e. the sons of Isaac is in detail while the Holy Qur'an does not mention it at all. 9. The rape of Dinah the daughter of Jacob is in detail in the Holy Bible; the Holy Qur'an does not mention it. 10. The story of Joseph is in more detail in the Holy Bible. 11. Adultery of Judah with his daughter-in-law Tamar is not mentioned in the Holy Qur'an nor is mentioned forcible intercourse of Jacob’s son Reuben with one of his concubine mother. 12. In the Holy Bible (Genesis 37:33) it is claimed that Jacob believed that his son Joseph was dead. But the Holy Qur'an claimed that Jacob always believed that Joseph was not dead. Sura Yusuf 12:96 13. The Holy Bible (Genesis 39:19) claimed that Pharaoh believed in his wife’s accusation that Joseph tried to molest her. But the Holy Qur'an Yusuf reiterates that Pharaoh investigated the accusation of his wife and then found out that Joseph was innocent. 14. The Holy Qur'an mentions a miracle by prophet Joseph which is absent in the Holy Bible. When Jacob was coming to Egypt with all his family, Joseph sent a shirt to be put upon his father’s face; Jacob (i.e. Israel) immediately got back his eye sight. Sura Yusuf 12:96 _________
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Book 2
EXODUS
ISRAELIS ENSLAVED BY PHARAOH
1 Now these are the names of Israel’s sons who came into Egypt with Jacob; each man and his household came: 2 Reu’ben, Sim’e.on, Le’vi and Judah, 3 Is’-sa.char, Zeb’u.lun and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naph’ta.li, Gad and Ash’er. 5 And all the souls who issued out of Jacob’s upper thigh came to be seventy souls, but Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Eventually Joseph died, and also all his brothers and all that generation. 7 And the sons of Israel became fruitful and began to swarm; and they kept on multiplying and growing mightier at a very extraordinary rate, so that the land got to be filled with them. 8 In time there arose over Egypt a new king who did not know Joseph. 9 And he proceeded to say to his people: “Look! The people of the sons of Israel are more numerous and mightier than we are. 10 Come on! Let us deal shrewdly with them, for fear they may multiply, and it must turn out that, in case war should befall us, then they certainly will also be added to those who hate us and will fight against us and go up out of the country.” 11 So they set over them chiefs of forced labor for the purpose of oppressing them in their burden-bearing; and they went building cities as storage places for Phar’aoh, namely, Pi’thom and Ra.am’ses. 12 But the more they would oppress them, the more they would multiply and the more they kept spreading abroad, so that they felt a sickening dread as a result of the sons of Israel. 13 Consequently the Egyptians made the sons of Israel slave under tyranny. 14 And they kept making their life bitter with hard slavery at clay mortar and bricks and with every form of slavery in the field, yes, every form of slavery of theirs in which they used them as slaves under tyranny. KILLING OF SONS OF THE HEBREW 15 Later on the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, the name of one of whom was Shiph’rah and the name of the other Pu’ah, 16 yes, he went so far as to say: “When YOU help the Hebrew women to give birth and YOU do see them on the stool for childbirth, if it is a son, YOU must also put it to death; but if it is a daughter, it must also live,” Exodus 1:1 22 Finally Phar’aoh commanded all his people, saying: “Every new-born son YOU are to throw into the river Nile, but every daughter YOU are to preserve alive.” THE BIRTH OF MOSES
2 Meantime, a certain man of the house of Le’vi went ahead and took a daughter of Le’vi. 2 And the woman became pregnant and brought a son to birth. When she saw how good-looking he was, she kept him concealed for three lunar months. 3 When she was no longer able to conceal him, she then took for him an ark of papyrus and coated it with bitumen and pitch and put the child in it and put it among the reeds by the bank of the river Nile. 4 Further, his sister stationed herself at a distance to find out what would be done with him. 5 After a while Phar’aoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the Nile River, and her female attendants were walking by the side of the Nile River. And she caught sight of the ark in the middle of the reeds. Immediately she sent her slave girl that she might get it. 6 When she opened it she got to see the child, and here the boy was weeping. At that she felt compassion for him, although she said: “This is one of the children of the Hebrews.” 7 Then his sister said to Phar’aoh’s daughter: “Shall I go and specially call for you a nursing woman from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” 8 So Phar’aoh’s daughter said to her: “Go!” At once the maiden went and called the child’s mother. 9 Phar’aoh’s daughter then said to her: “Take this child with you and nurse him for me, and I myself shall give you your wages.” Accordingly the woman took the child and nursed him.’ 10 And the child grew up. Then she brought him to Phar’aoh’s daughter, so that he became a son to her; and she proceeded to call his name Moses and to say: “It is because I have drawn him out of the water.” 11 Now it came about in those days, as Moses was becoming strong, that he went out to his brothers that he might look at the burdens ,they were bearing; and he caught sight of a certain Egyptian striking a certain Hebrew of his brothers. 12 So he turned this way and that and saw there was nobody in sight. Then he struck the Egyptian down and hid him in the sand. 13 However, he went out on the following day and here there were two Hebrew men struggling with each other. So he said to the one in the wrong: “Why should you strike your companion?” 14 At this he said: “Who appointed you as a prince and judge over us? Are you intending to kill me just as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses now got afraid and said: “Surely the thing has become known!” 15 Subsequently Phar’aoh got to hear of this thing, and he attempted to kill Moses; .but Moses ran away from Phar’aoh that he might dwell in the land of Mid’ian; and he took a seat by a well. 16 Now the priest of Mid’ian had seven daughters, and as usual they came and drew water and filled the gutters to water their father’s flock. 17 And as usual the shepherds came and drove them away. At this Moses got up and helped the women out and watered their flock. 18 So when they came home to Reu’el their father he exclaimed: “How is it YOU have come home so quickly today?” 19 To this they said: “A certain Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and, besides, he actually drew water for us that he might water the flock.” 20 Then he said to his daughters: “But where is he? Why is it that YOU have left the man behind? Call him, that he may eat bread.” 21 After that Moses showed willingness to dwell with the man, and he gave Zippo’rah his daughter to Moses. 22 Later she bore a son and he called his name Ger’shom, because, he said: “An alien resident I have come to be in a foreign land.” 23 And it came about during those many days that the king of Egypt finally died, but the sons of Israel continued to sigh because of the slavery and to cry out in complaint, and their cry for help kept going up to the [true] God because of the slavery. 24 In time God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 25 So God looked on the sons of Israel and God took notice. 3 And Moses became a shepherd of the flock of Jeth’ro, the priest of Mid’ian, whose son-in-law he was. While he was driving the flock to the west side of the wilderness, he came at length to the mountain of the [true] God, to Ho’reb. 2 Then Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire in the midst of a thornbush. As he kept looking, why, here the thornbush was burning with the fire and yet the thornbush was not consumed. 3 At this Moses said: “Let me just turn aside that I may inspect this great
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31 phenomenon, as to why the thornbush is not burnt up.” 4 When Jehovah saw that he turned aside to inspect, God at once called to him out of the midst of the thornbush and said: “Moses! Moses!” to which he said: “Here I am.” 5 Then he said: “Do not come near here. Draw your sandals from off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he went on to say: “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses concealed his face, because he was afraid to look at the [true] God. 7 And Jehovah added: “Unquestionably I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry as a result of those who drive them to work; because I well know the pains they suffer. 8 And I am proceeding to go down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and spacious, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the locality of the Ca’naan’ites and the Hit’tites and the Am’or-ites and the Per’izzites and the Hi’vites and the Jeb’u.sites. 9 And now, look! the outcry of the sons of Israel has come to me, and I have seen also the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 “And now come and let me send you to Phar’aoh, and you bring my people the sons of Israel out of Egypt.” Exodus 1:22 15 “This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation. 16 You go, and you must gather the older men of Israel, and you must say to them, ‘Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers has appeared to me, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying: “I will without fail give attention to YOU and to what is being done to YOU in Egypt. 17 And so I say, I shall bring YOU up out of affliction by the Egyptians to the land of the Ca’.naan.ites and the Hit’tites and the Am’or.ites and the Per’iz.zites and the Hi’vites and the Jeb’u.sites, to a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 “And they will certainly listen to your voice, and you must come, you and the older men of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and YOU men must say to him, ‘Jehovah the God of the Hebrews has come in touch with us, and now we want to go, please, a journey of three days into the wilderness, and we want to sacrifice to Jehovah our God.’ 19 And I, even I, well know that the king of Egypt will not give YOU permission to go except by a strong hand. 20 And I shall have to stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonderful acts that I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will send YOU out. 21 And I will give this people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians; and it will certainly occur that when YOU go, YOU will not go empty-handed. 22 And each woman must ask from her neighbor and from the woman residing as an alien in her house articles of silver and articles of gold and mantles, and YOU must put them upon YOUR sons and YOUR daughters; and YOU must strip the Egyptians.” 4 However, Moses in answering said: “But suppose they do not believe me and do not listen to my voice, because they are going to say, ‘Jehovah did not appear to you.’” 2 Then Jehovah said to him: “What is that in your hand?” to which he said: “A rod.” 3 Next he said: “Throw it on the earth.” So he threw it on the earth, and it became a serpent; and Moses began to flee from it. 4 Jehovah now said to Moses: “Thrust your hand out and grab hold of it by the tail.” So he thrust his hand out and grabbed hold of it, and it became a rod in his palm. 5 “In order that,” to quote him, “they may believe that Jehovah the God of their forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Then Jehovah said to him once more: “Stick your hand, please, into the upper fold of your garment.” So he stuck his hand into the upper fold of his garment. When he drew it out, why, here his hand was stricken with leprosy like snow! 7 After that he said: “Return your hand into the upper fold of your garment.” So he returned his hand into the upper fold of his garment. When he drew it out of the upper fold of his garment, why, here it was restored like the rest of his flesh! 8 “And it must occur that,” to quote him, “If they will not believe you and will not listen to the voice of the first sign, then they will certainly believe the voice of the later sign. 9 Still, it must occur that, if they will not believe even these two signs and will not listen to your voice, then you will have to take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on the dry land; and the water that you will take from the Nile River will certainly become, yes, it will indeed become blood on the dry land.” 10 Moses now said to Jehovah: “Excuse me, Jehovah, but I am not a fluent speaker, neither since yesterday nor since before that nor since your speaking to your servant, for I am slow of mouth and slow of tongue.” 11 At that Jehovah said to him: “Who appointed a mouth for man or who appoints the speechless or the deaf or the clear-sighted or the blind? Is it not I, Jehovah? 12 So now go, and I myself shall prove to be with your mouth and I will teach you what you ought to say.” 13 But he said: “Excuse me, Jehovah, but send, please, by the hand of the one whom you are going to send.” 14 Then Jehovah’s anger grew hot against Moses and he said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I do know that he can really speak. And, besides, here he is on his way out to meet you. When he does see you, he will certainly rejoice in his heart. 15 And you must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I myself shall prove to be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach YOU men what YOU are to do. 16 And he must speak for you to the people; and it must occur that he will serve as a mouth to you, and you will serve as God to him. 17 And this rod you will take in your hand that you may perform the signs with it.” 18 Accordingly Moses went and returned to Jeth’ro his father-in-law and said to him: “I want to go, please, and return to my brothers who are in Egypt that I may see whether they are still alive.” So Jeth’ro said to Moses: “Go in peace.” 19 After that Jehovah said to Moses in Mid’ian: “Go, return to Egypt, because all the men who were hunting for your soul are dead.” 20 Then Moses took his wife and his sons and made them ride on an ass, and he proceeded to return to the land of Egypt. Moreover, Moses took the rod of the [true] God in his hand. 21 And Jehovah went on to say to Moses: “After you have gone and returned to Egypt see that YOU men actually perform all the miracles that I have put in your hand before Phar’aoh. As for me, I shall let his heart become obstinate; and he will not send the people away. 22 And you must say to Phar’aoh, ‘This is what Jehovah has said: “Israel is my son, my first-born. 23 And I say to you: Send my son away that he may serve me. But should you refuse to send him away, here I am killing your son, your first-born.” Exodus 3:15
5 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in and proceeded to say to Pharaoh: “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel has said, ‘Send my people away that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Phar’aoh said: “Who is Jehovah, so that I should obey his voice to send Israel away? I do not know Jehovah at all and, what is more, I am not going to send Israel away.” Exodus 5:1. FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 2. These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain. 3. We narrate unto thee (somewhat) of the story of Moses and Pharaoh with truth, for folk who believe.
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32 4. Lo! Pharaoh exalted himself in the earth and made its people castes. A tribe among them he oppressed, killing their sons and sparing their women. Lo! he was of those who work corruption. 5. And We desired to show favour unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors, 6. And to establish them in the earth, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts that which they feared from them. 7. And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: Suckle him and, when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not nor grieve. Lo! We shall bring him back unto thee and shall make him (one) of Our messengers. 8. And the family of Pharaoh took him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a sorrow. Lo! Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were ever sinning. 9. And the wife of Pharaoh said: (He will be) a consolation for me and for thee. Kill him not. Peradventure he may be of use to us, or we may choose him for a son. And they perceived not. 10. And the heart of the mother of Moses became void, and she would have betrayed him if We had not fortified her heart, that she might be of the believers. 11. And she said unto his sister: Trace him. So she observed him from afar, and they perceived not. 12. And We had before forbidden foster-mothers for him, so she said: Shall I show you a household who will rear him for you and take care of him? 13. So We restored him to his mother that she might be comforted and not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of them know not. 14. And when he reached his full strength and was ripe, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. Thus do We reward the good. 15. And he entered the city at a time of carelessness of its folk, and he found therein two men fighting, one of his own caste, and the other of his enemies; and he who was of his caste asked him for help against him who was of his enemies. So Moses struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: This is of the devil’s doing. Lo! he is an enemy, a mere misleader. 16. He said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged my soul, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. 17. He said: My Lord! Forasmuch as Thou hast favoured me, I will nevermore be a supporter of the guilty. 18. And morning found him in the city, fearing, vigilant, when behold! he who had appealed to him the day before cried out to him for help. Moses said unto him: Lo! thou art indeed a mere hothead. 19. And when he would have fallen upon the man who was an enemy unto them both, he said: O Moses! Wouldst thou kill me as thou didst kill a person yesterday. Thou wouldst be nothing but a tyrant in the land, thou wouldst not be of the reformers. 20. And a man came from the uttermost part of the city, running. He said: O Moses! Lo! the chiefs take counsel against thee to slay thee; therefor escape. Lo! I am of those who give thee good advice. 21. So he escaped from thence, fearing, vigilant. He said: My Lord! Deliver me from the wrongdoing folk. 22. And when he turned his face toward Midian, he said: Peradventure my Lord will guide me in the right road. 23. And when he came unto the water of Midian he found there a whole tribe of men, watering. And he found apart from them two women keeping back (their flocks). He said: What aileth you? The two said: We cannot give (our flocks) to drink till the shepherds return from the water; and our father is a very old man. 24. So he watered (their flock) for them. Then he turned aside into the shade, and said: My Lord! I am needy of whatever good Thou sendest down for me. 25. Then there came unto him one of the two women walking shyly. She said: Lo! My father biddeth thee, that he may reward thee with a payment for that thou didst water (the flock) for us. Then, when he came unto him and told him the (whole) story, he said: Fear not! Thou hast escaped from the wrongdoing folk. 26. One of the two women said: O my father! Hire him! For the best (man) that thou canst hire is the strong, the trustworthy. 27. He said: Lo! I fain would marry thee to one of these two daughters of mine on condition that thou hirest thyself to me for (the term of) eight pilgrimages. Then if thou completest ten it will be of thine own accord, for I would not make it hard for thee. Allah willing, thou wilt find me of the righteous. 28. He said: That (is settled) between thee and me. Whichever of the two terms I fulfil, there will be no injustice to me, and Allah is Surety over what we say. 29. Then, when Moses had fulfilled the term, and was travelling with his housefolk, he saw in the distance a fire and said unto his housefolk: Bide ye (here). Lo! I see in the distance a fire; peradventure I shall bring you tidings thence, or brand from the fire that ye may warm yourselves, 30. And when he reached it, he was called from the right side of the valley in the blessed field, from the tree: O Moses Lo! I, even I, am Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; 31. Throw down thy staff. And when he saw it writhing as it had been a demon, he turned to flee headlong, (and was said unto him): O Moses! Draw nigh and fear not. Lo! thou art of those who are secure. 32. Thrust thy hand into the bosom of thy robe it will come forth white without hurt. And guard thy heart from fear. Then these shall be two proofs from your Lord unto Pharaoh and his chiefs. Lo! they are evil-living folk. 33. He said: My Lord! Lo! I killed a man among them and I fear that they will kill me. 34. My brother Aaron is more eloquent than me in speech. Therefor send him with me as a helper to confirm me. Lo! I fear that they will give the lie to me. 35. He said: We will strengthen thine arm with thy brother, and We will give unto you both power so that they cannot reach you for Our portents. Ye twain, and those who follow you will be the winners. 36. But when Moses came unto them with Our clear tokens, they said: This is naught but invented magic. We never heard of this among our fathers of old. 37. And Moses said: My Lord is Best Aware of him who bringeth guidance from His presence, and whose will be the sequel of the Home (of bliss). Lo! wrong-doers will not be successful. Al-Qasas 28:2
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FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 9. Hath there come unto thee the story of Moses? 10. When he saw a fire and said unto his folk: Wait! Lo! I see a fire afar off. Peradventure I may bring you a brand therefrom or may find guidance at the fire. 11. And when he reached it, he was called by name: O Moses! 12. Lo! I, even I, am thy Lord. So take off thy shoes, for lo! thou art in the holy valley of Tuwa, 13. And I have chosen thee, so hearken unto that which is inspired. 14. Lo! I, even I, am Allah. There is no God save Me. So serve Me and establish worship for My remembrance. 15. Lo! the Hour is surely coming. But I will to keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striveth (to achieve). 16. Therefor, let not him turn thee aside from (the thought of) it who believeth not therein but followeth his own desire, lest thou perish. 17. And what is that in thy right hand, O Moses? 18. He said: This is my staff whereon I lean, and wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses. 19. HE said: Cast it down, O Moses! 20. So he cast it down, and lo! it was a serpent, gliding. 21. HE said: Grasp it and fear not. We shall return it to its former state. 22. And thrust thy hand within thine armpit, it will come forth white without hurt. (That will be) another token. 23. That We may show thee (some) of Our greater portents, 24. Go thou unto Pharaoh! Lo he hath transgressed (the bounds). 25. (Moses) said: My Lord! Relieve my mind 26. And ease my task for me; 27. And loose a knot from my tongue, 28. That they may understand my saying. 29. Appoint for me a henchman from my folk, 30. Aaron, my brother. 31. Confirm my strength with him 32. And let him share my task, 33. That we may glorify Thee much 34. And much remember Thee. 35. Lo! Thou art ever Seeing us. 36. HE said: Thou art granted thy request, O Moses. 37. And indeed, another time, already We have shown it thee favour, 38. When We inspired in thy mother that which is inspired, 39. Saying: Throw him into the ark, and throw it into the river, then the river shall throw it on to the bank, and there an enemy to Me and an enemy to him shall take him. And I endued thee with love from Me that thou mightest be trained according to My will, 40. When thy sister went and said: Shall I show you one who will nurse him? and We restored thee to thy mother that her eyes might be refreshed and might not sorrow. And thou didst kill a man and We delivered thee from great distress, and tried thee with a heavy trial. And thou didst tarry years among the folk of Midian. Then earnest thou (hither) by (My) providence, O Moses, 41. And I have attached thee to Myself. 42. Go, thou and thy brother, with My tokens, and be not faint in remembrance of Me. 43. Go, both of you, unto Pharaoh. Lo! he hath transgressed (the bounds). 44. And speak unto him a gentle word, that peradventure he may heed or fear. 45. They said: Our Lord! Lo! we fear that he may be beforehand with us or that he may play the tyrant. 46. HE said: Fear not. Lo! I am with you twain, Hearing and Seeing. 47. So go ye unto him and say: Lo! we are two messengers of thy Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with us, and torment them not. We bring thee a token from thy Lord. And peace will be for him who followeth right guidance. 48. Lo! it hath been revealed unto us that the doom will be for him who denieth and turneth away. 49. (Pharaoh) said: Who then is the Lord of you twain, O Moses? 50. He said: Our Lord is He Who gave unto everything in nature, then guided it aright. 51. He said: What then is the state of the generations of old? 52. He said: The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a Record. My Lord neither erreth nor forgetteth, 53. Who hath appointed the earth as a bed and hath threaded roads for you therein and hath sent down water from the sky and thereby We. have brought forth divers kinds of vegetation, 54. (Saying): Eat ye and feed your cattle. Lo! herein verily are portents for men of thought. 55. Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time. 56. And We verily did show him all Our tokens, but he denied them and refused, 57. He said: Hast come to drive us out from our land by thy magic, O Moses? 58. But we surely can produce for thee magic the like thereof; so appoint a tryst between us and you, which neither we nor thou shall fail to keep, at a place convenient (to us both). 59. (Moses) said: Your tryst shall be the day of the feast, and let the people assemble when the sun hath risen high.
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34 60. Then Pharaoh went and gathered his strength, then came (to the appointed tryst). 61. Moses said unto them: Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He extirpate you by some punishment. He who lieth faileth miserably. 62. Then they debated one with another what they must do, and they kept their counsel secret. 63. They said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy your best traditions; 64. So arrange your plan, and come in battle line. Whoso is uppermost this day will be indeed successful. 65. They said: O Moses! Either throw first, or let us be the first to throw? 66. He said: Nay, do ye throw! Then lo! their cords and their staves, by their magic, appeared to him as though they ran. 67. And Moses received a fear in his mind. 68. We said: Fear not! Lo! thou art the higher. 69. Throw that which is in thy right hand! It will eat up that which they have made. Lo! that which they have made is but a wizard’s artifice, and a wizard shall not be successful to whatever point (of skill) he may attain. 70. Then the wizards were (all) flung down prostrate, crying: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. 71. (Pharaoh) said: Ye put faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he is your chief who taught you magic. Now surely I shall cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and shall crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and ye shall know for certain which of us hath sterner and more lasting punishment. 72. They said: We choose thee not above the clear proofs that have come unto us, and above Him Who created us. So decree what thou wilt decree. Thou wilt end for us only this life of the world. 73. Lo! we believe in our Lord, that He may forgive us our sins and the magic unto which thou didst force us. Allah is better and more lasting. 74. Lo! whoso cometh guilty unto his Lord, verily for him is hell. There he will neither die nor live. 75. But whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such are the high stations; 76. Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. That is the reward of him who groweth. 77. And verily We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night and strike for them a dry path in the sea, fearing not to be overtaken, neither being afraid (of the sea). 78. Then Pharaoh followed them with his hosts and there covered them that which did cover them of the sea. 79. And Pharaoh led his folk astray, he did not guide them. 80. O Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a covenant with you on the holy mountain’s side, and sent down on you the manna and the quails, 81. (Saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and transgress not in respect thereof lest My wrath come upon you; and he on whom My wrath cometh, he is lost indeed. 82. And lo! verily I am Forgiving toward him who repenteth and believeth and doeth good, and afterward walketh aright. 83. And (it was said): What hath made thee hasten from thy folk, O Moses? 84. He said: They are close upon my track. I hastened unto Thee, my Lord, that Thou mightest be well pleased. 85. HE said: Lo! We have tried thy folk in thine absence, and As-Samiri hath misled them. 86. Then Moses went back unto his folk, angry and sad. He said: O my people! Hath not your Lord promised you a fair promise? Did the time appointed then appear too long for you, or did ye wish that wrath from your Lord should come upon you, that ye broke tryst with me? 87. They said: We broke not tryst with thee of our own will, but we were laden with burdens of ornaments of the folk, then cast them (in the fire), for thus As-Samiri proposed. 88. Then he produced for them a calf, of saffron hue, which gave forth a lowing sound. And they cried: This is your god and the god of Moses, but he hath forgotten. 89. See they not, then, that it returneth no saying unto them and possesseth for them neither hurt nor use? 90. And Aaron indeed had told them beforehand: O my people! Ye are but being seduced therewith, for lo! your Lord is the Beneficent, so follow me and obey my order. 91. They said: We shall by no means cease to be its votaries till Moses return unto us. 92. He (Moses) said: O Aaron! What held thee back when thou didst see them gone astray, 93. That thou followedst me not? Hast thou then disobeyed my order? 94. He said: O son of my mother! Clutch not my beard nor my head! I feared lest thou shouldst say: Thou hast caused division among the Children of Israel, and hast not waited for my word. 95. (Moses) said: And what hast thou to say, O Samiri? 96. He said: I perceived what they perceive not, so I seized a handful from the footsteps of the messenger, and then threw it in. Thus my soul commended to me. 97. (Moses) said: Then go! And lo! in this life it is for thee to say: Touch me not! and lo! there is for thee a tryst thou canst not break. Now look upon thy god of which thou hast remained a votary. Verily we will burn it and will scatter its dust over the sea. 98. Your God is only Allah, than Whom there is no other God. He embraceth all things in His knowledge. 99. Thus relate We unto thee (Muhammad) some tidings of that which happened of old, and We have given thee from Our presence a Reminder. Ta Haa 20:9 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 6 “Therefore say to the sons of Israel, ‘I am Jehovah, and I shall certainly bring YOU out from under the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver YOU from their slavery, and I shall indeed reclaim YOU with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 And I shall certainly take YOU to me as a people, and I shall indeed prove to be God to YOU; and YOU will certainly know that I am Jehovah YOUR God who is bringing YOU out from under the burdens of Egypt. 8 And I shall certainly bring YOU into the land that I
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35 raised my hand in oath to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and I shall indeed give it to YOU as something to possess. I am Jehovah.’” Exodus 6:6 8 Jehovah now said to Moses and Aaron: 9 “In case that Phar’aoh speaks to YOU, saying, ‘Produce a miracle for yourselves,’ then you must say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and throw it down before Phar’aoh.’ It will become a big snake.” 10 So Moses and Aaron went on in to Phar’aoh and did exactly as Jehovah had commanded. Accordingly Aaron threw his rod down before Phar’aoh and his servants and it became a big snake. 11 However, Phar’aoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers; and the magic-practicing priests of Egypt themselves also proceeded to do the same thing with their magic arts. 12 So they threw down each one his rod, and they became big snakes; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. 13 Still, Phar’aoh’s heart became obstinate, and he did not listen to them, just as Jehovah had spoken. 14 Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Phar’aoh’s heart is unresponsive. He has refused to send the people away. 15 Go to Phar’aoh in the morning. Look! He is going out to the water! And you must put yourself in position to meet him by the edge of the Nile River, and the rod that turned into a serpent you are to take in your hand. 16 And you must say to him, Jehovah the God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying: “Send my people away that they may serve me in the wilderness,” but here you have not obeyed until now. 17 This is what Jehovah has said: “By this you will know that I am Jehovah. Here I am striking with the rod that is in my hand upon the water that is in the Nile River, and it will certainly turn into blood. 18 And the fish that are in the Nile River will die, and the Nile River will actually stink, and the Egyptians will simply have no stomach for drinking water from the Nile River.” Exodus 6:8 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 10. And when thy Lord called Moses, saying: Go unto the wrongdoing folk, 11. The folk of Pharaoh. Will they not ward off (evil)? 12. He said: My Lord! Lo! I fear that they will deny me, 13. And I shall be embarrassed, and my tongue will not speak plainly, therefor send for Aaron (to help me). 14. And they have a crime against me, so I fear that they will kill me. 15. He said: Nay, verily. So go ye twain with Our tokens. Lo! We shall be with you, Hearing. 16. And come together unto Pharaoh and say: Lo! we bear a message of the Lord of the Worlds, 17. (Saying): Let the Children of Israel go with us. 18. (Pharaoh) said (unto Moses): Did we not rear thee among us as a child? And thou didst dwell many years of thy life among us, 19. And thou didst that thy deed which thou didst, and thou wast one of the ingrates. 20. He said: I did it then, when I was of those who are astray. 21. Then I fled from you when I feared you, and my Lord vouchsafed me a command and appointed me (of the number) of those sent (by Him). 22. And this is the past favour wherewith thou reproachest me: that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel. 23. Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the Worlds? 24. (Moses) said: Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if ye had but sure belief. 25. (Pharaoh) said unto those around him: Hear ye not? 26. He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers. 27. (Pharaoh) said: Lo! your messenger who hath been sent unto you is indeed a madman! 28. He said: Lord of the East and the West and all that is between them, if ye did but understand. 29. (Pharaoh) said: If thou choosest a god other than me, I assuredly shall place thee among the prisoners. 30. He said: Even though I show thee something plain? 31. (Pharaoh) Said: Produce it then, if thou art of the truthful! 32. Then he flung down his staff and it became a serpent manifest. 33. And he drew forth his hand and lo! it was white to the beholders. 34. (Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo! this is verily a knowing wizard, 35. Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 36. They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 37. Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 38. So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 39. And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 40. (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 41. And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 42. He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 43. Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 44. Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh’s might, lo! we verily are the winners. 45. Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 46. And the wizards were flung prostrate, 47. Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 48. The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 49. (Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one. 50. They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 51. Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 52. And We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night, for ye will be pursued.
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36 53. Then Pharaoh sent into the cities summoners, 54. (Who said): Lo! these indeed are but a little troop, 55. And lo! they are offenders against us. 56. And lo! we are a ready host. 57. Thus did We take them away from gardens and water-springs, 58. And treasures and a fair estate. 59. Thus (were those things taken from them) and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit them. 60. And they overtook them at sunrise. 61. And when the two hosts saw each other, those with Moses said: Lo! we are indeed caught. 62. He said: Nay, verily! for lo! my Lord is with me. He will guide me. 63. Then We inspired Moses, saying: Smite the sea with thy staff. And it parted, and each part was as a mountain vast. 64. Then brought We near the others to that place. 65. And We saved Moses and those with him, every one; 66. And We drowned the others. 67. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. 68. And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. Al-Shuara 26:10 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 103. Then, after them, We sent Moses with our tokens unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they repelled them. Now, see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters.’ 104. Moses said: O Pharaoh.’ Lo! I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds, 105. Approved upon condition that I speak concerning Allah nothing but the truth. I come unto you (lords of Egypt) with a clear proof from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me. 106. (Pharaoh) said: If thou comest with a token, then produce it, if thou art of those who speak the truth. 107. Then he flung down his staff and lo! it was a serpent manifest; 108. And he drew forth his hand (from his bosom), and lo! it was white for the beholders. 109. The chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said: Lo! this is some knowing wizard, 110. Who would expel you from your land. Now what do ye advise? 111. They said (unto Pharaoh): Put him off (a while)—him and his brother—and send into the cities summoners, 112. To bring each knowing wizard unto thee. 113. And the wizards came to Pharaoh, saying: Surely there will be a reward for us if we are victors. 114. He answered: Yea, and surely ye shall be of those brought near (to me). 115. They said: O Moses! Either throw (first) or let us be the first throwers? 116. He said: Throw! And when they threw they cast a spell upon the people’s eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell. 117. And We inspired Moses (saying): Throw thy staff! And lo! it swallowed up their lying show. 118. Thus was the Truth vindicated and that which they were doing was made vain. 119. Thus were they there defeated and brought low. 120. And the wizards fell down prostrate, 121. Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 122. The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 123. Pharaoh said: Ye believe in Him before I give you’ leave! Lo! this is the plot that ye have plotted in the city that ye may drive its people hence. But ye shall come to know! 124. Surely I shall have your hands and feet cut off upon alternate sides. Then I shall crucify you every one. 125. They said: Lo! We are about to return unto our Lord! 126. Thou takest vengeance on us only forasmuch as we believed the tokens of our Lord when they came unto us. Our Lord! Vouchsafe unto us steadfastness and make us die as men who have surrendered (unto Thee). 127. The chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said: (O King), wilt thou suffer Moses and his people to make mischief in the land, and flout thee and thy gods? He said: We will slay their sons and spare their women, for lo! we are in power over them. 128. And Moses said unto his people: Seek help in Allah and endure. Lo! the earth is Allah’s. He giveth it for an inheritance to whom He will. And lo! the sequel is for those who keep their duty (unto Him). 129. They said: We suffered hurt before thou camest unto us, and since thou hast come unto us. He said: It may be that your Lord is going to destroy your adversary and make you viceroys in the earth, that He may see how ye behave. 130. And We straitened Pharaoh’s folk with famine and dearth of fruits, that peradventure they might heed. 131. But whenever good befell them, they said: This is ours; and whenever evil smote them they ascribed it to the evil auspices of Moses and those with him. Surely their evil auspice was only with Allah. But most of them knew not. 132. And they said: Whatever portent thou bringest wherewith to bewitch us, we shall not put faith in thee. 133. So We sent against them the storm and the locusts and the vermin and the frogs and the blood —a succession of clear signs. But they were arrogant and became a guilty folk. 134. And when the terror fell on them they cried: O Moses! Pray for us unto thy Lord, because He hath a covenant with thee. If thou removest the terror from us we verily will trust thee and will let the Children of Israel go with thee. 135. But when We did remove from them the terror for a term which they must reach, behold! they broke their covenant. 136. Therefore We took retribution from them; therefore We drowned them in the sea: because they denied Our revelations and were heedless of them.
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37 137. And We caused the folk who were despised to inherit the eastern parts of the land and the western parts thereof which We had blessed. And the fair word of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of their endurance; and We annihilated (all) that Pharaoh and his folk had done and that they had contrived. 138. And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came unto a people who were given up to idols which they had. They said; O Moses! Make for us a god even as they have gods. He said: Lo! ye are a folk who know not. 139. Lo! as for these, their way will be destroyed and all that they are doing is in vain. 140. He said: Shall I seek for you a god other than Allah when He hath favoured you above (all) creatures? 141. And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh’s folk who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaughtering your sons and sparing your women. That was a tremendous trial from your Lord. 142. And when We did appoint for Moses thirty nights (of solitude), and added to them ten, and he completed the whole time appointed by his Lord of forty nights; and Moses said unto his brother, Aaron: Take my place among the people. Do right, and follow not the way of mischief-makers. 143. And when Moses came to Our appointed tryst and his Lord had spoken unto him, he said: My Lord! Show me (Thy Self), that I may gaze upon Thee. HE said: Thou wilt not see Me, but gaze upon the mountain! If it stand still in its place, then thou wilt see Me. And when his Lord revealed (His) glory to the mountain He sent it crashing down. And Moses fell down senseless. And when he woke he said: Glory unto Thee! I turn unto Thee repentant, and I am the first of (true) believers. 144. HE said: O Moses! I have preferred thee above mankind by My messages and by My speaking (unto thee). So hold that which I have given thee, and be among the thankful. 145. And We wrote for him, upon the tablets, the lesson to be drawn from all things and the explanation of all things, then (bade him): Hold it fast; and command thy people (saving): Take the better (course made clear) therein. I shall show thee the abode of evil-livers. 146. I shall turn away from My revelations those who magnify themselves wrongfully in the earth, and if they see each token believe it not, and if they see the way of righteousness choose it not for (their) way, and if they see the way of error choose it for (their) way. That is because they deny Our revelations and are used to disregard them. 147. Those who deny Our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter, their works are fruitless. Are they requited aught save what they used to do? CALF WORSHIP 148. And the folk of Moses, after (he had left them), chose a calf (for worship), (made) out of their ornaments, of saffron hue, which gave a lowing sound. Saw they not that it spake not unto them nor guided them to any way? They chose it, and became wrong-doers. 149. And when they feared the consequences thereof and saw that they had gone astray, they said; Unless our Lord have mercy on us and forgive us, we verily are of the lost. 150. And when Moses returned unto his people, angry grieved, he said: Evil is that (course} which ye took after I had left you. Would ye hasten on the judgment of your Lord? And he cast down the tablets, and he seized his brother by the head, dragging him toward him. He said: Son of my mother.’ Lo! the folk did judge me weak and almost killed me. Oh, make not mine enemies to triumph over me and place me not among the evil-doers! 151. He said: My Lord.’ Have mercy on me and on my brother; bring us into Thy mercy, Thou the Most Merciful of all who show mercy. 152. Lo! those who chose the calf (for worship), terror from their Lord and humiliation will come upon them in the life of the world. ‘Thus do We requite those who invent a lie. 155. But those who do ill-deeds and afterward repent and believe—lo! for them, afterward, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 154. Then, when the anger of Moses abated, he took up the tablets, and in their inscription there was guidance and mercy for all those who fear their Lord. 155. And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed tryst and, when the trembling came on them, he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst willed Thou hadst destroyed them long before, and me with them. Wilt Thou destroy us for that which the ignorant among us did? It is but Thy trial (of us). Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt. Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness. 156. And ordain for us in this world that which is good, and in the Hereafter (that which is good), Lo! We have turned unto Thee. HE said: I smite with My punishment whom I will, and My mercy embraceth all things, therefore I shall ordain it for those who ward off (evil) and pay the poor-due, and those who believe Our revelations; 157. Those who follow the messenger, the Gentile Prophet whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful. 158. Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah to you all—(the messenger of) Him unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no God save Him. He quickeneth and He giveth death. So believe in Allah and His messenger, the Gentile Prophet, who believeth in Allah and in His Words, and follow him that haply ye may be led aright. 159. And of Moses’ folk there is a community who lead with truth and establish justice therewith. 160. We divided them into twelve tribes, nations; and We inspired Moses, when his people asked him for water, saying: Smite with thy staff the rock.’ And there gushed forth therefrom twelve springs, so that each tribe knew their drinking place. And We caused the white cloud to overshadow them and sent down for them the manna and the quails (saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you. They wronged Us not, but they were wont to wrong themselves. Ar Araf 7:103 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 5 Later on Jehovah said to Moses: Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch your hand with your rod out over the rivers, the Nile canals and this reedy pools and make the frogs come up over the land of Egypt.’” 6 At that Aaron stretched his hand out over the waters of
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38 Egypt, and the frogs began to come up and to cover the land of Egypt 7 However, the magic-practicing priests did the same thing by their secret arts and made the frogs come up over the land of Egypt. 8 In time Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said: “Entreat Jehovah that he may remove the frogs from me and my people, as I want to send the People away that they may sacrifice to Jehovah.” Exodus 8:5 16 Jehovah now said to Moses: “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch your rod out and strike the dust of the earth, and it must become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they proceeded to do this. So Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and the gnats came to be on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 And the magic-practicing priests tried to do the same by their secret arts, in order to bring forth gnats, but they were ( unable. And the gnats came to be on man and beast. 19 Hence the magic-practicing priests said to Phar’aoh: “It is the finger of God!” But Phar’aoh’s heart continued to be obstinate, and he did not listen to them, just as Jehovah had spoken. 20 Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Get up early in the morning and take a position in front of Phar’aoh. Look! He is coming out to the water! And you must say to him, ‘This is what Jehovah has said: “Send my people away that they may serve me. 21 But if you are not sending my people away, here I am sending upon you and your servants and your people and into your houses the gadfly; and the houses of Egypt will simply be full of the gadfly, and also the ground upon which they are. Exodus 8:16
9 Consequently Jehovah said to Moses: “Go in to Phar’aoh and you must state to him, ‘This is what Jehovah the God of the Hebrews has said: “Send my people away that they may serve me. 2 But if you continue refusing to send them away and you are still keeping hold of them, 3 look! Jehovah’s hand is coming upon your livestock that is in the field. On the horses, the asses, the camels, the herd and the flock there will be a very heavy pestilence. 4 And Jehovah will certainly make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, and not a thing of all that belongs to the sons of Israel will die.”’” Exodus 9:1 8 After that Jehovah said to Moses and Aaron: “Take for yourselves both hands full of soot from a kiln, and Moses must toss it toward the heavens in Phar’aoh’s sight. 9 And it must become a powder upon all the land of Egypt, and it must become boils breaking out with blisters upon man and beast in all the land of Egypt.” 10 So they took the soot of a kiln and stood before Phar’aoh, and Moses tossed it toward the heavens, and it became boils with blisters, breaking out on man and beast. 11 And the magic-practicing priests were unable to stand before Moses as a result of the boils, because the boils had developed on the magic-practicing priests and on all the Egyptians. 12 But Jehovah let Phar’aoh’s heart become obstinate. Exodus 9:8 22 Jehovah now said to Moses: “Stretch out your hand toward the heavens, that hail may come on all the land of Egypt, upon man and beast and all vegetation of the field in the land of Egypt.” 23 So Moses stretched out his rod toward the heavens; and Jehovah gave thunders and hail, and fire would run down to the earth, and Jehovah kept making it rain down hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 Thus there came hail, and fire quivering in among the hail. It was very heavy, so that there had not occurred any like it in all the land of Egypt from the time it became a nation. 25 And the hail went striking at all the land of Egypt. The hail struck everything that was in the field, from man to beast, and all sorts of vegetation of the field; and it shattered all sorts of trees of the field. 26 Only in the land of Jo’shen, where the sons of Israel were, there occurred no hail. Exodus 9:22 12 Jehovah now said to Moses: “Stretch your hand out over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up over the land of Egypt and eat up all the vegetation of the land, everything that the hail has let remain.” 13 At once Moses stretched his rod out over the land of Egypt, and Jehovah caused an east wind to blow upon the land all that day and all night. The morning came and the east wind carried the locusts. 14 And the locusts began to come up over all the land of Egypt and to settle down upon all the territory of Egypt. They were very burdensome. Before them there had never turned up in this way locusts like them, and there will never turn up any in this way after them. 15 And they went covering the visible surface of the entire land, and the land grew dark; and they went on eating up all the vegetation of the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left; and there was left nothing green on the trees or on the vegetation of the field in all the land of Egypt.Exodus 10:12 21 Jehovah then said to Moses: “Stretch your hand out toward the heavens, that darkness may occur over the land of Egypt and the darkness may be felt.” 22 Moses immediately stretched his hand out toward the heavens, and a gloomy darkness began to occur in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 They did not see one another, and none of them got up from his own place three days; but for all the sons of Israel there proved to be light in their dwellings. Exodus 10:23 11 And Jehovah proceeded to say to Moses: “One plague more I am going to bring upon Phar’aoh and Egypt. After that he will send YOU away from here. At the time he sends YOU away altogether, he will literally drive YOU out from here. 2 Speak, now, in the ears of the people, that they should ask every man of his companion and every woman of her companion articles of silver and articles of gold.” 3 Accordingly Jehovah gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. The man Moses too was very great in the land of Egypt, in the eyes of Phar’aoh’s servants and in the eyes of the people. 4 And Moses went on to say: “This is what Jehovah has said, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, 5 and every first-born in the land of Egypt must die, from the first-born of Phar’aoh who is sitting on his throne to the first-born of the maidservant who is at the hand mill and every first-born of beast. 6 And there will certainly occur a great outcry in all the land of Egypt, the like of which has never yet occurred, and the like of which will never be brought about again. Exodus 11:1 29 And it came about that at midnight Jehovah struck every first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the prison hole, and every first-born of beast. 30 Then Phar’aoh got up at night, he and all his servants and all other Egyptians; and there began arising a great outcry among the Egyptians, because there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 At once he called Moses and Aaron by night and said: “Get up, get out from the midst of my people, both YOU and the [other] sons of Israel, and go, serve Jehovah, just as YOU have stated. 32 Take both YOUR flocks and YOUR herds, just as YOU have stated, and go. Also, YOU must bless me besides.” 33 And the Egyptians began to urge the people in order to send them away quickly out of the land, “because,” they said, “we are all as good as dead!” 34 Consequently the people carried their flour dough before it was leavened, with their kneading troughs wrapped up in their mantles upon their shoulder. 35 And the sons of Israel did according to the word of Moses in that they went asking from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold and mantles. 36 And Jehovah gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that these granted what was asked; and they stripped the Egyptians. Exodus 12:29
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39 48 And in case! an alien resident resides as an alien with you and he will actually celebrate the passover to Jehovah, let there be a circumcising of every male of his. First then he may come near to celebrate it; and he must become like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it. 49 One law is to exist for the native and for the alien resident who is residing as an alien in your midst.” Exodus 12:48 5 Later it was reported to the king of Egypt that the people had run away. Immediately the heart of Phar’aoh as well as his servants was changed regarding the people, so that they said: “What is this that we have done, in that we have sent Israel away from slaving for us?” 6 So he proceeded to make his war chariots ready, and he took his people with him. 7 And he proceeded to take six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt and warriors upon every one of them. 8 Thus Jehovah let the heart of Phar’aoh the king of Egypt become obstinate, and he went chasing after the sons of Israel, while the sons of Israel were going out with uplifted hand. 9 And the Egyptians went chasing after them, and all the chariot horses of Phar’aoh and his cavalrymen and his military forces were overtaking them while camping by the sea, by Pi.ha.hi’roth in view of Ba’al-ze’phon. 10 When Phar’aoh got close by, the sons of Israel began to raise their eyes and here the Egyptians were marching after them; and the sons of Israel got quite afraid and began to cry out to Jehovah. 11 And they proceeded to say to Moses: “Is it because there are no burial places at all in Egypt that you have taken us here to die in the wilderness? What is this that you have done to us in leading us out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it is better for us to serve the Egyptians than for us to die in the wilderness.” 13 Then Moses said to the people: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will perform for YOU today. For the Egyptians whom YOU do see today YOU will not see again, no, never again. 14 Jehovah will himself fight for YOU, and YOU yourselves will be silent.” Exodus 14:5 SPLITTING OF SEA 21 Moses now stretched his hand out over the sea; and Jehovah began making the sea go back by a strong east wind all night long and converting the sea basin into dry ground and the waters were being split apart. 22 At length the sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on dry land, while the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 And the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all the horses of Phar’aoh, his war charlots and his cavalrymen began going in after them, into the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:21 26 Finally Jehovah said to Moses: “Stretch your hand out over the sea, that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, their war chariots and their cavalrymen.” 27 Moses at once stretched his hand out over the sea, and the sea began to come back to its normal condition at the approaching of morning. All the while the Egyptians were fleeing from encountering it, but Jehovah shook the Egyptians off into the midst of the sea. 28 And the waters kept coming back. Finally they covered the war chariots and the cavalrymen belonging to all of Phar’aoh’s military forces and who had gone into the sea after them. Not so much as one among them was let remain. 29 As for the sons of Israel, they walked on dry land in the midst of the seabed, and the waters were for them a wall on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus on that day Jehovah saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel got to see the Egyptians dead [on the seashore. Exodus 14:26 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 46. And verily We sent Moses with Our revelations unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said: I am a messenger of the Lord of the Worlds. 47. But when he brought them Our tokens, behold! they laughed at them. 48. And every token that We showed them was greater than its sister (token), and We grasped them with the torment, that haply they might turn again. 49. And they said: O wizard! Entreat thy Lord for us by the pact that He hath made with thee. Lo! we verily will walk aright. 50. But when We eased them of the torment, behold! they broke their word. 51. And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern? 52. I am surely better than this fellow, who is despicable and can hardly make (his meaning) plain! 53. Why, then, have armlets of gold not been set upon him, or angels sent along with him? 54. Thus he persuaded his people to make light (of Moses), and they obeyed him. Lo! they were a wanton folk. 55. So, when they angered Us, We punished them and drowned them every one. Al Zukhruf 43:46 BODY OF PHARAOH SAVED 90. And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh with his hosts pursued them in rebellion and transgression, till, when the (fate of) drowning overtook him, he exclaimed: I believe that there is no God save Him in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of those who surrender into Him). 91. What! Now! When hitherto thou hast rebelled and been of the wrong-doers? 92. But this day We save thee in thy body that thou mayst be a portent for those after thee. Lo! most of mankind are heedless of Our portents. Yunus 10:90 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE
16 Later they departed from E’lim, and the entire assembly of the sons of Israel finally came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between E’lim and Si’nai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their coming out of the land of Egypt. MURMURING OF ISRAELIS FOR FOOD 2 And the entire assembly of the sons of Israel began to murmur against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the sons of Israel kept saying to them: “If only we had died by Jehovah’s hand in the land of Egypt while we were sitting by the pots of
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40 meat, while we were eating bread to satisfaction, because YOU have brought us out into this wilderness to put .this whole congregation to death by famine.” Exodus 16:1 11 And Jehovah spoke further to Moses, saying: 12 “I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘Between the two evenings YOU will eat meat and in the morning YOU will be satisfied with bread; and YOU will certainly know that I am Jehovah YOUR God.’ ” 13 Accordingly it occurred that in the evening the quails began to come up and cover the camp, and in the morning there had developed a layer of dew round about the camp. 14 In time the layer of dew evaporated and here upon the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flaky thing, fine like hoarfrost upon the earth. 15 When the sons of Israel got to see it, they began to say to one another: “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Hence Moses said to them: “It is the bread that Jehovah has given YOU for food. Exodus16:11 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 39. But they who disbelieve, and deny Our revelations, such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein. 40. O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant, and fear Me. 41. And believe in that which I reveal, confirming that which ye possess already (of the Scripture), and be not first to disbelieve therein, and part not with My revelations for a trifling price, and keep your duty unto Me. 42. Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth. 43. Establish worship, pay the poor-due, and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship). 44. Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind while ye yourselves forget (to practise it)? And ye are readers of the Scripture! Have ye then no sense? 45. Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded, 46. Who know that they will have to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are returning. 47. O Children of Israel! Remember My favour where with favoured you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures. 48. And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped. 49. And (remember) when We did deliver you from Pharaoh’s folk, who were afflicting you with dreadful torment, slaying your sons and sparing your women: That was a tremendous trial from your Lord. 50. And when We brought you through the sea and rescued you, and drowned the folk of Pharaoh in your sight. 51. And when We did appoint for Moses forty nights (of solitude), and then ye chose the calf, when he had gone from you, and were wrong-doers. 52. Then, even after that, We pardoned you in order that ye might give thanks. 53. And when We gave unto Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (of right and wrong), that ye might be led aright. 54. And when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Ye have wronged yourselves by your choosing of the calf (for worship) so turn in penitence to your Creator, and kill (the guilty) yourselves. That will be best for you with your Creator and He will relent toward you. Lo! He is the Relenting, the Merciful. 55. And when ye said: O Moses! We will not believe in thee till we see Allah plainly; and even while ye gazed the lightning seized you. 56. Then We revived you after your extinction, that ye might give thanks. 57. And We caused the white cloud to overshadow you and sent down on you the manna and the quails, (saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you— They wronged Us not, but they did wrong themselves. 58. And when We said: Go into this township and eat freely of that which is therein, and enter the gate prostrate, and say: “Repentance.” We will forgive you your sins and will increase (reward) for the right-doers. 59. But those who did wrong changed the word which had been told them for another saying, and We sent down upon the evil-doers wrath from heaven for their evil-doing. 60. And when Moses asked for water for his people, We said: Smite with thy staff the rock. And there gushed out therefrom twelve springs (so that) each tribe knew their drinking-place. Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth. 61. And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord for us that He bring forth for us of that which the earth groweth—of its herbs and its cucumbers and its corn and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would ye exchange that which is higher for that which is lower? Go down to settled country, thus ye shall get that which ye demand. And humiliation and wretchedness were stamped upon them and they were visited with wrath from Allah. That was because they disbelieved in Allah’s revelations and slew the prophets wrongfully. That was for their disobedience and transgression. 62. Lo! those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, Al-Baqarah 2:39 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE ISRAELIS QUARREL WITH MOSES FOR WATER 2 And the people fell to quarreling with Moses and saying: “Give us water that we may drink.” But Moses said to them: “Why are YOU quarreling with me? Why do YOU keep putting Jehovah to the test?” 3 And the people went on thirsting there for water, and the people kept murmuring against Moses and saying: “Why is it that you have brought us up out of Egypt to put us and our sons and our livestock to death by thirst?” 4 Finally Moses cried out to Jehovah, saying: “What shall I do with this people? A little longer and they will stone me!” 5 Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Pass in front of the people and take with you some of the older men of Israel and your rod with which you struck the Nile River. Take it in your hand and you must walk on. 6 Look! I am standing before you there on the rock
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41 in Ho’reb. And you must strike on the rock, and water must come out of it, and the people must drink it.” Subsequently Moses did so under the eyes of the older men of Israel. Exodus 17:2 COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
20 And God proceeded to speak all these words, saying: 2 “I am Jehovah your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves. 3 You must not have any other gods against my face. 4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth, underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me; 6 but exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation in the case of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You must not take up the, name of Jehovah your God in worthless way, for Jehovah will no leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way. 8 “Remembering the sabbath day to hold it sacred, 9 you are to render service and you must do all your work six days. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work, you nor your son nor your daughter, your slave man nor your slave girl nor your domestic animal nor your alien resident who is inside your gates. 11 For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and he proceeded to rest on the seventh day. That is why Jehovah blessed the sabbath day and proceeded to make it sacred. 12 “Honor your father and your mother in order that your days may prove long upon the ground that Jehovah your God is giving you. 13 “You must not murder. 14 “You must not commit adultery. 15 “You must not steal. 16 “You must not testify falsely as a witness against your fellow man. 17 “You must not desire your fellow man’s house. You must not desire your fellow man’s wife, nor his slave man nor his slave girl nor his bull nor his ass nor anything that belongs to your fellow man.” Exodus 20:1 2 “In case you should buy a Hebrew slave, he will be a slave six years, but in the seventh he will go out as one set free without charge. 3 If he should come in by himself, by himself he will go out. If he is the owner of a wife, then his wife must go out with him. 4 If his master should give him a wife and she does bear him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will become her master’s and he will go out by himself. Exodus 21:2 SALE OF DAUGHTER 7 “And in case a man should sell his daughter as a slave girl, she will not go out in the way that the slave men go out. 8 If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master so that he does not designate her as a concubine but causes her to be redeemed, he will not be entitled to sell her to a foreign people in his treacherously dealing with her. 9 And it should be to his son that he designates her, he is to do to her according to the due right of daughters. 10 If he should take another wife for himself, her sustenance, her clothing and her marriage due are not to be diminished. 11 If he will not render these three things to her, then she must go out for nothing, without money. 12 “One who strikes a man so that he actually dies is to be put to death without fail. Exodus 21:7 15 And one who strikes his father and his mother is to be put to death without fail. 16 “And one who kidnaps a man and who actually sells him or in whose hand he has been found is to be put to death without fail. 17 “And one who calls down evil upon his father and his mother is to be put to death without fail. Exodus 21:15 28 “And in case a bull should gore a man or a woman and that one actually dies, the bull is to be stoned without fail, but its flesh is not to be eaten; and the owner of the bull is free from punishment. 29 But if a bull was formerly in the habit of goring and warning was served on its owner but he would not keep it under guard, and it did put a man or a woman to death, the bull is to be stoned and also its owner is to be put to death. 30 If a ransom should be imposed upon him, then he must give the redemption price for his soul according to all that may be imposed upon him. Exodus 21:28 33. “And in case a man should open a pit, or in case a man should excavate a pit and should not cover it, and a bull or an ass does fall into it. 34 the owner of the pit is to make compensation. Exodus 21:33 16 “Now in case a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and he factually lies down with her, he is to obtain her without fail as his wife for the purchase price. 17 If her father flatly refuses to give her to him, he is to pay over the money at the rate of purchase money for virgins. 18 “You must not preserve a sorceress alive. 19 “Anyone lying down with a beast is positively to be put to death. 20 “One who sacrifices to any gods but Jehovah alone is to be devoted to destruction. 21 “And you must not maltreat an alien resident or oppress him, for YOU people became alien residents in the land of Egypt. 22 “You people must not afflict any widow or fatherless boy. 23 If you should afflict him at all, then if he cries out to me at all, I shall unfailingly hear his outcry; 24 and my anger will indeed blaze, and I shall certainly kill YOU with the sword, and YOUR wives must become widows and YOUR sons fatherless boys. 25 “If you should lend money to my people to the afflicted alongside you must not become like a usurer to him. You must not lay interest upon him.
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42 26 “If you should at all seize the garment of your fellow as a pledge, you are to return it to him at the setting of the sun. 27 For it is his only covering. It is his mantle for his skin. In what will he lie down? And it must occur that he will cry out to me, and I shall certainly hear, because I am gracious. 28 “You must not call down evil upon God nor curse a chieftain among your people. 29 “Your full produce and the overflow of your press you must not give hesitantly. The first-born of your sons you are to give to me. 30 The way you are to do with your bull and your sheep is this: Seven days it will continue with its mother. On the eighth day you are to give it to me. 31 “And YOU should prove yourselves holy men to me; and YOU must not eat flesh in the field that is something torn by a wild beast. You should throw it to the dogs. 23 “You must not take up an untrue report. Do not cooperate with a wicked one by becoming a witness who schemes violence. 2 You must not follow after the crowd for evil ends; and you must not testify over a controversy so as to turn aside with the crowd in order to pervert justice. 3 As for the lowly one, you must not show preference in a controversy of his. 4 “Should you come upon your enemy’s bull or his ass going astray, you are to return it without fail to him. 5 Should you see the ass of someone who hates you lying down under its load, then you must refrain from leaving him. With him you are without fail to get it loose. 6 “You are not to pervert the judicial decision of your poor man in his controversy. 7 “You are to keep far from a false word. And do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I shall not declare the wicked one righteous. 8 “You are not to accept a bribe, for the bribe blinds clear-sighted .men and can distort the words of righteous men. 9 “And you must not oppress an alien resident, as YOU yourselves have known the soul of the alien resident, because YOU became alien residents in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:16 Finally he took the book of the covenant and read it in the ears of the people. Then they said: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do and be obedient.” 8 So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it upon the people and said: “Here is the blood of the covenant that Jehovah has concluded with YOU as respects all these words.” Exodus 24:7 WORSHIP OF GOLDEN CALF 18 Now as soon as he had finished speaking with him on Mount Si’nal he proceeded to give Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone written on by God’s finger. 32 Meanwhile the people got to see that Moses was taking a long time about coming down from the mountain. So the people congregated themselves about Aaron and said to him: “Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt, we certainly do not know what has happened to him.” 2 At this Aaron said to them: “Tear off the gold earrings that are in the ears of YOUR wives, of YOUR sons and of YOUR daughters and bring them to me.” 3 And all the people began tearing off the gold earrings that were in their ears and bringing them to Aaron. 4 Then he took the gold from their hands, and he formed it with a graving tool and proceeded to make it into a molten statue of a calf. And they began to say: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.” 5 When Aaron got to see this, he went to building an altar before it. Finally Aaron called out and said: “There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow.” 6 So on the next day they were early in rising, and they began offering up burnt offerings and presenting communion sacrifices. After that the people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time. 7 Jehovah now said to Moses: “Go, descend, because your people whom you led up out of the land of Egypt have acted ruinously. 8 They have turned aside in a hurry from the way I have commanded them to go. They have made a molten statue of a calf for themselves and keep bowing down to it and sacrificing to it and saying, ‘This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt’” 9 And Jehovah went on to say to Moses: “I have looked at this people and here it is a stiff-necked people. 10 So now let me be, that my anger may blaze against them and I may exterminate them, and let me make you into a great nation.” Exodus 31:18 19 So it came about that as soon as he got near the camp and could see the calf and the dances, Moses’ anger began to blaze, and he at once threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. 20 Then he took the calf that they had made and he burnt it with fire and crushed it till it was fine, after which he scattered it upon the surface of the waters and made the sons of Israel drink it. 21 After that Moses said to Aaron: “What did this people do to you that you have brought a great sin upon it?” 22 To this Aaron said: “Do not let the anger of my lord blaze. You yourself well know the people, that they are evil-inclined. 23 So they said to me, ‘Make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt, we certainly do not know what has happened to him. 24 Hence I said to them, ‘Who have any gold? They must tear it off themselves that they may give it to me.’ And I proceeded to throw it into the fire and this calf came on out,” KILLING OF THREE THOUSAND ISRAELIS 25 And Moses got to see that the people went unrestrained, because Aaron had let them go unrestrained for a disgrace among their opposers. 26 Then Moses took his stand in the gate of the camp and said: “Who is on Jehovah’s side? To me!” And all the sons of Le’vi began gathering themselves to him. 27 He now said to them: “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel has said, ‘Put each one of YOU his sword on his side. Pass through and return from gate to gate in the camp and kill each one his brother and each one his fellow and each one his intimate acquaintance.’” 28 And the sons of Levi proceeded to do as Moses had said, so that there fell of the people on that day about three thousand men. 29 And Moses went on to say: “Fill YOUR hand today with power for Jehovah, because each one of YOU is against his own son and his own brother, and that he may confer a blessing upon YOU today.” Exodus 32:19
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43 33 However, Jehovah said to Moses: “Whoever has sinned against me, I shall wipe him out of my book. 34 And now, come, lead the people to where I have spoken to you of. Look! My angel will go ahead of you, and on the day of my bringing punishment I shall certainly bring punishment upon them for their sin.” 35 And Jehovah began plaguing the people because they had made the calf, which Aaron had made. 33 And Jehovah said further to Moses: “Go, move up from here, you and the people whom you led up out of the land of Egypt, to the land about which I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘To your seed I shall give it.’ 2 And I will send an angel ahead of you and drive out the Ca’naan.ites, the Am’or.ites, and the Hit’tites and the Periz.zites, the Hi’vites and the Jeb’u.sites; 3 to a land flowing with milk and honey, for I shall not go up in the midst of you, because you are a stiff-necked people, that I may not exterminate you on the way.” Exodus 32:33
OUR REMARKS 1. Moses’ early life is in more detail in the Holy Bible. 2. The Holy Qur'an does not corroborate with the Holy Bible to say that prophet Aaron took part in making a molten statue of the golden calf. 3. The Holy Qur'an mentions almost all the miracles which Moses showed to Pharaoh. 4. When golden calf was made and worshipped, Moses ordered killing of those Israelis who were involved in its formation; three thousand Israelis were then killed. The Holy Qur'an does not give its detail. 5. The Holy Qur'an (Ta Haa 26:87) tells that the golden calf was formed by a magician named SAMIRI, while the Holy Bible (Exodus 6:10) claims that the golden calf was formed by prophet Aaron, and then he built an altar for it. For a Muslim, it is utterly unbelievable that a celebrated prophet could even do an abominable act like this. 6. The Holy Bible (Exodus 6:10) tells that Aaron showed the miracle of rod’s transformation into a snake to Pharoah, but the Holy Qur'an (Al Shuara 26:32) claims that all miracles were shown by Moses only. 7. The Holy Bible (Exodus 20:11) tells that Jehovah formed the universe in six days, and then rested on the seventh day i.e. Saturday, which is Sabbath; the Holy Qur'an tells that Allah is not like human beings, He is never tired nor needs any rest. ______
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Book 3
LEVITICUS
8 And Jehovah proceeded to speak to Aaron, saying: 9 “Do not drink wine or intoxicating liquor, you and your sons with you, when YOU come into the tent of meeting, that YOU may not die. It is a statute to time indefinite for YOUR generations, 10 both in order to make a distinction between the holy thing and the profane and between the unclean thing and the clean, 11 and in order to teach the sons of Israel all the regulations that Jehovah has spoken to them by means of Moses.” Leviticus 10:8
11 And Jehovah proceeded to speak to Moses and Aaron, saying to them: 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘This is the living creature that YOU may eat of all the beasts that are upon the earth: 3 Every creature that splits the hoof and forms a cleft in the hoofs and chews the cud among the beasts, that is what YOU may eat. 4 “‘Only this is what YOU must not eat among the chewers of the cud and the splitters of the hoof: the camel, because it is a chewer of the cud but is no splitter of the hoof. It is unclean for YOU. 5 Also the rock badger, because it is a chewer of the cud but does not split the hoof. It is unclean for YOU. 6 Also the hare, because it is a chewer of the cud but it does not have the hoof split. It is unclean for YOU. 7 Also the pig, because it is a splitter of the hoof and a former of a cleft in the hoof, but it itself does not chew the cud. It is unclean for YOU. 8 You must not eat any of their flesh, and YOU must not touch their dead body. They are unclean for YOU. 9 “‘This is what YOU may eat of everything that is in the waters: Everything that has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas and in the torrents, those you may eat. 10 And everything in the seas and the torrents that has no fins and scales, out of every swarming creature of the waters and out of every living soul that is in the waters, they are a loathsome thing for YOU. Lev 11:1 18 “ ‘As for a woman with whom a man may lie down with an emission of semen, they must bathe in water and be unclean until the evening. 19 “ ‘And in case a woman is having a running discharge, and her running discharge in her flesh proves to be blood, she should continue seven days in her menstrual impurity, and anyone touching her will be unclean until the evening. 20 And anything upon which she may lie down in her menstrual impurity will be unclean, and everything upon which she may sit will be unclean. 21 And anyone touching her bed should wash his garments, and he must bathe in water and be unclean until the evening. 22 And anyone touching any article upon which she was sitting should wash his garments, and he must bathe in water and be unclean until the evening. 23 And if it was upon the bed or upon another article that she was sitting, by his touching it he will be unclean until the evening. 24 And if a man lies down with her at all and her menstrual impurity comes to be upon him, he must then be unclean seven days, and any bed upon which he might lie down will be unclean. Leviticus 15:18 6 “ ‘You people must not come near, any man of YOU, to any close fleshly relative of his to lay bare nakedness. I am Jehovah. 7 The nakedness of your father and the nakedness of your mother you must not lay bare. She is your mother. You must not lay bare her nakedness. 8 “ ‘The nakedness of your father’s wife you must not lay bare. It is your father’s nakedness. 9 “ ‘As for the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father or the daughter of your mother, whether born in the same household or born outside it, you must not lay bare their nakedness. 10 “ ‘As for the nakedness of the daughter of your son or the daughter of your daughter, you must not lay bare their nakedness, because they are your nakedness. 11 “ ‘As for the nakedness of the daughter of your father’s wife, the offspring of your father, she being your sister, you must not lay bare her nakedness. 12 “ ‘The nakedness of your father’s sister you must not lay bare. She is the blood relation of your father. 13 “ “The nakedness of your mother’s sister you must not lay bare, because she is a blood relation of your mother. 14 “ ‘The nakedness of your father’s brother you must not lay bare. You must not come near his wife. She is your aunt. 15 “ ‘The nakedness of your daughter-in-law you must not lay bare. She is your son’s wife. You must not lay her nakedness bare. 16 “ ‘The nakedness of your brother’s wife you must not lay bare. It is your brother’s nakedness. 17 “ ‘The nakedness of a woman and her daughter you must not lay bare. The daughter of her son and the daughter of her daughter you must not take in order to lay her nakedness bare. They are cases of blood relationship. It is loose conduct. 18 “ ‘And you must not take a woman in addition to her sister as a rival to uncover her nakedness, that is, besides her during her lifetime. 19 “ ‘And you must not come near a woman during the menstruation of her impurity to lay her nakedness bare. 20 “ ‘And you must not give your emission as semen to the wife of your associate to become unclean by it. 21 “ ‘And you must not allow the devoting of any of your offspring to Molech. You must not profane the name of your God that way. I am Jehovah. 22 “ ‘And you must not lie down with a male the same as you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable thing. 23 “ ‘And you must not give your emission to any beast to become unclean by it, and a woman should not stand before a beast to have connection with it. It is a violation of what is natural. Leviticus 18:6 3 “ ‘You should fear each one his mother and his father, and my Sabbaths YOU should keep. I am Jehovah YOUR God. 4 Do not turn yourselves to valueless gods, and YOU must not make molten gods for yourselves. I am Jehovah YOUR God. Leviticus 19:3 11 “‘You people must not steal, and YOU must not deceive, and YOU must not deal falsely any one with his associate. 12 And YOU must not swear in my name to a lie, so that you do profane the name of your God. I am Jehovah. 13 You must not defraud your fellow, and you must not rob. The wages of a hired laborer should not stay all night with you until morning. 14 “ ‘You must not call down evil upon a deaf man, and before a blind man you must not put an obstacle; and you must be in fear of your God. I am Jehovah. 15 “ ‘You people must not do injustice in the judgment. You must not treat the lowly with partiality, and you must not prefer the person of a great one. With justice you should judge your associate. 16 “ ‘You must not go around among your people for the sake of slandering. You must not stand up against your fellow’s blood. I am Jehovah.
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45 17 “‘You must not hate your brother in your heart. You should by all means reprove your associate, that you may not bear sin along with him. 18 “ ‘You must not take vengeance nor have a grudge against the sons of your people; and you must love your fellow as yourself. I am Jehovah. I am Jehovah YOUR God. Leviticus 19:11 I am Jehovah YOUR God. 26 “ ‘You must eat nothing along with blood. “ ‘You must not look for omens and YOU must not practice magic. 27 “ ‘You must not cut YOUR side locks short around, and you must not destroy the extremity of your beard. 28 “ ‘And YOU must not make cuts in YOUR flesh for a deceased soul, and YOU must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves. I am Jehovah. 29 “ ‘Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, in order that the land may not commit prostitution and the land actually be filled with loose morals. 30 “ ‘My Sabbaths YOU should keep, and YOU should stand in awe of my sanctuary. I am Jehovah. 31 “ ‘Do not turn yourselves to the spirit mediums, and do not consult professional foretellers of events, so as to become unclean by them. I am Jehovah YOUR God. 32 “ ‘Before gray hair you should rise up, and you must show consideration for the person of an old man, and you must be in fear of your God. I am Jehovah. TREATMENT TOWARDS NON-ISRAELIS 33 “ ‘And in case an alien resident resides with you as an alien in YOUR land, YOU must not mistreat him. 34 The alien resident who resides as an alien with YOU should become to YOU like a native of YOURS; and you must love him as yourself, for YOU became alien residents in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah YOUR God. 35 “ ‘You must not commit injustice in judging, in measuring, in weighing or in measuring liquids. 36 You should prove to have accurate scales, accurate weights, and accurate e’phah and an accurate him. Jehovah YOUR God I am, who have brought YOU out of the land of Egypt. 37 So YOU must keep all my statutes and all my judicial decisions, and YOU must do them. I am Jehovah.’” Lev 19:26 9 “ ‘In case there should be any man who calls down evil upon his father and his mother, he should be put to death without fail. It is his father and his mother upon whom he has called down evil. His own blood is upon him. 10 “ ‘Now a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife is one who commits adultery with the wife of his fellow man. He should be put to death without fail, the adulterer and the adulteress as well. 11 And a man who lies down with his father’s wife has laid bare the nakedness of his father. Both of them should be put to death without fail. Their own blood is upon them. 12 And where a man lies down with his daughter-in-law, both of them should be put to death without fail. They have committed a violation of what is natural. Their own blood is upon them. 13 “ ‘And when a man lies down with a male the same as one lies down with a woman, both of them have done a detestable thing. They should be put to death without fail. Their own blood is upon them. 14 “‘And where a man takes a woman and her mother, it is loose conduct. They should burn him and them in the fire, in order that loose conduct may not continue in YOUR midst. 15 “ ‘And where a man gives his seminal emission to a beast, he should be put to death without fail, and YOU should kill the beast. 16 And where a woman approaches any beast to have a connection with it, you must kill the woman and the beast. They should be put to death without fall. Their own blood is upon them. 17 “ ‘And where a man takes his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother, and he does see her nakedness, and she herself sees his nakedness, it is shame. So they must be cut off before the eyes of the sons of their people. It is the nakedness of his sister that he has laid bare. He should answer for his error. Leviticus 20:9 22 “ ‘And YOU people must keep all my statutes and all my judicial decisions and do them, that the land to which I am bringing YOU to dwell in it may not vomit YOU out. 23 And YOU must not walk in the statutes of the nations whom I am sending out from before YOU, because they have done all these things and I abhor them. 24 Hence I said to YOU: “You, for YOUR part, will take possession of their ground, and I, for my part, shall give it to YOU to take possession of it, a land flowing with milk and honey. Jehovah YOUR God I am, who have divided YOU off from the peoples.” 25 And YOU must make a distinction between the clean beast and the unclean and between the unclean fowl and the clean; and YOU must not make YOUR souls loathsome with the beast and the fowl and anything that moves on the ground that I have divided off for YOU in declaring them unclean. 26 And YOU must prove yourselves holy to me, because I Jehovah am holy; and I am proceeding to divide YOU off from the peoples to become mine. 27 “‘And as for a man or woman in whom there proves to be a mediumistic spirit or spirit of prediction, they should be put to death without fail. They should pelt them to death with stones. Then own blood is upon them.’” Leviticus 20:22 7 A prostitute or a violated woman they should not take; and a woman divorced from her husband they should not take, because he is holy to his God. 8 So you must sanctify him, because he is one presenting the bread of your God. He should prove to be holy to you, because I Jehovah, who am sanctifying YOU, am holy. 9 “‘Now in case the daughter of a priest should make herself profane by committing prostitution, it is her father that she is profaning. She should be burned in the fire. 10 “‘And as for the high priest of his brothers upon whose head the anointing oil would be poured and whose hand was filled with power to wear the garments, he should not let his head go ungroomed, and he should not tear his garments. 11 And he should not come to any dead soul. For his father and his mother he may not defile himself. 12 He should also not go out from the sanctuary and not profane the sanctuary of his God, because the sign of dedication, the anointing oil of his God, is upon him. I am Jehovah. 13 “ ‘And for his part, he should take a woman in her virginity. 14 As for a widow or a divorced woman and one violated, a prostitute, none of these may he take, but he should take a virgin from his people as a wife. 15 And he should not profane his seed among his people, because I am Jehovah who is sanctifying him.’ 16 And Jehovah continued to speak to Moses, saying: 17 “Speak to Aaron, saying, ‘No man of your seed throughout their generations in whom there proves to be a defect may come near to present the bread of his God. 18 In case there is any man in whom there is a defect, he may not come near: a man blind or lame or with his nose slit or with one member too long, 19 or a man
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46 in whom there proves to be a fracture of the foot or a fracture of the hand, 20 or hunchback or thin or diseased in his eyes or scabby or having ringworms or having his testicles broken. 21 Any man of the seed of Aaron the priest in whom there is a defect may not approach to present Jehovah’s offerings made by fire. There is a defect in him. He may not approach to present the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God from the most holy things and from the holy things. 23 However, he may not come in near the curtain, and he may not approach the altar, because there is a defect in him; and he should not profane my sanctuary, for I am Jehovah who is sanctifying them.’” Leviticus 21:7 17 “‘And in case a man strikes any soul of mankind fatally, he should be put to death without fail. 18 And the fatal striker of the soul of a domestic animal should make compensation for it, soul for soul. 19 And in case a man should cause a defect in his associate, then just as he has done, so it should be done to him. 20 Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; the same sort of defect he may cause in the man, that is what should be caused in him. 21 And the fatal striker of a beast should make compensation for it, but the fatal striker of man should be put to death. 22 “ ‘One judicial decision should hold good for YOU. The alien resident should prove to be the same as the native, because I am Jehovah YOUR God.’” 23 After that Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, and they brought forth the one who had called down evil to the outside of the camp, and they pelted him with stones. Thus the sons of Israel did just as Jehovah had commanded Moses. 25 And Jehovah spoke further to Moses in Mount Si’nai, saying: 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and you must say to them, ‘When YOU eventually come into the land that I am giving YOU, then the land must observe a Sabbath to Jehovah. 3 Six years you should sow your field with seed, and six years you should prune your vineyard, and you must gather the land’s produce. 4 But in the seventh year there should occur a Sabbath of complete rest for the land, a Sabbath to Jehovah. Your field you must not sow with seed, and your vineyard you must not prune. 5 The growth from spilled kernels of your harvest you must not reap, and the grapes of your unpruned vine you must not gather. There should occur a Sabbath of complete rest for the land. Leviticus 24:17 35 “‘And in case your brother grows poor and so he is financially weak alongside you, you must also sustain him. As an alien resident and a settler, he must keep alive with you. 36 Do not take interest and usury from him, but you must be in fear of your God; and your brother must keep alive with you 37 You must not give him your money on interest, and you must not give your food out on usury. 38 I am Jehovah YOUR God, who brought YOU out of the land of Egypt to give YOU the land of Ca’naan, to prove myself YOUR God. 39 “ ‘And in case your brother grows poor alongside you and he has to sell himself to you, you must not use him as a worker in slavish service. 40 He should prove to be with you like a hired laborer, like a settler. He should serve with you till the Jubilee year. 41 And he must go out from you, he and his sons with him, and he must return to his family, and he should return to the possession of his forefathers. 42 For they are my slaves whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. They must not sell themselves the way a slave is sold. 43 You must not tread down upon him with tyranny, and you must be in fear of your God. 44 As for your slave man and your slave girl who become yours from the nations that are round about YOU people, from them YOU may buy a slave man and a slave girl. 45 And also from the sons of the settlers who are residing as aliens with YOU, from them YOU may buy, and from their families that are with YOU whom they had born to them in YOUR land; and they must become YOUR possession. 46 And YOU must pass them on as an inheritance to YOUR sons after YOU to inherit as a possession to time indefinite. You may use them as workers, but upon YOUR brothers the sons of Israel, you must not tread, the one upon the other, with tyranny. Leviticus 25:35 55 “‘For to me the sons of Israel are slaves. They are my slaves whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah YOUR God. 26 “‘You must not make valueless gods for yourselves, and you must not set up a carved image or a sacred pillar for yourselves, and YOU must not put a stone as showpiece in YOUR land in order to bow down toward it; for I am Jehovah YOUR God. 2 You should keep my Sabbaths and stand in awe of my sanctuary. I am Jehovah. PRE-CONDITION FOR THE PROMISED LAND 3 “ ‘If YOU continue walking in my statutes and keeping my commandments and YOU do carry them out, 4 I shall also certainly give YOUR showers of rain at their proper time, and the land will indeed give its yield, and the tree of the field will give its fruit. 5 And YOUR threshing will certainly reach to YOUR grape gathering, and the grape gathering will reach to the sowing of seed; and YOU will indeed eat YOUR bread to satisfaction and dwell in security in YOUR land. 6 And I will put peace in the land, and YOU will indeed lie down, with no one making [YOU] tremble; and I will make the injurious wild beast cease out of the land, and a sword will not pass through YOUR land. 7 And YOU will certainly chase YOUR enemies, and they will indeed fall before YOU by the sword. 8 And five of YOU will certainly chase a hundred, and a hundred of YOU will chase ten thousand; and YOUR enemies will indeed fall before YOU by the sword. 9 “‘And I will turn myself to YOU and make YOU fruitful and multiply YOU, and I will carry out my covenant with YOU. Leviticus 25:55 14 “‘However, if YOU will not listen to me nor do all these commandments, 15 and if YOU will reject my statutes, and if YOUR souls will abhor my judicial decisions so as not to do all my commandments, to the extent of YOUR violating my covenant, 16 then I, for my part, shall do the following to YOU, and in punishment I shall certainly bring upon YOU disturbance with tuberculosis and burning fever, causing the eyes to fail and making the soul pine away. And YOU will simply sow YOUR seed for nothing, as YOUR enemies will certainly eat it up. 17 And I shall indeed set my face against YOU, and YOU will certainly be defeated before YOUR enemies; and those who hate YOU will just tread down upon YOU, and YOU will actually flee when no one is pursuing YOU. 18 “‘If, though, despite these things, YOU will not listen to me, I shall then have to chastise YOU seven times as much for YOUR sins. 19 And I shall have to break the pride of YOUR strength and make YOUR heavens like iron and YOUR earth like copper. 20 And YOUR power will simply be expended for nothing, as YOUR earth will not give its yield, and the tree of the earth will not give its fruit.
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47 21 “ ‘But if YOU keep walking in opposition to me and not wishing to listen to me, I shall then have to inflict seven times more blows upon YOU according to YOUR sins. 22 And I will send the wild beasts of the field among YOU, and they will certainly bereave YOU of children and cut off YOUR domestic animals and reduce the number of YOU, and YOUR roads will actually be desolated. 23 “ ‘Nevertheless, if with these things YOU do not let yourselves be corrected by me and YOU just have to walk in opposition to me, 24 I, yes, I, shall then have to walk in opposition to YOU; and I, even I, shall have to strike YOU seven times for YOUR sins. 25 And I shall certainly bring upon YOU a sword breaking vengeance for the covenant; and YOU will indeed gather yourselves into YOUR cities, and I shall certainly send pestilence into the midst of YOU, and YOU must be given into the hand of an enemy. 26 When I have broken for YOU the rods around which ring-shaped loaves are suspended, ten women will then actually bake YOUR bread in but one oven and give back YOUR bread by weight; and YOU must eat but YOU will not be satisfied. 27 “ ‘If, however, with this YOU will not listen to me and YOU just must walk in opposition to me, 28 I shall then have to walk in heated opposition to YOU, and I, yes, I, shall have to chastise YOU seven times for YOUR sins. 29 So YOU will have to eat the flesh of YOUR sons, and YOU will eat the flesh of YOUR daughters. 30 And I shall certainly annihilate YOUR sacred high places and cut off YOUR incense stands and lay YOUR own carcasses upon the carcasses of YOUR dungy idols; and my soul will simply abhor YOU. 31 And I shall indeed give YOUR cities to the sword and lay YOUR sanctuaries desolate, and I shall not smell YOUR restful odors. 32 And I, for my part, will lay the land desolate, and YOUR enemies who are dwelling in it will simply stare in amazement over it. 33 And YOU I shall scatter among the nations, and I will unsheathe a sword after YOU; and YOUR land must become desolation, and YOUR cities will become a desolate ruin. Leviticus 26:14
27 And Jehovah continued to speak to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and you must say to them, ‘In case a man makes a special vow offering of souls to Jehovah according to the estimated value, 3 and the estimated value has to be of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old, the estimated value must then become fifty shekels of silver by the shekel of the holy place. 4 But if it is a female, the estimated value must then become thirty shekels. Leviticus 27:1 30 “‘And every tenth part of the land, out of the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree, belongs to Jehovah. It is something holy to Jehovah. Leviticus 27:30 _________
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Book 4
NUMBERS
4 And the mixed crowd that was in the midst of them expressed selfish longing, and the sons of Israel too began to weep again and say: “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 How we remember the fish that we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers and the watermelons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic! 6 But now our soul is dried away. Our eyes are on nothing at all except the manna.” 7 Incidentally, the manna was like coriander seed, and its look was like the look of bdellium gum. 8 The people spread out and picked it up and ground it in hand mills or pounded it in a mortar, and they boiled it in cooking pots or made it into round cakes, and its taste proved to be like the taste of an oiled sweet cake. 9 And when the dew descended upon the camp by night, the manna would descend upon it. Numbers 11:4 ISRAELIS REFUSE TO FIGHT
13 Jehovah now spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Send out for yourself men that they may spy out the land of Ca’naan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel. You will send out one man for each tribe of his fathers, each one a chieftain among them.” 25 Finally at the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. 26 So they walked and came to Moses and Aaron and all the assembly of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Pa’ran, at Ka’.desh. And they came bringing back word to them and all the assembly and showing them the fruitage of the land. 27 And they went on to report to him and say: “We entered into the land to which you sent us out, and it is indeed flowing with milk and honey, and this is its fruitage. 28 Nevertheless, the facts are that the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the fortified cities are very great; and, too, those born of A’nak we saw there. 29 The A.mal’ek.ites are dwelling in the land of the Neg’eb, and the Hit’tites and the Jeb’u.sites and the Am’or.ites are dwelling in the mountainous region, and the Ca’.naan.ites are dwelling by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.” 30 Then Caleb tried to still the people toward Moses and went on to say: “Let us go up directly, and we are bound to take possession of it, because we can surely prevail over it.” 31 But the men who went up with him said: “We are not able to go up against the people, because they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they kept on bringing forth to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying: “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in the midst of it are men of extraordinary size. 33 And there we saw the Neph’i.lim, the sons of A’nak, who are from the Neph’i.lim; so that we became in our own eyes like grasshoppers, and the same way we became in their eyes.” 14 Then all the assembly raised their voice, and the people continued giving vent to their voice and weeping all through that night. 2 And all the sons of Israel began to murmur against Moses and Aaron, and all the assembly began to say against them: “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Numbers 13:25 7 and they proceeded to say this to all the assembly of the sons of Israel: “The land that we passed through to spy it out is a very, very good land. 8 If Jehovah has found delight in us, then he will certainly bring us, into this land and give it to us, a land that is flowing with milk and honey. 9 Only against Jehovah do not rebel; and YOU, do not YOU fear the people of the land, for they are bread to us. Their shelter has turned away from over them, and Jehovah is with us. Do not fear them.” 10 However, all the assembly talked of pelting them with stones. And Jehovah’s glory appeared on the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. 11 Finally Jehovah said to Moses: “How long will this people treat me without respect, and how long will they not put faith in me for all the signs that I performed in among them? 12 Let me strike them with pestilence and drive them away, and let me make you a nation greater and mightier than they are.” Numbers 14:7 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 20. And (remember) when Moses said unto his people: O my people! Remember Allah’s favour, unto you, how He placed among you prophets, and He made you kings, and gave you that (which) He gave not to any (other) of (His) creatures. 21. O my people! Go into the holy land which Allah hath ordained for you. Turn not in flight, for surely ye turn back as losers: 22. They said: O Moses! Lo! a giant people (dwell) therein, and lo! we go not in till they go forth from thence. When they go forth from thence, then we will enter (not till then). 23. Then out spake two of those who feared (their Lord, men) unto whom Allah had been gracious: Enter in upon them by the gate, for if ye enter by it, lo! ye will be victorious. So put your trust (in Allah) if ye are indeed believers. 24. They said: O Moses! We will never enter (the land) while they are in it. So go thou and thy Lord and fight! We will sit here. 25. He said: My Lord! I have control of none but myself and my brother, so distinguish between us and the wrongdoing folk. 26. (Their Lord) said: For this the land will surely be forbidden them for forty years that they will wander in the earth, bewildered. So grieve not over the wrongdoing folk. FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 20 Then Jehovah said: “I do forgive according to your word. 21 And, on the other hand, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of Jehovah. 22 But all the men who have been seeing my glory and my signs that I have performed in Egypt and in the wilderness and yet kept testing me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice, 23 will never see the land about which I swore to their fathers, yes, all those treating me without respect will not see it. Numbers 14:20 26 And Jehovah went on to speak to Moses and Aaron, saying: 27 “How long will this evil assembly have this murmuring that they are carrying on against me? I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel that they are murmuring against me. 28 Say to them, “As I live,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “if I shall not do to YOU just that way as YOU have spoken in my ears! 29 In this wilderness YOUR carcasses will fall, yes, all YOUR registered ones of all YOUR number from twenty years old upward, YOU who have
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49 murmured against me. 30 As for YOU, YOU will not enter into the land in which I lifted up my hand [in oath] to reside with YOU, except Caleb the son of Je.phunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 “And YOUR little ones who YOU said would become plunder, these also I shall certainly bring in, and they will indeed know the land that YOU have rejected 32 But the carcasses of YOU yourselves will fall in this wilderness! 33 And YOUR sons will become shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and they will have to answer for YOUR acts of fornication, until YOUR carcasses come to their end in the wilderness. 34 By the number of the days that YOU spied out the land, forty days, a day for a year, a day for a year, YOU will answer for YOUR errors forty years, YOU must know what my being estranged means. Numbers 14:26 GOOD TREATMENT TO ALIENS 14 “‘And in case there should be residing as an alien with you an alien resident or one who is in YOUR midst for generations of YOU, and he must render up an offering made by fire, of a restful odor to Jehovah, just as YOU should do, so he should do. 15 You who are of the congregation and the alien resident who is residing as an alien will have one statute. It will be a statute to time indefinite for YOUR generations. The alien resident should prove to be the same as YOU before Jehovah. 16 There should prove to be one law and one judicial decision for YOU and for the alien resident who is residing as an alien with YOU.’ Numbers 15:14 32 While the sons or Israel were continuing in the wilderness, they once found a man collecting pieces of wood on the sabbath day. 33 Then those who found him collecting pieces of wood brought him up to Moses and Aaron and .the whole assembly. 34 So they committed him into custody, because it had not been distinctly stated what should be done to him. 35 In time Jehovah said to Moses: “Without fail the man should be put to death, the whole assembly pelting him with stones outside the camp.” 36 Accordingly the whole assembly brought him forth outside the camp and pelted him with stones so that he died, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses. Numbers 15:32 REBELLION OF 250 ISRAELIS 12 Later Moses sent to call Da’.than and A.bi’ram the sons of E.li’ab, but they said: “We are not going to come up! 13 Is it so little a thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to put us to death in the wilderness, that you should also try to play the prince over us to the limit? 14 As it is, you have not brought us into any land flowing with milk and honey, that you may give us an inheritance of field and vineyard. Is it the eyes of those men that you want to bore out? We are not going to come up!” Numbers 16:12 KILLING BY PLAGUE God killed fourteen thousand seven hundred Israelis by plague because they rebelled against God and Moses. (Numbers 16:49)
20 And the sons of Israel, the entire assembly, proceeded to come into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people took up dwelling in Ka’desh. It was there that Mir’iam died and there that she was buried. ISRAELIS REBEL 2 Now there proved to be no water for the assembly, and they began to congregate themselves against Moses and Aaron. 3 And the people went quarreling with Moses and saying: “If only we had expired when our brothers expired before Jehovah! 4 And why have YOU men brought Jehovah’s congregation into this wilderness for us and our beasts of burden to die there? 5 And why have you conducted us up out of Egypt to bring us into this evil place? It is no place of seed and figs and vines and pomegranates, and there is no water to drink. 6 Then Moses and Aaron came from before the congregation to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell upon their faces, and Jehovah’s glory began to appear to them. 7 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying: 8 “Take the rod and call the assembly together, you and Aaron your brother, and YOU must speak to the crag before their eyes that it may indeed give its water; and you must bring out water for them from the crag and give the assembly and their beasts of burden drink.” 9 So Moses took the rod from before Jehovah, just as he had commanded him. 10 After that Moses and Aaron called the congregation together before the crag, and he proceeded to say to them: “Hear, now, YOU rebels! Is it from this crag that we shall bring out water for YOU?” 11 With that Moses lifted his hand up and struck the crag with his rod twice; and much water began to come out, and the assembly and their beasts of burden began to drink. Numbers 20:1 SNAKE BITES 5 And the people kept speaking against God and Moses: “Why have YOU brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread and no water, and our soul has come to abhor the contemptible bread.” 6 So Jehovah sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they kept biting the people, so that many people of Israel died. Numbers 21:5 TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND ISRAELIS KILLED FROM THE SCOURGE ISRAELIS TURNED IDOLATORS
25 Now Israel was dwelling in Shit’tim. Then the people started to have immoral relations with the daughters of Mo’ab. 2 And the women came calling the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people began to eat and to bow down to their gods. 3 So Israel attached itself to the Ba’al of Pe’or; and the anger of Jehovah began to blaze against Israel. 4 Hence Jehovah said to Moses: “Take all the head ones of the people and expose them to Jehovah toward the sun, that the burning anger of Jehovah may turn back from Israel.” 5 Then Moses said to the judges of Israel: “Each one of YOU kill his men who have an attachment with the Ba’al of Pe’or.” 6 But, look! a man of the sons of Israel came, and he was bringing near to his brothers a Mid’i.an.ite woman before Moses’ eyes and before the eyes of all the assembly of the sons of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 7
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50 When Phin’e.has the son of E.le.a’zar the son of Aaron the priest caught sight of it, he at once got up from the midst of the assembly and took a lance in his hand. 8 Then he went after the man of Israel into the vaulted tent and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her genital parts. At that the scourge was halted from upon the sons of Israel. 9 And those who died from the scourge amounted to twenty-four thousand. Numbers 25:1 ENEMIES KILLED IN THE WAR 7 And they went waging war against Mid’.i.an, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses, and they proceeded to kill every male. 8 And they killed the kings of Midi.an along with the others slain, namely, E’vi and Be’kem and Zur and Hur and Re’ba, the five kings of Midi.an; and they killed Balaam the son of Be’or with the sword. 9 But the sons of Israel carried off the women of Midian and their little ones captive and. all their domestic animals and all their livestock and all their means of maintenance they plundered. 10 And all their cities in which they had settled and all their walled camps they burned with fire. 11 And they went taking all the spoil and all the booty in the way of humans and domestic animals. Numbers 31:7 ONLY VIRGINS SPARED 15 So Moses said to them: Have YOU preserved alive every female? 16 Look! They are the ones who, by Balaam’s word, served to induce the sons of Israel to commit unfaithfulness toward Jehovah over the affair of Pe’or, so that the scourge came upon the assembly of Jehovah. 17 And now kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has had intercourse with man by lying with a male. 18 And preserve alive for yourselves all the little ones among the women who have not known the act of lying with a male. Numbers 31:15
OUR REMARKS 1. The Holy Bible mentions the killing of an Israeli who violated Sabbath. (15:32) 2. The Holy Bible mentions the rebellion of 250 Israelis (16:12) and then killing of fourteen thousand seven hundred Israelis who rebelled against God and Moses (Numbers 16:49). The Holy Qur'an is quiet about such incidences and it does not mention killing of twenty-four thousand Israelis by scourge and also the killing of an Israeli and a Midianite woman; both of them were killed, the woman was killed by a lance piercing in her genital parts. (25:1) 3. The Israelis terminated the Midianites completely and only the virgins were kept alive according to the Holy Bile (31:7). The Holy Qur'an is quiet on this matter. _________
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Book 5
DEUTERRONOMY
REGULATIONS
4 “And now, O Israel, listen to : the regulations and the judicial decisions that I am teaching YOU to do, in order that YOU may live and may indeed go in and take possession of the land that Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers is giving YOU. 2 You must not add to the word that I am commanding YOU, neither must YOU take away from it, so as to keep the commandments of Jehovah YOUR God that I am commanding YOU. 3 “YOUR own eyes are the ones that saw what Jehovah did in the case of the Ba’al of Pe’or, that every man who walked after the Ba’al of Pe’or was the one whom Jehovah your God annihilated from your midst., 4 But YOU who are, cleaving to Jehovah YOUR God are all of YOU alive today. Deut 4:1 21 “And Jehovah got incensed at me on YOUR account, so that he swore that I should not cross the Jordan or go into the good land; that Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance. 22 For I am dying in this land. I am not crossing the Jordan, but YOU are crossing, and YOU must take possession of this good land. 23 Watch out for yourselves that YOU may not forget the covenant of Jehovah YOUR God that he concluded with YOU and that YOU do not make for yourselves a carved image, the form of anything about which Jehovah your God has commanded you. 24 For Jehovah your God is a consuming fire, a God exacting exclusive devotion. 25 “In case you become father to sons and grandsons and YOU have resided a long time in the land and do act ruinously and do make a carved image, a form of anything, and do commit evil in the eyes of Jehovah your God so as to offend him, 26 I do take as witnesses against YOU today the heavens and the earth, that YOU will positively perish .in a hurry from off the land to which YOU are crossing the Jordan to take possession of it. You will not lengthen YOUR days on it, because YOU will positively be annihilated. 27 And Jehovah will certainly scatter YOU among the peoples, and YOU will indeed be let remain few in number among the nations to which Jehovah will drive YOU away. 28 And there YOU will have to serve gods, the product of the hands of man, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. Deut 4:21 5 And Moses proceeded to call all Israel and to say to them: “Hear, O Israel, the regulations and the judicial decisions that I am speaking in YOUR ears today, and YOU must learn them and be careful to do them. 2 Jehovah our God concluded a Covenant with us in Ho’reb. 3 It was not with our forefathers that Jehovah concluded this covenant, but with us, all those of us alive here today. 4 Face to face Jehovah spoke with YOU in the mountain out of the middle of the fire. 5 I was standing between Jehovah and YOU at that particular time to tell YOU the word of Jehovah, (for YOU were afraid because of the fire and did not go up into the mountain,) saying, 6 “ ‘I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves. 7 You must never have any other gods against my face. 8 “ ‘You must not make for yourself a carved image, any form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. 9 You must not bow down to them or be led to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons and upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me; 10 but exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation in the case of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 “ ‘You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave anyone unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way. 12 “ ‘Keeping the sabbath day to hold it sacred, just as Jehovah your God commanded you, 13 you are to render service, and you must do all your work six days. 14 But the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work, you nor your son nor your daughter nor your slave man nor your slave girl nor your bull nor your ass nor any domestic animal of yours nor your alien resident who is inside your gates, in order that your slave man and your slave girl may rest the same as you. 15 And you must remember that you became a slave in the land of Egypt and Jehovah your God proceeded to bring you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why Jehovah your God commanded you to carry on the sabbath day. 16 “ ‘Honor your father and your mother, just as Jehovah your God has commanded you; in order that your days may prove long and it may go well with you on the ground that Jehovah your God is giving you. 17 “‘You must not murder. 18 “‘Neither must you commit adultery. 19 “‘Neither must you steal. 20 “‘Neither must you testify to a falsehood against your fellow man. 21 “‘Neither must you desire your fellow man’s wife. Neither must you selfishly crave your fellow man’s house, his field or his slave man or his slave girl, his bull or his ass or anything that belongs to your fellow man.’ Deut 5:1 3 And you must listen, O Israel, and take care to do [them], that it may go well with you and that YOU may become very many, just as Jehovah the God of your forefathers has promised you, as respects the land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. 5 And you must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. 6 And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; 7 and you must inculcate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. 8 And you must tie them as a sign upon your hand, and they must serve as a frontlet band between your eyes; 9 and you must write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.Deut 6:3 6 “In case your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or your cherished wife or your companion who is like your own soul, should try to allure you in secrecy, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ whom you have not known, neither you nor your forefathers, 7 some of the gods of the peoples who are all around you, the ones near you or those far away from you, from one end of the land to the other end of the land, 8 you must not accede to his wish or listen to him, nor should your eye feel sorry for him, nor must you feel compassion, nor cover him [protectively]; 9 but you should kill him without fail. Your hand
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52 first of all should come upon him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward. 10 And you must stone him with stones, and he must die, because he has sought to turn you away from Jehovah your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves 11 Then all Israel will hear and become afraid, and they will not do anything like this bad thing again in your midst. 12 “In case you hear it said in one of your cities, which Jehovah your God is giving you to dwell there, 13 ‘Good-for-nothing men have gone out from your midst that they may try to turn away the inhabitants of their city, saying; “Let us go and serve other gods,, whom you have not known, 14 you must also search and investigate and inquire thoroughly; and if the thing is established as the truth, this detestable thing has been done in your midst, 15 you should without fail strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword. Devote it and everything that is in it, and its domestic animals, to destruction at the edge of the sword. 16 And all its spoil you should collect into middle of its public square, you must burn in the fire the city and all its spoil as a whole offering, to Jehovah your God, and it must become a heap of ruins to time indefinite. It should never be rebuilt. Deut 13:6 26 You must also give the money for whatever your soul may crave in the way of cattle and sheep and goats and wine and intoxicating liquor and anything that your soul may ask of you; and you must eat there before Jehovah your God and rejoice, you and your household. Deut 14:26 PROPHECY ABOUT THE PROPHET 15 A prophet from your own midst, from your brothers, like me, is what Jehovah your God will raise up for you—to him you people should listen — 16 in response to all that you asked of Jehovah your God in Ho’reb on the day of the congregation, saying, ‘Do not let me hear again the voice of Jehovah my God, and this great fire do not let me see any more, that I may not die.’ 17 At that Jehovah said to me, ‘They have done well in speaking what they did. 18 A prophet I shall raise up for them from the midst of their brothers, like you; and I shall indeed put my words in his mouth, and he will certainly speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 And it must occur that the man who will not listen to my words that he will speak in my name, I shall myself require an account from him. 20 “ ‘However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21 And in case you should say in your heart: “How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?” 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him. Deut 18:15 15 “No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin, in the case of any sin that he may commit. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good. 16 In case a witness scheming violence should rise up against a man to bring a charge of revolt against him, 17 the two men who have the dispute must also stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges who will be acting in those days. 18 And the judges must search thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and has brought a false charge against his brother, 19 YOU must also do to him just as he had schemed to do to his brother, and you must clear away what is bad from your midst, 20 So those who remain will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything bad like this in your midst. 21 And your eye should not feel sorry: soul will be for soul, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Deut 19:15 WAR REGULATIONS 10 “In case you draw near to a city to fight against it, you must also announce to it terms of peace. 11 And it must occur that if it gives a peaceful answer to you and it has opened up to you, it must even occur that all the people found in it should become yours for forced labor, and they must serve you. 12 But if it does not make peace with you, and it actually makes war with you and you have to besiege it, 13 Jehovah your God also will certainly give it into your hand, and you must strike every male in it with the edge of the sword. 14 Only the women and the little children and the domestic animals and everything that happens to be in the city, all its spoil you will plunder for yourself; and you must eat the spoil of your enemies, whom Jehovah your God has given to you. 15 “That is the way you will do to all the cities very far away from you that are not of the cities of these nations. 16 It is only of the cities of these peoples that Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance that you must not preserve any breathing thing alive, 17 because you should without fail devote them to destruction, the Hit’tites and the Am’or.ites, the Ca’naan.ites and the Per’iz.rites, the Hi’vites and the Jeb’u.sites, just as Jehovah your God has commanded you; 18 in order that they may not teach YOU to do according to all their detestable things, which they have done to their gods, and YOU may indeed sin against Jehovah YOUR God. Deut 20:10 LAW OF INHERITANCE 15 “In case a man comes to have two wives, the one loved and the other hated, and they, the loved one and the hated one, have borne sons to him, and the first-born son has come to be of the hated one, 16 it must also occur that in the day that he gives as an inheritance to his sons what he happens to have, he will not be allowed to constitute the son of the loved one his firstborn at the expense of the hated one’s son, the first-born. 17 For he should recognize as the first born the hated one’s son by giving him two parts in everything he is found to have, because that one is the beginning of his generative power. The right of the first-born’s position belongs to him. Deut 21:15 LAW FOR WOMAN’S VIRGINITY 13 “In case a man takes a wife and actually has relations with her and has come to hate her, 14 and he has charged her with notorious deeds and brought forth a bad name upon her and has said, ‘This is the woman I have taken, and I proceeded to go near her, and I did not find evidence of virginity in her’; 15 the father of the girl and her mother must also take and bring forth the evidence of the girl’s virginity to the older men of the city at the gate of it; 16 and the girl’s father must say to the older men, ‘I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he went hating her. 17 And here he is charging her with notorious deeds, saying: “I have found your daughter does not have evidence of virginity.” Now this is the evidence of my daughter’s virginity.’ And they must spread out the mantle before the older men of the city. 18 And the older men of that city must take the man and discipline him. 19 And they
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53 must fine him a hundred silver shekels and give them to the girl’s father, because he brought forth a bad name upon a virgin of Israel; and she will continue to be his wife. He will not be allowed to divorce her all his days. 20 “If, though, this thing has proved to be the truth, evidence of virginity was not found in the girl, 21 they must also bring the girl out to the entrance of her father’s house and the men of her city must pelt her with stones, and she must die, because she has committed a disgraceful folly in Israel by committing prostitution in the house of her father. So you must clear away what is bad from your midst. 22 “In case a man is found lying down with a woman owned by an owner, both of them must then die together, the man lying down with the woman and the woman. So you must clear away what is bad out of Israel. 23 “In case there happened to be a virgin girl engaged to a man, and a man actually found her in the city and lay down with her, 24 YOU must also bring them both out to the gate of that city and pelt them with stones, and they must die, the girl for the reason that she did not scream in the city, and the man for the reason that he humiliated the wife of his fellow man. So you must clear away what is evil from your midst. 25 “If, however, it is in the field that the man found the girl who was engaged, and the man grabbed hold of her and lay down with her, the man who lay down with her must also die by himself, 26 and to the girl you must do nothing. The girl has no sin deserving of death, because just as when a man rises up against his fellow man and indeed murders him, even a soul, so it is with this case. 27 For it was in the field that he found her. The girl who was engaged screamed, but there was no one to rescue her. 28 “In case a man finds a girl, a virgin who has not been engaged, and he actually seizes her and lies down with her and they have been found out, 29 the man who lay down with her must also give the girl’s father fifty silver shekels, and she will become his wife due to the fact that he humiliated her. He will not be allowed to divorce her all his days. 30 “No man should take his father’s wife, that he may not uncover the skirt of his father.
23 “No man castrated by crushing the testicles or having his male member cut off may come into the congregation of Jehovah. 2 “No illegitimate son may come into the congregation of Jehovah. Even to the tenth generation none of his may come into the congregation of Jehovah. Deut 22:13 PROSTITUTION AND USURY 17 “None of the daughters of Israel may become a temple prostitute, neither may anyone of the sons of Israel become a temple prostitute. 18 You must not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog into the house of Jehovah your God for any vow, because they are something detestable to Jehovah your God, even both of them. 19 “You must not make your brother pay interest, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything on which one may claim interest. 20 You may make a foreigner pay interest, but your brother you must not make pay interest; in order that Jehovah your God may bless you in every undertaking of yours on the land to which you are going so as to take possession of it. Deut 23:17 LAW OF DIVORCE
24 “In case a man takes a woman and does make her his possession as a wife, it must also occur that if she should find no favor in his eyes because he has found something indecent on her part, he must also write out a certificate of divorce for her and put it in her hand and dismiss her from his house. 2 And she must go out of his house and go and become another man’s. 3 If the latter man has come to hate her and has written out a certificate of divorce for her and put it in her hand and dismissed her from his house, or in case the latter man who took her as his wife should die 4 the first owner of her who dismissed her will not be allowed to take her back again to become his wife after she has been denied; for that is something detestable before Jehovah, and you must not lead the land that Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance into sin. 5 “In case a man takes a new wife, he should not go out into the army, nor should anything else be imposed onto him. He should continue exempt at his house for one year, and he must make wife whom he has taken rejoice. 6 “No one should seize a hand mill or its upper grindstone as a pledge, because it is a soul that is seizing as a pledge. 7 “In case a man is found kidnapping a soul of his brothers of the sons of Israel, and he has dealt tyrannically with him and sold him, that kidnaper must also die. Deut 24:1 WAGES, JUSTICE 14 “You must not defraud a hired laborer who is in trouble and poor, whether of your brothers or of your alien residents who are in your land, within your gates. 15 In his day you should give him his wages, and the sun should not set upon them, because he is in trouble and is lifting up his soul to his wages; that he may not cry out to Jehovah against you, and it must becomes sin on your part. 16 “Fathers should not be put to death on account of children, and children should not be put to death on account of fathers. Each one should be put to death for his own sin. 17 “You must not pervert the judgment of the alien resident or of the fatherless boy, and you must not seize the garment of a widow as a pledge. Deut 24:14
25 “In case a dispute arises between men, and they have presented themselves for the judgment, they must also judge them and pronounce the righteous one righteous and pronounce the wicked one wicked. 2 And it must occur that if the wicked one deserves to be beaten, the judge must also have him laid prostrate and given strokes before him by number to correspond with his wicked deed. 3 With forty strokes he may beat him. He should add none, for fear he should continue to beat him with many strokes in addition to these and your brother is actually disgraced in your eyes. 4 “You must not muzzle a bull while it is threshing. 5 “In case brothers dwell together and one of them has died without his having a son, the wife of the dead one should not become a strange man’s outside. Her brother-in-law should go to her, and he must take her as his wife and perform brother-in-law marriage with her. 6 And it must occur that the first-born whom she will bear should succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be wiped out of Israel. Deut 25:1 15 “See, I do put before you today life and good, and death and bad. 16 If you will listen to the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I am commanding you today, so as to love Jehovah your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments
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54 and his statutes and his judicial decisions, then you will be bound to keep alive and to multiply, and Jehovah your God must bless you in the land to which you are going to take possession of it. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, and you are actually seduced and bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 I do tell YOU today that YOU will positively perish. You will not lengthen YOUR days on the ground to which you are crossing the Jordan to go to take possession of it. 19 I do take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against YOU today, that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, Deut 30:15 MOSES’ BLESSING 33 Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of the [true] God blessed the sons of Israel before his death. 2 And he proceed to say: “Jehovahfrom Si’nai he came, And he flashed forth from Se’ir upon them. He beamed forth from the mountainous region of Pa’ran, (another Bible: And he came with ten thousands of saints) And with him were holy myriads, At his right hand warriors belonging to them. (another Bible: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.) 3. He was also cherishing his people; All their holy ones are in your hand. And theythey reclined at your feet; They began to receive some of your words. Deut 33:1 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 87. And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), and We supported him with the holy Spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay? 88. And they say: Our hearts are hardened. Nay, but Allah hath cursed them for their unbelief. Little is that which they believe. 89. And when there cometh unto them a scripture from Allah, confirming that in their possession—though before that they were asking for a signal triumph over those who disbelieved—and when there cometh unto them that which they know (to be the Truth) they disbelieve therein. The curse of Allah is on disbelievers. 90. Evil is that for which they sell their souls: that they should disbelieve in that which Allah hath revealed, grudging that Allah should reveal of His bounty unto whom He will of His bondmen. They have incurred anger upon anger. For disbelievers is a shameful doom. 91. And when it is said unto them: Believe in that which Allah hath revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed unto us. And they disbelieve in that which cometh after it, though it is the truth confirming that which they possess. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Why then slew ye the prophets of Allah aforetime, if ye are (indeed) believers? And Moses came unto you with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), yet, while he was away, ye chose the calf (for worship) and ye were wrong-doers. 93. And when We made with you a covenant and caused the Mount to tower above you, (saying): Hold fast by that which We have given you, and hear (Our Word), they said: We hear and we rebel. And (worship of) the calf was made to sink into their hearts because of their rejection (of the covenant). Say (unto them): Evil is that which your belief enjoineth on you, if ye are believers. 94. Say (unto them): If the abode of the Hereafter in the providence of Allah is indeed for you alone and not for others of mankind (as ye pretend), then long for death (for ye must long for death) if ye are truthful. 95. But they will never long for it, because of that which their own hands have sent before them. Allah is Aware of evil-doers. 96. And thou wilt find them greediest of mankind for life and (greedier) than the idolaters. (Each) one of them would like to be allowed to live a thousand years. And to live (a thousand years) would by no means remove him from the doom. Allah is Seer of what they do. Al-Baqarah 2:87 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN (CONTINUED) 6. Lo! as for thee (Muhammad), thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of One Wise, Aware. 7. (Remember) when Moses said unto his household: Lo! I spy afar off a fire; I will bring you tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame that ye may warm yourselves. 8. But when he reached it, he was called, saying: Blessed is Whosoever is in the fire and Whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! 9. O Moses! Lo! it is I, Allah, the Mighty, the Wise. 10. And throw down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! Lo! the emissaries fear not in My presence, 11. Save him who hath done wrong and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo! I am Forgiving, Merciful. 12. And put thy hand into the bosom of thy robe, it will come forth white but unhurt. (This will be one) among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people. Lo! they were ever evil-living folk. 13. But when Our tokens came unto them, plain to see, they said: This is mere magic,
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55 14. And they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong-doers! Al-Naml 27:6 104. We called unto him: O Abraham! 105. Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good. 106. Lo! that verily was a clear test. 107. Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim. 108. And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation): 109. Peace be unto Abraham! 110. Thus do We reward the good. 111. Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves. 112. And We gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous. 113. And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves. 114. And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron, 115. And saved them and their people from the great distress, 116. And helped them so that they became the victors. 117. And We gave them the clear Scripture 118. And showed them the right path. 119. And We left for them among the later folk (the salutation): 120. Peace be unto Moses and Aaron! Al-Saffat 37:104 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 1. SOME REGULATIONS Some principles of Islam are mentioned hereunder, while rest of the principles and regulations will be mentioned and discussed in Part 2. It may be noted that intoxicants are totally forbidden, war against usury is declared, marriages with non-Muslims women are allowed. An outstanding commandment of the Holy Qur'an is to wage Holy War against Godless people, the persecutors; to save lives of weak people, to fight against the oppressors and those who break the treaty of peace. 22. Set not up with Allah any other god (O man) lest thou sit down reproved, forsaken. 23. Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show} kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. 24. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both they did care for me when I was little. Bani Israel 17:22 8. O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do. Al-Maeedah 5:8 275. Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury)—Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein. 276. Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty. 277. Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. 278. O ye who believe.' Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remaineth (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers. 279. And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged. 280. And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.Al Baqarah 2:275 130. O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubling and quadrupling (the sum lent). Observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful. 131. And ward off (from yourselves) the Fire prepared for disbelievers. 132. And obey Allah and the messenger,, that ye may find mercy. Aal Imran 3:130 219. They question thee about strong drink and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: That which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect. Al Baqarah 2:219 90. O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. 91. Satan secketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance, and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) worship. Will you not stop even now? Al Maeedah 5:90 23. Lo! as for those who traduce virtuous, believing women (who are) innocent, cursed are they in the world and the Hereafter. Theirs will be an awful doom. 24. On the day when their tongues and their hands and their feet testify against them as to what they used to do, 25. On that day Allah will pay them their just due, and they will know that Allah, He is the Manifest Truth,
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56 26. Vile women are for vile men, and vile men for vile women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women; such are innocent of that which people say: For them is pardon and a bountiful provision. 27. O ye who believe! Enter not houses other than your own without first announcing your presence and invoking peace upon the folk thereof. That is better for you, that ye may be heedful. Al Noor 24:23 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 1. (Here is) a Surah which We have revealed and enjoined, and wherein We have revealed plain tokens, that haply ye may take heed. 2. The adulterer and the adulteress, scourge ye each one of them (with) a hundred stripes. And let not pity for the twain withhold you from obedience to Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of believers witness their punishment. 3. The adulterer shall not marry save an adulteress or an idolatress, and the adulteress none shall marry save an adulterer or an idolater. All that is forbidden unto believers. 4. And those who accuse honourable women but bring not four witnesses, scourge them (with) eighty stripes and never (afterward) accept their testimony—They indeed are evil-doers— 5. Save those who afterward repent and make amends. (For such) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Al Noor 24:1 3. Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swineflesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by the death-stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols. And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion AL-ISLAM. Whoso is forced by hunger, not by will, to sin: (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 4. They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: (nil) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hound are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account. 5. This day are (all) good things made lawful for you. The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you (lawful for you) when ye give them their marriage portions and live with them in honour, not in fornication, nor taking them as secret paramours. Whoso denieth the faith, his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter. Al Maeedah 5:3 74. Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward. 75. How should ye not fight for the cause of Allah and of the feeble among men and of the women and the children who are crying: Our Lord! Bring us forth from out this town of which the people are oppressors.' Oh, give us from Thy presence some protecting friend! Oh, give us from Thy presence some defender! Al Nisa 4:74 39. And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for Allah. But if they cease, then lo! Allah is Seer of what they do. Al Anfaal 8:39 60. Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged. 61. And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah. Lo! He, even He, is the Hearer, the Knower. Al Anfaal 8:60 12. And if they break their pledges after their treaty (hath been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief—Lo! they have no binding oaths—in order that they may desist. 13. Will ye not fight a folk who broke their solemn pledges, and purposed to drive out the messenger and did attack you first? What! Fear ye them? Now Allah hath more right that ye should fear Him, if ye are believers. Al Tauba 9:12 29. Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low. Al Tauba 9:29
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57 OUR REMARKS 1. Aaron and his sons were prohibited to take wine or any intoxicating liquor as it is profane and unclean (Lev 10:9), rest of the tribes were permitted its use. But the Holy Qur'an prohibited it for all the followers of Islam. 2. According to Lev 14:4 camel is unclean. In Islam, its eating is permitted. 3. A woman is unclean during her monthly cycle (Lev 15:19); all the articles she touches and everything where she lies or sits become unclean; everyone whom she touches become unclean. But according to the Holy Qur'an, a woman during her cycle is unclean only for intercourse; she can cook the meals, can sit anywhere, can touch everything she likes; she can be kissed or embraced. As a concession, she is excused from offering her five daily prayers. 4. In Lev 15:18 we find instruction that after intercourse both husband and wife must take a bath and are unclean till the evening. The Holy Qur'an also instructs to take bath after intercourse; after taking bath, both are clean and can perform their daily prayers. 5. In Lev 21:13, priests are forbidden to marry a widow or a divorcee or a prostitute; all non-priests are permitted to marry, even a divorcee. (Deut 21:1) 6. A man with any physical defect i.e. he is blind, lame, with a fractured foot or hunched back, should not come near the altar and curtain. (Lev 21:22) In Islam, the above law is abrogated. A handicapped person can go to the holiest places with no hindrance. 7. Islam allows the Muslim men to marry all non-Muslim chaste women, this commandment is absent in the Holy Bible. 8. Muslims are forbidden to take usury even from the non-Muslims. 9. The Muslims can remarry their divorced wives. _________
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Book 6
JOSHUA (Abridged)
Jehovah spoke to Moses’ successor Joshua bin Nun to cross Jordan and take possession of the promised land sworn to their forefathers which included wilderness and Lebanon to the great river Euphrates and to the Great Sea toward West Jehovah ordered to follow law of Moses strictly. The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh were given land on this side of the Jordan by Moses earlier. Bani Israel crossed river Jordan miraculously which splitted; Israelis passed through dry passage while water stood still as a wall. (3:17) All the sons of Israel were circumcised who were born during forty years in the wilderness. (5:7) Bani Israel attacked Jericho with ark of Jehovah in their midst, with blowing on the horns. After seven days siege with loud shout of a great war cry, Jericho was attacked, its walls fell down and city was captured. Israelis went devoting all that was in the city, from man to woman, and to bull and sheep and ass, to destruction by the edge of the sword. Rahab the prostitute and all her family were spared as she helped Israeli spies earlier. Jericho was set on fire. Only articles of the gold, the silver, the copper and the iron became the treasure of Jehovah’s house. Then city Ai was attacked by about three thousand Israeli soldiers, but were defeated. Jehovah told Joshua that defeat was a punishment because some Israelis stole some articles while attack on Jericho. Consequently Joshua interrogated and found Achan the son of Zerah guilty of stealing. Joshua and all Israel with him, now took Achan the son of Zerah and the silver and the official garment and the bar of gold and his sons and his daughters and his bull and his ass and his flock and his tent and everything that was his and they brought them up to the low plain of Achor. Then Joshua said: “Why have you brought ostracism upon us? Jehovah will bring ostracism upon you on this day.” With that all Israel went pelting him with stones, after which they burned them with fire. Then they stoned them with stone. Then they raised up over him a big pile of stones. At this Jehovah turned away from his hot anger. (7:26) Ai was again attacked by thirty thousand Israeli soldiers; army purposefully retreated; people of Ai pursued them; an ambush by Israelis captured Ai and set on fire; all the inhabitants, about twelve thousand, were killed, king of Ai was hanged upon a stake. (8-25) Men came from Gibreon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriathjearim came to make peace treaty with Joshua and to live under them as gatherers of wood and drawers of water. Five kings of Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon joined together and proceeded to attack Gibeon whose inhabitants had made peace treaty with Israelis; people of Gibeon sought help from Joshua who responded and defeated the coalition of five kings; all kings were captured, hanged and their armies were put to sword. More people were killed by the hailstones than killed by sword. By Joshua’s prayer, sun and moon stood motionless to allow Israelis to take vengeance on its enemies. (10-13) After defeating Makkedah, Libnah Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, land of mountainous region and the Negeb, the Shephelah and the slopes were captured, their kings killed and everything that breathed was devoted to destruction just as Jehovah the God of Israel had commanded. (10-40) Jabin the king of Hazar invited Jabab the king of Madon, the king of Shimron, the king of Achshaph, the kings that were to the north in the mountainous region and in the desert plains south of Chinnereth and in the Shephelah and on the mountain ridges of Dar to the west, the Cananites to the east and the west, and the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Jebusites in the mountainous region and the Hivites at the base of Hermon in the land of Mizpah to join together. All agreed to attack the Israelis with soldiers as numerous as the grains of sand that are on sea-shore with very many horses and war chariots. Israelis attacked first by surprise and defeated them and killed everyone of them and burned their chariots. Then Hazar, was attacked and captured. King of Hazor, Jabin was killed with all the inhabitants and then Hazar was set on fire; all other kings and their cities had the same fate as Hazor had except burning. ISRAEL GIVEN THE PROMISED LAND In all, Joshua and Bani Israel defeated thirty one kings. (12:24) Jehovah ordered Joshua to apportion this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh. The tribe of Levites was not given an inheritance. Tribe of Reuben were given Aroer and the tableland by Medeba and adjacent areas across the Jordan, by Moses. Tribes of sons of Gad was given Jazer and all the cities of Gilead, and other territories around across the Jordan by Moses. The half tribe of sons of Monasseh were given Bashan and surrounding territories by Moses. The tribe of sons of Judah received boundary of Edom, the wilderness of Zin and other surrounding areas (detail is in 15:1 to 12) awarded by Joshua. Tribe of sons of Benjamin were given territory from the northern corner from the Jordan, and the boundary went up to the slope of Jericho (Detail 18:11) Tribe of sons of Simeon were awarded Beersheba with Sheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual and Balahand Ezem etc. etc. (Detail 19:1 to 9) Tribe of sons of Zebulun received territory from Sarid to Mareal etc. etc. (Detail 19:10-16) Tribe of sons of Issachar were allotted land of Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem etc. etc. (Detail 19:17 to 24) The tribe of sons of Asher were given land Helkath, Hali, Beten etc. etc. (Detail 19:24 to 31) The tribe of sons of Naphthali were awarded Heleph upto Lakkum and Jordan etc. etc. (Detail 19:32 to 39) The tribe of sons of Dan received inheritance of Zorah, Eshtaol and Irshemesh etc. etc. (19:40 to 48) All the cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel were forty eight cities along with the pasture grounds. Sons of Manasseh were given Issachar, Asher Bethshean and its dependent towns etc. etc. by Joshua (Detail 17:11)
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59 So Jehovah gave Israel all the land that he had sworn to give to their forefathers, and they proceeded to take possession of it and to dwell in it. (21:43) JOSHUA WARNS ISRAEL And it must occur that, just as all the good word that Jehovah Your God has spoken to you has come upon you, so Jehovah will bring upon you all the evil word until he has annihilated you from off this good ground that Jehovah Your God has given you, because of your overstepping the covenant of Jehovah Your God that he commanded you, and because you have gone and served other gods and bowed down to them. And Jehovah’s anger will certainly blaze against you, and you will certainly perish in a hurry from off the good land that he has given you. (23:15 to 16) Then Joshua said to the people: “You are not able to serve Jehovah, for he is a holy God; he is a God exacting exclusive devotion. He will not pardon your revolting and your sins. In case you should leave Jehovah and you do serve foreign gods, he also will certainly turn back and do you injury and exterminate you after he has done you good.” (24:19, 20) And it came about that after these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Jehovah, gradually died at the age of a hundred and ten years. (24:29)
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Book 7
JUDGES (Abridged)
Tribes of Judah and Simeon started war and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites, captured king Adonibezek and cut off the thumbs of his hands and the great toes of his feet. (1:6) Then the sons of Judah captured Jerusalem and set on fire. Then Hebron, Debri, Zephath, Gaza, Ash Kelon, Ekron were conquered. But the inhabitants of low plain could not be conquered as they were strong with war chariots. Sons of Benjamin did not drive out Jebusites inhabiting Jerusalem and they lived together. Sons of Joseph attacked and conquered Bethel. Sons of Manasseh did not take possession of Bethshean, Taanach, Dor and its dependent towns. The Canaanites continued to live but as a forced labor. Ephraim’s sons lived along with the Canaanites of Gezer. Zebulun’s sons lived along with the Canaanites who worked as forced labor. Sons of Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco and other cities; the Cannanites lived with the Asherites. Sons of Naphtali continued to dwell with the Canaanites who chose to live as forced labor. Sons of Dan were kept in mountainous region by powerful Amorites who possessed the low plain. (1:34) THE SONS OF ISRAEL ENSLAVED After a generation after Joshua’s death, the sons of Israel went following other gods of their neighbors, they began to bow down to them and took up serving Baal and the Ashtoreth images and the sacred poles. Jehovah’s anger blazed against Israel, so that he gave them into the hands of enemies who pillaged them, Jehovah sold the Israelis into the hand of king of Mesopotamia; they served as slaves for eight years. Then the sons of Israel began to call Jehovah for aid. (3:9) Jehovah raised for the Israelis a saviour Othniel the son of Kenaz who led them to freedom; Israelis had a peaceful time for forty years. (3:11) THE ISRAELIS ENSLAVED SECOND TIME The Israelis again started idolatory; the king of Moab enslaved the Israelis who served Moabites as slaves for eighteen years. Jehovah raised a savior Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite who got freedom for the Israelis and land had no disturbance for eighty years. (3:20) Shamgar the son of Anath was next savior judge. THE ISRAELIS ENSLAVED THIRD TIME After the death of Ehud, sons of Israel again started practicing idolatry; Jehovah sold Israelis into the hand of Jaabin the king of Canaan. A woman became judge over the Israelis, a prophetess Deborah who joined Barak and led to victory over the Canaanites and there was no further disturbance for forty years. (5:31) THE ISRAELIS ENSLAVED FOURTH TIME Sons of Israel again started worshipping other gods, so Jehovah gave them into the hand of Midian as slaves for seven years, Jehovah raised Gideon the son of Joash as a saviour who led them to freedom, and the land had no further disturbance for forty years. (8:28) After the death of Gideon, the Israelis again started worshipping idols and appointed Baal-berith as their god, and forgot Jehovah. Gideon (also called Jerubbaal) had many wives who bore seventy sons, his concubine bare one son, Abimelech. Abimelech killed his sixty nine brothers, only one brother Jotham escaped, and he declaed himself as king; after three years he was treacherously killed by a woman who threw an upper millstone. (10:53) GOD RAISED A SAVIOUR FIFTH TIME After Abimelech, there rose up Tala the son of Puah, the son of Dodo a man of Issachar to save Israel. He continued to judge Israel for twenty-three years. (10-2) After Tola, Jair the Gilaedite was judge over Israel for twenty-two years. (10:4) After Jair Israelis began to worship the Baals and the Ashtoreth images and the gods of Syria and the gods of Sidon, and the gods of Moab and the gods of the sons of Ammon and the gods of the Philistines. (10:6) ISRAELIS ENSLAVED SIXTH TIME Jehovah punished the Israelis by making them slaves of the Philistines and into the hand of the sons of Ammon who heavily oppressed the Israelis for eighteen years. Hard pressed Israelis repented and removed the foreign gods and started worshipping Jehovah alone. Jephthah the son of Gilead was son of a prostitute woman but a mighty, valiant man was appointed by the Israelis as their head. Jehovah’s spirit now came upon Jephthah. Jephthah made a vow to Jehovah and said: “If you without fail give the sons of Ammon into my hand, it must also occur that the one coming out, who comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, must also become Jehovah’s and I must offer that one up as a burnt offering.” Jephthah defeated the sons of Ammon.
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61 Jephthah’s only child, a daughter came out to greet him with tambourine playing and dancing. (after this, very touching story is narrated by the Bible; Jephthah sacrificed his loving, obedient, innocent virgin daughter; her death was commemorated by the daughters of Israelis every year) Then war started between Jephthah’s army and the sons of Ephraim; forty-two thousand sons of Ephraim were slain. Jephthah died after judging Israel for six years. (12:7) Then Ibzan from Bethlehem was judge over the Israelis for seven years. Then Elon the Zebulun began to judge Israel; he judged for ten years. (12:11) Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged the Israelis for eight years. (12:14) THE ISRAELIS ENSLAVED SEVENTH TIME Then the Israelis indulged in idolatry again, Jehovah gave them as slaves into the hand of the Philistine for forty years. (13:1) An angel appeared to the barren wife of Manoah, the Danite and gave news of the birth of a savior. The woman gave birth to a son and called his name Samson. (13:24) When Samson grew up, he was an extremely strong man; he fell in love with a daughter of the Philistines, their enemy. Samson and his parents were traveling to Timnah where parents of his beloved lived to propose, Samson tore a lion with bare hands into two parts. Samson’s parents succeeded in to get the beloved for their son. And it came about after a while, in the days of wheat harvest, that Samson went visiting his wife with a kid of the goats. (15:1) Samson was utterly surprised and annoyed to know that his father-in-law had given his wife to one of his grooms man as wife. Furious Samson proceeded to catch three hundred foxes and to take torches and turn tail to tail and put one torch between two tails, right in the middle (15:4) with that he set fire to the torches and sent them out into the fields of standing grain of the Philistines. When the Philistines came to know that it was Samson who did it because his father-in-law took his wife and gave her to his groomsman. After that the Philistines went up and burned her and her father with fire. But Samson took further revenge by slaughtering the Philistines. Later the Philistines came up and camped in Judah and forced the Israelis to handover Samson bound with ropes. As the Philistines were carrying Samson away, his ropes broke as if it were linen threads that had been scorched with fire, also that his fetters melted off his hands. He now found a moist jawbone of a male ass and thrust his hands out and took it and went striking down a thousand men with it. (15:15) And Samson continued to judge Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years. SAVIOUR SAMSON VISITS A PROSTITUTE Once Samson came to a prostitute of Gaza; the Gazites came to know it and waited for morning to kill him, but Samson escaped at midnight pulling out city gate and carrying it upon his shoulders. (16:3) SAMSON IN LOVE WITH A PHILISTINE GIRL DELILAH Then Samson fell in love with Delilah. The Philistines approached Delilah to betray her lover and get information about secret of his power. After great tricks she succeeded in knowing that his power lied in his hair. Then Delilah made Samson sleep upon her knees and a man shaved off the seven braids of his head. By this Jehovah’s power departed from him; the Philistines grabbed hold of him and bored his eyes out; he came to be a grinder in the prison house. THE DEATH OF SAMSON On the day of festival of their god Dagon, many thousand Philistines gathered, three thousand men and women were upon the roof. Samson was brought out of prison for amusement and was made to stand between the pillars upon which the house was established. Samson got a grasp of the two middle pillars and then he bent himself with power and the house went falling upon the axis lords and upon all the people that were in it, so that the dead that he put to death in his own death came to be more than those he had put to death during his lifetime. Samson judged Israel for twenty years. (16:30) A man named Micah of the mountainous region of Ephraim built a house of gods; he put carved images and molten statue and an ephod and teraphim. Micah appointed a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah as priest by offering handsome pay. (17:10) In those days the sons of Dan were looking for an inheritance to dwell there; because upto that day an inheritance had not fallen to them in the midst of the tribes of Israel. The Danites decided to attack Laish where peaceful people lived, quiet and unsuspecting. Six hundred men girded with weapons of war first came to the house of Micah and stole all his gods, images, statues, the teraphin, the ephod; and also carried the Levite priest with them. Then they proceeded to strike peaceful people of Laish and killed them with the edge of the sword and the city was burned with fire. (18:27) The Danites worshipped all the stolen gods until the day of the land’s being taken into exile. (18:30) A Levite residing in mountainous region of Ephraim married a concubine from Bethleham in Judah. She committed fornication and left his husband’s house to live with her father. After four months, the Levite went to his father-in-law’s house and took his wife. While journeying back to his house, he stayed in an old man’s house in Gibeah where sons of Benjamin dwelled. MASS RAPE BY THE BENJAMINITES 22 While they were making their hearts feel good, look! the men of the city, mere good-for-nothing men, surrounded the house, shoving one another against the door; and they kept saying to the old man, the owner of the house: “Bring out the man that
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Book 8
RUTH (Abridged)
A man named Elimelech, his wife Naomi and two sons Mahlon and Chilion decided to leave Bethlehem in Judah due to famine to reside in the fields of Moabites as an alien. Unfortunately Elimelech died. Both the sons took Moabite wives for themselves. After about ten years, both sons Mahlon and Chilion died too leaving their wives Orpah and Ruth behind. (1:6) Famine in Judah was over, so Naomi decided to return to her home and asked her both the daughter-in-laws to go back to their fathers’ houses. After hesitation, Orpah agreed but Ruth refused to leave her old mother-in-law and vowed to serve her till death. (1:17) Back home, Ruth the Moabite worked in the field of a wealthy man Boaz who was a kinsman of Ruth’s dead father-in-law Elimelech. Boaz was an old man and admired Ruth a Moabite for her sacrifices for her mother-in-law, the Israeli Boaz always called Ruth as daughter, but at last he married good natured lady Ruth and repurchased the field from Naomi. Naomi lived with Boaz and Ruth; Ruth gave birth to a son, named Obed. Obed became father of Jesse who was father of king David. (4:17)
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Book 9
THE FIRST OF SAMUEL
Elkanah, a resident of the mountainous region of Ephraim, had two wives. His one of two wives, Hannah was childless as her womb was closed; she went to the temple of Jehovah in Shiloh and made a vow saying: “O Jehovah of armies, if you will without fail look upon the affliction of your slave girl and actually remember me, and you will not forget your slave girl and actually give to your slave girl a male offspring, I will give him to Jehovah all the days of his life and no razor will come upon his head.” (1:11) Jehovah granted her prayer; a son was born whom she named Samuel, and gave him under the supervision of the priest Eli to become a minister of Jehovah. The priest’s own sons Hophni and Phinehas were immoral. Jehovah sent strong warning to the priest Eli about his sons. (2:36) When Samuel was a grown up boy, he started receiving revelations from Jehovah; the Israelis accepted him as a prophet. (3:20) The Philistines attacked the Israelis and defeated them killing four thousand men. Then the Israelis attacked the Philistines while the ark of the covenant of the God and two sons of Eli were with them, but the Philistines defeated them killing thirty thousand Israelis and two sons of Eli too; the ark of God was captured by the Philistines. (4:11) The Philistines took the ark of God to the house of Dagon in Ashdod, their god. Next morning Dagon was found fallen on the ground; this happened again and again and also the Philistines were struck with piles, panic spread. The Ashdodites sent the ark of God to Gad and then the Ekron; both places were struck with piles, many died. The Philistines became afraid and sent the ark of God back to the Israelis. (6:21) Samuel exhorted Israelis to serve only Jehovah and put away the foreign gods. The Israelis lamented and obeyed Samuel and put away the Baals, the Ashtoreth images and all the foreign gods. (7:4) Samuel gathered all the Israelis at Mizpah to pray for them; the axis lords of the Philistines came up to attack. Samuel prayed to Jehovah for help; Jehovah caused it to thunder with a loud noise against the Philistines causing confusion and they got defeated before Israel; afterwards the Philistines never dared to come into the territory of Israel; the Israelis got back Ekron and Gath; a peace accord between the Israelis and the Amorites occurred. (7:14) Samuel judged Israel till his old age when he was too old, he appointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges for Israel. His sons did not walk in their father’s way, but they were inclined to follow unjust profit, accepted bribe and perverted judgment. (8:3) THE ISRAELIS DEMAND A KING In time all the older men of Israel came to Samuel and persistently insisted for the appointment of a king; this demand annoyed Jehovah very much. At last Samuel chose Saul son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who was very handsome, strong and the tallest among all the people. (9:2) Nahash the Ammonite camped against Jabesh in Gilead. At that all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash: “Conclude a covenant with us that we may serve you.” Nahash said: “On this condition I shall conclude it with you, on the condition of boring out every right eye of yours, and I must put it reproach upon all Israel.” (11:2) Saul heard the weeping of the men of Jabesh, he collected a force of three hundred thousand Israelis and thirty thousand men of Judah, and attacked the Ammonites, and defeated them. (11:11) Samuel warned the Israelis and exhorted them to follow only Jehovah’s words and serve him alone. A strong army of the Philistines came to attack the Israelis. Instead of waiting for Samuel, Saul himself offered burnt sacrifice which made Jehovah angry. Saul was told that kingship would be taken from him and be given to another worthy man. Jehovah proceeded to on that day to save Israel; the Israelis routed the Philistines. The Israelis began darting greedily at the spoil and taking sheep and cattle and calves and slaughtering them on the earth, and the people fell to eating along with the blood. (14:33) Samuel ordered Saul to attack Amalek and kill all men, women, children, suckling babies, bull, sheep as well as ass. Saul collected an army of two hundred thousand men, ten thousand men of Judah and attacked the Amalekites, and defeated them; their king Agag was captured while all others were devoted to destruction; the best of the flock and the herd and the fat ones and the rams and other good things were not devoted to destruction in violation to Jehovah’s command. (15:9) Samuel went to Jesse’s house in Bethleham and anointed his son David; the spirit of Jehovah began to be operative upon David. (16:13) The spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul and a bad spirit from Jehovah terrorized him. (16:14) Again the Philistines came up to war against the Israelis, and sent a champion Goliath, about ten feet tall, fully armed who challenged the Israelis to send anyone to fight him; all were in fear. David offered himself to fight Goliath, as he approached near him, he took out a stone from his bag and slung it, so that he struck Goliath in his forehead and the stone sank into his forehead, and he went falling upon his face to the earth. David took his sword and cut his head off with it. The Philistines took to flight, a great numbers were killed by the Israelis. The Israeli women celebrated and sang: “Saul has struck down his thousands, And David his tens of thousands.” Saul heard it and became very jealous and took David as his rival and a danger to his throne. Then Saul made many attempts to kill David but every time Jonathan, the son of Saul who was in deep love with David, saved him by informing his father’s plan. Saul even gave his daughter Michal for marriage to David to work as a snare, but even she loved David and saved his life. (19:17) David went running away to save his life and went into hiding, he twice overpowered Saul but spared him and spoke to him saying that he never intended to kill him nor wanted to dethrone him, but unfortunately Saul did not accept David as his well-wisher,
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65 rather took him as his enemy. He made hot pursuits after David to kill him but David went into hiding in the remote parts of the land. (I Samuel gives a long account of Saul’s pursuit after David. During the time David was running away to save his life, he had a band of few hundred men and came to rescue his Israeli nation from the oppression by their enemies.) In time Sameul died. (25:1) The Amalekites made a raid on Ziklag and carried off captive the women, and took everything and burned the city with fire. David’s two wives Ahinoam and Abigail were also among the captives. David followed the looters and at last found them and struck them with destruction and recovered all women, children and livestock. (30:20) The Philistines attacked the Israelis; the Israelis were defeated; three sons of Saul including Jonathan died, Saul himself got seriously injured. Saul asked his armour-bearer to kill him, on refusal, he himself took the sword and fell upon it and died. (31:5)
OUR REMARKS 1. The Holy Qur'an recognizes all the laws and regulations mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy unless and until abrogated by it and changed for all the mankind for all time to come; 2. The Holy Qur'an does not mention the period of ‘Judges’ when Israelis were enslaved for more than seven times till king David came and gave stability to Israeli kingdom. 3. Massacre of Benjaminites by the Israelies (Judges 19:22) is not mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. 4. The story of Ruth is absent in the Holy Qur'an. 5. The incidences which occurred in the time of Saul’s rule, and his repeated attempt to kill David is not mentioned by the Holy Qur'an.
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Book 10
2 SAMUEL (Abridged)
A young man, an Amalekite, came to David and reported that he killed king Saul and showed the diadem and Saul’s bracelet as a proof. (He probably expected reward from David as Saul was after David’s life). David ordered killing of the man and proceeded to chant a dirge over Saul and Jonathan his son. (1:17) David went to Hebron with his two wives; the men of Judah anointed David there as king over the house of Israel. (2:4) But Abner, chief of the Saul’s army, made Saul’s son Ishbosheth as king over Israel, Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim and Benjamin. A fight broke out between some Abner’s men and Joab’s men (Joab was army chief of David) Joab’s men were victorious, but Abner happened to kill Joab’s brother Asahel. And the war between the house of Saul and the house of David came to be long drawn out; David kept getting stronger and the house of Saul kept declining. (3:1) 2 Samuel verse 2 mentions six wives of David. Abner defected to king David after a quarrel with king Ishbosheth and started working to make David a king over all, all houses of Israel and Judah; but Abner was killed by Joab as a revenge for his brother’s death. David was extremely disturbed by Abner’s death; he wailed, wept and chanted verses. (3:33) Baanah and Rechah were chief of marauding bands of king Ishbosheth; they beheaded king Ishbosheth and brought his head before king David. (They expected reward from David) David commanded to kill them and cut off their hands and their feet and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. (4:12) DAVID AS THE KING All older men of Israel came to David and anointed him as king over Israel. David was thirty years old; for forty years he ruled as king. David captured Zion, it came to be called the city of David. (5:9) David took more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters continued to be born to David. (5:13) The Philistines tramped about in the low plain of Rephaim twice; king David gave them punishing defeat. (5:25) David brought back the ark of the God from Baalejudah to the city of David (i.e. Zion) with joyful shouting and dancing and sound of horn. (6:15) David intended to build a house for God’s name, but Jehovah told that his son will be the one who will build a house for his name. And Jehovah will establish the throne of his kingdom firmly to time indefinite. Jehovah should become father, and he himself will become his son. (7:14) After the Philistines, David subdued the Syrians, the Amelikites, the Moabites, the Ammonites and the Edomites; all agreed to pay tributes and some agreed to be servants of David. (8:14) David found out lame son of Jonathan son of Saul, Mephibosheth, he brought him into his palace and made him sit at king’s table to eat and drink, like his own son. (9:11) A war broke out between armies of son of Ammon and the Syrians, and the Israelis; the Israelis were victorious; the Syrians made peace and began to serve them. (10:19)
GOD ANGRY WITH DAVID David saw Bathseba wife of Uriah from the rooftop taking bath, he called her and intercoursed with her; she got pregnant. (2 Samuel 11:2) David sent Uriah to a mission with secret instructions, “Put Uriah in front of the heaviest battle charges, and you men must retreat from behind him, and he must be struck down and die.” (2 Samuel 11:14) After Uriah’s death, Bathsheba was married to king David; Bathsheba bore a son. (11:27) Nathan the prophet told David that God is angry; his son will die and his wives will be openly raped. (12:11) Then next year, Bathseba bore another son, Solomon. (12:24) SISTER’S RAPE David’s son Absalom had a very beautiful sister Tamar; David’s son (from another wife) Ammon fell in deep love for Tamar and became crazy about her. Amnon laid down and played sick and asked David to send Tamar to serve bread. As Tamar came with bread, he forcibly intercoursed with her. David and Absalom were exceedingly angry. Absalom conspired with his servants and killed Amnon; Absalom ran away to Talmai the king of Geshur and lived there for three years. Then David;s anger was over and he sent Joab to go to Gashur and bring back Absalom. After return, Absalom started conspiring against king David and manipulated to win masses’ support for himself, and ultimately attacked Jerusalem; king David escaped with all his household, leaving behind ten concubines. (13:1 to 15:16) Absalom pitched a tent and began to intercourse with his father’s concubines under the eyes of all Israel. (16:22) Then Absalom decided to attack the wandering king David; David’s informer informed him, so he crossed the Jordan. (17:22) SLAUGHTER OF THE ISRAELIS BY DAVID Absalom also crossed the Jordan while David was at Mahanaim. Both the armies met at the forest of Ephraim. Finally the people of Israel were defeated before the servants of David; twenty thousand Israelis were slaughtered. While Absalom was running away on a mule, his head got caught fast in the big tree and he was taken up between the heavens and the earth. David’s
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67 commander Joab came to know it, he followed and killed Absalom in spite of David’s instruction not to hurt Absalom. When David heard the news, he said, “My son Absalom, my son Absalom, O that I might have died, myself instead of you, Absalom my son, my son!” Then king David returned back to Jerusalem; ten concubines were put in a house of confinement until the day of their dying in a widowhood; David never made any relation with them. (20:3) A man, Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite blew the horn and said: “We have no share in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Everyone to his gods, O Israel!” All the men of Israel followed Sheba, leaving David. (20:2) King David said to Amasa to call the men of Judah and ordered to follow Sheba and his followers. Joab’s men followed Sheba and his men to Abel of Bothmaacah and proceeded to lay siege. The men under siege agreed to kill Sheba and handover his head to Joab; Joab returned with Sheba’s head to Jerusalem. (20:22) Then a number of wars broke out with the Philistines; the Israelis were victorious every time. King David was old now; he sang some songs praising Jehovah who delivered him out of the palm of all his enemies and out of Saul’s palm. Verses 22:2 to 23:7 are thanksgiving songs of David. Verses 23:8 to 23:38 mention names of mighty men and their deeds that belonged to David thirty seven in all. David ordered Joab the chief of the military forces to take a count of Israel and Judah, count of Israel was eight hundred thousand valiant men drawing sword and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand. (24:9) JEHOVAH KILLS SEVENTY THOUSAND ISRAELIS Jehovah was furious by this act of counting; he sent pestilence for three days in all land of Israel and Judah; seventy thousand persons died. King David bought the threshing floor and the cattle for fifty silver shekels. David proceeded to build there an altar to Jehovah and offer up burnt sacrifices and communion sacrifices, and Jehovah began letting himself be entreated for the land, so that the scourge was halted from upon Israel. (24:25) _______
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Book 11
1 KINGS (Abridged)
Now king David was old, advanced in days; and they would cover him with garments, but he would not feel warm. So his servants said to him: “Let them look for a girl, a virgin, for my lord the king, and she will have to attend upon the king, that she may become his nurse; and she must lie in your bosom, and my lord the king will certainly feel warm.” And they went looking for a beautiful girl throughout all the territory of Israel, and finally found Abishag the Shunammite and then brought her in to the king. And the girl was beautiful in the extreme; and she came to be the king’s nurse and kept waiting upon him, and the king himself had no intercourse with her. (1:1 to 4) SOLOMON AS THE KING Adonijah, an extremely good looking son of David declared himself to be the king; many important men like Joab and the priest Abiathar and others joined him, and the new king arranged a great feast. When king David was informed by Nathan the prophet and the mighty men, David immediately ordered to declare that Solomon is the next king. Followers of Adonijah left him and Solomon became the undisputed king; Adonijah apologized, and was forgiven by king Solomon. (1-53) King David died after giving strict commandment to king Solomon to strictly follow the laws of Moses; he instructed to kill Joab, the killer of two chief of armies, Abner and Amasa. (2:6) Adonijah, the brother of Solomon, approached Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, to influence and get his approval to let him marry Abishag, the Shunammite. At this, Solomon was angry and ordered Benaiah to kill Adonijah. (2:25) Solomon ordered Benaiah to kill Joab, chief of armies, as per David’s order. After Joab’s death Benaiah was made chief of the army. (2:35) Solomon proceeded to form a marriage alliance with Pharaoh the king of Egypt and to take Pharaoh’s daughter and bring her to the city of David. (3:1) God said: “Look! I shall certainly do according to your words. Look! I shall certainly give you a wise and understanding heart, so that one like you there has not happened to be before you, and not after you there will not rise up one like you. And also what you have not requested I will give you, both riches and glory, so that there will not have happened to be any among the kings like you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways by keeping my regulations and my commandments, just as David your father walked, I will also lengthen your days.” (3:14) Solomon decided a difficult case between two prostitutes regarding a new born baby boy with great wisdom. (3:28) 1 kings 4:1 enumerates Solomon’s princes and twelve deputies; each deputy provided the food one month in the year. (1 kings 4:7) BUILDING OF TEMPLE And it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out from the land of Egypt that Solomon proceeded to build the house to Jehovah. The house that king Solomon built to Jehovah was sixty cubits in its length and twenty in its width and thirty cubits in its height. And the porch in front of the temple of the house was twenty cubits in its length, ten cubits in depth; inside the house cedar-wood, juniper was extensively used; with carvings of gourd-shaped ornaments and garland of blossoms; also pure gold was extensively used to overlay. It took eleven years to complete the temple in grand perfection. (1 kings 6:37) Hiram, an expert worker in copper made the most beautiful basins and the shovels and the bowls. (8:40) After the temple was complete, Solomon began to bring in the things made holy by David, his father; the silver and the gold and the articles he put in the treasures of the house of Jehovah. (7:51) Then the ark of the covenant of Jehovah was brought out from the city of David, Zion and put in the temple’s innermost room, the Most Holy, underneath the wings of the cherubs. The Ark contained the two stone tablets which Moses had deposited there in Horeb. There the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah amidst cloud. (8:11) Then king Solomon prayed to Jehovah for his favours, blessings, victory against enemies and forgiveness and said, “And also to the foreigner, who is no part of your people Israel and who actually comes from a distance land by reason of your name and he actually comes and prays toward this house, may you yourself listen from the heavens, your established place of dwelling, and you must do according to all that for which the foreigner calls to you; in order that all the people of the earth may get to know your name so as to fear you the same as your people Israel do, and so as to know that your name itself has been called upon this house that I have built.” Jehovah spoke to king Solomon that if he and his people will keep up his regulations and judicial decisions and serve only Jehovah and do not serve other gods, then he will establish the throne; but if Israel will forsake his regulations and follow other gods then they will be punished heavily and will become a taunt among all the peoples; and this house (the temple of Solomon) will become heaps of ruins. (1 Kings 9:8) The queen of Sheba came with costly gifts to pay homage to king Solomon and was greatly impressed by king Solomon, his palace and his servants. (10:4) The queen of Sheba gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold and a very great deal of balsam oil and precious stones. King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all her delight for which she asked, apart from what he gave her according to the openhandedness of king Solomon. 10:13) King Solomon made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with refined gold with twelve lions standing upon the six steps. (For detail see 1 Kings 10:18-21) King Solomon had a fleet of ships of Tarshish on the sea along with Hiram’s fleet of ships. (10:22) So king Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. All the people of the earth were seeking the face of Solomon to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart. (10:23)
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69 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 78. And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment concerning the field, when people’s sheep had strayed and browsed therein by night; and We were witnesses to their judgment. 79. And We made Solomon to understand (the case); and unto each of them We gave judgment and knowledge. And We subdued the hills and the birds to hymn (His) praise along with David. We were the doers (thereof). 80. And We taught him the art of making garments (of mail) to protect you in your daring. Are ye then thankful? 81. And unto Solomon (We subdued) the wind in its raging. It set by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware. Al Anbiya 21:78 10. And assuredly We gave David grace from Us, (saying): O ye hills and birds, echo his psalms of praise! And We made the iron supple unto him, 11. Saying: Make thou long coats of mail and measure the links (thereof). And do ye right. Lo! I am Seer of what ye do. 12. And unto Solomon (We gave) the wind, whereof the morning course was a month’s journey and the evening course a month’s journey, and We caused the fount of copper to gush forth for him, and (We gave him) certain of the jinn who worked before him by permission of his Lord. And such of them as deviated from Our command, them We caused to taste the punishment of flaming Fire. 13. They made for him what he willed: synagogues and statues, basins like wells and boilers built into the ground. Give thanks, O House of David. Few of My bondmen are thankful. Al Saba 34:10 30. And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah). 31. When there were shown to him at eventide light-footed coursers 32. And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain. 33. (Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks. 34. And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent. 35. He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower. 36. So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended. 37. And the unruly,’ every builder and diver (made We subservient), 38. And others linked together in chains, 39. (Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning. (Sa’d 38:30) 246. Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in Allah’s way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you? They said: Why should we not fight in Allah’s way when we have been driven from our dwellings with our children? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, all save a few of them. Allah is Aware of evil-doers. 247. Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. 248. And their Prophet said unto them: Lo! the token of his kingdom is that there shall come unto you the ark wherein is peace of reassurance from your Lord, and a remnant of that which the house of Moses and the house of Aaron left behind, the angels bearing it. Lo! herein shall be a token for you if (in truth) ye are believers. 249. And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah’s leave! Allah is with the steadfast. 250. And when they went into the field against Goliath and his hosts they said: Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk. 251. So they routed them by Allah’s leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to (His) creatures. (Al-Baqarah 2:246) 15. And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves! 16. And Solomon was David’s heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour. 17. And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order; 18. Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving. 19. And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour with which Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves. 20. And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent? 21. I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.
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70 22. But he was not long in coming, and he said: I have found out (a thing) that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings, 23. Lo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty throne. 24. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their works fair-seeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that they go not aright; 25. So that they worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim, 26. Allah; there is no God save Him, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. 27. (Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars. 28. Go with this my letter and throw it down unto them; then turn away and see what (answer) they return, 29. (The Queen of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter. 30. Lo! it is from Solomon, and lo! it is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful; 31. Exalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender. 32. She said: O chieftains! Pronounce for me in my case. I decide no case till ye are present with me. 33. They said: We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command; so consider what thou wilt command. 34. She said: Lo! kings, when they enter a township, ruin it and make the honour of its people shame. Thus will they do. 35. But lo! I am going to send a present unto them, and to see with what (answer) the messengers return. 36. So when (the envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you. Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift. 37. Return unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased. 38. He said: O chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me, surrendering? 39. A stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work. 40. One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence’, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul’s hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful. 41. He said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided. 42. So, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah). 43. And (all) that she was wont to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of disbelieving folk. 44. It was said unto her : Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN (Al-Naml 27:15) 17. Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might. Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah). 18. Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, 19. And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him 20. We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech. 21. And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber; 22. How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way. 23. Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech. 24. (David) said; He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented. 25. So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey’s end. 26. (And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning. (Sa’ad 38:17) FROM THE HOLY BIBLE SOLOMON TURNED IDOLATOR 3 And he came to have seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives gradually inclined his heart, 4 And it came about in the time of Solomon’s growing old that his wives themselves had inclined his heart to follow other gods; and his heart did not prove to be complete with Jehovah his God like the heart of David his father. 5 And Solomon began going after Ash’to.reth the goddess of the Si.do’ni.ans and after Mil’com the disgusting thing of the Am’mon.ites. 6 And Solomon began to do what was bad in the eyes of Jehovah, and he did not follow Jehovah fully like David his father.
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71 7 It was then that Sol’o.mon proceeded, to build a high place to Che’mosh the disgusting thing of Mo’ab on the mountain that was in front of Jerusalem, and to Molech the disgusting thing of the sons of Am’mon. 8 And that was the way he did for all his foreign wives who were making sacrificial smoke and sacrificing to their gods. JEHOVAH ANGRY WITH SOLOMON 9 And Jehovah came to be incensed at Sol’o.mon, because his heart had inclined away from Jehovah the God of Israel, the one appearing to him twice. 10 And respecting this thing he commanded him not to go after other gods; but he had not kept that which Jehovah had commanded. 11 Jehovah now said to Sol’o.mon: “For the reason that this has taken place with you and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I laid in command upon you, I shall without fail rip the kingdom away from off you, and I shall certainly give it to your servant. 12 However, in your days I shall not do it, for the sake of David your father. Out of the hand of your son I shall rip it away. 13 Only it will not be all the kingdom that I shall rip away. One tribe I shall give to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.” 1 Kings 11:3 SPLITTING OF ISRAELI KINGDOM God proceeded to raise up many resisters; Hadad the Edomite, Rezon the son of Eliada, and Jeroboam the son of Nebat on Ephraimite.Ahijah the prophet gave Jehovah’s message that after Solomon, his kingdom will be split, ten tribes will be ruled by Jeroboam while two tribes will be ruled by Rehoboam son of Solomon. King Solomon died after ruling for forty years. After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam showed very hard attitude towards ten tribes of Israel who came to Jeroboam and made him their king. (12:20) Rehoboam collected a big army to war against ten tribes who separated under Jeroboam but Jehovah stopped him through prophet Shemaiah. (12:23) Jeroboam wanted to stop his followers to go to Jerusalem for their sacrifices, so he made two golden calves; he put one calf in Bethel and another in Dan and said: “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here is your God, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt.” (12:28) Prophet Ahijah delivered Jehovah’s message: And Jehovah will indeed strike Israel down, just as the reed sways in the water, and he will certainly uproot Israel off this good ground that he gave to their forefathers, and he will indeed scatter them beyond the river, for the reason that they made their sacred poles, so offending Jehovah. And he will give Israel up on account of the sins of Jeroboam with which he sinned and with which he caused Israel to sin.” Jeroboam died after reigning twenty-two years. 14:20) In Judah, Rehoboam son of Solomon became king. Judah went on sinning against Jehovah and practiced idolatry. King of Egypt Shishak attacked Jerusalem and the took away all the treasures of Jehovah and the treasures of the house of the king. (14:26) WARS AMONG THE SONS OF ISRAEL Rehoboam and Jeroboam continuously fought against each others. (14:30) After Rehoboam’s death Abijam became king over Judah; he ruled for three years. Warfare took place between the two kingdoms of sons of Jacob. Peoples of Judah continued to practise idolatry. After death of Abijam, his son Asa began to reign; he ruled for forty-one years. Asa followed Jehovah like his forefather David. He removed all the male prostitutes pass out of land and removed all the dungy idols that his forefathers had made. (15:21) The king of Israel, Baasha came up with great might to attack Judah; king Asa wrote to the king of Syria Benhadad for help who responded and attacked the state of Israel; thus Baasha was forced to withdraw. After the death of Asa, his son Jehoshaphat became the king of Judah. In Israel, Nadab the son of Jeroboam became the king; he ruled for two years. Baasha the son of Ahijah (a servant of Jeroboam) of the house of Issachar killed Nadab and began to reign; he killed all the members of Jeroboam, thus Jeroboam’s family met total destruction on account of his sins against Jehovah. Baasha ruled for twenty-four years; he kept sinning like his predecessors and met a terrible fate. Then Baasha’s son Elah became the king of Israel, who ruled for two years and was killed by his servant Zimri, along with all family members, as Jehovah had warned. (16:13) Zimri reigned for seven days and died accidently when burning king’s house fell over him; Israel had already made army chief Omri as their king; Omri ruled for twelve years. In Omri’s era, idolatry and sinning flourished even more; after his death, his son Ahab began to reign. Ahab ruled for twenty-two years; sinning and idolatry flourished even more than his predecessors; he set up an altar for Baal and sacred pole in Samaria. (16:33) Prophet Elijah admonished Ahab asking him to refrain from sinning; he forewarned Ahab about coming famine. (17:7) Prophet Elijah performed some miracles; he increased oil and flour which belonged to poor widow; Elijah gave life to the woman’s dead son. (17:23) In Ahab’s era, Jezebel killed a great number of prophets. Prophet Elijah appeared before Ahab, a great enemy of him, and asked him to collect together all Israel at Mount Carmel and also four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of sacred pole who ate at the table of Jezebel. KILLING OF BAAL’S PROPHETS Prophet Elijah asked for two young bulls; he gave one bull to them and asked them to cut it and put on pieces of wood and then implore their god Baal to send fire and accept it as burnt offering. People called for whole day at loud voice but nothing happened. Thus Elijah made the people to realise that their god is no god and had no power to heed. Then Elijah cut his bull and put its pieces on the wood and implored Jehovah to accept it as burnt offering. At that the fire of Jehovah came falling and went eating up the burnt offering and the pieces of wood and the stones and the dust and the water that was in the trench it licked up. When all the people saw it, they immediately fell upon their faces and said: Jehovah is the God! Jehovah is the God!” Then Elijah
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72 said to them: “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one of them to escape!” At once they seized them, and Elijah then brought them down to the torrent valley of Kishon and slaughtered them there. (18:40) Then famine was over as a great downpour began. (18:45) Jezebel, wife of Ahab, a great follower of Baal sent ultimatum to Elijah to kill him next day. Elijah ran to Beersheba of Judah. Jehovah ordered him to go to Syria to anoint Hazael as king and also anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi as king over Israel, and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat as prophet. (19:16) Benhadad the king of Syria came up with thirty-two kings with an overwhelming might to war against Ahab. Israelis fought back and defeated them; Benhaded attacked again but met defeat and concluded a covenant and thus saved his life. (20:34) Ahab wanted to purchase a vineyard near his palace, but owner Naboth refused. Ahab’s wife Jezebel conspired to stone Naboth and thus Ahab took possession of the vineyard. (21:16) Elijah gave serious warnings to Ahab as revealed by Jehovah in response to his grave sins. When Ahab heard it, he proceeded to rip his garments apart and to put sackcloth upon his flesh; and he went on a fast and kept lying down in sackcloth and walking despondently. Jehovah forgave Ahab and postponed the calamity till his son’s rule. (21:29) There was no war between Syria and Israel. Then Ahab, king of Israel decided to recapture Ramothgilead from Syria and even invited Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah to join him, to which he happily agreed. So they attacked together, Ahab was fatally hurt; attack failed; everyone returned to his city and his land. (22:37) In Judah, Jehoshphat ruled for twenty-five years, and he kept walking in all the way of Asa. He kept peaceful relations with the king of Israel. He cleared the rest of the male temple prostitutes left over by Asa his father. After his death, his son Jehoram began to reign. (22:50) In Samaria, after Ahab, his son Ahaziah became king over Israel, and ruled for two years. He continued to serve Baal. (22:51) _______
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Book 12
2 KINGS (Abridged)
After death of Ahab, Moab revolted against Israel. Ahaziah fell down through the grating in his roof chamber, Elijah prophesied his death. Ahaziah because angry by the prophecy and sent a chief of fifty with fifty soldiers to arrest. By Elijah’s prayer, all of them died by a fire from the heaven. Then another fifty came and met the same fate. (1:12) Ahaziah died and Jehoram son of Jehoshapat, the king of Judah became the king. (1:17) Elijah struck the waters of Jordan and they were divided this way and that way, so that both of them (Elijah and Elisha) went across on the day ground. (2:8) Then a fiery war chariot and fiery horses appeared and Elijah was taken up by the windstorm to the heavens. (2:11) Elisha the prophet showed a miracle by dividing waters of Jordan. In Jericho, Elisha showed a miracle by turning bad unhealthy water into good drinkable healthy water. (2:22) In Bethel, naughty children taunted Elisha. Elisha called down evil upon them in the name of Jehovah; two she-bears appeared from the woods and tore to pieces forty-two children. (2:24) Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria and ruled for twelve years; he kept doing what was bad in Jehovah’s eyes. (3:2) After Ahab’s death, the king of Moab revolted; Jehoram sought help of the king of Judah Jehoshaphat and the king of Edem and then attacked the Moabites. After initial victory, they were repulsed after the king of Moab offered his first-born son as burnt offering upon the wall. (3:27) Elisha performed a miracle when he increased the quantity of small amount of oil to fill many jars, so that a widow women could pay back loan of the creditor who had demanded her children to be given as slaves for non-payment of loan. (4:7) Elisha performed a miracle in Shunem by praying for a woman who had no son; she bore a son. The son died when he was still a child; the mother again approached prophet Elisha who raised him by his prayers. (4:37) Elisha turned a poisoned food into an eatable food. (4:41) Elisha increased a small quantity of food into a large quantity of food sufficient for a hundred men. (4:44) A leper Naaman was healed by prophet Elisha. (5:14) Elisha recovered an ax head for a man which fell in the river. (6:7) King of Syria sent a heavy military force to arrest Elisha (who could tell the things spoken secretly in inner bedroom). By Elisha’s prayer all became blind. After sometime, he prayed again, they got back their sight. (6:17) Benhadad, the king of Syria besieged Samaria where famine had already arisen and the price of commodity had gone up tremendously, such that an ass’s head got to be worth eighty silver pieces. Even mothers, out of hunger, boiled their sons to eat together with their family. By Elisha’s prayer, the army of Benhadad left the siege and ran in such a hurry that they left their valuables and food behind. Next day one seah of fine flour was sold for one skekel, as per prophet’s prophesy. (7:18) Elisha prophesied that Hazael will rule after Benhadad as king of Syria and will do great injury to the sons of Israel. (8:12) Edomite revolted against Judah and got defeated; they continued revolt ever after. Jehoram ruled for eight years; after his death, his son Ahaziah became the king and ruled for one year. Ahaziah went walking in the way of Samaria. Elisha went to Jehu son of Jehoshaphat and anointed him as king over Israel so as to destroy Ahab’s house completely. While Ahaziah king of Judah was in Israel to enquire about health of Jehoram, Jehu attacked Israel and killed both kings of Judah Ahaziah and king of Israel Jehoram, and all his family along with chief architect of idolatry in Israel Jezebel, wife of Ahab and daughter of the king of Sidonians who were worshipper of Baal. Also Ahab’s seventy sons were killed by the Israelis by the order of Jehu. Jehu also slaughtered all the brothers of Ahaziah too. At last, Jehu killed everyone related to Ahab. Then Jehu made a plan, he asked all Baal worshippers to gather in the house of Baal and perform sacrifices and burnt offerings. After he finished rendering up the burnt offerings, Jehu ordered his men to slaughter all the worshippers of Baal and then destroyed the house of Baal. But Jehu continued the worship of the golden calves in the Bethel and in Dan. After Jehu’s twenty-eight years rule, his son Jehoahaz became the king over Israel. Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah destroyed all offsprings of the kingdom but Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba succeeded in saving Jehoash son of Ahaziah. Jehoash became the king of Judah at the age of seven and ruled for forty years. Jehoash did what was right in Jehovah’s eyes while the priest Jehoiada instructed him. (12:3) Jehoash asked Jehoiada to repair the house of Jehovah; the house of Jehovah was then repaired beautifully. Hazael, the king of Syria decided to attack Jerusalem but king Jehoash sent a huge quantity of the gold and other valuables and thus saved Jerusalem. (12:18) Jehoash’s servants conspired and killed him, then his son Amaziah became the king of Judah. (12:21) In Samaria, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became the king and ruled for seventeen years. He continued to do what was bad in Jehovah’s eyes. Jehovah’s anger became hot so he gave them into the hand of Hazael the king of Syria and into the hand of Benhadad. (13:3) Jehoahaz softened the face of Jehovah, then he gave them a savior so that they came out from under the hand of Syria. (13:5) After Jehoahaz death, his son Jehoash became the king of Israel in Samaria; he ruled for sixteen years but he did not depart from all the sins of his forefathers. After Jehoash’s death, Jeroboam became the king of Israel in Samaria. (13:13) Prophet Elisha died after prophesying victory of Jehoash over Syria. (13:19)
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74 In Judah, Amaziah the son of Jehoash the king of Judah became the king, and ruled for twenty-nine years; he did what was upright in Jehovah’s eyes; only not like David his forefather. (14:3) Amaziah, the king of Judah, challenged Jehoash the king of Samaria but got defeated and was captured at Bethshemesh. Jehoash came to Jerusalem and looted all the gold and silver and all articles to be found at the house of Jehovah and in the treasures of the houses of the king and the hostages and then returned to Samaria. (14:14) In Samaria, after Jehoash’s death, his son Jeroboam began to reign; he reigned for forty-one years. He restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel. Israel practised idolatry; after his death his son Zechariah became king. (14:29) In Judah, Amaziah lived for fifteen years after Jehoash’s death. He was killed by some conspirators. Then Azariah (also called Uzziah 2 chronicles 26:1), Amaziah’s son became king of Judah at the age of sixteen, and for fifty-two years, he reigned in Jerusalem. (14:21 & 15:2) Azariah did what was upright in Jehovah’s eyes, except that the people were still sacrificing and making sacrificial smoke on the high places. Finally Jehovah plagued the king and he continued to be a leper till death; Jotham, his son performed duties of the king and judged the people. After Azariah’s death, Jotham became the king of Judah. (15:7) In Samaria, Zachariah son of Jeroboam became king for only six months. Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired and killed him and himself became the king for one month;’ he was killed by Menahem the son of Gadi of Tirzah and was the king of Samaria for ten years. He continued old customs of idol worship practicsed by Jeroboam, the son of Nebat Pul, the king of Assyria attacked Samaria but Menahem paid a thousand talents of silver and fifty silver shekels for each soldier to save his throne. (15:20) In Samaria, after Menahem’s death, his son Pekahiah became the king, and ruled for two years; idolatry continued. His adjutant Pekah the son of Remaliah conspired to kill him and became the king for the next twenty years. (15:27) Tiglathpileser, the king of Assyria attacked Samaria and conquered a large part of land including Kedesh, Hazar, Gilead, Galilee, all the land of Naphtali and carried its people into exile in Assyria. Hoshea the son of Elah staged mutiny and killed Pekah and became the king of Samaria. (15:30) In Judah, Jotham the son of Uzziah the king of Judah became the king; he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in Jehovah’s eyes. Rezin, the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, the king of Samaria continuously waged wars against Judah. After his death, his son Ahaz became the king in Jerusalem. (15:38) Ahaz ruled for sixteen years; he went walking in the way of the kings of Israel (Samaria) when Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the king of Israel laid siege against Jerusalem, Ahaz sent the gold and the silver to Assyrian king to help and save him. After he was saved, he built an altar near the house of Jehovah whose design he copied from altar of Damascus and performed burnt offering there. (16:15) ISRAEL ENSLAVED After Ahaz’s death, his son Hezekiah began to reign. (16:20) In Samaria, Hoshea the son of Elab became the king; he followed in the footsteps of his predecessor. King of Assyria, Shalmaneser attacked Samaria; Ahaz agreed to pay tribute and become his servant. King of Assyria again laid siege against Samaria for three years and then led Israel into exile in Assyria. (17:6) JEHOVAH DESTROYS ISRAEL 7 And it came about because sons of Israel had sinned against Jehovah their God, who brought them up out of the land Egypt from under the hand of Phar’aoh the king of Egypt, and they began to fear other gods; and they kept walking in the statutes of the nations whom Jehovah had driven out from before the sons of Israel, and [in the statutes of] the kings of Israel that they had made; 9 and the sons of Israel went searching into the things that were not right toward Jehovah their God and kept building themselves high places in all their cities, from the tower of watchmen clear to the fortified city; 10 and they kept setting up for themselves sacred pillars and sacred poles upon every high hill and under every luxuriant tree; 11 and there on all the high places they continued to make sacrificial smoke the same as the nations whom Jehovah had taken into exile because of them, and they, kept doing bad things, to offend. Jehovah; 12 And they continued to serve dungy idols, concerning which Jehovah had said to them: “You must not: do this thing”; 13 and Jehovah kept warning Israel and Judah by means of all his prophets [and] every visionary, saying “Turn back from YOUR bad ways and keep my commandments, my statutes, according to all the law that I commanded YOUR forefathers and that I have sent to YOU by means of my servants the prophets”; 14 and they did not listen but kept hardening their necks like the necks of their forefathers that had not exercised faith in Jehovah their God; 15 and they continued rejecting his regulations and his covenant that he had concluded with their forefathers and his reminders with which he had warned them, and they went following vain idols, and became vain themselves, even in imitation of the nations that were all around them, concerning whom Jehovah had commanded them not to do like them; 16 And they kept leaving all the commandments of Jehovah their God and proceeded to make for themselves molten statues, two calves, and to make a sacred pole, and they began to bow down to all the army of the heavens and to serve Ba’al; 17 and they continued to make their sons and their daughters pass through the fire and to practice divination and to look for omens, and they kept selling themselves to do what was bad in the eyes of Jehovah, to offend him; 18 Therefore Jehovah got very incensed against Israel, so that he removed them from his sight. He did not let any remain but the tribe of Judah alone. 19 Even Judah itself did not keep the commandments of Jehovah their God, but they went walking the statutes of Israel that they had made. 20 Consequent Jehovah rejected all the seed of Israel and kept afflicting them giving them into the hand of pillagers, until he had cast away from before him. 21 For he ripped Israel off from the house of David, and they proceeded to make Jer.o.bo’am the son of Ne’bat king; and Jer.o.bo’am proceeded to part Israel from following Jehovah, he caused them to sin with a great sin. 22 And the sons of Israel went walking in all the sins of Jero’bo’am that he had done. They did not depart from 23 until Jehovah removed Israel from his sight, just as he had spoken by means of all his servants the prophets. So Israel went off its own soil into exile in As.syr’i.a down to this day. (2 Kings 17:23)
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75 In Judah, Hezekiah reigned for twenty-nine years; he continued to do what was right in Jehovah’s eyes like his forefather David. He removed high places and broke the sacred pillars to pieces and cut down the sacred poles and crushed to pieces to copper serpent that Moses had made; for down to those days the sons of Israel had continually been making sacrificial smoke to it, and it used to be called the copper serpent-idol. He refused to serve the king of Assyria and to pay tribute. (18:5, 18:5,7) In the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, Sannacherib the king of Assyria attacked Judah and captured a good part of its territory. King Hezekiah agreed to pay three hundred silver talents and thirty gold talents. Even after that king of Assyria sent a strong military force to Jerusalem, and sent threatening messages to its population. King Hezekiah ripped his garments apart and covered himself with sackcloth and came into the house of Jehovah. He also sent messengers to prophet Isaiah to pray for them. Prophet Isaiah prophesied that siege will fail. (19:7) King Hezekiah went to the house of Jehovah and prayed vehemently for help. Prophet Isaiah gave good news to king Hezekiah that Jehovah accepted his prayer. On that angels of Jehovah appeared and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrian. Then Sennacherib pulled way and returned to Ninevah, his sons killed him with sword. (19:37) In those days, Hezekiah got sick to the point of dying. Hezekiah prayed to Jehovah bitterly then Isaiah informed that Jehovah had added fifteen years to his days. (20:6) After Hezekiah’s death, his son Manasseh aged twelve became the king of Judah and reigned for fifty-five years. He proceeded to do what was bad in Jehovah’s eyes; he built high places and sacred pole, bowed to all the army of the heaven and built altars to Baal and altars in the house of Jehovah. (21:3) Jehovah was furiated and threatened to wipe Jerusalem clean and give the people into the hands of pillager and plunderer. (21:14) After Manasseh’s death, his son Amon became the king, and he ruled for two years. His servants conspired and killed him; the people of the land in turn killed the conspirators and made Josiah the son of Amon, the king of Judah at the age of eight; he ruled for thirty-one years. He proceeded to do what was right in Jehovah’s eyes; he repaired and renovated the house of Jehovah. He ordered the high priest Hilkiah to bring out all the utensils made for Baal, sacred pole, for all the army of the heavens, from the temple of Jehovah and burned them outside Jerusalem. (23:4) He put out all priests of foreign gods and those making sacrificial smoke to Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the constellations of the Zodiac and all the army of the heavens. He pulled down the houses of the male prostitutes that were in the house of Jehovah, where the women were weaving tent shrines for the sacred pole. (23:7) Joshiah cleared out the spirit mediums, the professional foretellers, the teraphims, the dungy idols. (23:24) JEHOVAH DECIDES TO DESTROY JUDAH AND THE TEMPLE Jehovah, who was angry due to Manasseh’s deeds, said: “Judah too I shall remove from my sight, just as I have removed Israel; and I shall certainly reject this city that I have chosen, even Judah, and the house (i.e. the temple of Solomon) of which I have said, “My name will continue there.” Josiah went to meet Pharaoh Nechoh the king of Egypt and the king of Assyria but got killed. His son Jehoahaz was made king but he ruled for only three months. He practised idolatry. He was arrested by king of Egypt Nechoh and he installed Eliakim the son Joshiah (Jehoahaz’s brother) as the king of Judah and changed his name to Jehoiakim. He ruled for eleven years; he practised idolatry. (23:37) Jehoiakim became a servant of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon for three years, then he rebelled. Also Jehovah sent marauder bands of Chaldeans of Syrians and Moabites and Ammonites to destroy Judah completely. (24:4) After Jehoiakim, his son Jehoiachin began to rule; he ruled only for three months. 9 And he continued to do what was bad in Jehovah’s eyes, according to all that his father had done. 10 During that time the servants of Neb.u.chad.nez’zar the king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, so that the, city came under siege. 11 And Neb.u.chad.nez’zar the king of Babylon proceeded to come against the city, while his servants were laying siege against it. JUDAH IN EXILE 12 At length Je.hoi’a.chin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he with his mother and his servants and his princes and his court officials; and the king of Babylon got to take him in the eighth year of his being king: 13 Then he brought out from there all the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king’s house and went on to cut to pieces all the gold utensils that Solomon the king of Israel had made in the temple of Jehovah, just as Jehovah had spoken. 14 And he took into exile all Jerusalem and all the princes and all the valiant, mighty men—ten thousand he was taking into exile—and also every craftsman and builder of bulwarks: No one had been left behind except the lowly class of the people of the land. 15 Thus he took Je.hoi’a.chin into exile to Babylon; and the king’s mother and the king’s wives and his court officials and the foremost men of the land he led away as exiled people from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 As for all the valiant men, seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the builders of bulwarks, a thousand, all the mighty men carrying on war, the king of Babylon proceeded to bring them as exiled people to Babylon. 17 Further, the king of Babylon made Mat.ta-ni’ah his uncle king in place of him. Then he changed his name to Zed.e.ki’ah. 18 Twenty-one years old was Zed.e.ki’ah when he began to reign, and for eleven years he reigned in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Ha.mu’tal the daughter of Jeremiah from Lib’nah. 19 And he continued to do what was bad in Jehovah’s eyes, according to all that Je.hoi’a.kim had done. 20 For on account of the anger of Jehovah it took place in Jerusalem and in Judah, until he had cast them out of his sight. And Zed.e.ki’ah began to rebel against the king of Babylon. 25 And it came about in the ninth year of his being king, In the tenth month on the tenth day of the month, that Neb.u.chad.nez’zar the king of Babylon came, yes, he and all his military force, against Jerusalem and began camping against it and building against it a siege wall all around. 2 And the city came to be under siege until the eleventh year of King Zed.e.ki’ah. 3 On the ninth day of the [fourth] month the famine was severe in the city, and there proved to be no bread for the people of the land. 4 And the city got to be breached, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between the double wall that is by the king’s garden, while the Chal.de’ans were all around against the city; and [the king] began to go in the direction of the Ar’a.bah. 5
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76 And a military force of Chal.de’ans went chasing after the king, and they got to overtake him in the desert plains of Jer’i.cho; and all his own military force was scattered from his side. 6 Then they seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Rib’lah, that they might pronounce a judicial decision upon him. 7 And Zed.e.ki’ah’s sons they slaughtered before his eyes, and Zed.e.ki’ah’s eyes he blinded, after which he bound him with copper fetters and brought him to Babylon. 8 And in the fifth month on the seventh [day] of the month, that is to say, the nineteenth year of King Neb.u.chad.nez’zar the king of Babylon, Neb.u’zar.ad’an the chief of the bodyguard, the servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he proceeded to burn the house of Jehovah and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; and the house of every great man he burned with fire. 10 And the walls of Jerusalem, all around, entire military force of Chaldeans that were with the chief of the bodyguard pulled down, 11 And the rest of the people that were left behind in the city and the deserters that had gone over to the king of Babylon and the rest of the crowd Neb.u’zar-ad’an the chief of the bodyguard took into exile. 12 And some of the lowly people of the land the chief of the : bodyguard let remain as vinedressers and compulsory laborers. 13 And the pillars of copper that were in the house of Jehovah, and the carriages and the copper sea that were in the house of Jehovah, the Chal.de’ans broke in pieces and went carrying the copper of them to Babylon. 14 And the cans and the shovels and the extinguishers and the cups and all the utensils of copper with which they used to minister they took. 15 And the chief of the bodyguard took the fire holders and the bowls that were of genuine gold and those that were of genuine silver. 16 As for the two pillars, the one sea and the carriages that Solomon had made for the house of Jehovah, there happened to be no way to tell the weight of the copper of all these utensils. 17 Eighteen cubits was the height of each pillar, and the capital upon it was of copper; and the height of the capital was three cubits; and the network and the pomegranates all around upon the capital, the whole of it, was copper; and the second pillar had the same as these upon the network. 18 Furthermore, the chief of the bodyguard took Se.rai’ah the chief priest and Zeph.a.ni’ah the second priest and three doorkeepers; 19 and from the city he took one court official that had a command over the men of war, and five men from those having access to the king that were found in the city; and the secretary of the chief of the army, the one mustering the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land that were to be found in the city; 20 and Neb.u’zar.ad’an the chief of the bodyguard then took them and conducted them to the king of Babylon at Rib’lah. 21 And the king of Babylon proceeded to strike them down and put them to death at Rib’lah in the land of Ha’math. Thus Judah went into exile from off its soil. 22 As for the people left behind in the land of Judah, whom Neb.u.chad.nez’zar the king of Babylon had left behind, he now appointed over them Ged.a.li’ah the son of A.hi’kam the son of Sha’phan. 23 When all the chiefs of the military forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Ged.a.li’ah, they immediately came to Ged.a.li’ah at Miz’pah, that is, Ish’ma.el the son of Neth.a.ni’ah and Jo.ha’nan the son of Ka.re’ah and Se.rai’ah the son of Tan.hu’meth the Ne.toph’a.thite and Ja.az.a.ni’ah the son of the Ma.ac’a.thite, they and their men. 24 Then Ged.a.li’ah swore to them and their men and said to them: “Do not be afraid of [being] servants to the Chal.de’ans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with YOU.” 25 And it came about in the seventh month that Ish’ma.el the son of Neth.a.ni’ah the son of E.lish’a.ma of the royal offspring came, and also ten men with him, and they got to strike down Ged.a.li’ah, so that he died, and also the Jews and the Chal-de’ans that happened to be with him in Miz’pah. 26 After that all the people, from small to great, and the chiefs of the military forces rose up and came into Egypt; for they had become afraid because of the Chal.de’ans. 27 And it came about in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Je.hoi’a.chin the king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that E’vil.me.ro’dach the king of Babylon, in the year of his becoming king, raised up the head of Je.hoi’.a.chin the king of Judah out of the house of detention; 28 and he began to speak good things with him, and then put his throne higher than the thrones of the kings that were with him in Babylon. 29 And he took off his prison garments; and he ate bread constantly before him all the days of his life. 30 As for his allowance, an allowance was constantly given him from the king, daily as due, all the days of his life. (2 Kings 25:30) _________
Book 13
1
CHRONICLES
From 1:1 to 9:44 there is long list of names of people, from Adam to sons of Israel, till king Saul. Then after king Saul, king David’s period is covered which we have already mentioned in 1 kings in previous pages. _________
Book 14
2
CHRONICLES
It starts to cover the period of king Solomon till 36:22 when Judah went into exile; we have already covered in 2 Kings in previous pages.
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Book 15
EZRA (Abridged)
1 And in the first year of Cy’rus the king of Persia, that Jehovah’s word from the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah roused the spirit of Cy’rus the king of Persia so that he caused a cry to pass through all his realm, and also in writing, saying: 2 “This is what Cy’rus the king of Persia has said, ‘All the kingdoms of the earth Jehovah the God of the heavens has given me, and he himself has commissioned me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever there is among YOU of all his people, may his God prove to be with him. So let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of Jehovah the God of Israel—he is the [true] God—which was in Jerusalem. 4 As for anyone that is left from all the places where he is residing as an alien, let the men of his place assist him with silver and with gold and with goods and with domestic animals along with the voluntary offering for the house of the [true] God, which was in Jerusalem.’” Then all the prisoners brought from Judah were released and were allowed to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild it anew; king Cyrus returned everything looted from the house of Jehovah. They strengthened their hands with utensils of silver and gold, with goods and with domestic animals and with choice things, besides all that which was voluntarily offered. The sons of Judah and Benjamin started rebuilding the temple and Jerusalem with great enthusiasm. Some of their adversaries wrote to king Artaxerxes to issue orders to stop the Jews from rebuilding the temple and Jerusalem as they were very dangerous rebellious people and behaved as a great enemy of Persia. King Artaxerxes immediately issued an order to their governors to ensure that the Jews immediately stop the work. The work remained stopped for few years till next king Darius investigated the matter and finally issued order allowing the Jews to rebuild their temple and Jerusalem without any hindrance. Then the work was completed in the sixth year of the reign of Darius (6:15) Prophet Azra was the copyist and wrote the commandments of Jehovah and his regulations which were lost with time. (7:11) ISRAELIS AGAIN DISOBEY JEHOVAH The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites did not separate themselves from the peoples of the lands as regards their destestable things namely the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. For they have accepted some of their daughters for themselves and for their sons; and they, the holy seed, have become mingled with the peoples of lands, and the hand of the princes and the deputy rulers has proved to be foremost in this unfaithfulness. (9:2) Ezra made confession while weeping and lying prostrate before the house of the God. (10:1) ISRAELIS DIVORCE FOREIGNERS Then Ezra asked the people of Israel to separate from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives. All those who had accepted foreign wives, and they proceeded to send away wives along with sons. (10:44) _________
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Book 16
NEHEMIAH (Abridged)
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the king, Artaxeres. He heard about the plight of the Jews left in Jerusalem after captivity. He requested the king to give leave for few months so as to visit the land of his ancestors, and repair the burial places of them. He got letters from the king for governors to let him pass through their land with safety and also provide him trees to build with timber the gates of the Castle, and the city wall and for the house into which he was to enter. After he reached Jerusalem, he collected a big team of the Jews to work to rebuild Jerusalem. He apportioned the colossal work to different teams who worked zealously to build the Sheep Gate, the Fish Gate, the Gate of the Old, the Tower of the Bake Ovens, the Valley Gate, the Gate of Ash-heaps, the Fountain Gate, and all those places which needed repair and rebuilding. During their work, Nehemiah and his Jewish associates were derided, even threatened, they all worked under great pressure from their enemies with threats of attack, for which they prepared themselves and took necessary measures and guarded day and night. (3-1 to 32) Even during such a dangerous situation, some rich Jews committed atrocities against the poor section of the Jews, but Nehemiah intervened and impressed the rich ones not to take usury from the poor ones and restore the poor ones their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, their homes and other things which were exacted as interest from them. (5:11) At length the wall came to completion in fifty-two days to the bewilderment of the enemies; this was in fact an act of God. (6:15 ) Then Nehemiah enrolled all the Jews genealogically. (7:5) The entire congregation as one group was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty. (7:66) Ezra the copyist opened the book before all the people and read from it the laws of God and expounded them and gave understanding of them. (8:8) Festival of booths was celebrated. (8:18) Nehemiah narrated to the Jews all their past history, their escape from the Pharaoh, their rebellious behaviour, their victory in Palestine, their repeated unfaithfullness towards God, their captivity etc. Then all wept before God and swore to obey him. Then two thanksgiving choirs walked in the city and ended at the house of the God. (12:40) Nehemiah went back to the king of Babylon, Artaxerxes and then after some time again returned to Jerusalem and found that Sabbath was not being observed but the Jews were doing business, Nehemiah rebuked them and ordered to stop the practice. He found out that the Jews had married Ashdodite, Ammonite and Moabite wives. Nehemiah began to find fault with them and called down evil upon them and strike some men of them and pull out their hair. (13:25) Nehemiah purified them from everything foreign and proceeded to assign duties to the priests and to the Levites, each one in his own work, even the supply of the wood at appointed times and for the first ripe fruits. Nehemiah then prayed, “Do remember me, O my God, for good. (13:31) _______
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Book 17
ESTHER (Abridged)
King Ahasuerus’s kingdom was from India to Ethiopia, a hundred and twenty-seven districts. He held a banquet and called his queen Vashti to appear before the guests and show her beauty, but she refused to come; this annoyed the king. King’s advisors suggested to find another beautiful woman as queen. After a great search in the kingdom, an extremely beautiful woman named Esther was selected who happened to be a Jewess. She had no parents but lived with her uncle Mordecai, a Banjaminite. Esther kept her identity secret. Mordecai’s duty was at the king’s gate, while two doorkeepers, Bigthan and Teresh conspired to kill the king. Mordecai informed the king, and after investigation, both were hanged on a stake. King Ahasuerus magnified a man named Haman above all the princes. Whenever Haman entered the king’s gate, every servant bowed except Mordecai which furiated him as he knew that Mordecai was a Jew. Haman instigated the king and told that the Jews were not following the king’s law but their own laws. The king gave his signet ring and authorized him to do to the Jews whatever he liked. Haman sent letters to all the governors of jurisdictional districts telling them to kill and to destroy all the Jews, young man as well as old man, little ones and women, on one day, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month and to plunder the spoil of them. This created a great mourning among the Jews and terror spread among them. Mordecai told Esther about the grave and dangerous situation for their Jewish nation; Esther then managed to appear before the king Ahasuerus, who said, “What do you have, O Esther the queen, and what is your request? To the half of the kingship let it even be given to you!” In turn Esther said: “If to the king it does seem good, let the king with Haman come today to the banquet that I have made for him.” Consequently, the king and Haman came to the banquet; the queen Esther again requested them to come to banquet again next day, which they accepted with pleasure. As Haman was going through the king’s gate, he saw Mordecai, the Jew, not bowing; he became indignant and ordered to prepare a stake fifty cubits high for Mordecai to hang him. The same night, the king remembered Mordecai who saved his life. Next day, the king ordered Haman to give Mordecai the apparel and the horse; thus Mordecai was honored before the public. At night, Haman came to attend the banquet. The king again asked Esther about her wish. She told the king about the badness of Haman and his plans to destroy the Jewish nation. The king Ahasuerus became furious and ordered to hang Haman on the same fifty cubit high stake which he prepared for Mordecai. The king Ahasuerus gave his signet ring to the queen’s uncle Mordecai. Esther requested the king to write to all the governors not to act upon Haman’s order. The king Ahasuerus authorized Mordecai to write himself letters to all the governors with seal with the king’s signet ring. Mordecai immediately sent letters to all the districts that the king granted to the Jews that were in all the different cities to congregate themselves and stand for their souls, to annihilate and kill and destroy all the force of the people and jurisdictional district that were showing hostility to them. Thus Haman’s order was reversed. The Jews started killing all their enemies on the thirteenth of twelfth month, the day which was previously proposed by Haman. Haman’s ten sons were hanged on the stake. After great slaughter of the enemies on the thirteenth, the fourteenth was a day of celebration for the Jews; this day was named as Purim. The queen Esther and Mordecai made it a law for the Jews to celebrate Purim every year. ________
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Book 18
JOB (Abridged)
There happened to be a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man proved to be blameless and upright, and fearing God and turning aside from bad. And seven sons and three daughters came to be born to him. And his livestock got to be seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and five hundred she-asses, along with a very large body of servants, and that man came to be the greatest of all the Orientals. (1:1 to 3) One day Jehovah said to Satan: “Have you set your heart upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad?” 6 Now it came to be the day when the sons of the [true] God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and even Satan proceeded to enter right among them. 7 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Where do you come from?” At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: “From roving about in the earth and from walking about in it. 8 And Jehovah went on to say to Satan: “Have you set your heart upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad?” 9 At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: “Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? 10 Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around?” The work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad in the earth.
11 But, for a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch everything he has [and see] whether he will not curse you to your very face.” 12 Accordingly Jehovah said to Satan: “Look! Everything that he has is in your hand. Only against him himself do not thrust out your hand!” So Satan went out away from the person of Jehovah. 13 Now it came to be the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother the first- born. 14 And there came a messenger to Job, and he proceeded to say: “The cattle themselves happened to be plowing and the she-asses were grazing at the side of them 15 when the Sa.be’ans came making a raid and taking them, and the attendants they struck down with the edge of the sword; and I got to escape, only I by myself, to tell you.” 16 While this one was yet speaking that one came and proceeded to say: “The very fire of God fell from the heavens and went blazing among the sheep and the attendants and eating them up; and I got to escape, only I by myself, to tell you.” 17 While that one was yet speaking another one came and proceeded to say: “The Chal.de’ans made up three bands and went dashing against the camels and taking them, and the attendants they struck down with the edge of the sword; and I got to escape, only I by myself, to tell you.” 18 While this other one was yet speaking, still another one came and proceeded to say: “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their brother the first-born. 19 And, look! there came a great wind from the region of the wilderness, and it went striking the four corners of the house, so that it fell upon the young people and they died. And I got to escape, only I by myself, to tell you.” 20 And Job proceeded to get up and rip his sleeveless coat apart and cut the hair off his head and fall to the earth and bow down 21 and say: “Naked I came out of my mother’s belly, And naked shall I return there. Jehovah himself has given, and Jehovah himself has taken away. Let the name of Jehovah continue to be blessed.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or ascribe anything improper to God.
2 Afterward it came to be the day when the sons of the [true] God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and Satan also proceeded to enter right among them to take his station before Jehovah. 2 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Just where do you come from?” At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: “From roving about in the earth and from walking about in it.” 3 And Jehovah went on to say to Satan: “Have you set your heart. upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad? Even yet he is holding fast his integrity, although you incite me against him to swallow him up without cause.” 4 But Satan answered Jehovah and said: “Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul. 5 For a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch as far as his bone and his flesh [and see] whether he will not curse you to your very face.” 6 Accordingly Jehovah said to Satan: “There he is in your hand! Only watch out for his soul itself!” 7 So Satan went out away from the person of Jehovah and struck Job with a malignant boil from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he proceeded to take for himself a fragment of earthenware with which to scrape himself; and he was sitting in among the ashes. 9 Finally his wife said to him: “Are you yet holding fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her: “As one of the senseless women speaks, you speak also. Shall we accept merely what is good from the [true] God and not accept also what is bad?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. 11 And three companions of Job got to hear of all this calamity that had come upon him, and they proceeded to come, each one from his own place, El’i.phaz the Te’.man.ite and Bil’dad the Shu’hite and Zo’phar the Na.ma.thite. So they met together by appointment to come and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they raised their eyes from far off they did not then recognize him. And they proceeded to raise their voice and weep and rip each one his sleeveless coat apart and toss dust toward the heavens upon their heads. 13 And they kept sitting with him on the earth seven days and seven nights, and there was no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that the pain was very great. (Job 1:6)
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81 Job showed complete faith in God’s justice while his friends spoke to him one by one, trying to shake Job’s faith. In their long discourses, they tried hard to compel Job to show anger towards God but Job remained unshaken in his faith. Job’s discourses upto 31:40 are extremely entertaining, and a model for true believers. Then a man called Elihu, the son of Barachel, who was listening to all the conversation became hot with anger and spoke against the argument of the three men and the reply of Job; he condemned Job for declaring his own soul righteous rather than God 32:2 Elihu then extolled God’s unsearchable greatness. Then Jehovah spoke to Job and showed Job’s ignorance of forces and mentioned His power in nature.
42 And Job proceeded to answer Jehovah and say: 2 “I have come to know that you are able to do all things. And there is no. idea that is unattainable for you. 3 ‘Who, is this that is obscuring counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I talked, but I was not understanding Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know. 4 ‘Hear, please, and I myself shall speak. I shall question you, and you inform me.’ 5 In hearsay I have heard about you, But now my own eye does see you. 6 That is why I make a retraction, And I do repent in dust and ashes.” 7 And it came about after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, that Jehovah proceeded to say to El’i.phaz the Te’man.ite: “My anger has grown hot against you and your two companions, for YOU men have not spoken concerning me what is truthful as has my servant Job. 8 And now take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job, and YOU, men must offer up a burnt sacrifice in YOUR own behalf; and Job my servant will himself pray for YOU. His face only I shall accept so as not to commit disgraceful folly with YOU, for YOU have not spoken concerning me what is truthful, as has my servant Job.” 9 Accordingly El’i.phaz the Te’.man.ite and Bil’dad the Shu’hite [and] Zo’phar the Na’a.ma.thite went and did just as Jehovah had spoken to them; and so Jehovah accepted Job’s face. 10 And Jehovah himself turned back the captive condition of Job when he prayed in behalf of his companions, and Jehovah began to give in addition all that had been Job’s, in double amount. 11 And there kept coming to him all his brothers and all his sisters and all those formerly knowing him, and they began to eat bread, with him in his house and to sympathize with him and to comfort him over all the calamity that Jehovah had let come, upon him; and they proceeded each one to give him a piece of money and each one a: gold ring. 12 As for Jehovah, he blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning, so that he came to have fourteen thousand sheep and six thousand camels and a thousand spans of cattle and a thousand she-asses. 13 He also came to have seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he went calling the name of the first Je.mi’mah and the name of the second Kezi’ah and the name of the third Ker’en.hap’puch. 15 And no women were found as pretty as Job’s daughters in all the land, and their father proceeded to give them an inheritance in among their brothers. 16 And Job continued living after this a hundred and forty years and came to see his sons and his grandsons—four generations. 17 And gradually Job died, old and satisfied with days.
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Book 19
PSALMS 1 (Selective Study)
1 Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones, And in the way of sinners has not stood. And in the seat of ridiculers has not sat. 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And in his law he reads in an undertone day and night. PSALMS 2 2 The kings of earth take their stand And high officials themselves have massed together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one, 3. [Saying:] “Let us tear their bands apart 4. And cast their cords away from us!” The very One sitting in the heavens will laugh; Jehovah himself will hold them in derision. 5 At that time he will speak to them in his anger And in his hot displeasure he will disturb them, 6 [Saying:] “I, even I, have installed my king Upon Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 Let me refer to the decree of Jehovah; He has said to me: “You are my son; I, today, I have become your father, 8 Ask of me, that I may give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your own possession. 9 You will break them with an iron scepter, As though a potter’s vessel you will dash them pieces.” 10 And now, O kings, exercise insight; Let yourselves be corrected, O judges of the earth. 11 Serve Jehovah with fear And be Joyful with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, that He may not become incensed PSALMS 9 As for Jehovah, he will sit to time indefinite, Firmly establishing his throne for judgment itself. 8 And he himself will judge the productive land in righteousness; He will judicially try national groups in uprightness. [Waw] 9 And Jehovah will become a secure height for anyone crushed, A secure height in times of distress. 10 And those knowing your name will trust in you, For you will certainly not leave those looking for you, O Jehovah. PSALMS 15 A melody of David.
15 O Jehovah, who will be a guest in your tent? Who will reside in your holy mountain? 2 He who is walking faultlessly and practicing righteousness And speaking the truth in his heart. 3 He has not slandered with his tongue. To his companion he has done nothing bad, And no reproach has he taken up against his intimate acquaintance. 4 In his eyes anyone contemptible is certainly rejected, But those fearing Jehovah he honors. He has sworn to what is bad [for himself], and yet he does not alter. 5 His money he has not given out on interest, And a bribe against the innocent one he has not taken.
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83 He that is doing these things will never be made to totter. PSALMS 19 7 The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise. 8 The orders from Jehovah are upright, causing the heart to rejoice; The commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine. 9 The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever. The judicial decisions of Jehovah are true; they have proved altogether righteous. 10 They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much refined gold; And sweeter than honey and the flowing honey of the combs. PSALMS 21 To the director. A melody of David.
21 O Jehovah, in your strength the king rejoices And in your salvation how very joyful he wants to be! 2 The desire of his heart you have given him, And the wish of his lips you have not withheld. Se’lah. 3 For you proceeded to meet him with blessings of good, [And] to place on his head a crown of refined gold. 4 Life he asked of you. You gave [it] to him, Length of days to time indefinite, even forever. 5 His glory is great in your salvation. Dignity and splendor you put upon him. 6 For you constitute him highly blessed forever; You make him feel glad with the rejoicing at your face. 7 For the king is trusting in Jehovah, PSALMS 24 Of David. A melody.
24 To Jehovah belong the earth and that which fills it, The productive land and those dwelling in it. 2 For upon the seas he himself has solidly fixed it, And upon the rivers he keeps it firmly established. 3 Who may ascend into the mountain of Jehovah, And who may rise up in his holy place? 4 Anyone innocent in his hands and clean in heart, Who has not carried My soul to sheer worthlessness, Nor taken an oath deceitfully. 5 He will carry away blessing from Jehovah And righteousness from his God of salvation. 6 This is the generation of those seeking him, Of those searching for your face, O [God of] Jacob. Se’lah. 7 Raise YOUR heads, O YOU gates, And raise yourselves up, O YOU long-lasting entrances, That the glorious King may come in! 8 Who, then, is this glorious King? The Lord strong and, mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Raise YOUR heads, O YOU gates Yes, raise [them] up) O YOU long-lasting entrances, That, the glorious .King may come in! 10 Who, then, is he, this glorious King? The Lord of armies—he is the glorious King. Se’lah. PSALMS 27 Of David.
27 Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I be in fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be in dread? 2 When the evildoers approached against me to eat up my flesh, They being my adversaries and my enemies personally, They themselves stumbled and fell.
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84 3 Though against me an encampment should pitch tent, My heart will not fear. Though against me war should rise, Even then I shall be trusting. PSALMS 45
45 My heart has become astir with a goodly matter. I am saying: “My works are concerning a king.” May my tongue be the stylus of a skilled copyist. 2 You are indeed more handsome than the sons of men. Charm has been poured out upon your lips. That is why God has blessed you to time indefinite. 3 Gird your sword upon [your] thigh, O mighty one, [With] your dignity and your splendor. 4 And in your splendor go on to success; Ride in the cause of truth and humility [and] righteousness, And your right hand will instruct you in fear-inspiring things 5 Your arrows are sharp—under you peoples keep falling— In the heart of the enemies of the king. 6 God is your throne to time indefinite, even forever; The scepter of your kingship is a scepter of uprightness. 7 You have loved righteousness and you hate wickedness. That is why God, your God has anointed: you with the oil of exultation more than your partners. 8 All your garments are myrrh and aloes wood [and] cassia; Out from the grand ivory palace stringed instruments themselves have made you rejoice. The daughters of kings are among your precious women. The queenly consort has taken her stand, at your right hand in gold of O’phir. 10 Listen, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear; And forget your people and Yours truly, father’s house. 11 And the king will long for your prettiness, For he is your lord, So bow down to him. 12 The daughter of Tyre also with a gift— The rich ones of the people will soften your own face. 13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within [the house]; Her clothing is with settings of gold. 14 In woven apparel she will be brought to the king. The virgins in her train as her companions are being brought in to you. 15 They will be brought with rejoicing and joyfulness; They will enter into the palace of the king. 16 In place of your forefathers there will come to be your sons, Whom you will .appoint as princes in all the earth. 17 I will make mention of your name throughout all generations to come. That is why peoples themselves will laud you to time indefinite, even forever. PSALMS 68
68 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered, And let those who intensely hate him flee because of him 2 As smoke is driven away, may you drive [them], away; As wax melts because of the fire, Let the wicked, ones, perish from before God. 3 But as for the righteous, let them rejoice, Let them be elated before God. And let them exult with rejoicing. 4 Sing YOU to God, make melody to his name; Raise up [a song] to the One riding through the desert plains As Jah, which is his name and jubilate before him; 5 A father of fatherless boys and a judge of widows Is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God is causing the solitary ones to dwell in a house;
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85 He is bringing forth prisoners into full prosperity. However, as for the stubborn, they have to reside in a scorched land. PSALMS 110 Of David. A melody. 110 The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet. 2 The rod of your strength Jehovah will send out of Zion, [saying:] “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.” 3 Your people, will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In the splendors of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops. 4 Jehovah has sworn (and he will feel no regret): You are a priest to time indefinite According to the manner of Mel.chiz’e’dek!” 5 Jehovah himself at your right hand Will certainly break kings to pieces on the day of his anger. 6 He will execute judgment among the heathen; He will cause a fullness of dead bodies. He will certainly break to pieces the head one over a populous land. 7 From the torrent valley in the way he will drink. That is why he will raise high [his] head. PSALMS 112 112 Praise Jah, you people! [Aleph] Happy is the man in fear of Jehovah, [Beth] In whose commandments he has taken very much delight. [Gimel] 2 Mighty in the earth his offspring will become [Daleth] As for the generation of the upright ones, it will be blessed. [He] 3 Valuable things and riches are in his house; [Waw] And his righteousness is standing forever. [Zayin] 4 He has flashed up in the darkness as a light to the upright ones. [Heth] He is gracious and merciful and righteous. [Teth] 5 The man is good who is gracious and is lending. [Yod] He sustains his affairs with justice. . [Kaph] 6 For at no time will he be made to totter. [Lamed] The righteous one will prove to be for remembrance to time indefinite. [Mem] 7 He will not be afraid even of bad news. [Nun] His heart is steadfast, made reliant upon Jehovah. [Samekh] 7 His heart is unshakable; he will not be afraid, [Ayin] Until he looks on his adversaries. [Pe] 9 He has distributed widely; he has given to the poor ones.
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86 [Tsade] His righteousness is standing forever. [Qophl His own horn will be exalted with glory. [Resh] 10 The wicked one himself will see and certainly become vexed. [Shin] He will grind his very teeth and actually melt away. [Taw] The desire of the wicked ones will perish.
PSALMS 145 A praise, of David. [Aleph]
145 I will exalt you, O my God the King, And I will bless your name to time indefinite, even forever. [Beth] 2 All day long I will bless you, And I will praise your name to time indefinite, even forever. [Gimel] 3 Jehovah is great and very much to be praised, And his greatness is unsearchable. [Daleth] 4 Generation after generation will commend your works, And about your mighty acts they will tell. [He] 5 The glorious splendor of your dignity And the matters of your wonderful works I will make my concern. [Waw] 6 And they will talk about the strength of your own fear-inspiring things; And as for your greatness, I will declare it. [Zayin] 7 With the mention of the abundance of your goodness they will bubble over, And [because of] your righteousness they will cry out joyfully. [Heth] 8 Jehovah is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger and great in loving-kindness. [Teth] 9 Jehovah is good to all, And his mercies are over all his works. [Yod] 10 All your works will laud you, O Jehovah, And your loyal ones will bless you. [Kaph] 11 About the glory of your kingship they will talk, And about your mightiness they will speak, [Lamed] 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts And the glory of the splendor of his kingship. [Mem] 13 Your kingship is a kingship for all times indefinite, And your dominion is throughout all successive generations. [Samekh] 14 Jehovah is giving support to all who are falling, And is raising up all who are bowed down. [Ayin] 15 To you the eyes of all look hopefully, And you are giving them their food in its season. [Pe] 16 You are opening your hand
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87 And satisfying the desire of every living thing. [Tsade] 17 Jehovah is righteous in all his ways And loyal in all his works. [Qoph] 18 Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him, To all those who call upon him in trueness. [Resh] 19 The desire of those fearing him he will perform, And their cry for help he will hear, and he will save them. [Shin] 20 Jehovah is guarding all those loving him, But all the wicked ones he will annihilate. [Taw] 21 The praise of Jehovah my mouth will speak; And let all flesh bless his holy name to time indefinite, even forever. PSALMS 146
146 Praise Jah, YOU people! Praise Jehovah, O my soul. 2 I will praise Jehovah during my lifetime. I will make melody to my God as long as I am. 3 Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. 4 His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; In that day his .thoughts do perish. 5 Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in Jehovah his God, 6 The Maker of heaven and earth, Of the sea, and of all that is in them, The One keeping trueness to time indefinite, 7 The One executing judgment for the defrauded ones, The One giving bread to the hungry ones. Jehovah is releasing those who are bound. 8 Jehovah is opening the eyes of the blind ones; Jehovah is raising up the ones bowed down; Jehovah is loving the righteous ones. 9 Jehovah is guarding the alien residents; The fatherless boy and the widow he relieves, But the way of the wicked ones he makes crooked. 10 Jehovah will be king to time indefinite, Your God, O Zion, for generation after generation. Praise Jah, YOU people! _______
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Book 20
PROVERBS (Selected Passages)
1 The proverbs of Sol’o.mon the son of David, the king of Israel, 2 for one to know wisdom and discipline, to discern the sayings of understanding, 3 to receive the discipline that gives insight, righteousness and judgment and uprightness, 4 to give to the inexperienced ones shrewdness, to a young man knowledge and thinking ability. 5 A wise person will listen and take in more instruction, and a man of understanding is the one who acquires skillful direction, 6 to understand a proverb and a puzzling saying, the words of wise persons and their riddles. 7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Wisdom and discipline are what mere fools have despised. 8 Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother. 9 For they are a wreath of attractiveness to your head and fine necklace to your throat. 10 My son, if sinners try to seduce you, do not consent. 11 If they keep saying: “Do go with us. Do let us lie in ambush for blood. Do let us lie in concealment for the innocent men without any cause. 12 Let us swallow them down alive just like She’ol, even whole, like those going down into a pit. 13 Let us find all sorts of precious valuables. Let us fill our houses with spoil. 14 Your lot you ought to cast in among us. Let there come to be just one bag belonging to all of us” 15 my son, do not go in the way with them. Hold back your foot from their roadway. (1:1) 20 The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people and that the paths of the righteous ones you may keep. 21 For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. 22 As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it. (2:20) 9 Honor Jehovah with your valuable things and with the first fruits of all your produce. (3:9) 27 Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing, when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do [it]. (3:27) 31 Do not become envious of the man of violence, nor choose any of his ways. 32 For the devious person is a detestable thing to Jehovah, but His intimacy is with the upright ones. 33 The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one, but the abiding place of the righteous ones he blesses. 34 If it has to do with ridiculers, he himself will deride; but to the meek ones he will show favor. 35 Honor is what the wise ones will come to possess, but the stupid ones. are exalting dishonor. (3:31) 7 Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding. 8 Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you. It will glorify you because you embrace it. 9 To your head it will give a wreath of charm; a crown of beauty it will bestow upon you.’ (4:7) 23 More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart, for out of it are the sources of life. 24 Remove from yourself the crookedness of speech; and the deviousness of lips put far away from yourself. 25 As for your eyes, straight ahead they should look, yes; your own beaming eyes should gaze straight in front of you. 26 Smooth out the course of your foot, and may all your own ways be firmly established. 27 Do not incline to the right hand or to the left. Remove your foot from what is bad. (4:23 3 For as a honeycomb the lips of a strange woman keep dripping, and her palate is smoother than oil. 4 But the aftereffect from her is as bitter as wormwood; it is as sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet are descending to death. Her very steps take hold on She’ol itself 6 The path of life she does not contemplate. Her tracks have wandered she does not know [where]. 7 So now, O sons, listen to me and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth. 8 Keep your way far off from alongside her, and do not get near to the entrance of her house, 9 that you may not give to others your dignity, nor your years to what is cruel; 10 that strangers may not satisfy themselves with your power, nor the things you got by pain be in the house of a foreigner, 11 nor you have to groan in your future when your flesh and your organism come to an end. (5:3) 12 A good-for-nothing man, a man of hurtfulness, is walking with crookedness of speech, 13 winking with his eye, making signs with his foot, making indications with his fingers. 14 Perverseness is in his heart. He is fabricating something bad all the time. He keeps sending out merely contentions. 15 That is why suddenly there will come his disaster; in an instant he will be broken, and there will be no healing. 16 There are six things that Jehovah does hate; yes, seven are things detestable to his soul: 17 lofty eyes a false tongue, and hands that are shedding innocent blood, 18 a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness, 19 a false witness that launches forth lies, and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers. 20 Observe, O my son, the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother. 21 Tie them upon your heart constantly; bind them upon your throat. 22 When you walk about, it will lead you; when you lie down: it will stand guard over you; and when you have waked up, it itself will make you its concern. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, and a light the law is, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, 24 to guard you against the bad woman, against the smoothness of the tongue of the foreign woman. 25 Do not desire her prettiness in your heart, and may she not take you with her lustrous eyes, 26 because in behalf of a woman prostitute [one comes down] to a round loaf of bread; but as regards another man’s wife, she hunts even for a precious soul. 27 Can a man rake together fire into his bosom and yet his very garments not be burned? 28 Or can a man walk upon the coals and his feet themselves not be scorched? 29 Likewise with anyone having relations with the wife of his fellow man, no one touching her will remain unpunishable. 30 People do not despise a thief just because he commits thievery to fill his soul when he is hungry. 31 But, when found, he will make it good with seven times as much; all the valuables of his house he will give. 32 Anyone committing adultery with a woman is in want of heart; he that does it is bringing his own soul to ruin. 33 A plague and dishonor he will find, and his reproach itself will not be wiped out. (6:12 – 33) Proverbs of Sol’o.mon
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89 A wise son is the one that makes a father rejoice, and a stupid son is the grief of his mother. (10:1) 5 The son acting with insight is gathering during the summertime; the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest. (10:5) 12 Hatred is what stirs up contentions, but love covers over even all transgressions. (10:12) 19 In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression, but the one keeping his lips in check is acting discreetly. 20 The tongue of the righteous one is choice silver; the heart of the wicked one is worth little. (10:19) 20 Those crooked at heart are something detestable to Jehovah, but the ones blameless in [their] way are a pleasure to him. (11:20) 25 The generous soul will itself be made fat, and the one freely watering [others] will himself also be freely watered. (11:25) 14 A capable wife is a crown to her owner, but as rottenness in his bones is she that acts shamefully. (12:4) 22 False lips are something detestable to Jehovah, but those acting in faithfulness are a pleasure to him. (12:22)
13 A son is wise where there is father’s discipline, but the ridiculer is one that has not heard rebuke.
(13:1) 3 The one guarding his mouth is keeping his soul. The one opening wide his lips—he will have ruin. (13:3) 24 The one holding back his rod is hating his son, but. the one loving him is he that does look for him with discipline. (13:24) 17 He that is quick to anger will commit foolishness, but the man of thinking abilities is hated. (14:17) 29 He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment, but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness. 30 A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones. 31 He that is defrauding the lowly one has reproached his Maker, but the one showing favor to the poor one is glorifying Him. (14:29) An answer, when mild, turns away rage, but a word causing pain makes anger to come up. (15:1) 17 Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a manger-fed bull and hatred along with it. 18 An enraged man stirs up contention, but one that is slow to anger quiets down quarreling. (15:17) 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but Jehovah is making an estimate of spirits. (12:2) 5 Everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah. Hand [may join] to hand, [yet] one will not be free from punishment. (16:5) 32 He that is slow to anger is better than a mighty man, and he that is controlling his spirit than the one capturing a city. (16:32) 25 A stupid son is a vexation to his father and a bitterness to her that gave him birth. (17:25) 5 A false witness will not be free from punishment, and he that launches forth lies will not escape. (19:5) 14 The inheritance from fathers is a house and wealth, but a discreet wife is from Jehovah. (19:14) 20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, in order that you may become wise in your future. (19:20) Wine is a ridiculer, intoxicating liquor is boisterous, and everyone going astray by it is not wise. (20:1) 19 He that is going about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk; and with one that is enticed with his lips you must have no fellowship. 20 AS for anyone calling down evil upon his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished at the approach of darkness. (20:19) 14 A gift made in secrecy sub-dues anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong rage. 15 It is a rejoicing for the righteous one to do justice, but there is something terrible for those practicing what is hurtful. (21:14) 23 He that is keeping his mouth and his tongue is keeping his soul from distresses. 24 Presumptuous, self-assuming braggart is the name of the one who is acting in a fury of presumptuousness. (21:23) 30 There is no wisdom, nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to Jehovah. (21:30) 4 The result of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah is riches and glory and life. (22:4) 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit. The one denounced by Jehovah will fall into it. (22:14) 24 Do not have companionship with anyone given to anger; and with a man having fits of rage you must not enter in, 25 that you may not get familiar with his paths and certainly take a snare for your soul. (22:24) 13 Do not hold back discipline from the mere boy. In case you beat him with the rod, he will not die. 14 With the rod you yourself should beat him, that you may deliver his very soul from She’ol itself. (23:13) 22 Listen to your father who caused your birth, and do not despise your mother just because she has grown old. (23:22) 17 When your enemy falls, do not rejoice; and when he is caused to stumble, may your heart not be joyful, 18 that Jehovah may not see and it be bad in his eyes and he certainly turn back his anger from against him. (24:17) 21 If the one hating you is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 For coals are what you are raking together upon his head, and Jehovah himself will reward you. (25:21) 3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the ass, and the rod is for the back of stupid people. 4 Do not answer anyone stupid according to his foolishness, that you yourself also may not become equal to him. (26:3) 27 He that is excavating a pit will fall into the same, and he that is rolling away a stone—back to him it will return. (26:27)
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90 4 There is one cruelty of rage, also the flood of anger, but who can stand before jealousy? (27:4) 10 Do not leave your own companion or the companion of your father, and do not enter the house of your own brother on the day of your disaster. Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother that is far away. (27:10) 13 He that is covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but he that is confessing and leaving [them] will be shown mercy. (28:13) 15 As a growling lion and an on-rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a lowly people. 16 A leader that is in want of true discernment is also abundant in fraudulent practices, but he that is hating unjust profit will prolong [his] days. (28:15) 21 The showing of partiality is not good, nor that an able-bodied man should transgress over a mere piece of bread. (28:21) 25 He that is arrogant in soul stirs up contention, but he that is relying upon Jehovah will be made fat. 28:25 3 A man that is loving wisdom makes his father rejoice, but he that is having companionship with prostitutes destroys valuable things. 4 By justice a king makes a land keep standing, but a man out for bribes tears it down. (29:3) 14 Where a king is judging the lowly ones in trueness, his throne will be firmly established for all times. 29:14 17 Chastise your son and he will bring you rest and give much pleasure to your soul. (29:17) 23 The very haughtiness of earthling man will humble him, but he that is humble in spirit will take hold of glory. 29:23 _______
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Book 21
ECCLESIASTES (Selected Passages)
1 The words of the congregator, the son of David the king in Jerusalem. 2 “The greatest vanity!” the congregator has said, “the greatest vanity! Everything is vanity 3 What profit does a man have in all his hard work at which he works hard under the sun? 4 A generation is going, and a generation is coming; but the earth is standing even to time indefinite. And the sun also has flashed and the sun has set, and it is coming panting to its place where it is going to flash forth. (1:1) 12 I, the congregator, happened to be king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and explore wisdom in relation to everything that has been done under the heavens—the calamitous occupation that God has given to the sons of mankind in which to be occupied. 14 I saw all the works that were done under the sun, and, look! Everything was vanity and a striving after wind. 15 That which is made crooked cannot be made straight, and that; which is wanting cannot possibly are counted. 16 I, even I, spoke with my heart, saying: “Look! I myself have greatly increased in wisdom more than anyone that happened to be before me in Jerusalem, and my own heart saw a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I proceeded to give my heart to knowing wisdom and to knowing madness, and I have come to know folly, that this too is a striving after wind. 18 For in the abundance of wisdom there is in abundance of vexation, so that he that increases knowledge increases pain. (1:12) 3 For everything there is an appointed time, even a time for every affair under the heavens: 2 a time for birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what was planted; 3 a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build; 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to wail and a time to skip about; 5 a time to throw stones away and a time to bring stones together; a time to embrace and a time to keep away from embracing; 6 a time to seek and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; 7 a time to rip apart and a time to sew together; a time to keep quiet and a time to speak; 8 a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What advantage is there for the doer in what he is working hard at? (3:1) 16 And I have further seen under the sun the place of justice where there was wickedness and the place of righteousness where wickedness was. 17 I myself have said in my heart: “The [true] God will judge both the righteous one and the wicked one, for there is a time for every affair and concerning every work there.” (3:16) 15 Just as one has come forth from his mother’s belly, naked will one go away again, just as one came; and nothing at all can one carry away for his hard work, which he can take along with his hand. (5:15) 7 All the hard work of mankind is for their mouth, but even their own soul does not get filled. 8 For what advantage does the wise have — over the stupid one? What does the afflicted one have in knowing how to walk in front of the living ones? 9 Better is the seeing by the eyes than the walking about of the soul. This too is vanity and a striving after the wind. (6:7) 5 Better is it to hear the rebuke of someone wise than to be the man hearing the song of the stupid ones. (7:5) 11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good and is advantageous for those seeing the sun. 12 For wisdom is for a protection [the same as] money is for a protection; but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners. (7:11) 27 “See! This I have found,” said the congregator, “one thing [taken] after another, to find out the sumup, 28 which my soul has continuously sought, but I have not found. One man out of a thousand I have found, but a woman among these I have not found. 29 See! This only I have found, that the [true] God made mankind upright, but they themselves have sought out many plans.” (7:27) 12 Remember, now, your grand Creator in the days of your young manhood, before the calamitous days proceed to come, or the years have arrived when you will say: “I have no delight in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds have returned, afterward the downpour; 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the men of vital energy have bent themselves, 12:1 13 The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the [true] God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole [obligation] of man. 14 For the [true] God himself will bring every sort of work into the judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad. 12:13 _________
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Book 22
THE SONG OF SOLOMON (Selected Study)
4 “Look! You are beautiful, O girl companion of mine. Look! You are beautiful. Your eyes are [those of] doves, behind your veil. Your hair is like a drove of goats that have hopped down from the mountainous region of Gil’e.ad. 2 Your teeth are like a drove of freshly-shorn [ewes] that have gone up from the washing, all of which are bearing twins, with none among them having lost its young ones. 3 Your lips are just like a scarlet thread, and your speaking is agreeable. Like a segment of pomegranate are your temples behind your veil. 4 Your neck is like the tower of David built in courses of stone, upon which are hung a thousand shields all the circular shieds of the mighty men. 5 Your two breasts are like two young ones, the twins of a female gazelle that are feeding among the lilies.” 6 “Until the day breathes and the shadows have fled, I shall go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.” 7 “You are altogether beautiful. O girl companion of mine, and there is no defect in you. 8 With me from Leb’a.non, O bride, with me from Leb’a.non may you come. May you descend from the top of Anti-Leb’a.non, from the top of Se’nir, even Her’mon, from the lairs of lions, from the mountains of leopards. 9 You have made my heart beat, O my sister, [my] bride, you have made my heart beat by one of your eyes, by one pendant of your necklace. 10 How beautiful your expressions of endearment are, O my sister, my bride! How much better your expressions of endearment are than wine and the fragrance of your oils than all sorts of perfume! 11 With comb honey your lips keep dripping, O [my] bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue, and the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Leb’a.non. 12 A garden barred in is my sister, [my] bride, a garden barred in, a spring sealed up. 13 Your skin is a paradise of pomegranates, with the choicest fruits, henna plants alongwith spikenard plants; 14 spikenard and saffron, cane and cinnamon, along with all sorts of trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest perfumes; 15 [and] a spring of gardens, a well of fresh water, and trickling streams from Leb’a.non. 16 Awake, O north wind, and come in, O south wind. Breathe upon my garden. Let its perfumes trickle.” “Let my dear one come into his garden and eat its choicest fruits.” (4:1 to 16) 10 “My dear one is dazzling and ruddy, the most conspicuous of ten thousand. 11 His head is gold, refined gold. The locks of his hair are date clusters. His black [hair], is like the raven. 12 His eyes are like doves by the channels of water, which are bathing themselves in milk, sitting within the rims. 13 His cheeks are like a garden bed of spice, towers of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh. 14 His hands are cylinders of gold, filled with chrysolite. His abdomen is an ivory plate covered with sapphires. 15 His legs are pillars of marble based on socket pedestals of refined gold. His appearance is like Leb’a.non, choice like the cedars. 16 His palate is sheer sweetness, and everything; about him is altogether desirable. This is my dear one, and this is my boy companion, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (5:10) _______ OUR REMARKS In the following pages, our readers will study 18 books revealed to the prophets. These books have no new commandment; the books revealed before exile mostly contain repeated and stern warnings either to residents of state of Israel or to the residents of state of Judah, or to the people of Ninevah. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah pertains to the Jews who returned to their ex-state of Judah after getting freedom from the prisons of Babylon; book of Malachi pertains to the Israel. The books of Jonah and Nahum were revealed for those living in Ninevah. The books of Amos and Hosea were for the State of Israel in Samaria. The books of Habakkuk, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Haggai and Zachariah were written during the period when the Jews were in exile, living in the prisons of Babylon. Before the sons of Israel were enslaved by Nebuchadnezzar, many prophets were sent by Jehovah to warn and admonish the sons of Judah; they repeatedly asked the followers of Judaism to stop idolatry and stop violating the Laws of Torah and immoral way of life. The Books of Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah pertains to this pre-exile period. Many books mention the signs of the coming Prophet, his wars, his kingship over the Gentiles. _______
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Book 23
ISAIAH (Selected Passages)
ADMONISHMENT AND THE GOOD NEWS
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of A’moz that he visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uz.zi’ah, Jo’tham, A’haz [and] Hez.e.ki’ah, kings of Judah: 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken: “Sons I have brought up and raised, but they themselves have revolted against me. 3 A bull well knows its buyer, and the ass the manger of its owner; Israel itself has not known, my own people have not behaved understandingly.” 4 Woe to the sinful nation, the people heavy with error, an evil-doing seed, ruinous sons! They have left Jehovah, they have treated the Holy One of Israel with disrespect, they have turned backwards. 5 Where else will YOU be struck still more, in that YOU add more revolt? The whole head is in a sick condition, and the whole heart is feeble. 6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no sound spot in it. Wounds and bruises and fresh stripes—they have not been squeezed out or bound up, nor has there been a softening with oil. 7 YOUR land is a desolation, YOUR cities are burned with fire; YOUR ground—right in front of YOU strangers are eating it up, and the desolation is like an overthrow by strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion has been left remaining like a booth in a vineyard, like a lookout hut in a field of cucumbers, like a blockaded city. 9 Unless Jehovah of armies himself had left remaining to us just a few survivors, we should have become just like Sod’.om, we should have resembled Go.mor’rah itself. 10 Hear the word of Jehovah, YOU dictators of Sod’om. Give ear to the law of our God, you people of Go.mor’rah. 11 “Of what benefit to me is the multitude of YOUR sacrifices?” says Jehovah. “I have had enough of whole burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals; and in the blood of young bulls and male lambs and he-goats I have taken no delight. 12 When YOU people keep coming in to see my face, who is it that has required this from YOUR hand, to trample my courtyards? 13 Stop bringing in any more valueless grain offerings. Incense—it is something detestable to me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of a convention—I cannot put up with the [use of] uncanny power along with the solemn assembly. 14 YOUR new moons and YOUR festal seasons my soul has hated. To me they have become a burden; I have become tired of bearing [them]. 15 And when YOU spread out YOUR palms, I hide my eyes from YOU. Even though YOU make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed YOUR very hands have become filled. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the badness of YOUR dealings from in front of my eyes; cease to do bad. 17 Learn to do good; search for justice; set right the oppressor; 2 The thing that Isaiah the son of A’moz visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. 3 And many peoples will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. 4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more. 5 O men of the house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of Jehovah. 6 For you have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob. For they have become full of what is from the East, and they are practicers of magic like the Phi.lis’tines, and with the children of foreigners they abound. 3 For, look! the [true] Lord, Jehovah of armies, is removing from Jerusalem and from Judah support and stay, the whole support of bread and the whole of water, 2 mighty man and warrior, judge and prophet, and practicer of divination and elderly man 3 chief of fifty and highly respected man and counselor and expert in magical arts, and the skilled charmer. 42 Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one, [whom] my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the Gentiles is what he will bring forth. 2 He will not cry out or raise [his voice], and in the street he will not let his voice be heard. 3 No crushed reed will he break; and as for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it. In trueness he will bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow dim nor be crushed until he sets justice in the earth itself; and for his law the islands themselves will keep waiting. 5 This is what the [true] God, Jehovah, has said, the Creator of the heavens and the grand One stretching them out; the One laying out the earth and its produce, the One giving breath to the people on it, and spirit to those walking in it: 6 “I myself, Jehovah, have called you in righteousness, and I proceeded to take hold of your hand. And I shall safeguard you and give you as a covenant of the people, as a light of the Gentiles, 7 [for you] to open the blind eyes, to bring forth out of the dungeon the prisoner, out of the house of detention those sitting in darkness. 42:1 Let the wilderness and its cities raise [their voice], the settlements that Ke’dar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of the crag cry out in joy. From the top of the mountains let people cry aloud. 12 Let them attribute to Jehovah glory, and in the islands let them tell forth even his praise. 13 Like a mighty man Jehovah himself will go forth. Like a warrior he will awaken zeal. He will shout, yes, he will let out a war cry; over his enemies he will show himself mightier. 42:11 ADDENDUM 18 “Look! My servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom my soul approved! I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will make clear to the Gentiles. 19 He will not wrangle, nor cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the broad ways. 20 No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering flaxen wick will he extinguish, until he sends out justice with success. 21 indeed, in his name the Gentiles will hope.” Matt. 12:18 We have quoted a verse from Matthew, which Jesus quoted from Isaiah 42:1. Note that words ‘my beloved’ was quoted by Jesus but these are absent in Isaiah, these words when translated in Arabic or Hebrew is ‘Muhammad. This was told by a Jewish
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59 Look! The hand of Jehovah has not become too short that it cannot save, nor has his ear become too heavy that it cannot hear. 2 No, but the very errors of YOU people have become the things causing division between YOU and YOUR God, and YOUR own sins have caused the concealing of [his] face from YOU to keep from hearing. 3 For YOUR own palms have become polluted with blood, and YOUR fingers with error. YOUR own lips have spoken falsehood. YOUR own tongue kept muttering sheer unrighteousness. 4 There is no one calling out in righteousness, and no one at all has gone to court in faithfulness. There has been a trusting in unreality, and a speaking of worthlessness. There has been a conceiving of trouble, and a bringing of what is hurtful to birth. 5 The eggs of a poisonous snake are what they have hatched, and they kept weaving the mere cobweb of a spider. Anyone eating some of their eggs would die, and the [egg] that was smashed would be hatched into a viper. 6 Their mere cobweb will not serve as a garment, nor will they cover themselves with their works. Their works are hurtful works, and the activity of violence is in their palms. 7 Their own feet keep running to sheer badness, and they are in a hurry to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are hurtful thoughts; despoiling and breakdown are in their highways. 8 The way of peace they have ignored, and there is no justice in their tracks. Their roadways they have made crooked for themselves. No one at all treading in them will actually know peace. 59:1 20 “And to Zion the Repurchase will certainly come, and to those turning from transgression in Jacob,” is the utterance of Jehovah. 21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” Jehovah has said. “My spirit that is upon you and my words that I have put in your mouth—they will not be removed from your mouth or from the mouth of your offspring or from the mouth of the offspring of your offspring,” Jehovah has said, “from now on even to time indefinite.” 59:20 62 For the sake of Zion I shall not keep still, and for the sake of Jerusalem I shall not stay quiet until her righteousness goes forth. Just like the brightness, and her salvation like a torch that burns. 2 “And the Gentiles will certainly see your righteousness, O women; and all kings your glory. And you will actually be called by a new name which the very mouth of Jehovah will designate. 3 And you must become a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a kingly turban in the palm of your God. 4 No more will you be said to be a woman left entirely; and your own land will not more be said to be desolate; but you yourself will be called My Delight Is in Her. 62:1 _______
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Book 24
JEREMIAH
REBUKES 8 Then the word of Jehovah occurred to me, saying: 9 “This is what Jehovah has said, ‘In the same way I shall bring to ruin the pride of Judah and the abundant pride of Jerusalem. 10 This bad people who are refusing to obey my words, who are walking in the stubbornness of their heart and who keep walking after other gods in order to serve them and to bow down to them, will also become just like this belt that is fit for nothing.’ 11 ‘For just as a belt clings to the hips of a man, so I caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling even to me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘In order to become to me a people and a name and a praise and something beautiful; but they did not obey.’ Jeremiah 13:8 13 And you must say to them, ‘This is what Jehovah has said: “Here I am filling all the inhabitants of this land and the kings that are sitting for David upon his throne and the priests and the prophets and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with drunkenness. 14 And I will dash them one against another, both the fathers and the sons, at the same time,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I shall show no compassion, nor feel any sorrow, and I shall not have the mercy to keep from bringing them to ruin.” Jeremiah 13:13 23 “Can a Cush’ite change his skin? or a leopard its spots? You yourselves would also be able to do good, who are persons taught to do bad. 24 So I shall scatter them like stubble that is passing along in the wind from the wilderness. 25 This is your lot, your measured portion from me,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “because you have forgotten me and you keep putting your trust in falsehood. 26 And I myself also will lift up your skirts over your face, and your dishonor will certainly be seen, 27 your acts of adultery and your neighings, your loose conduct in prostitution. Upon the hills, in the field, I have seen your disgusting things. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! You cannot be clean—after how much longer?” Jeremiah 13:23 6 “For this is what Jehovah has said concerning the house of the king of Judah, ‘You are as Gil’e.ad to me, the head of Lebanon. Assuredly I shall make you a wilderness; as for the cities, not one will be inhabited. 7 And I will sanctify against you those bringing ruin, each one and his weapons; and they must cut down the choicest of your cedars and cause them to fall into the fire. 8 And many nations will actually pass along by this city and say one to the other: “On what account did Jehovah do like this to this great city?” 9 And they will have to say: “On account of the fact that they left the covenant of Jehovah their God and proceeded to bow down to other gods and to serve them.” ’ Jeremiah 22:6 5 “Look! There are days coming,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I will raise up to David a righteous sprout. And a king will certainly reign and act with discretion and execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel itself will reside in security. And this is his name with which he will be called, Jehovah IS OUR Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:5 10 Hear the word of Jehovah, O You nation, and tell [it] among the islands far away, and say: “The One scattering Israel will himself collect him together, and he will certainly keep him as a shepherd does his drove. 11 For Jehovah will actually redeem Jacob and reclaim him out of the hand of the one stronger than he is. 12 And they will certainly come and cry out joyfully on the height of Zion and become radiant over the goodness of Jehovah, overJeremiah 31:10 15 “This is what Jehovah has said, ‘In Ra’mah a voice is being heard, lamentation and bitter weeping; Ra’chel weeping over her sons. She has refused to be comforted over her sons, because they are no more.’ ” 16 This is what Jehovah has said: “ ‘Hold back your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there exists a reward for your activity,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and they will certainly return from the land of the enemy.’ 17 “ ‘And there exists a hope for your future,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and the sons will certainly return to their own territory.’” Jeremiah 31:15 31 “Look! There are days coming,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant; 32 not one like the covenant that I concluded with their forefathers in the day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, which covenant of mine they themselves broke, although myself had husbandly ownership of them,” is the utterance of Jehovah.” 33 “For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in them heart I shall write it. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.” 34 “And they will no more teach each one his companion and each one his brother, saying, ‘KNOW Jehovah!’ for they will all of them know me, from the least one of them even to the greatest one of them,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “For I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:31 Thus Judah went into exile from off its soil. 28 These are the people whom Neb.u.chad.Nez’zar took into exile: in the seventh year, three thousand and twenty-three Jews. 29 In the eighteenth year of Neb.u.chad.rez’zar, from Jerusalem there were eight hundred and thirty-two souls. 30 In the twenty-third year of Neb.u.chad.rez’zar, Neb.u’zar.ad’an the chief of the bodyguard took Jews into exile, seven hundred and forty-five souls. All the souls were four thousand and six hundred. 31 At length it came about in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jeho’ia.chin the king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Evil.me.ro’dach the king of Babylon, in the year of his becoming king, raised up the head of Je.hoi’a.chin the king of Judah and proceeded to bring him forth from the prison house. 32 And he began to speak with him good things and to put his throne higher than the thrones of the [other] kings that were with him in Babylon. 33 And he took off his prison garments, and he ate bread before him constantly all the days of his life. 34 And as for his allowance, there was a constant allowance given him from the king of Babylon, daily as due, until the day of his death, all the days of his life. Jeremiah 52:27 _______
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Book 25
LAMENTATIONS (Representative Passage)
5 Jehovah has become like an enemy. He has swallowed down Israel. He has swallowed down all her dwelling towers; he has brought his fortified places to ruin. And in the daughter of Judah he makes mourning and lamentation abound. [Waw] 6 And he treats his booth violently like that in a garden. He has brought his festival to ruin. Jehovah has caused to be forgotten in Zion festival and Sabbath, And in his angry denunciation he shows no respect for king and priest. [Zayin] 7 Jehovah has cast off his altar. He has spurned his sanctuary. Into the hand of the enemy he has surrendered the walls of her dwelling towers. In the house of Jehovah they have let put [their] own voice, as in the day of a festival. ______
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Lamentations 52:5
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Book 26
EZEKIEL
JEHOVAH FURIOUS 28 “ ‘And you went on to prostitute yourself to the sons of Assyr’i.a because there was no satisfying of you, and you kept prostituting yourself with them and also did not get satisfaction. 29 So you kept making your prostitution bound toward the land of Ca’naan, toward the Chal.de’ans; and even in this you did not get satisfaction. 30 O how I am filled up with rage against you, is the utterance of the Lord Jehovah, ‘by your doing all these things, the work of a woman, a domineering prostitute! 31 When you built your mound at the head of every way and you made your own height in every public square, yet you became unlike a prostitute in disdaining hire. 32 In the case of the wife that commits adultery, she takes strangers instead of her own husband. 33 To all prostitutes they are accustomed to give a present, but you — you have given your presents to all those passionately loving you, and you offer a bribe to them to come in to you from all around in your acts of prostitution. 34 And in your case the opposite thing takes place from that of other women in your acts of prostitution, and after your style no prostitution has been committed, even in your giving hire when no hire has been given to you, and so it occurs in the opposite way. 35 “Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of Jehovah. 36 This is what the Lord Jehovah has said, ‘For the reason that your lustfulless has been poured out and your private parts are uncovered in your acts of prostitution toward those passionately loving you and toward all your detestable dungy idols, even with the blood of your sons whom you gave to them. 37 therefore here I am collecting together all those passionately loving you toward whom you were pleasurable and all those whom you loved along with all those whom you hated, and I will collect them together against you from all around and uncover your private parts to them, and they must see all your private parts. 38 “ ‘And I will judge you with the judgments of adulteresses and women shedding blood, and I will give you the blood of rage and jealousy. 39 And I will give you into their hand, and they will certainly tear down your mound and our heights will certainly be pulled down, and they must strip you of your garments and take your beautiful articles and leave you behind naked and nude. 40 And they must bring up against you a congregation and pelt you with stones and slaughter you with their swords. 41 And they must burn your houses with fire and execute in you acts of judgment before the eyes of many women; and I will cause you to cease from [being] a prostitute, and also no more hire will you give. 42 And I will bring my age to its rest in you, and my jealousy must turn away from you; and I will stay quiet and I shall no more feel offended.’ 43 “ ‘For the reason that you did not remember the days of your youth and you would cause me agitation because of all these things, even here I also, for my part, will put your own way upon [your] very head,’ is the utterance of the Lord Jehovah, ‘and you will certainly not carry on any loose conduct alongside all your detestable things. 44 “ ‘Look! Everyone using a proverb against you will use the proverb, saying: “Like mother is her daughter!” 45 You are the daughter of your mother, one abhorring her husband and her sons. And you are the sister of your sisters, who abhorred their husbands and their sons. The mother of YOU women was a Hit’tite, and YOUR father was an Am’or.ite’“ 46 “ ‘And your older sister is Sa.mar’i.a herself with her dependent towns, who is dwelling on your left, and your sister younger than you, who is dwelling on your right is Sod’om with her dependent towns’ 47 And it was not in their ways that you walked, nor according to their detestable things that you did. In a very little while you even began to act more ruinously than they did in all your ways. 48 As I am alive, is the utterance of the Lord Jehovah, ‘Sod’om your sister, she with her dependent towns, has not done according to what you did, you and your dependent towns. 49 Look! This is what proved to be the error of Sod’om your sister: Pride, sufficiency of bread and the carefreeness of keeping undisturbed were what happened to belong to her and her dependent towns, and the hand of the afflicted one and the poor one she did not strengthen. 50 And they continued to be haughty and to carry on a detestable thing before me, and I finally removed them, just as I saw [fit]. 51 “‘And as for Sa.mar’i.a, she has not sinned even up to half of your sins, but you kept making your detestable things abound more than they did, so that you made your sisters appear righteous because of all your detestable things that you carried on. Ezekiel 16:28 8 “‘My holy places you have despised, and my sabbaths you have profaned. 9 Outright slanderers have proved to be in you, for the purpose of shedding blood; and on the mountains they have eaten in you. Loose conduct they have carried on in the midst of you. 10 The nakedness of a father they have uncovered in you; a woman unclean in [her] menstruation they have humiliated in you. 11 And with the wife of his companion a man has done a detestable thing, and his own daughter-in-law a man has defiled with loose conduct; and his sister, the daughter of his own father, a man has humiliated in you. 12 A bribe they have taken in you for the purpose of shedding blood. Interest and usury you have taken, and you violently keep making gain of your companions with defrauding, and me you have forgotten,’ is the utterance of the Lord Jehovah.Ezekiel 22:8 GOD EXTREMELY OUTRAGED 23 And the word of Jehovah proceeded to come to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, two women, the daughters of one mother, there happened to be. 3 And they began to prostitute themselves in Egypt. In their youth they committed prostitution. There their breasts were squeezed, and there they pressed the bosoms of their virginity. 4 And their names were Oho’lah the older one and O.hol’i.bah her sister, and they came to be mine and began to give birth to sons and daughters. And as for their names, O.ho’lah is Sa-mar’i.a, and O.hol’i.bah is Jerusalem. 5 “And O.ho’lah began to prostitute herself, while subject to me, and kept lusting after those passionately loving her, after the As.syr’i.ans, who were near, 6 governors clothed with blue material, and their deputy rulers—desirable young men all of them, cavalrymen riding horses. 7 And she continued giving forth her prostitutions upon them, the choicest sons of As.syr’.i.a all of them; and with all those after whom she lusted—with their dungy idols—she defiled herself. 8 And her prostitutions [carried] from Egypt she did not leave, for with her they had lain down in her youth, and they were the ones that pressed the bosoms of her virginity and they kept pouring out their immoral intercourse upon her. 9 Therefore I gave her into the hand of those passionately loving her, into the hand of the sons of As.syr’i.a, toward whom she had lusted. 10 They were the ones that uncovered her nakedness. Her sons and her daughters they took, and her they killed even with sword. And she came to be infamy to women, and acts of judgment were what they executed upon her.
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COMING OF THE SAVIOUR 23 And I will raise up over them one shepherd, and he must feed them, even my servant David. He himself will feed them, and he himself will become their shepherd. 24 And I myself, Jehovah, will become their God, and my servant David a chieftain in the midst of them. I myself, Jehovah, have spoken. 25 “ ‘ “And I will conclude with them a covenant of peace, and shall certainly cause the injurious wild beast to cease out of the land, and they will actually dwell in the wilderness in security and sleep in the forests. 26 And I will make them and the surroundings of my hill a blessing, and I will cause the pouring rain to descend in its time. Pouring rains of blessing there will prove to be. 27 And the tree of the field must give its fruitage, and the land itself will give its yield, and they will actually prove to be on their soil in security. And they will have to know that I am Jehovah when I break the bars of their yoke and I have delivered them out of the hand of those who had been using them as slaves, 28 And they will no longer become something to plunder for the nations; and as regards the wild beast of the earth, it will not devour them, and they will actually dwell in security, with no one to make [them] tremble. 29 “ ‘ “And I will raise up for them a planting for a name, and they will no more become those taken away by famine in the land, and they will no longer bear the humiliation by the nations. 30 ‘And they will have to know that I, Jehovah their God, am with them and that they are my people, the house of Israel,’ is the utterance of the Lord Jehovah.”’ EZEK 34:23 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord Jehovah has said: “Not for YOUR sakes am I doing [it], O house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the heathen where you have come in.”’ 23 And I shall certainly sanctify my great name, which was being profaned among the heathen, which YOU profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen will have to know that I am Jehovah, is the utterance of the Lord Jehovah, ‘when I am sanctified among YOU before their eyes. 24 And I will take YOU OUT of the heathen and collect you together out of all the lands and bring you in upon your soil. 25 And I will sprinkle upon you clean water, and you will become clean; from all your impurities and from all your dungy idols I shall cleanse you, 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I shall put inside you, and I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And my spirit I shall put inside you, and I will act so that in my regulations you will walk, and my judicial decisions you will keep and actually carry out. 28 And you will certainly dwell in the land that I gave to your forefathers, and you must become my people and I myself shall become your God.’ EZEK 36:22 24 “ ‘ “And my servant David will be king over them, and one Shepherd is what they will all come to have; and in my judicial decisions they will walk, and my statutes they will keep, and they will certainly carry them out. 25 And they will actually dwell upon the land that I gave to my servant, to Jacob, in which YOUR forefathers dwelt, and they will actually dwell upon it, they and their sons and their sons’ sons to time indefinite, and David my servant will be their chieftain to time indefinite. 26 “‘“And I will conclude with them a covenant of peace; an indefinitely lasting covenant is what there will come to be with them. And I will place them and multiply them and place my sanctuary in the, midst of them to time indefinite. Ezekiel 37:24 9 ““This is what the Lord Jehovah has said: “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, may come into my sanctuary, that is, any foreigner who is in the midst of the sons of Israel.”” Ezek 44:9 _______
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Book 27
DANIEL (Selected Passages)
DREAM OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR The king was answering and saying: “For a fact, I am aware that time is what YOU men are trying to gain, forasmuch as YOU have perceived that the word is being promulgated by me. 9 For if YOU do not make known to me the very dream, this one and only t sentence is upon YOU. But it is a lying and wrong word that YOU have agreed to say before me, until the time itself is changed. Therefore tell me the very dream, and I shall know that YOU can show the very interpretation of it.” 10 The Chal.de’ans answered before the king, and they were saying: “There does not exist a man on the dry land that is able to show the matter of the king, for as much as no grand king or governor has asked such a thing as this of any magic-practicing priest or conjurer or Chal.de’an. 11 But the thing that the king himself is asking is difficult, and nobody else exists who can show it before the king except the gods, whose own dwelling does not exist with flesh at all.” 12 Because of this the king himself became angry and got very furious, and he said to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 And the order itself went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they looked for Daniel and his companions, for them to be killed. 2:8 DANIEL EXPOUNDS NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM 31 “You, O king, happened to be beholding, and, look! a certain immense image. That image, which was large and the brightness of which was extraordinary, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was dreadful. 32 As regards that image, its head was of good gold, its breasts and its arms were of silver, its belly and its thighs were of copper, 33 its legs were of iron, its feet were partly of iron and partly of molded clay. 34 You kept on looking until stone was cut out not by hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and of molded clay and crushed them. 35 At that time the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that no trace at all was found of them. And as for the stone that struck the image, it became a large mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 “This is the dream, and its interpretation we shall say before the king. 37 You, O king, the king of kings, you to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the might, and the strength and the dignity, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever the sons of mankind are dwelling, the beasts of the field and the winged creatures of the heavens, and whom he has made ruler over all of them, you yourself are the head of gold. 39 “And after you there will rise another kingdom inferior to you; and another kingdom, a third one, of copper, that will rule over the whole earth. 40 “And as for the fourth kingdom, it will prove to be strong like iron. Forasmuch as iron is crushing and grinding everything else, so, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter even all these. 41 “And whereas you beheld the feet and the toes to be partly of molded clay of a potter and partly of iron, the kingdom itself will prove to be divided, but somewhat of the hardness of iron will prove to be in it, forasmuch as you beheld the iron mixed with moist clay. 42 And as for the toes of the feet being partly of iron and partly of molded clay, the kingdom will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile. 43 Whereas you beheld iron mixed with moist clay, they will come to be mixed with the offspring of mankind; but they will not prove to be sticking together, this one to that one, just as iron is not mixing with molded clay. Daniel 2:31 to 48 44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite; 45 forasmuch as you beheld that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and [that] it crushed the iron, the copper, the molded clay, the silver and the gold. The grand God himself has made known to the king what is to occur after this. And the dream is reliable, and the interpretation of it is trustworthy.” 46 At that time King Neb.u-chad.nez’zar himself fell down upon his face, and to Daniel he paid homage, and he said to offer even a present and incense to him. 47 The king was answering Daniel and saying: “Truly the God of YOU men is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a Revealer of secrets, because you were able to reveal this secret.” 48 Consequently the king made Daniel someone great, and many big gifts he gave to him, and he made him the ruler over all the jurisdictional district of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 13 At that time Neb.u.chad.nez’-zar, in a rage and fury, said to bring in Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne.go. Consequently these able-bodied men were brought in before the king. Daniel 3:13 19 Then it was that Neb.u.chad-nez’zar himself got filled with fury, and the very expression of his face was changed toward Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne.go. He was answering and saying to heat up the furnace seven times more than it was customary to heat it up. 20 And to certain able-bodied men of vital energy who were in his military force he said to bind Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne.go, in order to throw [them] into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then it was that these able-bodied men were bound in their mantles, their garments and their caps and their other clothing and were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Just because the king’s word was harsh and the furnace was heated to excess, these able-bodied men that took up Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne.go were the ones that the fiery flame killed. 23 But these [other] able-bodied men, the three of them, Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne-go, fell down bound in the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 At that time Neb.u.chad.nez’.zar the king himself became frightened and he rose up in a hurry. He was answering and saying to his high royal officials: “Was it not three able-bodied men that we threw bound into the midst of the fire?” They were answering and saying to the king: “Yes, O king,” 25 He was answering and saying: “Look! I am beholding four able-bodied men walking about free in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt to them, and the appearance of the fourth one is resembling a son of the gods.”
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100 26 Then it was that Neb.u.chad.nez’zar approached the door of the burning fiery furnace. He was answering and saying: “Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne.go, YOU servants of the Most High God. step out and come here!” At that time Sha’drach, Me’shach and A.bed’ne.go were stepping out from the midst of the fire. Daniel 3:19 16 Accordingly the king himself commanded, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the pit of the lions. The king was answering and saying to Daniel: “Your God whom you are serving with constancy, he himself will rescue you.” 17 And a stone was brought and placed on the mouth of the pit, and the king sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet ring of his grandees, in order that nothing should be changed in the case of Daniel. 18 At that time the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no musical instruments were brought in before him, and his very sleep fled from him. 19 Finally the king himself, at dawn, proceeded to get up in the daylight, and in a hurry he went right to the lions’ pit. 20 And as he got near to the pit, he cried out with a sad voice even to Daniel. The king was speaking up and saying to Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are serving with constancy been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Immediately Daniel himself spoke even with the king: “O king, live on even to times indefinite. 22 My own God sent his angel and shut the mouth of he lions, and they have not brought me to ruin, forasmuch as before him innocence itself was found in me; and also before you, O king, no hurtful act have I done.” 23 Then it was that the king himself became very glad, and Daniel himself he commanded to be lifted up out of the pit. And Daniel was lifted up out of the pit, and there was no hurt at all found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:16
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Book 28
HOSEA (Selected Passages)
1 The word of Jehovah that occurred to Ho.se’a the son of Be.e’ri in the days of Uz.zi’ah. Jo’.tham. A’haz [and] Hez.e.ki’ah. kings of Judah, and in the days of Jer.o.bo’am the son of Jo’ash, the king of Israel. 2 There was a start of the word of Jehovah by Ho.se’a, and Jehovah proceeded to say to Ho.se’a: “Go take to yourself a wife of fornication and children of fornication, because by fornication the land positively turns from following Jehovah.” 3 And he proceeded to go and take Go’mer the daughter of Dib.la’im, so that she became pregnant and in time bore to him a son. 4 And Jehovah went on to say to him: “Call his name Jez’re.el, for yet a little while and I must hold an accounting for the acts of bloodshed of Jez’re.el against the house of Je’hu, and I must cause the royal rule of the house of Israel to cease. 5 And it must occur in that day that I must break the bow of Israel in the low plain of Jez’re.el.” 6 And she proceeded to become pregnant another time and to give birth to a daughter. And He went on to say to him: “Call her name Lo.ru.ha’mah, for I shall no more show mercy again to the house of Israel, because I shall positively take them away. 7 But to the house of Judah I shall show mercy, and I will save them by Jehovah their God; but I shall not save them by a bow or by a sword or by war, by horses or by horsemen. Hosea 1:1 _______
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Book 29
JOEL
Jehovah gives severe warning to the sons of Judah and Israel calling them drunkards and violators of Jehovah’s laws. 1:5 Jehovah threatens that there is a nation mighty and in great number, their teeth are the teeth of a lion and jawbones of a lion, 1:6 Grain offering and drink offering have been cut off from the house of Jehovah; the priests, the ministers of Jehovah have mourned. 1:9. Gird yourselves, and beat your breasts, you priests. 1:13 Alas for the day; because the day of Jehovah is near, and like a despoiling from the Almighty One it will come! 1:15
2 “Blow a horn in Zion, O men, and shout a war cry in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land get agitated; for the day of Jehovah is coming, for it is near! 2 It is a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick gloom, like light of dawn spread out upon the mountains. “There is a people numerous and mighty; one like it has not been made to exist from the indefinite past, and after it there will be none again to the years of generation after generation. 3 Ahead of it a fire has devoured, and behind it a flame consumes. Like the garden of Eden the land is ahead of it; but behind it is a desolate wilderness, and there has also proved to be nothing thereof escaping. 4 Its appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like steeds is the way they keep running. 5 As with the sound of chariots on the tops of the mountains they keep skipping about, as with the, sound of a flaming fire that is devouring stubble. It is like a mighty people, drawn up in battle order. 6 Because of it, peoples will be in severe pains. As for all faces, they will certainly collect a glow [of excitement]. 7 “Like powerful men they run. Like men of war they go up a wall. And they go each one in his own ways, and they do not alter their paths. 8 And one another they do not shove. As an able-bodied man in his course, they keep going; and should some fall even among the missiles, the [others] do not break off course. 9 “Into the city they rush. On the wall they run. On the houses they go up. Through the windows they go in like the thief. 10 Before it [the] land has become agitated, [the] heavens have rocked. sun and moon themselves have become dark, and the very stars have withdrawn their brightness 11 And Jehovah himself will certainly give forth his voice before his military force, for his camp is very numerous. For he who is carrying out his word is mighty;” for the day of Jehovah is great and very fear-inspiring, and who can hold up under it? 12 “And now also,” the utterance of Jehovah is, “come back to me with all YOUR hearts, and with fasting and with weeping and with wailing. 13 And rip apart YOUR hearts, and not YOUR garments; and come back to Jehovah YOUR God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness, and he will certainly feel regret on account of the calamity. 14 Who is there knowing whether, he will turn back and actually feel regret and let remain after it a blessing, a grain offering and a drink offering for Jehovah YOUR God? 15 “Blow a horn in Zion, O men. Sanctify a time of fasting. Call together. a solemn assembly. 16 Gather [the] people together.” Sanctify a congregation. Collect [the] old men together. Gather children and those sucking the breasts together. Let [the] bridegroom go forth from his interior room, and [the] bride from her nuptial chamber. 17 “Between the porch and the altar let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep and say, ‘Do feel sorry’, O Jehovah, for your people, and do not make your inheritance a reproach, for nations to rule over, them. Why should they say among the peoples: “Where is their God?” 18 And Jehovah will be zealous for his land and will show compassion upon his people. 19 And Jehovah will answer and say to his people, ‘Here I am sending to YOU the grain and the new wine and the oil, and YOU people will certainly be satisfied with it; and I shall not make YOU any more a reproach among the nations. 26 And YOU will certainly eat eating and becoming satisfied, and YOU will be bound to praise the name of Jehovah YOUR God, who has done with YOU so wonderfully; and my people will not be ashamed to time indefinite. 27 And YOU people will have to know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah YOUR God and there is no other. And my people will not be ashamed to time indefinite. 28 “And after that it must occur that I shall pour out my spirit on every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will certainly prophesy. As for your old men, dreams they will dream. As for your young men, visions they will see. 29 And even on the men-servants and on the maidservants in those days I shall pour out my spirit. 2:1-29 3 “For, look! in those days and in that time, when I shall bring back the captive ones of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also collect together all the nations and bring them down to the low plain of Je.hosh’a.phat and I will put myself on judgment with them there on account of my people and my inheritance Israel, whom they scattered among the nations; and they apportioned out my own land. 3 And for my people they kept casting lots; and they would give the male child for a prostitute, and the female child they sold for wine, that they might drink. 3:1 15 Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. 16 And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel. 17 And YOU people will have to know that I am Jehovah YOUR God, residing in Zion my holy mountain, And Jerusalem must become a holy place; and as regards strangers, they will no more pass through her. 18 “And it must occur in that day that the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the very hills will flow with milk, and the very stream beds of Judah will all flow with water. And out of the house of Jehovah there will go forth a spring, and it must irrigate the torrent valley of the Acacia Trees. 19 As regards Egypt, a desolate waste it will become; and as regards E’dom, a wilderness of desolate waste it will become, because of the violence to the sons of Judah.
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103 In whose land they shed innocent blood. 20 But as for Judah, to time indefinite it will be inhabited, and Jerusalem to generation after generation. 21 And I will consider innocent their blood that I had not considered innocent; and Jehovah will be residing in Zion.� 3:1-21
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Book 30
AMOS (Selected Passages)
4 “This is what Jehovah has said, ‘On account of three revolts of Judah, and on account of four, I shall not turn it back, on account of their rejecting the law of Jehovah, and [because] they did not keep his own regulations; but their lies, after which their forefathers had walked, kept making them wander. 5 And I will send a fire into Judah, and it must devour the dwelling towers of Jerusalem.” 6 This is what Jehovah has said, ‘On account of three revolts of Israel, and on account of four, I shall not turn it back, on account of their selling someone righteous for mere silver, and someone poor for [the price of] a pair of sandals. 7 They are panting for the dust of [the] earth on the head of lowly persons; and the way of meek people they turn aside; and a man and his own father have gone to the [same] girl, for the purpose of profaning my holy name. 8 And on garments seized as a pledge they stretch themselves out beside every altar; and the wine of those who have been fined they drink at the house of their gods.’ Amos 2:4 11 “‘I caused an overthrow among YOU people, like God’s overthrow of Sod’om and Go-mor rah. And YOU came to be like a log snatched out of [the] burning; but YOU did not come back to me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. Amos 4:11
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Book 31
OBADIAH
1 The vision of O.ba.di’ah: This is what the Lord Jehovah has said regarding E’dom: “There is a report that we have heard” from Jehovah, and there is an envoy that has been sent among the nations, ‘Rise up, YOU people, and let us rise up against her in battle.’” 2 “Look! Small is what I have made you among the nations. You are despised very much. 3 The presumptuousness of your heart is what has deceived you, you who are presiding in the retreats of the crag, the height where he dwells, saying in his heart, ‘Who will bring me down to [the] earth?’ 4 If you should make your position high like the eagle, or if among the stars there were a placing of your nest, down from there I would bring you,” is the utterance of Jehovah. 5 “If it were thieves that came in to you, if despoilers [came in] by night, to what extent would you have been silenced? Would they not steal as much as they wanted ? Or if it were grape gatherers that came in to you, would they not let some gleanings remain? 6 O the extent to which those of E’sau have been searched out! [How] his concealed treasures have been sought out! 7 As far as the boundary they have sent you. The very men in covenant with you have all deceived you. The men at peace with you have prevailed against you. Those [eating] food with you will place a net under you as on whom there is no discernment. 8 Will it not be in that day?” is the utterance of Jehovah. “And I shall certainly destroy the wise ones out of E’dom, and discernment out of the mountainous region of E’sau. 9 And your mighty men must become terrified, O Te’man, for the reason that each one will be cut off from the mountainous region of E’sau, because of a killing. 10 Because of the violence to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will have to be cut off to time indefinite. 11 In the day when you stood off on the side, in the day when strangers took his military force into captivity and [when] outright foreigners entered his gate and over Jerusalem they cast lots, you also were like one of them. 12 “And you ought not to watch the sight in the day of your brother, in the day of his misfortune; and you ought not to rejoice at the sons of Judah in the day of their perishing; and you ought not to maintain a big mouth in the day. of [their] distress. 13 You ought not to come, into the gate of my people in the day of their disaster; You, even you, ought not to peer at his calamity in the day of his disaster; and you ought not to thrust out a hand upon his wealth in the day of his disaster. 14 And you ought not to stand at the parting, of the ways, in order to cut off his escapees; and you ought not to hand over his survivors in the day of distress. 15 For the day of Jehovah against all the nations is near. In the way that you have done, it will be done to you. Your sort of treatment will return upon your own head. 16 For in the way that YOU people have drunk upon my holy mountain, all the nations will keep drinking constantly. And they will certainly drink and gulp down and become as though they had never happened to be. 17 “And in Mount Zion is where those escaping will prove to be, and it must become something holy; and the house of Jacob must take possession of the things for them to possess. 18 And the house of Jacob must become a fire and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of E’sau as stubble; and they must set them ablaze and devour them. And there will prove to be no survivor to the house of E’sau; for Jehovah himself has spoken [it]. 19 And they must take possession of the Neg’eb, even of the mountainous region of E’sau, and of the She.phe’lah, even of the Phi.lis’tines. And they must take possession of the field of E’phra.im and of the field of Sa.mari.a; and Benjamin [must take possession of Gil’e.ad. 20 And as for the exiles of this rampart, to the sons of Israel will belong what the Canaanites [possessed] as far as Zar’e.phath. And the exiles of Jerusalem, who were in Se.phar’ad, will take possession of the cities of the Neg’eb, 21 “And saviors will certainly come up onto Mount Zion, in order to judge the mountainous region of E’sau; and the kingship must become Jehovah’s.” ________
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Book 32
JONAH
1 And the word of Jehovah began to occur to Jo’nah the son of A.mit’tai, saying: 2 “Get up, go to Nin’e.veh the great city, and proclaim against her that their badness has come up before me.” 3 And Jo’nah proceeded to get up and run away to Tar’shish from before Jehovah; and he finally came down to Jop’pa and found a ship going to Tar’shish. So he paid its fare and went down into it, in order to go with them to Tar’shish from before Jehovah. 4 And Jehovah himself hurled forth a great wind at the sea, and there came to be a great tempest on the sea; and as for the ship, it was about to be wrecked. 5 And the mariners began to fear and to call for aid, each one to his god.” And they kept hurling out the articles that were in the ship to the sea, in order to lighten [it] of them. But Jo’nah himself had gone down to the innermost parts of the decked vessel, and he proceeded to lie down and go fast asleep. 6 At length the ship captain came near to him and said to him: “What is the matter with you, sleeper? Get up, call out to your god! Perhaps the [true] God will show himself caring about us, and we shall not perish.” 7 And they began to say to one another: “Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account we have this calamity.” And they kept casting lots, and finally the lot fell upon Jo’nah. 8 So they said to him: “Do tell us, please, on whose account it is that we are having this calamity? What is your work, and from where do you come? What is your country, and from which people are you?” 9 At that he said to them: “I am a Hebrew, and Jehovah the God of the heavens I am fearing, the One who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 And the men began to fear greatly, and they went on to say to him: “What is this that you have done?” For the men had come to know that it was from before Jehovah that he was running away, because he had told them. 11 Finally they said to him: “What should we do to you, in order that the sea may become still for us?” For the sea was continually growing more tempestuous. 12 So he said to them: “Lift me up and hurl me into the sea, and the sea will become still for YOU; because I am aware that it is on my account that this great tempest is upon YOU.” 13 But the men tried to work their way through; in order to bring [the ship] back to the dry land; yet they were unable, because the sea was continually growing more tempestuous against them. 14 And they proceeded to call put to Jehovah and to say: “Ah, now O Jehovah, may we, please, not perish because of the soul of this man! And do not put upon us innocent blood, since you yourself, O Jehovah, have done according to what you have delighted in!” 15 Then they lifted up Jo’nah and hurled him into the sea; and the sea began to halt from its raging. 16 At that the men began to fear Jehovah greatly, and so they offered a sacrifice to Jehovah and made vows. 17 Now Jehovah appointed a great fish to swallow Jo’nah, so that Jo’nah came to be in the inward parts of the fish three days and three nights. 2 Then Jo’nah prayed to Jehovah his God from the inward parts of the fish and said: “Out of my distress I called out to Jehovah, and he. proceeded to answer me. Out of the belly of She’ol cried for help. You heard my voice. 3 When you threw me [to] the depths, into the heart of the open sea, Then a very river encircled me. All your breakers and your waves—over me they passed on. 4 And as for me I said, ‘I have been driven away from in front of your eyes! How shall I gaze again upon your holy temple?’ 5 Waters encircled me clear to [the] soul; the watery deep itself kept enclosing me. Weeds were wound around my head. 6 To the bottoms of [the] mountains I went down. As for the earth, its bars were upon me for time indefinite. But out of [the] pit you proceeded to bring up my life, O Jehovah my God. 7 When my soul fainted away within me, Jehovah was the One whom I remembered. Then my prayer came, in to you, into your holy temple. 8 As for those who are observing the idols of untruth, they leave their own loving-kindness. 9 But as for me, with the voice of thanksgiving I will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed, I will pay. Salvation belongs to Jehovah.” 10 In time Jehovah commanded the fish, so that it vomited out Jo’nah onto the dry land.
3 Then the word of Jehovah occurred to Jo’nah the second time, saying: 2 “Get up, go to Nin’e.veh the great city, and proclaim to her the proclamation that I am speaking to you.” 3 At that, Jo’nah got up and went to Nin’e.veh in accord with the word of Jehovah. Now Nin’e.veh herself proved to be a city great to God, with a walking distance of three days. 4 Finally Jo’nah started to enter into the city the walking distance of one day, and he kept, proclaiming and saying: “Only forty days more, and Nin’e.veh will be overthrown.” 5 And the men of Nineveh began to put faith in God, and they proceeded to proclaim a fast and to put on sackcloth, from the greatest one of them even to the least one of them. 6 When the word reached the king of Nin’e.veh, then he rose up from his throne, and put off his official garment from himself and covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the ashes. 7 Furthermore, he had the cry made, and he had it said in Nin’e.veh, by the decree of the king and his great ones, saying:
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107 “No man and no domestic animal, no herd and no flock, should taste anything at all. None should take food. Even water they should not drink. 8 And let them cover themselves with sackcloth, man and domestic animal; and let them call out to God with strength and come back, each one from his bad way and from the violence that was in their hands. 9 Who is there knowing whether the [true] God may. turn back and actually feel regret and turn back from his burning anger, so that we may not perish?” 10 And the [true] God got to see their works, that they had turned back from their bad way; and so the [true] God felt regret, over the calamity that he had spoken of causing to them; and he did not cause [it].”
4 To Jo’nah, though, it was highly displeasing, and he got to be hot with anger. 2 Hence he prayed to Jehovah and said: “Ah, now, O Jehovah, was not this an affair of mine, while I happened to be on my own ground? That is why I went ahead and ran away to Tar’shish; for I knew, that you are a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and feeling regret over the calamity. 3 And now, O Jehovah, take away, please, my soul from me, for my dying is better than my being alive.” 4 In turn Jehovah said: “Have you rightly become hot with anger?” 5 Then Jo’nah went out of the city and sat down cast of the city; and gradually he made for himself there a booth, that he might sit under it in the shade until he would see what would become of the city. 6 Accordingly Jehovah God appointed a bottlegourd plant, that it should come up over Jo’nah, in order to become a shade over his head, to deliver him from his calamitous state. And Jo’nah began to rejoice greatly over the bottle-gourd plant. 7 But the [true] God appointed a worm at the ascending of the dawn, on the next day, that it should strike the bottle-gourd plant; and it gradually dried up. 8 And it came about that, as soon as the sun, shone forth. God also went on to appoint; a parching east wind, and the sun kept striking upon the head of Jo’nah, so that he was swooning away; and he kept asking that his soul might die, and he repeatedly said: “My dying off is better than my being alive.” 9 And God proceeded to say to Jo’nah: “Have you rightly become hot with anger over the bottle-gourd plant?” At that he said: “I have rightly become hot with anger, to the point of death.” 10 But Jehovah said: “You, for your part, felt sorry for the bottle-gourd plant, which you did not toil upon or make get big, which proved to be a mere growth of a night and perished as a mere growth of a night; 11 And, for my part, ought I not to feel sorry for Nin’e.veh the great city, in which there exist, more than one hundred and twenty thousand men who do not at all know the difference between their right hand and their left besides many domestic animals?” From the Holy Qur'an 139. And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn) 140. When he fled unto the laden ship, 141. And then drew lots and was of those rejected; 142. And the fish swallowed him while he was blame-worthy; 145. And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah) 144. He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised; 145. Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick; 146. And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him; 147. And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more 148. And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while. Al-Saffat 37:139 ________
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Book 33
MICAH (Selected Passages)
5 “It is because of the revolt of Jacob that there is all this, even because of the sins of the house of Israel. What is the revolt of Jacob? Is it not Sa.mar’i.a? And what are the high places of Judah? Are they not Jerusalem? 6 And I shall certainly make Sa.mar’i.a a heap of ruins of the field, the planting places of a vineyard; and I will pour down into the valley her stones, and her foundations I shall lay bare. 7 And her graven images will all be crushed to pieces, and all the gifts [made] to her as her hire will be burned in the fire; and all her idols I shall make a desolate waste. For from the things given as the hire of a prostitute she collected [them], and to the thing given as the hire of a prostitute they will return.”
4 And it must occur in the final part of the days [that] the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it peoples must stream. 2 And many nations will certainly go and say: “Come, YOU people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. 3 And he will certainly render judgment among many peoples, and set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war any more. 4 And they will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making [them] tremble; for the very mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken [it]. Micah 4:1 10 “And it must occur in that day is the utterance of Jehovah, “that I will cut off your horses from the midst of you and destroy your chariots. 11 And 1 will cut off the cities of your land and tear down all your fortified places. 12 And I will cut off sorceries out of your hand, and no practicers of magic will you continue to have. 13 And I will cut off your graven images and your pillars from the midst of you, and you will no more bow down to the work of your hands. 14 And I will uproot your I sacred poles from the midst of you and annihilate your cities. 15 And in anger and in rage I will execute vengeance upon the nations that have not obeyed.” Micah 5:10 ________
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Book 34
NAHUM
1 The pronouncement against Nin’e.veh: The book of the vision of Na’hum the El’kosh.ite: 2 Jehovah is a God exacting exclusive devotion and taking vengeance; Jehovah is taking vengeance and is disposed to rage. Jehovah is taking vengeance against his adversaries, and he is resentful toward his enemies. 3 Jehovah is slow to anger and great in power, and by no means will Jehovah hold back from punishing. In destructive wind and in storm is his way, and the cloud mass is the powder of his feet. 4 He is rebuking the sea, and he dries it up; and all the rivers he actually makes run dry. Ba’shan and Car’mel have withered, and the very blossom of Lebanon has withered. 5 Mountains themselves have rocked because of him, and the very hills found themselves melting. And the earth will be upheaved because of his face; the productive land also, and all those dwelling in it. 6 In the face of his denunciation who can stand? And who can rise up against the heat of his anger? His own rage will certainly be poured put like fire, and the very rocks will actually be pulled down because of him. 7 Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of distress. And he is cognizant of those seeking refuge in him. 8 And by the flood that is passing along he will make an outright extermination of her place, and darkness will pursue his very enemies. 9 What will YOU men think up against Jehovah? He is causing an outright extermination. Distress will not rise up a second time. 10 Although they are being interwoven even as thorns and they are drunken as with their wheat beer, they will certainly be devoured like stubble fully dry. 11 Out of you there will actually go forth one who is thinking up against Jehovah what is bad, counseling what is not worth while. 12 This is what Jehovah has said: “Although they were in complete form and there were many in that state, even in that state they must; be cut down; and one must pass through. And I shall certainly afflict you, so that I shall not afflict you any more. 13 And now I shall break his carrying bar from upon you, and the bands upon you I shall tear in two. 14 And concerning you Jehovah has commanded, ‘Nothing of your name will be sown any more. Out of the house of your gods I shall cut off carved image and molten statue. I shall make a burial place for you, because you have been of no account.’ 15 “Look! Upon the mountains the feet of one bringing good news, one publishing peace. O Judah, celebrate your festivals. Pay your vows; because no more will any good-for-nothing person pass again through you. In his entirety he will certainly be cut off.” 2 One that does a scattering has come up before your face. Let there be a safeguarding of the fortified place. Watch [the] way. Strengthen [the] hips. Reinforce power very much. 2 For Jehovah will certainly gather the pride of Jacob, like the pride of Israel, because those emptying out have emptied them out; and the shoots of them they have ruined. 3 The shield of his mighty men is dyed red; [his] men of vital energy are dressed in crimson stuff. With the fire of iron [fittings] is the war chariot in the day of his getting ready, and the juniper-tree [spears] have been made to quiver. 4 In the streets the war chariots keep driving madly. They keep rushing up and down in the public squares. Their appearances are like torches. Like the lightnings they keep running. 5 He will remember his majestic ones. They will stumble in their walking. They will hasten to her wall, and the barricade will have to be firmly established. 6 The very gates of the rivers will certainly be opened, and the palace itself will actually be dissolved. 7 And it has been fixed; she has been uncovered; she will certainly be carried away, and her slave girls will be moaning, like the sound of doves, beating repeatedly upon their’ hearts. 8 And Nin’e.veh, from the days [that] she [has been], was like a pool of waters; but they are fleeing. “Stand still, YOU men! Stand still!” But there is no one turning back. 9 Plunder silver, YOU men; plunder gold; as there is no limit to the [things in] arrangement. There is a heavy amount of all sorts of desirable articles. 10 Emptiness and voidness, and [a city] laid waste! And the heart is melting, and there is a tottering of [the] knees, and severe pains axe in all hips; and as for the faces of all of them, they have collected a glow [of excitement]. 11 Where is the lair of lions, and the cave that belongs to the maned young lions, where the lion walked and entered, where the lion’s cub was, and no one was making [them] tremble? 12 [The] lion was tearing to pieces enough for his whelps, and was strangling for his lionesses. And he kept his holes filled with prey and his hiding places with animals torn to pieces. 13 “Look! I am against you,” is the utterance of Jehovah of armies, “and I will burn up her war chariot in the smoke. And a sword will devour your own maned young lions. And I will cut off from the earth your prey, and no more will the voice of your messengers be heard.” 3 Woe to the city of bloodshed. She is all full of deception [and] of robbery. Prey does not depart! 2 There is the sound of [the] whip and the sound of the rattling of [the] wheel, and the dashing horse and the leaping chariot. 3 The mounted horseman, and the flame of [the] sword, and the lightning of [the] spear, and the multitude of slain ones, and the heavy mass of carcasses; and there is no end to the dead bodies. They keep stumbling among their dead bodies; 4 owing to the abundance of the acts of prostitution of the prostitute, attractive with charm, a mistress of sorceries, she who is ensnaring nations by her acts of prostitution and families by her sorceries. 5 “Look! I am against you,” is the utterance of Jehovah of armies, “and I will put the covering of your skirts over your face, and will cause nations to see your nakedness, and kingdoms your dishonor.
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110 6 And I will throw disgusting things upon you, and I will make you despicable; and I will set you as a spectacle. 7 And it must occur that everyone seeing you will flee away from you and will certainly say, ‘Nin’e.veh has been despoiled! Who will sympathize with her?’ From where shall I seek comforters for you? 8 Are you better than No.a’mon, that was sitting by the Nile canals? Waters were all around her, whose wealth was [the] sea, whose wall was from [the] sea. 9 E.thi.o’pi.a was her full might, also Egypt; and that without limit. Put and the Lib’y.ans themselves proved to be of assistance to you. 10 She, too, was meant for exile; she went into captivity. Her own children also came to be dashed to pieces at the head of all the streets; and over her glorified men they cast lots, and her great ones have all been bound with fetters. 11 “You yourself will also become drunk; you will become something hidden. You yourself also will seek a stronghold from [the] enemy. 12 All your fortified places are as fig trees with the first ripe fruits, which, if they get wiggled, will certainly fall into the mouth of an eater. 13 “Look! Your people are women in the midst of you. To your enemies the gates of your land must without fail be opened. Fire will certainly devour your bars. 14 Water for a siege draw out for yourself. Strengthen your fortified places. Get into the mire, and trample down in the clay; grab hold of [the] brick mold. 15 Even there fire will devour you. A sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust species. Make yourself heavy in numbers like the locust species; make yourself heavy in numbers like the locust. 16 You have multiplied your tradesmen more than the stars of the heavens. “As for the locust; species, it actually strips off its skin; then it flies away. 17. Your guardsmen are like the locust, and your recruiting officers like the locust swarm. They are camping in. the stone pens in a cold day. The sun itself has but to shine forth, and away they, certainly flee; and their place is really unknown where they are. 18 “Your shepherds have become drowsy, O king of As-syr’i.a; your majestic ones stay in their residences. Your people have been scattered upon the mountains, and there is no one collecting [them] together. 19 There is no relief for your catastrophe. Your, stroke has become unhealable. All those hearing the report about you will certainly clap, their hands at you; because upon whom was it that your badness did not pass over constantly?” ________
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Book 35
HABAKKUK
COMING OF THE SAVIOUR 3 God himself processed to come from Te’man, even a Holy One from Mount Pa’ran Se’lah. His dignity covered [the] heavens; and with his praise the earth became filled. 4 As for [his] brightness, it got to be just like the light. He had two rays [issuing] out of his hand, and there the hiding of his strength was. 5 Before him pestilence kept going, and burning fever would go forth at his feet. 6 He stood still, that he might shake up [the] earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. And the eternal mountains got to be smashed; the indefinitely lasting hills bowed down. The walkings of long ago are his. 7 Under what is hurtful I saw the tents of Cu’shan. The tent cloths of the land of Mid’i.an began to be agitated. 8 Is it against the rivers, O Jehovah, is it against the rivers that your anger has become hot, or is your fury against the sea? For you went riding upon your horses; your chariots were salvation. 9 In [its] nakedness your bow comes to be uncovered. The sworn oaths of [the] tribes are the thing said. Se’lah. With rivers you proceeded to split [the] earth. 10 Mountains saw you; they got to be in severe pains. A thunderstorm of waters passed through. The watery deep gave forth its sound. On high its hands it lifted up. 11 Sun—moon—stood still, in the lofty abode thereof. Like light your own arrows kept going. The lightning of your spear served for brightness. 12 With denunciation you went marching [through] the earth. In anger you went threshing [the] nations. 13 And you went forth for the salvation of your people, to save your anointed one. You broke to pieces the head one out of the house of the wicked one. There was a laying of the foundation bare, clear up to the neck. Se’lah. 14 With his own rods you pierced [the] head of his warriors [when] they moved tempestuously to scatter me. Their high glee was as of those bent on devouring an afflicted one in a place of concealment. 15 Through the sea you trod [with] your horses, [through] the heap of vast waters. Habakkuk 3:3
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Book 36
ZEPHANIAH
1 The word of Jehovah that occurred to Zeph.a.ni’ah the son Cush’i the son of Ged’a.li’ah the son of Am.a.ri’ah the son of Hez.e.ki’ah in the days of Jo.si’ah the son of A’mon the king of Judah: 2 “I shall without fail finish everything off the surface of the ground,” is the utterance of Jehovah. 3 “I shall finish off earthling man and beast. I shall finish off the flying creature of the heavens and the fishes of the sea, and the tumbling blocks with the wicked ones; and I will cut off mankind from the surface of the ground,” is the utterance of Jehovah. 4 “And will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will cut off from this place the remaining ones of the Ba’al, the name of the foreign-god priests along with the priests, 5 and those who are bowing down upon the roofs to the army of the heavens, and those who are bowing down, making sworn oaths to Jehovah and making sworn oaths by Malcham; 6 and those who are drawing back from following Jehovah and who have not sought Jehovah and have I not inquired of him.” Zephaniah 1:1 14 Joyfully cry out, O daughter of Zion! Break out in cheers, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 Jehovah has removed the judgments upon you. He has turned away your enemy. The king of Israel, Jehovah, is in the midst of you. You will fear calamity no more. 16 In that day it will be said to Jerusalem; “Do not afraid, O Zion. May your hands not drop down. 17 Jehovah your God is in the midst of you. As a mighty One, he will save. He will exult over you with rejoicing. He will become silent in his love. He will be joyful over you with happy cries. Zephaniah 3:14 ________
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Book 37
HAGGAI
1 In the second year of Da.ri’us the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of Jehovah occurred by means of Hag’gai the prophet to Ze.rub’.ba.bel the son of She.al’ti.el, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Je.hoz’a.dak the high priest, saying: 2 “This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘As regards this people, they have said: “The time has not come, the time of the house of Jehovah, for [it] to be built.”’” Haggai 1:1 For I am with YOU people,’ is the utterance of Jehovah of armies 5 ‘[Remember] the thing that I concluded with YOU people when YOU came forth from Egypt, and [when] my spirit was standing in among YOU. Do not be afraid.’” 6 “For this is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘Yet once—it is a little while—and I am rocking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry ground.’ 7 “ ‘And I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the ‘nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,’ Jehovah of armies has said. 8 “ ‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ is the utterance of Jehovah of armies. 9 ‘ ‘Greater will the glory of this later house become than [that of] the former,’ Jehovah of armies has said “ ‘And in this place I shall give peace.’ is the ‘utterance of Jehovah of armies.” Haggai 2:4 ________
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Book 38
ZECHARIAH
1 In the eighth month in the second year of Da.ri’us the word of Jehovah occurred to Zech.a.ri’ah the son of Ber.e.chi’ah the son of Id’do the prophet, saying: 2 “Jehovah grew indignant at YOUR fathers—very much so. 3 “And you must say to them, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies has said: “‘Return to me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah of armies, ‘and I shall return to you,’ Jehovah of armies has said.”’ 4 “ ‘Do not become like YOUR fathers to whom the former prophets called, saying: “This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘Return, please, from YOUR bad ways and from YOUR bad dealings.’” “ ‘But they did not listen, and they paid no attention to me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. Zachariah 1:1 10 “Cry out loudly and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for here I am coming, and I will reside in the midst of you,” is the utterance of Jehovah. 11 “And many nations will certainly become joined to Jehovah in that day, and they will actually become my people; and I will reside in the midst of you.” And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies himself has sent me to you. 12 And Jehovah will certainly take possession of Judah as his portion upon the holy ground, and he must yet choose, Jerusalem. Zachariah 2:10 This is what Jehovah of armies has said: “Here is the man whose name is Sprout. And from his own place he will sprout, and he will certainly build the temple of Jehovah. 13 And he himself will build the temple of Jehovah, and he, for his part, will carry [the] dignity; and he must sit down and rule on his throne, and he must become a priest upon his throne; and the very counsel of peace will prove to be between both of them. 14 And the grand crown itself will come to belong to He’lem and to To.bi’.jah and to Je.da’iah and to Hen the son of Zeph.a.ni’ah as a memorial in the temple of Jehovah. 15 And those who are far away will come and actually build in the temple of Jehovah.” And you people will have to know that Jehovah of armies himself has sent me to YOU. And it must occur — if YOU will without fail listen to the voice of Jehovah YOUR God.’” Zachariah 6:12 7 “This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘Here I am saving my people from the land of the sunrise and from the land of the setting of the sun. 8 And I shall certainly bring them in, and they must reside in the midst of Jerusalem; and they must become my people, and I myself shall become their God in trueness and in righteousness.’” 9 “This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘Let the hands of YOU people be strong, YOU who are hearing in these days these words from the mouth of the prophets, on the day on which the foundation of the house of Jehovah of armies was laid, for the temple to be built. Zachariah 8:7 9 Be very joyful, O daughter of Zion, Shout in triumph. O daughter of Jerusalem. Look! Your king himself comes to you. He is righteous, yes, saved; humble, and riding upon an ass, even upon a full-grown animal the son of a she-ass. 10 And I shall certainly cut off [the] war chariot from Jerusalem and [the] horse from Jerusalem. And the battle bow must be cut-off. And he will actually speak peace to the nations; and his rulership will be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of [the] earth. Zachariah 9:9 ________
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Book 39
MALACHI
1 A pronouncement: The word of Jehovah concerning Israel by means of Mal’a.chi: 2 “I have loved you people,” Jehovah has said. Malachi 1:1 11 “For from the sun’s rising even to its setting my name will be great among the Gentiles and in every place sacrificial smoke will be made, a presentation will be made to my name, even a clean gift; because my name will be great among the nations.” Jehovah off armies has said. Malachi 1:11 8 “But YOU men—YOU have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have ruined the covenant of Le’.vi,” Jehovah of armies has said. 9 “And I also, for my part, shall certainly make YOU to be despised and low to all the people, according as YOU were not keeping my ways, but were showing partiality in the law.” Malachi 2:8
3 O “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the [true] Lord, whom YOU people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom YOU are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,” Jehovah of armies has said. 2 “But who will be putting up with the day of his coming, and who will be the one standing when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. Malachi 3:1 ______
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116 OUR REMARKS 1. The Holy Qur'an does not mention much about Ezra, except that a section of Israelis declared him son of God. Nehemiah is not mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, nor is mentioned Esther, nor are mentioned Joel, Obadiah, Nahum, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Hosea, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. 2. The Holy Qur'an mentions King Solomon as a very wise man, but it does not mention his proverbs. The Holy Bible has recorded the words of Soloman in Proverbs as well as in Ecclesiastes and Songs. 3. Prophet Job is mentioned in the Holy Bible in a great detail, while the Holy Qur'an mentions him as a faithful true believer, a prophet with the great patience and endurance. 4. Jonah is mentioned in the Holy Bible in more detail than the Holy Qur'an, but message and inference is the same. REBELLIOUSNESS BY THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL A CONCISE HISTORY Hereunder we enumerate some of those incidences which ultimately led to arouse Allah’s anger i.e. Jehovah’s anger, who sent them into captivity. 1. Entire assembly of the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaroon saying, ‘Why you brought us into this wilderness. Exodus 16:16 2. The sons of Israel quarreled with Moses for water. 3. The sons of Israel started calf-worship; three thousand Israelis were killed as punishment. Exodus 31:18 4. The sons of Israel refused to attack to capture their promised Holy land. Numbers 14:1 Then Jehovah punished them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. 5. Jehovah killed fourteen thousand seven hundred Israelis by plague because they rebelled against Jehovah and Moses. Numbers 16:49 6. The sons of Israel spoke against God and Moses; Jehovah sent poisonous serpents; many Israelis died by their bites. Numbers 21:5 7. In Shittim, Israelis developed immoral relations with the daughters of Moab, and worshipped their gods including Baal of Peor. Jehovah sent a scourge killing twenty-four thousand Israelis. Numbers 25:1-9 8. After a generation after Joshua’s death, the sons of Israel started worshipping gods of their neighbours e.g. Baal, Ashtoreth etc. They were enslaved by king of Mesopotamia for eight years.Judges 3:9 9. After getting freedom, after 40 years of peaceful time, the Sons of Israel again resorted to idolatry, they were again enslaved for 18 years by the Moabites. Judges 3:14 10. After 18 years’ enslavement they were faithful to Jehovah for 80 years. Then again the sons of Israel started worshipping other gods. Judges 3:20 11. Then again the Sons of Israel were enslaved by the king of Canaan for 20 years. Then prophetess Deborah got freedom from the Canaanites; then there was peace for 40 years. Judges 5:31 12. The Israelis again resorted to idolatry; Jehovah gave them into the hand of Midianites for 7 years. Judges 6:1 13. Gideon led the Israelis to freedom, there was peace for 40 years; again the Israelis started worshipping Baal-Berith and other idols. Thereafter there was great political disturbance, Tala saved the Israel and ruled as judge for 23 years. After him Jair judged for 22 years. Judges 10:5 14. After Jair, the Israelis again started worshipping the Baals, Ashtoreth and gods of Syria, Sidon, Moab, Amnon and also gods of the Philistines. Judges 10:6 Jehovah enslaved them for 18 years into the hand of Ammonites. 15. The son of a prostitute Jephthah got freedom for the Israelis, he judged for 6 years. Judges 12:7 16. After Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon judged the Israelis for about 25 years; then the Israelis again resorted to idolatry; Jehovah enslaved them for 40 years and they served the Philistinians. Judges 12:14 17. Samson was a man of super human power, he won freedom from the Philistinians; he judged for 20 years. Judges 16:30 18. The Israelis staged a mutiny against king David led by his son Absalom; David’s army killed twenty thousand Israelis. 2 Samuel 18:7 19. The Israelis under the leadership of Sheba declared, “We have no share in David and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse,” and thus declared disassociation. David used force to suppress the mutiny.2 Samuel 24:9 20. Jehovah killed seventy thousand Israelis by pestilence. 2 Samuel 24:9 21. Solomon and the Israelis adopted customs of idolaters. Jehovah decided to split the kingdom after Solomon. 1 Kings 12:23 22. In the Israeli state in Samaria, Jeroboam made two golden calves for worship. 1 Kings 12:28 Jehovah was furious and sent message through prophets to send them into exile. 1 Kings 14:20 23. In the other state of the Jews in Judah, under the kingship of Rehoboam, worship of the foreign gods started. 1 Kings 14:26 24. The war between the two states of the sons of Israel i.e. The State of Judah and the Israel state of Samaria, started and it continued for the most of time of their history which weakened them; they even joined their enemies to attach and destroy their brethren. 25. After Rehoboam, his successors like Abijah, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Ahaz and Manasseh practiced idolatry and crossed all limits of immorality; only Asa, Jehoshapat, Jehoash Amaziah, Azariah or Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah were Jehovah’s faithful rulers.
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117 At last Jehovah was furious and decreed the destruction of the Temple and end of the Jewish rule in Jerusalem and Judah. Then the Jews were made captive by Nebuchednezzar and were taken to the prisons of Babylon, where they lived for about six to seven decades. That is how both the states came to an end, and the sons of Israel lost their promised land in Palestine as per prophecies of their prophets i.e. Moses, Joshua. 26. As regarding Israel’s state in Samaria, the ten tribes started worshipping Golden calf from the very start, from the days of Jeroboam who made two golden calves to be put in the two different parts of his kingdom to provide easy access to all the inhabitants. After Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Omri, Ahab, Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam, Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, Hosea, all the kings continued worship of golden calf as well as the worship of other gods of their neighbourhood and followed customs of idolatrous nations till king of Assyria attacked and made them captives and took them as slaves. Earlier Jehovah sent warnings through many prophets to the ten tribes of Israel; even they suffered famine, massacres but to no avail. Elisha and Elijah and many prophets showed miracles and worked hard to reform them but idolatry could never be wiped out because the people had married foreign wives who were strongly inclined to worship of their innumerable gods, also they had strong influence upon their Israelis husbands’ belief. At last, Jehovah wiped out the Samaritan state forever from the face of the earth. Just about a century before the Bani Israel were sent into exile, Jehovah sent many prophets to threaten them so as to stop worshipping other gods and to stop following their customs, but to no effect. We hereunder write few of those warnings, which were revealed to Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. WARNING BY ISAIAH 1. Woe to sinful nation, the people heavy with error, an evil-doing seed, ruinous sons. They have left Jehovah, they have treated the Holy One of Israel with disrespect. 1:1 2. For your own palms have become polluted with blood, and your fingers with error. Your lips have spoken falsehood. Your own tongue kept muttering sheer unrighteousness. 59:3 WARNINGS BY JEREMIAH (few days before captivity) 1. Then the word of Jehovah occurred to me, saying: “This is what Jehovah has said, “In the same way I shall bring to ruin the pride of Judah and the abundant pride of Jerusalem. This bad people who are refusing to obey my words, who are walking in the stubbornness of their heart and who keep walking after other gods in order to serve them and bow down to them, will also become just like this belt that is fit for nothing. 13:8 2. And you must say to them, ‘This is what Jehovah has said: “Here I am filling all the inhabitants of this land and the kings that are sitting for David upon his throne and the priests and the prophets and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with drunkenness. And I will dash them one against another, both the fathers and the sons, at the same time,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I shall show no compassion, nor feel any sorrow, and I shall not have the mercy to keep from bringing them to ruin. 13:13 3. So I shall scatter them like stubble….. because you have forgotten me……. And I myself also will lift up your skirts over your face, and your dishonour will certainly be seen, your acts of adultery, and your neighings, your loose conduct in prostitution… woe to you, O Jerusalem! You cannot the clean after how much longer. 13:24 WARNINGS BY EZEKIEL In the Book 26 Ezekiel, the prophet gave stern warnings just at the same time when Jeremiah was also giving final warnings by Jehovah. As our readers will recollect, Jehovah was outrageous and very furious. So we have written enough evidence to prove that the sons of Israel were not punished unjustly, but they earned Allah’s wrath again and again in spite of repeated warnings and punishments. During the lifetime of Moses they were punished to live in the wilderness for 40 years; after Joshua and getting their promised land, they were enslaved for seven times for about 100 years before the coming of king David. Even after Solomon, they divided their kingdom into two parts; both the kingdoms continued the worship of other gods, adopting the customs of idolatrous neighbouring nations, inter-marrying among them and violating the laws of Jehovah for the most of time in their history. That is why Allah snatched the supremacy from the sons of Israel and gave it to other nations. The Muslims believe that the supremacy was given to the followers of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) the prophet was from among the brethren of Israel i.e. from the children of Ishmael about whom Moses prophesied. (Deut. 18:18) _________
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PART – 2 FROM THE GOSPELS GENEOLOGY OF JESUS 15 E.li’ud became father to Eleazar Eleazar became father to Mat’than; Mat’than became father to Jacob; 16 Jacob became father to Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Matt 1:15 23 Furthermore, Jesus himself, when the commenced [his work], was about thirty years old, being the son, as the opinion was, of Joseph, [son] of He’li, 24 [son] of Mat’that, [son] of Le’vi [son] of Mel’chi [son] of Jan’na.i, [son] of Joseph 25 [son] of Mat.ta.thi’as, [son] of A’mos, [son] of Na’hum, Luke 3:23
THE BIRTH OF JESUS 18 But the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way. During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit before they were united. 19 However, Joseph her husband, because he was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, intended to divorce her secretly. 20 But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid, to take Mary your wife home, for that which has been begotten in her is by holy spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you must call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matt 1:18 26 In her sixth month the angel Ga’bri.el was sent forth from God to a city of Gal’i.lee named Naz’.a.reth, 27 to a virgin promised in marriage to a man named Joseph of David’s house; and the name of the virgin was Mary. 28 And when he went in before her he said: “Good day, highly favored one. Jehovah is with you.” 29 But she was deeply disturbed at the saying and began to reason out what sort of greeting this might be. 30 So the angel said to her: “Have no fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God; 31 and, look! you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus. 32 This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of his kingdom.” 34 But Mary said to the angel: “How is this to be, since I am having no intercourse with a man?” 35 In answer the angel said to her: “Holy spirit will come upon you and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son. 36 And, look! Elizabeth your relative has also herself conceived a son, in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her, the so-called barren woman; 37 because with God no declaration will be an impossibility.” 38 Then Mary said: “Look! Jehovah’s slave girl! May it take place with me according to your declaration.” At that the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 35. (Remember) when the wife of Imran said: My Lord! I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering). Accept it from me. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower! 36. And when she was delivered she said: My Lord.’ Lo! I am delivered of a female — Allah knew best of what she was delivered — the male is not as the female; and lo! I have named her Mary, and lo! I crave Thy protection for her and for her offspring from Satan the outcast. 37. And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth; and made Zachariah her guardian. Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was, he found that she had food. He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)? She answered: It is from Allah. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will. 38. Then Zachariah prayed unto his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow upon me of Thy bounty goodly offspring. Lo! Thou art the Hearer of Prayer. 39. And the angels called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: Allah giveth thee glad tidings of (a son whose name is) John, (who cometh) to confirm a word from Allah, lordly, chaste, a prophet of the righteous. 40. He said: My Lord! How can I have a son when age hath overtaken me already and my wife is barren? (The angel) answered: So (it will be). Allah doeth what He will. 41. He said: My Lord! Appoint a token for me. (The angel) said: The token unto thee (shall be) that thou shall not speak unto mankind three days except by signs. Remember thy Lord much, and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and morning. 42. And when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee and made thee pure, and hath preferred thee above (all) the women of creation.
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119 43. O Mary! Be obedient to thy Lord, prostrate thyself and bow with those who bow (in worship). 44. This is of the tidings of things hidden. We reveal it unto thee (Muhammad). Thou wast not present with them when they threw their pens (to know) which of them should be the guardian of Mary, nor wast thou present with them when they quarrelled (thereupon). 45. (And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the hereafter and one of those brought near (unto Allah). 46. He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous. 47. She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. 48. And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel, 49. And will make him a messenger unto the Children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah’s leave heal him who was born blind, and the leper and I raise the dead, by Allah’s leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo, herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers. 50. And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me. 51. Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path. 52. But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah's helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him). 53. Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enroll us among those who witness (to the truth). 54. And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers. 55. (And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ. 56. As for those who disbelieve I shall chastise them with heavy chastisement in the world and the Hereafter; and they will have no helpers. Al-Imran 3:35 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
1 Whereas many have undertaken to compile a statement of the facts that are given full credence among us, 2 just as those who from [the] beginning became eyewitnesses and attendants of the message delivered these to us, 3 I resolved also, because I have traced all things from the start with accuracy, to write them in logical order to you, most excellent The.oph’i.lus, 4 that you may know fully the certainty of the things that you have been taught orally. 5 In the days of Herod, king of Ju.de’a, there happened to be a certain priest named Zech.a.ri’ah of the division of A.bi’jah, and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 They both were righteous before God because of walking blamelessly in accord with all the commandments and legal requirements of Jehovah. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well along in years. 8 Now as he was acting as priest in the assignment of his division before God, 9 according to the solemn practice of the priestly office it became his turn to offer incense when he entered into the sanctuary of Jehovah; 10 and all the multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of offering incense. 11 To him Jehovah’s angel appeared, standing at the right side of the incense altar. 12 But Zech.a.ri’ah became troubled at the sight, and fear fell upon him. 13 However, the angel said to him: “Have no fear, Zech.a.ri’ah, because your supplication has been favorably heard, and your wife Elizabeth will become mother to a son to you, and you are to call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and great gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth; 15 for he will be great before Jehovah. But he must drink no wine and strong drink at all, and he will be filled with holy spirit right from his mother’s womb; 16 and many of the sons of Israel will he turn back to Jehovah their God. 17 Also, he will go before him with E.li’jah’s spirit and power, to turn back the hearts of fathers to children and the disobedient ones to the practical wisdom of righteous ones, to get ready for Jehovah a prepared people.” 18 And Zech.a.ri’ah said to the angel: “How am I to be sure of this? For I am aged and my wife is well along in years.” 19 In reply the angel said to him: “I am Gabri.el, who stands near before God, and I was sent forth to speak with you and declare the good news of these things to you. 20 But, look! you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile the people continued waiting for Zech.a.ri’ah, and they began to wonder at his delaying in the sanctuary. 22 But when he came out he was not able to speak to them, and they perceived that he had just seen a supernatural sight in the sanctuary; and he kept making signs to them, but remained dumb. 23 When, now, the days of his public service were fulfilled, he went off to his home. Luke 1:1 FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN 2. A mention of the mercy of thy Lord unto His servant Zachariah. 3. When he cried unto his Lord a cry in secret, 4. Saying: My Lord! Lo! the bones of me wax feeble and my head is shining with grey hair, and I have never been unblest in prayer to Thee, my Lord. 5. Lo! I fear my kinsfolk after me, since my wife is barren. Oh, give me from Thy presence a successor 6. Who shall inherit of me and inherit (also) of the house of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, acceptable (unto Thee). 7. (It was said unto him): O Zachariah.’ Lo! We bring thee tidings of a son whose name is John; We have given the same name to none before (him).
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120 8. He said: My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I have reached infirm old age? 9. HE said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me, even as I created thee before, when thou wast naught. 10. He said: My Lord! Appoint for me some token. HE said: Thy token is that thou, with no bodily defect, shall not speak unto mankind three nights. 11. Then he came forth unto his people from the sanctuary, and signified to them: Glorify your Lord at break of day and fall of night. 12. (And it was said unto his son): O John! Hold fast the Scripture. And We gave him wisdom when a child, 13. And compassion from Our presence, and purity; and he was devout, 14. And dutiful toward his parents. And he was not arrogant, rebellious. 15. Peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive! 16. And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, 17. And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. 18. She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God-fearing. 19. He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son. 20. She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste? 21. He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained. 22. And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. 23. And the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten! 24. Then (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee, 25. And shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee. 26. So eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal. 27. Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing. 28. O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot. 29. Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy? 30. He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet, 31. And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive, 32. And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest. 33. Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive! 34. Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. 35. It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. Maryam 19:2 FROM THE GOSPELS
3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Ju,de’a, 2 saying: “REPENT. for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” Matt 3:1 7 When he caught sight of many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the baptism, he said to them: “You offspring of vipers, who has shown YOU how to flee from the coming wrath? 8 So then produce fruit that befits repentance: 16 After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God’s spirit coming upon him. 17 Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” 4 Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, then he felt hungry. 3 Also, the Tempter came and said to him: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But in reply he said: “It is written, ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.’” Matt 3:16 15 Now as the people were in expectation and all were reasoning in their hearts about John: “May he perhaps be the Christ?” 16 John gave the answer, saying to all: “I, for my part, baptize you with water; but the one stronger than I am is coming, the lace of whose sandals I am not fit to untie. He will baptize you people with holy spirit and fire. Luke 3:15 17 From that time on Jesus commenced preaching and saying: “Repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” 18 Walking alongside the sea of Gal’i.lee he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, letting down a fishing net into the sea, for they were fishers. 19 And he said to them: “Come after me, and I will make YOU fishers of men.” 20 At once abandoning the nets, they followed him. 21 Going on also from there he saw two others [who were] brothers, James [the son) of Zeb’.e.dee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb’e.dee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 At once leaving the boat and their father, they followed him. Matthew 4:17 43 But he said to them: “Also to other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God because for this I was sent forth. 44 Accordingly he went on preaching in the synagogues of Ju.de’a. Luke 4:43
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121 5 When he saw the crowds he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down his disciples came to him; 2 and he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying: 3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 4 “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted. 5 “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth. 6 “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled. 7 “Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy. 8 “Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God. 9 ‘Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’ 10 Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. 11 “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU. Matt 5:1 17 “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill; 18 for truly I say to YOU that sooner would heaven and earth pass away than for one smallest letter or one particle of a letter to pass away from the Law by any means and not all things take place. 19 Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches mankind to that effect, he will be called ‘least’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. As for anyone who does them and teaches them, this one will be called ‘great’ in relation to the kingdom of the heavens. 20 For I say to you that if YOUR righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, YOU will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens. 21 “You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder; but whoever commits a murder will be accountable to the court of justice.’ 22 However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Ge.hen’na. 23 “If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift. 25 “Be about settling matters quickly with the one complaining against you at law, while you are with him on the way there, that somehow the complainant may not turn you over to the judge, and the judge to the court attendant, and you get thrown into prison. 26 I say to you for a fact, You will certainly not come out from there until you have paid over the last coin of very little value. 27 “You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery. 28 But I say to YOU that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If, now that right eye of yours is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial to you for one of your members to be lost to you than for your whole body to be pitched into Ge.hen’na. 30 Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is more beneficial for one of your members to be lost to you than for your whole body to land in Ge.hen’na. 31 “Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. 32 However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, seeing that whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 “Again YOU heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ 34 However, I say to YOU: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne; 35 nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor by your head must you swear, because you cannot turn one hair white or black, 37 Just let YOUR word Yes mean Yes, YOUR No, No; for what is in excess of these is from the wicked one. 38 “You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ 39 However, I say to YOU: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him. 40 And if a person wants to go to court with you and get possession of your inner garment, let your outer garment also go to him; 41 and if someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from one that wants to borrow from you [without interest]. 43 “You heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing? 48 You must accordingly be perfect, as YOUR heavenly Father is perfect. 6 “Take good care not to practice YOUR righteousness in front of men in order to be observed by them; otherwise YOU will have no reward with YOUR Father who is in the heavens. 2 Hence when you go making gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, just as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. 3 But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you. 5 “Also, when YOU pray, YOU must not be as the hypocrites; because they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the broad ways to be visible to men. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. 6 You, however, when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you. 7 But when praying do not say the same things over and over again, Just as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words. 8 So, do not make yourselves like them, for God YOUR Father knows what things you are needing before ever you ask him. 9 “You must pray, then, this way.
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122 “ ‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. 10 Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven also upon earth 11 Give us today our bread for this day; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.’ 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, YOUR heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will YOUR Father forgive YOUR trespasses. 16 “When YOU are fasting, stop becoming sad faced like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. 17 But you, when fasting, grease your head and wash your face, 18 that you may appear to be fasting, not to men, but to your Father who is in secrecy; then your Father who is looking on in secrecy will repay you. 19 “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is simple, your whole body will be bright; 23 but if your eye is wicked, your whole body will be dark. If in reality the light that is in you is darkness, how great that darkness is! 24 “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. Yon cannot slave for God and for Riches. 25 “On this account I say to YOU: Stop being anxious about YOUR souls as to what YOU will eat or what YOU will drink, or about YOUR bodies as to what YOU will wear. Does not the soul mean more than food and the body than clothing? Matthew 5:17 33 “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be added to YOU. 34 So, never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Sufficient for each day is its own badness.
7 “Stop judging that YOU may not be judged; 2 for with what judgment YOU are judging, YOU will be judged; and with the measure that YOU are measuring out, they will measure out to YOU. 3 Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the rafter in your own eye? Matt 6:33 6 Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw YOUR pearls before swine, that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip YOU open. 7 Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and will find; keep on knocking and it will be opened to YOU 8 For everyone asking receives, and everyone asking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened. Matt 7:6 12 “All things, therefore, that: YOU want men to do to YOU, YOU also must likewise do to them; this, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean. Matt 7:12 21 “Not everyone saying to me. ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name? 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawless. 24 “Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man who built his house upon the rock-mass. 25 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass. 26 Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house and it caved in, and its collapse was great.” Matt 7:21 17 Indeed, it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one particle of a letter of the Law to go unfulfilled. Luke 16:17 35 And one of them, versed in the Law, asked, testing him: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 He said to him: “ ‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 The second, like it, is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.” Matt 22:25 28 Now one of the scribes that had come up and heard them disputing, knowing that he had answered them in a fine way, asked him: “Which commandment is first of all?” 29 Jesus answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, 30 and you must love. Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28 27 “But I say to you who are listening, Continue to love YOUR enemies, to do good to those hating You, 28 to bless those cursing YOU, to pray for those who are insulting YOU. 29 To him that strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and from him that takes away your outer garment, do not withhold even the undergarment. 30 Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away do not ask [them] back. 31 “Also, just as YOU want men to do to YOU, do the same way to them. 32 “And if YOU love those loving YOU, of what credit is it to YOU? For even the sinners love those loving them. 33 And if YOU do good to those doing good to YOU, really of what credit is it to YOU? Even the sinners do the same. 34 Also, if YOU lend [without interest] to those from whom YOU hope to receive, of what credit is it to YOU? Even sinners lend [without interest] to sinners that they may get back as much. 35 To the contrary, continue to love YOU enemies and to do good and to lend [without interest], not hoping for anything back; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. 36 Continue becoming merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Moreover, stop judging, and YOU will by no means be judged; and stop condemning, and YOU will by no means be condemned. Keep on releasing, and YOU will be released. 38 Practice giving, and people will give to YOU. ‘They will pour into YOUR laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.”
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123 Mark 6:27 13 No house servant can be a slave to two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves to God and to riches.” Luke 16:13 8 After he had come down from the mountain great crowds followed him. 2 And, look a leprous man came up and began doing obeisance to him, saying: “Lord, If you just want to, you can make me clean.” 3 And so, stretching out [his] hand, he touched him, saying: “I want to. Be made clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed away. Matt 8:1 13 Then Jesus said to the army officer: “Go. Just as it has been your faith, so let it come to pass for you.” And the manservant was healed in that hour. 14 And Jesus, on coming into Peter’s house, saw his mother-in-law lying down and sick with fever. 15 So he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began ministering to him. 16 But after it became evening, people brought him many demon-possessed persons; and he expelled the spirits with a word, and he cured all who were faring badly; Matt 8:13 23 And when he got aboard a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Now, look! a great agitation arose in the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; he, however, was sleeping. 25 And they came and woke him up, saying: “Lord, save us, we are about to perish!” 26 But he said to them: “Why are YOU fainthearted, YOU with little faith?” Then, getting up, he rebuked the winds and the sea, and a great calm set in. 27 So the men became amazed and said: “What sort of person is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” Matt 8:23 6 However, in order for YOU to know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” then he said to the paralytic: “Get up, pick up your bed, and go to your home.” 7 And he got up and went off to his home. 8 At the sight of this the crowds were struck with fear, and they glorified God, who gave such authority to men. Matt 9:6 19 Then Jesus, getting up, began to follow him; also his disciples did. 20 And, look! a woman suffering twelve years from a flow of blood came up behind and touched the fringe of his outer garment; 21 for she kept saying to herself: “If I only touch his outer garment I shall get well.” 22 Jesus turned around and, noticing her, said: “Take courage, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And from that hour the woman became well. 23 When, now, he came into the ruler’s house and caught sight of the flute players and the crowd in noisy confusion, 24 Jesus began to say: “Leave the place, for the little girl did not die, but she is sleeping.” At this they began to laugh at him scornfully. 25 As soon as the crowd had been sent outside, he went in and took hold of her hand, and the little girl got up. 26 Of course, the talk about this spread out into all that region. 27 As Jesus was passing along from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying: “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 After he had gone into the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus asked them: “Do you have faith that I can do this?” They answered him: “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying: “According to YOUR faith let it happen to YOU.” 30 And their eyes received sight. Moreover, Jesus sternly charged them, saying: “See that nobody gets to know it. 31 But they, after getting outside, made it public about him to all that region. 32 Now when they were leaving, look! people brought him a dumb man possessed of a demon; 33 and after the demon had been expelled the dumb man spoke. Well, the crowds felt amazement and said: “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees began to say: “It is by the ruler of the demons that he expels the demons.” Matt 9:19
10 So he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, in order to expel these and to cure every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity. Matt 10:1 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man, blind and dumb; and he cured him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. 23 Well, all the crowds were simply carried away and began to say: “May this not perhaps be the Son of David?” 24 At hearing this, the Pharisees said: “This fellow does not expel the demons except by means of Be.el’ze.bub, the ruler of the demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself comes to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 In the same way, if Satan expels Satan, he has become divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand? 27 Moreover, if I expel the demons by means of Be.el’ze.bub, by means of whom do YOUR sons expel them? This is why they will be judges of you. Matt 12:22 29 Crossing country from there, Jesus next came near the sea of Gal’i.lee, and, after going up into the mountain, he was sitting there. 30 Then great crowds approached him, having along with them people that were lame, maimed, blind, dumb, and many otherwise, and they fairly threw them at his feet, and he cured them; 31 so that the crowd felt amazement as they saw the dumb speaking and the lame walking and the blind seeing, and they glorified the God of Israel. Matt 15:29 18 While returning to the city early in the morning, he got hungry 19 And he caught sight of a fig tree by the road and went to it, but he found nothing on it except leaves only, and he said to it: “Let no fruit come from you any more forever.” And the fig tree withered instantly. Matt 21:18 11 Closely following this he traveled to a city called Na’in, and his disciples and a great crowd were traveling with him. 12 As he got near the gate of the city, why, Look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only-begotten son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. 13 And when the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” 14 With that he approached and touched the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said: “Young man, I say to you, Get up!” 15 And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and he gave him to his mother. 16 Now fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying: “A great prophet has been raised up among us, and, “God has turned his attention to his people.” Luke 7:11 30 I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 5:30 FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 110. When Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour unto thee and unto thy mother; how I strengthened thee with the holy Spirit, so that thou spakest unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity; and how I taught thee the Scripture and Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and how thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird by My permission, and didst blow upon it and it was a bird by My permission, and thou didst heal him who was born blind and the leper by My permission; and how
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124 thou didst raise the dead by My permission; and how I restrained the Children of Israel from (harming) thee when thou earnest unto them with clear proofs, and those of them who disbelieved exclaimed: This is naught else than mere magic; 111. And when I inspired the disciples, (saying): Believe in Me and in My messenger, they said: We believe. Bear witness that we have surrendered (unto Thee). 112. When the disciples said: O Jesus, son of Mary! Is thy Lord able to send down for us a table spread with food from heaven? He said: Observe your duty to Allah, if ye are true believers. 113. (They said:) We wish to eat thereof, that we may satisfy our hearts and know that thou hast spoken truth to us, and that thereof we may be witnesses. 114. Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast for us, for the first of us and for the last of us, and a sign from Thee. Give us sustenance, for Thou art the Best of Sustainers. Al-Maeedah 5:110 FROM THE HOLY BIBLE 3 when the wine ran short the mother of Jesus said to him: “They have no wine.” 4 But Jesus said to her: “What have I to do with you, woman? My hour has not yet come. 5 His mother said to those ministering: “Whatever he tells YOU, do.” 6 As it was, there were six stone water jars sitting there as required by the purification rules of the Jews, each able to hold two or three liquid measures. 7 Jesus said to them: “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim. 8 And he said to them: “Draw some out now and take it to the director of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When, now, the director of the feast tasted the water that had been turned into wine but did not know what its source was, although those ministering who had drawn out the water knew, the director of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him: “Every other man puts out the fine wine first, and when people are intoxicated, the inferior. You have reserved the fine wine until now.” 11 Jesus performed this in Ca’na of Gal’i-lee as [the] beginning of his signs, and he made his glory manifest; and his disciples put their faith in him. John 2:3 JESUS ONLY FOR ISRAELIS 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, giving them these orders: “Do not go off into the road of the Gentiles, and do not enter into a Sa.mar’i.tan city; 6 but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As YOU go, preach, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near’ 8 Cure sick people, raise up dead persons, make lepers clean, expel demons. You received free, give free. Matt 10:5 21 Leaving there, Jesus now withdrew into the parts of Si.don. 22 And, look! a Phoe.ni’cian woman from those regions came out and cried aloud, saying: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is badly demonized.” 23 But he did not say a word in answer to her. So his disciples came up and began to request him: “Send her away; because she keeps crying out after us.” 24 In answer he said: “I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 When the woman came she began doing obeisance to him, saying: “Lord, help me!” 26 In answer he said: “It is not right to take the bread of the children and throw it to little dogs.” 27 She said: “Yes, Lord; but really the little dogs do eat of the crumbs falling from the table of their masters.” 28 Then Jesus said in reply to her: “O woman, great is your faith; let it happen to you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour on. Matt 15:21 12 When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me and I have kept them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12 21 Then another of the disciples said to him: “Lord, permit me first to leave and bury my father.” 22 Jesus said to him: “Keep following me, and let the dead bury their dead.” Matt 8:21 59 Then he said to another: “Be my follower.” The man said: “Permit me first to leave and bury my father.” 60 But he said to him: “Let the dead bury their dead, but you go away and declare abroad the kingdom of God.” 61 And still another said: ““I will follow you, Lord; but first permit me to say good-by to those in my household.” 62 Jesus said to him: “No man that has put his hand to a plow and looks at the things behind is well fitted for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:59 25 Now great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and said to them: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters yes and even his own soul, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25 JESUS CAME FOR WAR AND DIVISION 34 Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth I came to put, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. Matt 10:34 7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. 9 “Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. Matt 24:7 10 Then he went on to say to them: “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs. 12 “But before all these things people will lay their hands upon YOU and persecute YOU, delivering YOU up to the synagogues and prisons, YOU being haled before kings and governors for the sake of my name. Luke 21:10
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125 JESUS CLAIMED AS THE CHRIST? 2 But John having heard in jail about the works of the Christ, sent by means of his own disciples 3 and said to him: Are you the Coming One, or are we to expect a different one?” 4 In reply Jesus said to them: “Go YOUR way and report to John what you are hearing and seeing: 5 The blind are seeing again, and the lame are walking about, the lepers are being cleansed and the deaf are hearing, and the dead are being raised up and the poor are having the good news declared to them; Matt 11:2 13 Now when he had come into the parts of Caes.a.re’a Phi.lip’pi, Jesus went asking his disciples: ‘Who are men saying the Son of man is?” 14 They said: “Some say John the Baptist, others E.li.jah still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them: “You, though, who do YOU say I am?” 16 In answer Simon Peter said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 In response Jesus said to him: “Happy you are, Simon son of Jo’nah, because flesh and blood did not reveal [it] to you, but my Father who is in the heavens did. 18 Also, say to you, You are Peter, and on this rock-mass I will build my congregation, and the gates of Ha’des will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you may bind on earth will be the thing bound in the heavens, and whatever you may loose on earth will be the thing loosed in the heavens.” 20 Then he sternly charged to disciples not to say to anybody that he was the Christ. Matt 16:13 2 Then he said to them: “Whenever YOU pray, say, ‘Father, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. 3 Give us our bread for the day according to the day’s requirement. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us; and do not bring us into temptation.’” Luke 11:2 18 Now John’s disciples reported to him about all these things. 19 So John summoned a certain two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to say: “Are you the Coming One or are we to expect a different one?” 20 When they came up to him the men said: “John the Baptist dispatched us to you to say, ‘Are you the Coming One or are we to expect another?’ 21 In that hour he cured many of sicknesses and grievous diseases and wicked spirits, and granted many blind persons the favor of seeing. 22 Hence in answer he said to the [two]: “Go YOUR way, report to John what YOU saw and heard: the blind are receiving sight, the lame are walking, the lepers are being cleansed and the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised up, the poor are being told the good news. 23 And happy is he who has not stumbled over me.” Luke 7:18 19 Now this is the witness of John when the Jews sent forth priests and Levites from Jerusalem to him to ask him: “Who are you?” 20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed: “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him: “What, then? Are you E.li’jah?” And he said: “I am not.” “Are you The Prophet?” And he answered: “No!” 22 Therefore they said to him: “Who are you? that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am a voice of someone crying out in the wilderness, ‘MAKE the way of Jehovah straight,’ just as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Now those sent forth were from the Pharisees. 25 So they questioned him and said to him: “Why, then, do you baptize if you yourself are not the Christ or E.li’jah or The Prophet?” 26 John answered them, saying: “I baptize in water. In the midst of YOU one is standing whom YOU do not know, 27 the one coming behind me, but the lace of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Beth’.a.ny across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:19 THE CHRIST WILL NOT BE A JEW 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them: 42 “What do YOU think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him: “David’s.” ! He said to them: “How, then is it that David by inspiration calls him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44 ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put you enemies beneath your feet”’? 45 If, therefore David calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?” 46 And nobody was able to say a word in reply to him, nor did anyone dare from that day on to question him any further. Matt 22:41 35 However, when making a reply, Jesus began to say as he taught in the temple: “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is David’s son? 36 By the holy spirit David himself said, ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet.” 37 David himself calls him ‘Lord,’ but how does it come that he is his son?” Mark 12:35 41 In turn he said to them: How is it they say that the Christ is David’s son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand 43 until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.’ 44 David, therefore, calls him ‘Lord’; so how is he his son?” Luke 20:41 9 Moreover do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ. Matt 23:9 THE CHRIST WILL COME IN FUTURE 23 “Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or “There! do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible even the chosen ones. 25 Look I have forewarned YOU. 26 Therefore, if people say to YOU, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner chambers,’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Matt 24:23 31 “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Matt 25:31 5 So Jesus started to say to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU. 6 Many will come on the basis of my name saying; ‘I am he,’ and will mislead many. 7 Moreover, when YOU hear of wars and reports of wars, do not be terrified; [these things] must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, there will be earthquakes in one place after another, there will be food shortages. These are a beginning of pangs of distress. 9 “As for YOU, look out for yourselves; people will deliver YOU up to local courts, and YOU will be beaten in synagogues and be put on the stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them. 10 Also, in all the nations the good news has to be preached first. Matt 13:5
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126 21 “Then too, if anyone says to YOU, ‘See! Here is the Christ,’ ‘See! There he is,’ do not believe [it]. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the chosen ones. 23 YOU, then, watch out; I have told YOU all things beforehand. Matt 13:21 14 And just us Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of man must be lifted up. 15 that everyone believing in him may have everlasting life. 16 ”For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that every one exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent forth his Son into the world, not for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him. 18 He that exercises faith in him is not to be judged. He that does not exercise faith has been judged already, because he has not exercised faith in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. John 3:14 28 Therefore Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple and said: “You both know me and know where I am from. Also, I have not come of my own initiative, but he that sent me is real, and YOU do not know him. 29 I know him,, because I am a representative from him, and that One sent me forth.” John 7:28 10 This is he concerning whom it is written, ‘Look! I myself am sending forth my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way ahead of you!’ 11 Truly I say to YOU people, Among those born of women there has not been raised up a greater than John the Baptist; but a person that is a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens, is greater than he is. Matt 11:10 31 “On this account I say to YOU, Every sort of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven. 32 For example, whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven him, no, not in this system of things nor in that to come. Matt 12:31 JESUS CURSES THE JEWS 22 Consequently I say to YOU, It will be more endurable for Tyre and Si’don on Judgment Day than for YOU. 23 And you, Ca.per’na.um, will you perhaps be exalted to heaven? Down to Ha’des you will come; because if the powerful works that took place in you had taken place in Sod’om, it would have remained until this very day. 24 Consequently I say to YOU people, it will be more endurable for the land of Sod’om on Judgment Day than for you.” Matt 11:22 43 “When an unclean spirit, comes out of a man, it passes through parched places in search of a resting place, and finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house out of which I moved’; and on arriving it finds it unoccupied but swept clean and adorned. 45 Then it goes its way and takes along with it seven different spirits more wicked than itself, and, after getting inside, they dwell there; and the final circumstances of that man become worse than the first. That is how it will be also with this wicked generation.” Matt 12:43 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her, how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But YOU people did not want it 38 Look! YOUR house is abandoned to YOU. Matt 23:37 13 “Woe to you, Cho.ra’zin! Woe to you, Beth.sa’i.da! because if the powerful works that have taken place in YOU had taken place in Tyre and Si’don, they would long ago have repented sitting in sack-cloth and ashes. 14 Consequently it will be more endurable for Tyre and Si’don in the judgment than for YOU. 15 And you, Ca.per’na.um, will you perhaps be exalted to heaven? Down to Ha’des you will come! 14 Later he was expelling a dumb demon. After the demon came out, the dumb man spoke. And the crowds marveled. 15 But certain ones of them said: “He expels the demons by means of Be.el’ze.bub the ruler of the demons.” 16 However, others, to tempt him, began seeking a sign out of heaven from him. 17 Knowing their imaginations he said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself comes to desolation, and a house [divided] against itself falls. 18 So if Satan is also divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because YOU say I expel the demons by means of Be.elze.bub. 19 If it is by means of Be.el’ze-bub.’ I expel the demons, by whom do YOUR sons expel them? Luke 11:14 50 so that the blood of all the prophets spilled from the founding of the world may be required from this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel down to the blood of Zech.a.ri’ah, who was slain between the altar and the house.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required from this generation. Luke 11:50 46 While he was yet speaking to the crowds, look! his mother and brothers took up a position outside seeking to speak to him. 47 So someone said to him: “Look!” Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you.” 48 As an answer, he said to the one telling him: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: “Look! My mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matt 12:46 19 Now his mother and brothers came toward him, but they were unable to get to him because of the crowd. 20 However, it was reported to him: “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.” 21 In reply he said to them: “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:19 PARABLES OF KINGDOM OF HEAVENS 31 Another illustration he set before them, saying: “The kingdom of the heavens is like a mustard grain, which a man took and planted in his field; 32 which is, in fact, the tiniest of all the seeds,, but when it has grown it is the largest of the vegetables and becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come and find lodging among its branches.” Matt 13:31 The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels. 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the conclusion of the system of things. 41 The Son of man will send forth his angels and they will collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness, 42 and they will pitch them into the fiery furnace. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be. 43 At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him that has ears listen. 44 “The kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy he has he goes and sells what things he has and buys that field.
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127 45 “Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a traveling merchant seeking fine pearls. 46 Upon finding one pearl of high value, away he went and promptly sold all the things he had and bought it. 47 “Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering up [fish] of every kind. 48 When it got full they hauled it up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away. 49 That is how it will be in the conclusion of the system of things: the angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous 50 and will cast them into the fiery furnace. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be. Matt 13:39
15 Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisee and scribes, saying: 2 “Why is it your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times? For example, they do not wash their hands when about to eat a meal.” 10 With that he called the crowd near and. said to them: “Listen and get the sense of it: 11 Not what enters into [his] mouth defiles a man; but it is what proceeds out of [his] mouth that defiles a man.” 16 At this he said: “Are YOU also yet without understanding? 17 Are YOU not aware that everything entering into the mouth passes along into the intestines and is discharged into the sewer? 18 However, the things proceeding out of the mouth come out of the heart, and those things defile a man. 19 For example, out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thieveries, false testimonies, blasphemies. 20 Those are the things defiling a man; but to take a meal with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Matt 1:1, 1:10, 1:16 JESUS CONDEMNS DIVORCE 3 And Pharisees came up to him. Intent on tempting him and saying: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on every sort of ground?” 4 In reply he said: “Did YOU not read that he who created them from [the] beginning made them male and female 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? 6 So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart.” 7 They said to him: “Why, then, did Moses prescribe giving a certificate of dismissal and divorcing her?” 8 He said to them: “Moses, out of regard for YOUR hardheartedness, made the concession to YOU of divorcing YOUR wives, but such has not been the case from [the] beginning. 9 I say to YOU that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” Matt 19:3 18 “Everyone that divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he that marries a woman divorced from a husband commits adultery. Luke 16:18 16 Now, look! a certain one came up to him and said: “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?” 17 He said to him: “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is that is good. If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually.” 18 He said to him “Which ones?” Jesus said: “Why, You must not murder, You must not commit adultery, You must not steal, You must not bear false witness, 19 Honor [your] father and [your] mother, and, You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him: “I have kept all these; what yet am I lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” 22 When the young man heard this saying, he went away grieved, for he was holding many possessions. 23 But Jesus said to his disciples: “Truly I say to YOU that it will be a difficult thing for a rich man to get into the kingdom of the heavens. 24 Again I say to YOU, it is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God.” Matt 19:16 18 And a certain ruler questioned him, saying: “Good Teacher, by doing what shall I inherit everlasting life?” 19 Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one,” God. 20 You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder. Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 Then he said: “All these I have kept from youth on.” 22 After hearing that, Jesus said to him: “There is yet one thing lacking about you: Sell all the things you have and distribute to poor people, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come be my follower.” 23 When he heard this, he became deeply grieved, for he was very rich. Luke 18:18. 10 Now when he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was set in commotion, saying: “Who is this?” 11 The crowds kept telling: “This is the prophet Jesus from Naz’a’reth of Gal’i’lee!” JESUS DRIVES OUT SELLERS WITH WHIP 12 And Jesus entered into the temple and threw out all those selling and buying in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 And he said to them: “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but YOU are making it a cave of robbers.” 14 Also, blind and lame persons lame up to him in the temple, and he cured them. Matt 21:10. 13 Now the passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple those selling cattle and sheep and doves and the money brokers in their seats. 15 So, after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he said to those selling the doves: “Take these things away from here. Stop making the house of my Father a house of merchandise!” 17 His disciples called to mind that it is written: “The zeal for, your house will eat me up.”John 2:13 8 “Or what woman with ten drachma coins, if she loses one drachma coin, does not light a lamp and sweep her house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it she calls the women who are her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma coin that I lost.’ 10 Thus, I tell YOU, joy arises among the angels of God over one sinner that repents.” Luke 15:8 END OF JERUSALEM PROPHESIED 19 The woman said to him: “Sir, I perceive you are a prophet. 20 Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain; but YOU people say that in Jerusalem is the place where persons ought to worship.” Jesus said to her: “Believe me, woman. The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will YOU people worship Father.” John 4:19 42 Jesus said to them: “Did YOU never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone that the builders rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone. From Jehovah this has come to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 This is why I say to YOU. The
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128 kingdom of God will be taken from YOU and be given to a nation producing its fruits. 44 Also, the person falling upon this stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will pulverize him. 45 Now when the chief priests and the Pharisees had heard his illustrations, they took note that he was speaking about them. 46 But although they were seeking to seize him, they feared the crowds, because these held him to be a prophet. INCIDENT OF A SINNER WOMAN 6 While Jesus happened to be in Beth’a.ny in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman with an alabaster case of costly perfumed oil approached him, and she began pouring it upon his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 On seeing this the disciples became indignant and said: “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for great deal and been given to poor people.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them: “Why do YOU try to make trouble for the woman? For he did a fine deed toward me. 11 For YOU always have the poor with YOU, but YOU will not always have me. 12 For when this woman put this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it for the preparation of me for burial. 13 Truly I say to YOU, Wherever this good news is preached in all the world, what this woman did shall also be told as a remembrance of her.” Matt 26:6 3 And while he was at Beth’a.ny in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at the meal, a woman came with an alabaster case of perfumed oil, genuine nard, very expensive. Breaking open the alabaster case she began to pour it upon his head. 4 At this there were some expressing indignation among themselves: “Why has this waste of the perfumed oil taken place? 5 For this perfumed oil could have been sold for upward of three hundred de.nar’i.i and been given to the poor!” And they were feeling great displeasure at her. Mark 14:3 36 Now a certain one of the Pharisees kept asking him to dine with him. Accordingly he entered into the house of the Pharisee and reclined at the table. 37 And, look! a woman who was known in the city to be a sinner, learned that he was taking a meal in the house of the Pharisee, and she brought an alabaster case of perfumed oil, 38 and taking a position behind at his feet, she wept and started to wet his feet with her tears and she would wipe them off with the hair of her head. Also, she tenderly kissed his feet and greased them with the perfumed oil. 39 At the sight the Pharisee that invited him said within himself: “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman it is that is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:36 8 Philip said to him: “Lord, show us the Father, “and it is enough, for us.” 9 Jesus said to him: “Have I been with YOU men so long a time, and yet Philip, you have not come to know me? He that has seen me has seen the “Father [also]. How is it you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in union with the Father and the Father is in union with me? The things I say to YOU men I do not speak of my own originality; but the Father who remains in union with me is doing his works. 11 Believe me that I am in union with the Father and the Father is in union with me otherwise, believe on account of the works themselves, 12 Most truly I say to YOU, He that exercises faith in me, that one also will do the works that I do; and he will do works greater than these, because I am going my way to the Father. 13 Also, whatever it is that YOU ask in my name, I will do this, in order that the Father may be glorified in connection with the Son. 14 If YOU ask anything in my name, I will do it. PROPHECY ABOUT A PROPHET 15 “If YOU love me, YOU will observe my commandments; 16 and I will request the Father and he will give YOU another helper be with you forever. 17 the spirit of the truth which the world cannot receive, because it neither beholds it nor knows it. You know it, because it remains with you and is in you. 18 I shall not leave you bereaved. John 14:8 25 “While remaining with YOU I have spoken these things to YOU 26 But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you, 27 I leave you peace, I give you my peace. I do not give it to YOU the way that the world gives it. Do not let YOUR hearts be troubled’ nor let them shrink for fear. 28 You heard that I said to YOU, I am going away and I am coming back to YOU. If YOU loved me YOU would rejoice that I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. John 14:25 26 When the helper arrives that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth which proceeds from the Father, that one will bear witness about me; 27 and you, in turn, are to bear witness, because you have been with me from when I began.
16 “I have spoken these things to you that you may not be stumbled. 2 Men will expel YOU from the synagogue. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone that kills YOU will imagine he has rendered a sacred service to God. John 15:26 7 Nevertheless, I am telling YOU the truth, It is for YOUR benefit I am going away. For if I do not go away, the helper will by no means come to you; but if I do go my way, I will send him to you. 8 And when that one arrives he will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment; 9 in the first place concerning sin, because they are not exercising faith in me; 10 then concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and YOU will behold me no longer; 11 then concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 “I have many things yet to say to YOU but YOU are not able to bear them at present. 13 However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak and he will declare to YOU the things coming 14 That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to you. John 16:7 PRAYER, AGONY AND WEEPING OF JESUS 36 Then Jesus came with them to the spot called Geth.sem’a.ne, and he said to the disciples: “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.” 27 And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zeb’e.dee, he started to be grieved and to be sorely troubled. 38 Then he said to them: “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me.” 39 And going a little
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129 way forward, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Yet, not as I will but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter: “Could you men not so much as watch one hour with me? 41 Keep on the watch and pray continually, that YOU may not enter into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went off and prayed, saying: “My Father, if it is not possible for this to pass away except I drink it, let your will take place.” 43 And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them, he again went off and prayed for the third time, saying once more the same word. Matt 26:36 32 So they came to a spot named Geth.sem’a.ne, and he said to his disciples: “Sit down here while I pray.” 33 And he took Peter and James and John along with him, and he started to be stunned and to be sorely troubled. 34 And he said to them: “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch.” 35 And going a little way forward he proceeded to fall on the ground and began praying that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 And he went onto say: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this cup from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter: “Simon, are you sleeping? Did you not have strength to keep on the watch one hour? 38 Men, keep on the watch and praying, in order that YOU do not come into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And he went away again and prayed, saying the same again and prayed, saying the same word. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down, and so they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them: “At such a time as this YOU are sleeping and taking YOUR rest! It is enough! The hour has come! Look! The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near.” Mark 14:32 36 Then he said to them: “But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. 37 For I tell YOU that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely, ‘And he was reckoned with lawless ones.’ For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment.” 38 Then they said: “Lord, look! here are two swords.” He said to them: “It is enough.” 39 On going out he went as customarily to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him. 40 Having come to the place he said to them: “Carry on prayer, that YOU do not enter into temptation.” 41 And he himself drew, away from them about a stone’s throw; and bent his knees and began to pray. 42 saying: “Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 And he rose from prayer, went to the disciples and found them slumbering from grief; 46 and he said to them: “Why are YOU sleeping?! Rise and carry on prayer, that YOU do not enter into temptation.” Luke 23:36 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them: “At such a time as this YOU are sleeping and taking YOUR rest! Look! The hour has drawn near for the Son of man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near.” 47 And while he was yet speaking, look! Judas, one of the twelve, came and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and older men of the people. ARREST AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS 48 Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying: “Whoever it is I kiss, this is he; take him into custody.” 49 And going straight up to Jesus he said: “Good day, Rabbi!” and kissed him very tenderly. 50 But Jesus said to him: “Fellow, for what purpose are you present?” Then they came forward and laid hands on Jesus and took him into custody. Matt 26:36 43 And immediately, while he was yet speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived and with him a crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the scribes and the older men. 44 Now his betrayer had given them an agreed sign saying: “Whoever it is I kiss, this is he; take him into custody and lead him away safely.” 45 And he came straight up and approached him and said: “Rabbi!” and kissed him very tenderly. 46 So they laid their hands upon him and took him into custody. Mark 14:43 50 And they all abandoned him and fled. 51 But a certain young man wearing a fine linen garment over his naked body began to follow him nearby; and they tried to seize him, 52 but he left his linen garment behind and got away naked. Mark 14:50 47 While he was yet speaking, look! a crowd, and the [man] called Judas, one of the twelve was going before them; and he approached Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said to him: “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” 49 When those about him saw what was going to happen, they said: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 A certain one of them even did strike the slave of the high priest and took off his right ear. 51 But in reply Jesus said: “LET it go as far as this.” And he touched the ear and healed him. 52 Jesus then said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and older men that had come there for him: Did YOU come out with swords and clubs as against a robber? 53 While I was with YOU in the temple day after day YOU did not stretch out YOUR hands against me. But this is YOUR hour and the authority of darkness.” 54 Then they arrested him and led him off and brought him into the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. Luke 22:47
18 Having said these things, Jesus went out with his disciples across the winter torrent of Kid’ron to where there was a garden, and he and his disciples entered into it. 2 Now Judas, his betrayer, also knew the place, because Jesus had many times met there with his disciples. 3 Therefore Judas took the soldier band and officers of the chief priests and of the Pharisees and came there with torches and lamps and weapons. 4 Jesus, therefore, knowing all the things coming upon him, went forth and said to them: “Whom are YOU looking for?” 5 They answered him: “Jesus the Naz.a.rene’.” He said to them: “I am he.” Now Judas, his betrayer, was also standing with them. John 18:1 12 Then the soldier band and military commander and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, 13 and they led him first to An’nas; for he was father-in-law to Ca’ia.phas, who was high priest that year. 14 Ca’ia.phas was, in fact, the one that counseled the Jews that it was to their benefit for one man to die in behalf of the people. John 18:12 57 Those who took Jesus into custody led him away to Ca’ia.phas the high priest, where the scribes and the older men were gathered together. 58 But Peter kept following him at a good distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and, after
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130 going inside, he has sitting with the house attendants to see the outcome. 59 Meantime the chief priests and the entire San’he.drin were looking for false witness against Jesus in order to put him to death? 60 but they found none, although many false witnesses came forward. Later on two came forward 61 and said: “This man said, ‘I am able to throw down the temple of God and build it up in three days.’” 62 With that the high priest stood up and said to him: “Have you no answer? What is it these are testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. So the high priest said to him: “By the living God I put you under oath to tell us whether you are the Christ the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him: “You yourself said [it]. Yet I say to you men. From henceforth you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest ripped his outer garments, saying: “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See! Now YOU have heard the blasphemy. 66 What is YOUR opinion?” They returned answer: “He is liable to death.” 67 Then they spit into his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him in the face, 68 saying: “Prophesy to us, you Christ. Who is it that struck you?” Matt 26:57 60 Finally the high priest rose in their midst and questioned Jesus, saying: “Do you say nothing in reply? What is it these are testifying against you?” 61 But he kept silent and made no reply at all. Again the high priest began to question him and said to him: “Are you the Christ the Son of the. Blessed One?” 62 Then Jesus said: “I am; and YOU persons will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 At this the high priest ripped his inner garments and said: “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You heard the blasphemy. What is evident to YOU?” They all condemned him to be liable to death. Mark 14:60 66 At length when it became day, the assembly of older men of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they haled him into their San’he.drin hall, saying: 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them: “Even if I told YOU, YOU would not believe it at all. 68 Moreover, if I questioned YOU, YOU would not answer at all. 69 However, from now on the Son of man will be sitting at the powerful right hand of God.” 70 At this they all said: “Are you, therefore, the Son of God?” He said to them: “You yourselves are saying that I am.” 71 They said: “Why do we need further witness? For we ourselves have heard [it] out of his own mouth.” Luke 22:66 19 And so the chief priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him: “I have spoken to the world publicly. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 Why do you question me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them. See! These know what I said.” 22 After he said these things, one of the officers that was standing by gave Jesus a slap in the face and said: “Is that the way you answer the chief priest?” 23 Jesus answered him: “If I spoke wrongly, bear witness concerning the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit me?” 24 Then An’nas sent him away bound to Ca’ia.phas the high priest.John 18:19 11 Jesus now stood before the governor; and the governor put the question to him: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “You yourself say [it].” 12 But, while he was being accused by the chief priests and older men, he made no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him: ‘Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” 14 Yet he did not answer him, no, not a word, so that the governor wondered very much. 15 Now from festival to festival it was the custom of the governor to release a prisoner to the crowd the one they wanted. 16 Just at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Bar.ab’bas 17 Hence when they were gathered together Pilate said to them: “Which one do YOU want me to release to YOU, Bar.ab’bas or Jesus the so-called Christ?” 18 For he was aware that out of envy they had handed him over. 19 Moreover, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent out to him, saying: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I suffered a lot today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the older men persuaded the crowds to ask for Bar.ab’bas, but to have Jesus destroyed. 21 Now in responding the governor said to them: “Which of the two do YOU want me to release to YOU?” They said: “Bar.ab’bas.” 22 Pilate said to them: “What, then, shall I do with Jesus the so-called Christ?” They all said: “Let him be impaled!” 23 He said: “Why, what bad thing did he do?” Still they kept crying out all the more: “Let him be impaled!” 24 Seeing that it did no good but, rather, an uproar was arising, Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this [man]. You yourselves must see to it.” 25 At that all the people said in answer: “His blood come upon us and upon our children.” 26 Then he released Bar.ab’bas to them, but he had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be impaled. Matthew 27:11
23 So the multitude of them rose, one and all, and led him to Pilate. 2 Then they started to accuse him, saying: “This man we found subverting our nation and forbidding the paying of taxes to Caesar and saying he himself is Christ a king.” 3 Now Pilate asked him the question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” in answer he said: “You yourself are saying [it].” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds: “I find no crime in this man.” 5 But they began to be insistent, saying: “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Ju.de’a, even starting out from Gal’i.lee to here.” 6 On hearing that, Pilate asked whether the man was a Gal.i.le’an, 7 and, after ascertaining that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him on to Herod, who was also himself in Jerusalem in these days. 8 When Herod saw Jesus he rejoiced greatly, for over a considerable time he was wanting to see him because of having heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign performed by him. 9 Now he began to question him with a good many words; but he made him no answer. 10 However, the chief priests and the scribes kept standing up and vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod together with his soldier guards discredited him and he made fun of him by clothing him with a bright garment and sent him back to Pilate. 12 Both Herod and Pilate now became friends with each other on that very day; for before that they had continued at enmity between themselves. 13 Pilate then called the chief priests and the rulers and the people together 14 and said to them: “You brought this man to me as one inciting the people to revolt, and, look! I examined him in front of YOU but found in this man no ground for the charges YOU are bringing against him. 15 in fact, neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us; and, look! nothing deserving of death has been committed by him. 16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.” 17 18 But with their whole multitude they cried out, saying: “Take this one away, but release Bar.ab’bas to us!” 19 (Which [man] had been thrown into prison for a certain sedition occurring in the city and for murder.) 20 Again Pilate called out to them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 Then they began to yell, saying: “Impale! Impale him!” 22 The third time he said to them: “Why, what bad thing did this [man] do? I found nothing
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131 deserving of death in him; I will therefore chastise and release him.” 23 At this they began to be urgent, with loud voices, demanding that he be impaled, and their voices began to win out. 24 So Pilate gave sentence for their demand to be met: 25 he released the man that had been thrown into prison for sedition and murder and whom they were demanding, but he surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:1 28 Then they led Jesus from Ca’ia.phas to the governor’s palace. It was now early in the day. But they themselves did not enter into the governor’s palace, that they might not get defiled but might eat the passover, 29 Therefore Pilate, came outside to them and said:’ “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 in answer they said to him: “If this man were not a wrongdoer, we would not have delivered him up to you.” John 18:28 And after saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them: “I find no fault in him. 39 Moreover, YOU have a custom that I should release a man to YOU at the passover. Do YOU, therefore, wish me to release to YOU the king of the Jews?” 40 Then they shouted again, saying: “Not this man, but Bar.ab’bas” Now Bar.ab’bas was a robber.
19 At that time, therefore, Pilate took Jesus and scourged him! 2 And the soldiers braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him with a purple outer garment; 3 and they began coming up to him and saying: “Good day, you king of the Jews!” Also, they would give him slaps in the face. 4 And Pilate went outside again and said to them: “See! I bring him outside to YOU in order for YOU to know I find no fault in him.” 5 Accordingly Jesus came, outside, wearing the thorny crown and the purple outer garment. And he said to them: “Look! The man!” 6 However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying: “Impale [him] Impale him.” Pilate said to them: “Take him yourselves and impale him, for I do not find any fault in him.” 7 The Jews answered him: “We have a law, and according to the law he ought to die because he made himself God’s son.” 8 When, therefore, Pilate heard this saying, he became more fearful; 9 and he entered into the governor’s palace again and said to Jesus: “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Hence Pilate said to him: “Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know I have authority to release you and I have authority to impale you?” 11 Jesus answered him: “You would have no authority at all against me unless it had been granted to you from above. This is why the man that handed me over to you has greater sin.” 12 For this reason Pilate kept on seeking how to release him. But the Jews shouted, saying: “If you release this [man], you are not a friend of Caesar. Every man making himself a king speaks against Caesar.” 13 Therefore Pilate, after hearing these words, brought Jesus outside, and he sat down on a judgment seat in a place called The Stone Pavement, but, in Hebrew, Gab’ba.tha. 14 Now it was preparation of the passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews: “See! YOUR king!” 15 However, they shouted: “Take [him] away! Take [him] away! Impale him!” Pilate said to them: “Shall I impale YOUR king?” The chief priests answered: “We have no king but Caesar” 16 At that time, therefore, he handed him over to them to be impaled. John 18:38 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace and gathered the whole body of troops together to him. 28 And disrobing him, they draped him with a scarlet cloak, 29 and they braided a crown out of thorns and put it on his head and a reed in his right hand. And, kneeling before him, they made fun of him, saying: “Good day, you King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit upon him and took the reed and began hitting him upon his head. 31 Finally, when they had made fun of him, they took the cloak off and put his outer garments upon him and led him off for impaling. 32 As they were going out they found a native of Cy.re’ne named Simon. This man they impressed into service to lift up his torture stake. 33 And when they came to a place called Gol’go.tha, that is to say, Skull Place, 34 they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink; but, after tasting it, he refused to drink. 35 When they had impaled him they distributed his outer garments by casting lots, 36 and, as they sat, they watched over him there. 37 Also, they posted above his head the charge against him, in writing: “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” Matt 27:27 45 From the sixth hour on a darkness fell over all the land, until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus called out with a loud voice, saying: “E’li, E’li, la’ma sa-bach.tha’ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matt 27:45 26 Now as they led him away, they laid hold of Simon, a certain native of Cyre’ne, coming from the country, and they placed the torture stake upon him to bear it behind Jesus. 27 But there was following him a great multitude of the people and of women who kept beating themselves in grief and bewailing him. 28 Jesus turned to the women and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for me. On the contrary, weep for yourselves and for YOUR children; 29 because, look! days are coming in which people will say, ‘Happy are the barren women, and the wombs that did not give birth and the breasts that did not nurse!’ 30 Then they will start to say to the mountains, ‘Fall over us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us over!’ 31 Because if they do these things when the tree is moist, what will occur when it is withered?” 32 But two other men, evildoers, were also being led to be executed with him. 33 And when they got to the place called Skull, there they impaled him and the evildoers, one on his right and one on his left. 34 [But Jesus was saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”] ‘Furthermore, to distribute his garments, they cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But the rulers were sneering, saying: “Others he saved; let him save himself, if this one is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36 Even the soldiers made fun of him, coming close and offering him sour wine 37 and saying: “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was also an inscription over him: “This is the king of the Jews.” Luke 23:26 Then they took charge of Jesus. 17 And, bearing the torture stake for himself, he went out to the so-called Skull Place, which is called Gol’go.tha in Hebrew; 18 and there they impaled him, and two other [men] with him, one on this side and one on that, but Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate wrote a title also and put it on the torture stake. It was written: “Jesus the Naz.a.’rene’ the King of the Jews.” 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this title, because the place where Jesus was impaled was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, in Greek. 21 However, the chief priests of the Jews began to say to Pilate: “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered: “What I have written I have written.” 23 Now when the soldiers had impaled Jesus, they took his outer garments and made four parts, for each soldier a part, and the inner garment. But the inner garment was without a seam, being woven from the top throughout its length. 24 Therefore they said to one another: “Let us not tear it, but let us determine by lots over it whose it will be.” This was that the scripture might be fulfilled: “They apportioned my outer garments among themselves, and upon my apparel they cast lots.” And so the soldiers really did these things.
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132 25 By the torture stake of Jesus, however, there were standing his mother and the sister of his mother; Mary the wife of Clo’pas, and Mary Mag’da.lene. 26 Therefore Jesus, seeing his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by, said to his mother: “Woman, see! your son!” 27 Next he said to the disciple: “See! Your mother!” John 19:17 31 Then the Jews, since it was Preparation, in order that the bodies might not remain upon the torture stakes on the sabbath, (for the day of that sabbath was a great one,) requested Pilate to have their legs broken and the bodies taken away. 32 The soldiers came, therefore, and broke the legs of the first [man] and those of the other [man] that had been impaled with him. 33 But on coming to Jesus, as they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Yet one of the soldiers jabbed his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he that has seen [it] has borne witness, and his witness is true, and that man knows he tells true things, in order that YOU also may believe. 36 in fact, these things took place in order for the scripture to be fulfilled: “Not a bone of his will be crushed.” 37 And, again, a different scripture says: “They will look to the One whom they pierced.” John 19:31 JESUS RAISED FROM DEAD 5 But the angel in answer said to the women: “Do not YOU be fearful, for I know YOU are looking for Jesus who was impaled. 6 He is not here, for he was raised up, as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. 7 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he was raised up from the dead, and, look! he is going ahead of YOU into Gal’.i.lee; there YOU will see him. Look! I have told YOU.” 8 So, quickly leaving the memorial tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to report to his disciples. 9 And, look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” They approached and caught him by his feet and did obeisance to him. 10 Then Jesus said to them: “Have no fear! Go report to my brothers, that they may go off into Gal’i.lee; and there they will see me.” Matt 27:5 16 However, the eleven disciples went into Gal’i.lee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them, 17 and when they saw him they did obeisance, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things, I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” Matt 27:16 4 While they were in perplexity over this, look! two men in flashing clothing stood by them. 5 As the [women] became frightened and kept their faces turned to the ground, theY [men] said to them: “Why are YOU looking for the living One among the dead? 6 [He is not here, but has been raised up.] Recall how he spoke to you while he was yet in Gal’i.lee, 7 saying that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be impaled and yet on the third day rise.” 8 So they called his sayings to mind, 9 and they returned from the memorial tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 They were the Mag’da’lene Mary, and Jo.an’na, and Mary the mother of James. Also, the rest of the women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 However, these sayings appeared as nonsense to them and they would not believe the [women]. 12 [[But Peter rose and ran to the memorial tomb, and, stooping forward, he beheld the bandages alone. So he went off wondering within himself at what had occurred.]] 13 But, look! on that very day two of them were journeying to a village about seven miles distant from Jerusalem [and] named Em.ma’us, 14 and they were conversing with each other over all these things that had come about. 15 Now as they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached and began walking with them; 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them: “What are these matters that YOU are debating between yourselves as YOU walk along?” Luke 24:4 9 Alter he rose early on the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Mag’da.lene, from whom he had expelled seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with him, as they were mourning and weeping. But they, when they heard he had come to life and had been viewed by her, did not believe. 13 Moreover, after these things he appeared in another form to two of them walking along, as they were going into the country; 13 and they came back and reported to the rest. Neither did they believe these. 14 But later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table, and he re-proached their lack of faith and hardheartedness, because they did not believe those who had beheld him now raised up from the dead. And he said to them: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. He that believes and is baptized will be saved, but he that does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:9 41 But while they were still not believing for sheer joy and were wondering, he said to them: “Do YOU have something there to eat?” 42 And they handed him a piece of broiled fish; 43 and he took and ate it before their eyes? 44 He now said to them: “These are my words which I spoke to YOU while I was yet with YOU, that all the things written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, 46 and he said to them: “In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, 47 and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations starting out from Jerusalem, 48 YOU are to be witnesses of these things. 49 And, look! I am sending forth upon YOU that which is promised by my Father. You, though, abide in the city until YOU become clothed with power from on high.” 50 But he led them out as far as Beth’a.ny, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 As he was blessing them he was parted from them and began to be borne up to heaven. 52 And they did obeisance to him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:41 11 Mary, however, kept standing outside near the memorial tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she stooped forward to look into the memorial tomb 12 and she viewed two angels in white sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her: “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them: “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 After saying these things, she turned back and viewed Jesus standing, but she did not discern it was Jesus. John 20:11
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133 16 Jesus said to her: “Mary!” “Upon turning around, she said to him, in Hebrew: “Rab.bo’.ni!” (which means “Teacher!”) 17 Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me. For I have not yet ascended to the Father. But be on your way to my Father and your Father and to my God and YOUR God.” 18 Mary Mag’da.lene came and brought the news to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!” and that he said these things to her. John 20:16 26 Well, eight days later his disciples were again indoors, and Thomas with them. Jesus came although the doors were locked, and he stood in their midst and said: “May YOU have peace.” 27 Next he said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, and stop being unbelieving but become believing.” 28 in answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him: “Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe.” John 20:26 24 This is the disciple that bears witness about these things and that wrote these things, and we know that the witness he gives is true. John 21:24
FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN 17. They indeed have disbelieved who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say: Who then can do aught against Allah, if He had willed to destroy the Messiah son of Mary, and his mother and everyone on earth? Allah’s is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them. He createth what He will. And Allah is Able to do all things. Al-Maeedah 5:17 18. The Jews and Christians say: We are sons of Allah and His loved ones. Say: Why then doth He chastise you for your sins? Nay, ye are but mortals of His creating. He forgiveth whom He will, and chastiseth whom He will. Allah’s is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and unto Him is the journeying. 19. O People of the Scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you to make things plain unto you after an interval (of cessation) of the messengers, lest ye should say: There came not unto us a messenger of cheer nor any warner. Now hath a messenger of cheer and a warner come unto you. Allah is Able to do all things. 72. They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers. 73. They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no God save the One God. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve. 74. Will they not rather turn unto Allah and seek forgiveness of Him? For Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 75. The Messiah, son of Mary, was no other than a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) had passed away before him. And his mother was a saintly woman. And they both used to eat (earthly) food. See how We make the revelations clear for them, and see how they are turned away! 76. Say: Serve ye in place of Allah that which possesseth for you neither hurt nor use? Allah it is Who is the Hearer, the Knower. 77. Say: O People of the Scripture! Stress not in your religion other than the truth, and follow not the vain desires of folk who erred of old and led many astray, and erred from a plain road. Al-Maeedah 5:72 78. Those of the Children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary, That was because they rebelled and used to transgress. 155. Then because of their breaking of their covenant, and their disbelieving in the revelations at Allah, and their slaying of the prophets wrongfully, and their saying: Our hearts are hardened — Nay, but Allah hath set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few 156. And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a tremendous calumny; 157. And because of their saying; We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah’s messenger—They slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it arc in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain, 158. But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise. Al-Maeedah 5:155 171. O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not “Three”—Cease! (it is) better for you!—Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender. 172. The Messiah will never scorn to be a slave unto Allah, nor will the favoured angels. Whoso scorneth His service and is proud, all such will He assemble unto Him; Al-Maeedah 5:171 13. He hath ordained for you that religion which He commended unto Noah, and that which We inspire in thee (Muhammad), and that which We commended unto Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish the religion, and be not divided therein. Dreadful for the idolaters is that unto which thou callest them. Allah chooseth for Himself whom He will, and guideth unto Himself him who turneth (toward Him).
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134 14. And they were not divided until after the knowledge came unto them, through rivalry among themselves; and had it not been for a Word that had already gone forth from thy Lord for an appointed term, it surely had been judged between them. And those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are verily in hopeless doubt concerning it. 15. Unto this, then, summon (O Muhammad). And be thou upright as thou art commanded, and follow not their lusts, but say: I believe in whatever scripture Allah hath sent down, and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. Unto us our works and unto you your works; no argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and unto Him is the journeying. Al-Shoora 42:13
OUR REMARKS The Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an both confirm that Jesus was born without a father. Note that the Gospels of Mathew and Luke give two different geneologies of Jesus; Joseph is portrayed as father of Jesus when he had no father. Both the Books confirm the miracles performed by Jesus, but the Holy Bible does not mention that Jesus talked in the cradle, nor it mentions that Jesus formed birds of clay and made them fly, and told the peoples their secrets, what they ate, what they spoke in their homes. The Holy Qur’an denies that Jesus was a god and was crucified; also it strongly rejects ‘trinity’. The Holy Bible confirms that Jesus was only sent to announce the coming kingdom i.e. the law or rule of God; the Book is full of parables regarding the kingdom of God and the coming of a Christ, the Paraclete i.e. the Helper or a mediator. The Gospel of Barnabas confirms the name of the coming one as Ahmad and Muhammad (S.A.W.); the Holy Qur’an confirms this too. The Holy Qur’an reiterates that the Christians are misled to believe in the Trinity and ‘the Cross’. Jesus proclaimed that he did not bring any new law nor came to abrogate any old law, but came to act upon it. He worshipped God regularly and kept the fast. He had all the characters of a human being like feeling of tiredness, hunger and thirst. Jesus performed miracles, so did John the Baptist, Daniel, Elisha, Moses, Joshua, Elijah and many other prophets. So according to the Holy Qur’an Jesus was only a prophet, His word, His spirit, a great prophet, but not a god; nor the prophesied prophet i.e. the Saviour, the Christ as he himself never claimed so, rather he denied it. It also declares mother Mary as the most pious woman and a chosen woman among all the women of the world. Jesus was not god of the world, a saviour of the worls or a Christ of the world as he repeatedly said that he was sent only for Bani Israel. ________
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PART – 3 Chapter 1 OF ALLAH HIS NAMES, ATTRIBUTES, POWERS In the Holy Qur’an, Allah has been mentioned in hundred of ways from which one can deduce more than hundred attributes. These names throw a comprehensive light upon Allah’s nature, His power, His work and all aspects of His being; this gives a complete understanding of Allah which is missing in the Holy Bible as well as in all other Scriptures. Hereunder are some quotations from the Holy Qur’an to prove our claim. In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 1. Say: He is Allah, the One! 2. Allah, the eternally Besought of all! 3. He begetteth not nor was begotten. 4. And there is none comparable unto Him. Al-Ikhlaas 112:1 11. Say (O Muhammad): Lo! I am commanded to worship Allah, making religion pure for Him (only). 12. And I am commanded to be the first of those who surrender (Muslims). 13. Say: Lo! if I should disobey my Lord, I fear the doom of a tremendous Day. 14. Say: Allah I worship, making my religion pure for Him (only). Az-Zumar 39:9 22. He is Allah, than Whom there is no other God, the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful. 23. He is Allah, than Whom there is no other God, the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One, Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Superb, Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him). 24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. Al-Hashr59:22 Allah! There is no god save Him, the Alive, the Self-subsisting. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Most, High, the Great. Al-Baqarah 2:25 95. Lo! Allah (it is) Who splitteth the gain of corn and the date-stone (for sprouting) He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and is the bringer-forth of the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How then are ye perverted? 96. He is the Cleaver of the Daybreak, and He hath appointed the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. 97. And He it is Who hath set for you the stars that ye may guide your course by them amid the darkness of the land and the sea. We have entailed Our revelations for a People who have knowledge. 98. And He it is Who hath produced you from a single being and (hath given you) a habitation and a repository. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have understanding. 99. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, and therewith We bring forth buds of every kind: We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth the thick clustered grain and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate similar and dissimilar. Look upon the fruit thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Lo! herein verily are Signs for a people who believe. 100. Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn although He did create them; and impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughter unto Him. Holy be He and High Exalted above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him). 101. The Originator of the heavens and the earth! How can He have a child, when there is for Him no consort when He created all things and is Aware of all things? 102. Such is Allah, your Lord. There is no God save Him, the Creator of all things so worship Him. And He taketh care of all things. 103. Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware. Al-Anaam 6:95 2. Allah it is Who raised up the heavens without visible supports, then mounted the Throne, and compelled the sun and the moon to be of service, each runneth unto an appointed term; He regulates all affairs; He detaileth the revelations, that haply ye may be certain of the meeting with your Lord. 3. And He it is Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams, and of all fruits He placed therein two sexes (male and female). He covereth the night with the day. Lo! herein verily are Signs for people who reflect. 4. And in the Earth are neighbouring tracts, vineyards and ploughed lands and date palms, growing out of single root or otherwise, which are watered with the same water, And We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. Lo! herein verily are Signs for people who understand.
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136 5. And if thou wonderest, then wondrous is their saying: When we are dust, are we then forsooth (to be raised) in a new creation? Such are they who disbelieve in their Lord; such have shackles round their necks: such are rightful owners of the Fire, they will abide therein. Ar-Ra.ad, 13:3 And He it is Who hath given independence to the two seas (though they meet); one palatable, sweet and the other saltish, bitter; and hath set a bar and an impassable partition. Furqan 25:53 27 Hast thou not seen that Allah causeth water to fall from the sky, and We produce there with fruit of divers hues; and among the hills are streaks white and red, of rivers hues, and (other) raven-black: 28. And of men and beasts and cattle, in like manner, divers hues? The scholarly among His servants fear Allah alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Forgiving. 29. Lo! those who read the Scripture of Allah, and establish Prayer and spend of that which We have bestowed on them secretly and openly, they look forward to imperishable gain. Fatir 35:27 36. Glory be to Him Who created all the sexual pairs, of that which the earth growth, and of themselves, and of that which they know not! 37. A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day and Lo! they are in darkness. 38. And the sun runneth on the course prescribed. That is the decree of the Mighty, the Knowing. 39. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf. 40. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.
Ya.seen
36:36 We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vastness of space. Zaa.ree.aat 51:47
Az-
And all things We have created by pairs, that haply ye may reflect. Az-Zaa.ree.aat 51:49 5. He it is Who appointed the sun a splendour and the moon a light, and measured for her stages, that ye might know the number of the years, and the reckoning. Allah created not (all) that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge. 6. Lo! in the difference of day and night and all that Allah hath created in the heavens and the earth are Signs verily, for folk who are God-fearing. Younas 10:5 43. Holy is He, and High Exalted for above what they say! 44. The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not a thing but hymneth His praise; but ye understand not their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving.Bani Israel 17:43 Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? Al-Ambia.a 21:30 Allah hath created every animal of water. Of them is (a kind) that goeth upon its belly and (a kind) that goeth upon two legs and (a kind) that goeth upon four. Allah createch what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. An-Noor 24:45 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 1.
Haa. Meem.
2. The revelation of the Scripture is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise. 3. Lo! in the heavens and the earth are Signs for believers. 4. And in your creation, and all the beasts that He scattereth in the earth, are Signs for a folk whose faith is firm. 5. And the difference of night and day and the provision that Allah sendeth down from the sky and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death, and the ordering of the winds, are Signs for a people with wisdom. Al-Jaseeah 45:1 In the Holy Bible, it is written that God created the universe in 6 days and on seventh day He rested. (Genesis 2:2). But in the Holy Qur’an it is made clear that Allah do not tire by His works nor He needs any rest, He is above any weakness at all. In the Holy Bible, GENESIS 6:6, it is written that God repented that He had made man on the earth. But the Holy Qur’an disagrees on this matter as Allah never repents as He is Knower of everything to come till eternity, so He does not need repentance. Whatever He does, He is fully aware of its consequences. Allah created both the good people and the evil people, everyone acts according to what one is created for, Allah loves His creation and He is proud of His creation, so why should He repent? Hereunder are enumerated the most popular attributes of Allah: (1)
Al-Malik
The Sovereign.
(2)
Al-Quddus
The Holy One.
(3)
Al-Salam
The Source of Peace.
(4)
Al-Mu’min
The Bestower of Security.
(5)
Al-Muhaimin
The Protector.
(6)
Al-Aziz
The Mighty.
(7)
Al-Jabbar
The Subduer.
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137 (8)
Al-Mutakabbir
The Exalted.
(9)
Al-Khaliq
The Creator
(10)
Al-Baari
The Maker.
(11)
Al-Musawwir
The Fashioner.
(12)
Al-Ghaffar
The Great Forgiver
(13)
Al-Qahhar
The Most Supreme
(14)
Al-Wahhab
The Bestower.
(15)
Al-Razzaaq
The Great Sustainer
(16)
Al-Fattah
The Opener (of the doors of success for mankind); The Judge
(17)
Al-Alim
The All-Knowing.
(18)
Al-Qabiz
The Controller, He Who keeps all things within limits; The Seizer.
(19)
Al-Basit
The Enlarger; He Who enlarges the means of subsistence.
(20)
Al-Khafiz
The Depresser, He Who brings low the proud
(21)
Al-Rafi
The Exalter
(22)
Al-Mu’izz
The Bestower of Honour
(23)
Al-Muzzill
The Abaser; He Who abases the haughty
(24)
Al-Sami
The All-Hearing.
(25)
Al-Baseer
The All-Seeing.
(26)
Al-Haakim
The Wise Judge.
(27)
Al-’Adl
The Just.
(28)
Al-Latif
The Incomprehensible; The Knower of all subtleties; The Benignant.
(29)
Al-Khabeer
The All-Aware.
(30)
Al-Haleem
The Forbearing.
(31)
Al-Azeem
The Great.
(32)
Al-Ghafoor
The Most Forgiving.
(33)
Al-Shakoor
The Most Appreciating.
(34)
Al-Aliyy
The High.
(35)
Al-Kabeer
The Incomparably Great.
(36)
Al-Hafiz
The Guardian.
(37)
Al-Muqit
The Preserver; He Who preserves the faculties of all created things; The Powerful.
(38)
Al-Haseeb
The Reckoner.
(39)
Al Jaleel
The Lord of Majesty.
(40)
Al- Kareem
The Noble,
(41)
Al-Raqeeb
The Watchful.
(42)
Al-Mujeeb
The Answerer of prayers.
(43)
Al-Wasi’
The Bountiful; The All-Embracing.
(44)
Al-Hakeem
The Wise.
(45)
Al-Wadood
The Loving.
(46)
Al-Majeed
The Lord of Honour.
(47)
Al-Ba’ith
The Raiser (of the dead).
(48)
Al-Shahid
The Witness; The Observer.
(49)
Al-Haqq
The True.
(50)
Al-Wakeel
The Disposer of affairs; The Keeper.
(51)
Al-Qawiyy
The Powerful.
(52)
Al-Mateen
The Strong.
(53)
Al-Waliyy
The Friend.
(54)
Al-Hameed
The Praiseworthy.
(55)
Al-Muhsi
The Recorder.
(56)
Al-Mubdi
The Author (of life); The Beginner.
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138 (57)
Al-Mu’id
The Repeater of life).
(58)
Al-Muhyee
The Life-Giver.
(59)
Al-Mumeet
The Controller of the causes of death; The Destroyer.
(60)
Al-Hayy
The Living.
(61)
Al-Qayyum
The Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining.
(62)
Al-Waajid
The Discoverer; The Finder.
(63)
Al-Maajid
The Glorious.
(64)
Al-Qaadir
The Possessor of power and authority.
(65)
Al-Muqtadir
The Omnipotent.
(66)
Al-Muqaddim
The Provider (of the means of progress and advancement).
(67)
Al-Mu’akhkhir
The Degrader; The Postponer
(68)
Al-Awwal
The First.
(69)
Al-Aakhir
The Last.
(70)
Al-Zaahir
The Manifest; He to Whose existence every created thing clearly points.
(71)
Al-Baatin
The Hidden; He through Whom the hidden reality of everything is revealed.
(72)
Al-Waali
The Ruler.
(73)
Al-Muta’ali
The Most High; The Possessor of excellent attributes.
(74)
Al-Barr
The Beneficent.
(75)
At-Tawwab
The Oft-Returning with compassion; The Acceptor of repentance.
(76)
Al-Mun’im
The Bestower of favours.
(77)
Al-Muntaqim
The Awarder of appropriate punishment; The Avenger.
(78)
Al-’Afuww
The Effacer of sins.
(79)
Al-Ra’uf
The Compassionate.
(80)
Maalik al-Mulk
The Lord of Sovereignty.
(81)
Al-Muqsit
The Equitable.
(82)
Al-Jami
The Gatherer; The Assembler.
(83)
Al-Ghaniyy
The Self-Sufficient. The Rich
(84)
Al-Mughni
The Provider of the means of sufficiency, The Enricher.
(85)
Al-Maani
The Withholder; The Prohibitor.
(86)
Al-Darr
The Inflictor of punishment.
(87)
Al-Naafi
The Benefactor.
(88)
Al-Noor
The Light.
(89)
Al-Haadi
The Guide.
(90)
Al-Badee
The Originator.
(91)
Al-Baaqi
The Survivor.
(92)
Al-Warith
The Inheritor.
(93)
Ar-Raashid
The Director to the right way.
(94)
Al-Saboor
The Patient.
(95)
Zoo’l ‘Arsh
The Lord of the Throne.
(96)
Zoo’l Waqar
The Possessor of staidness and gravity, He Who does everything with reason and to fulfil a certain purpose.
(97)
Al-Mutakallim
(98)
Al-Shaafi
The Healer.
(99)
Al-Kaafi
The Sufficient.
(100)
Al-Ahad
The Unique; The Lord of Unity
(101)
Al-Wahid
The One.
(102)
As-Samad
The Besought of all, The Independent.
(103)
Zoo’l Jalaal wal Ikraam
The Lord of Majesty and Bounty
The Speaker; He Who speaks to His servants.
138
139 Our readers would realize that the Holy Qur’an mentions about Allah in a way which is highly commendable and brings to mind Allah’s picture which is the most clear and exhaustive and knowledgeable. It is a beauty of Islamic teachings that its adherents are deeply religious and God-fearing. Hereunder is an observation by an outstanding Western writer. “It may be boldly asserted that no people in the world give the impression of being so religious-minded as do Moslems. All of life is saturated with the consciousness of God.” (Charles R. Watson, “What is this Moslem World?” London 1937).
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Chapter 2 OF THE PROPHETS The Holy Qur’an enjoins upon the Muslims to show respect to all the prophets which came to all the nations of the world, and to send blessings upon all, unconditionally. All the prophets had the same mission, all prophesied about prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W.) advent. Every prophet was sent for only one nation, while prophet Muhammad was sent for the whole world. The Holy Bible does not mention about the prophets of other nations of the world. Hereunder are verses from the Holy Qur’an which throw light upon the universality of Islam. 157. Those who follow the Messenger, the Gentile Prophet whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him; they are those who will have salvation. 158. Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Lo! I am the Messenger of Allah to you all (the Messenger of) Him unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no God save Him. He quickeneth and He giveth death, so believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Prophet of the Gentiles who believeth in Allah and in His Words, and follow him that haply ye may be led aright. Al-Aa.raaf 7:157 79. It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture and wisdom and the Prophethood that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: Be slaves of me instead of Allah; but (what he said was): Be ye faithful servants of the Lord by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and your constant study thereof. 80. And he commanded you not that ye should take the angels and the prophets for lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after ye had surrendered (to Allah). 81. When Allah made (His) covenant with the prophets (He said): Behold that which have been given you of the Scripture and knowledge. And afterward there will come unto you a Messenger, confirming that which ye possess. Ye shall believe in him and ye shall help him. He said: Do ye agree, and will ye take up My burden (which I lay upon you in this matter) They answered: We agree. He said: Then bear ye witness. I will be a witness with you. 82. Then whosoever after this shall turn away, they will be evildoer. 83. Seek they other than the religion of Allah, when unto Him submitteth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and unto Him they will be returned. 84. Say (O Muhammad) We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ismael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. 85. And whoso seeketh as religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter. Al-Imran 3:79 And verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming) Serve Allah and shun false gods. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers! An-Nah’l 16:36 And for every nation there is a messenger. And when their messenger cometh (on the Day of Judgment) it will be judged between them fairly, and they will not be wronged. Younas 10:47 135. And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. 136. Say (O Muslims) We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ismael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. Al-Baqarah 2:135 163. Lo! We inspire thee as We inspired Noah and the prophets after him, as We inspired Abraham and Ismael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and as We imparted unto David the Psalms: An-Nisaa 4:16 alive.
Peace be upon him (John the Baptist, i.e. Yahya) the day he was born and the day he died and the day he shall be raised Maryam : 15 Peace on me the day I (Jesus Christ, Eesaa) was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive.
Maryam :
31 And make mention in the Scripture of Moses (Moosaa). Indeed he was chosen, and he was a messenger, a prophet. And We called him from the right side of the Mount and made him draw near to Us in communion. And We bestowed upon him of Our Mercy his brother Aaron, a prophet. And make mention in the Scripture of Ismael. Indeed he was strict in fulfillment of commitment. And he was a messenger, a prophet. He enjoined prayer and almsgiving on his people and was well-pleasing in the sight of his Lord. And make mention in the Scripture of Idris. Indeed he was a truthful man, a prophet. And We exalted him to a lofty station. These are they whom Allah blessed from among the prophets of the seed of Adam and of those whom We carried with Noah (in the ship), and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Beneficent were recited unto them, they fell down, prostrating and weeping. Maryam : 52 to 57
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141 Say: All praise belongs to Allah and salaam be upon those of His servants whom He chose! Is Allah better or those whom they associate (as partner with him)? Al Naml : 59 Salaam (peace, blessings) be upon Noah among the peoples (of all the words). Salaam be upon Abraham.
As Saffat : 79
As Saffat : 109
And We gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet, and one of the righteous.
As Saffat
112 Salaam be upon Moses and Aaron.
As Saffat 130
And indeed Jonah (Yunus) was one of the messengers.
As Saffat 139
And indeed Lot was one of the messengers.
As Saffat 133
Our readers will realise that the Holy Qur’an shows great respect to all the prophets and exhorts the Muslims to send blessings upon them. The Muslims are forbidden to make any distinction between the prophets. The Holy Bible has no such instruction comparable to this; the Israelis even killed many prophets of God. Hereunder are the remarks of some eminent Western scholars about the beauty of Islamic faith. “It is one of the glories of Islam that temples are not made with hands and that its ceremonies can be performed anywhere upon God’s earth or under His heaven.” (Our Indian Mussulmans; Hunter) “It may be boldly asserted that no people in this world give the impression of being so religious-minded as do Moslems. All of life is saturated with the consciousness of God.” (What is this Moslem World? London, 1937, pp. 38-39 Charles R Watson) “Most pleasing also is the dignity which the Muslim develops through his attitude is one of noble religious pride which is never transformed into vanity.” (Die Welt des Islam, p. 133 Friedrich Delitzsch) “The nobility and broad tolerance of this creed, which accepts as God-inspired all the real religions of the world, will always be a glorious heritage for mankind. On it could indeed be built a perfect world religion.” [(The Gospel of Islam Adyar 1948, p. 27 Duncan Greenlees, M. A. (Oxon.) “Two features in the Creed of Islam have always specially attracted me. One is the God’s conception, the other is its unquestionable sincerity, a tremendous asset in human affairs, the religious aspect of them especially. After all, sincerity is almost divine and like love, covers a multitude of sins. (Islam Her Moral and Spiritual Value, London 1927. Major Arthur Glyn Leonard) “Images or pictures, either of Allah or Muhammad (S.A.W.), are strictly forbidden, and the mosques with their domes and courtyards though — beautiful are bare. One misses the forests of flowers standing before the images of Buddha, the carvings and images of Hindu temples, the priests in their vestments in the churches of Rome, the hymns in a Protestant church. For Moslems these things are looked on as distractions from worship and prayer, and images are held to lead to idolatry.” “Perhaps it was this simplicity of Islam which led to its amazingly rapid spread in its early years.” (Men Seeking God, London, 1955, p. 16 Christopher
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Chapter 3 GLORIFICATION OF THE PROPHETS As our readers would read below they will be surprised to find that the Holy Qur’an shows much more reverence to all the Prophets as compared to the Holy Bible. 1. The Holy Qur’an is silent about the intoxication of Prophet Lot by his daughters and then intercourse with him. They got pregnant and then gave birth to children. A common Muslim do not have even the faintest idea about this incidence, many would even refuse to believe it and curse those who fabricated such a story. 2. In the Holy Qur’an, King David is very highly praised. It is written that when he would sing psalms, even birds and the mountains joined with him to sing hymn. Al Anbiya 21:79 Metals became soft in the hands of David and he made coats of mail with it which gave protection during the wars. Al Anbiya 21:81 There is no mention of David’s adultery with his commander Uriah’s wife and then conspiring to get him killed in an expedition. Nor there is any mention of dethroning of David by his son Absalom; Absalom intercoursed with his father’s concubine wives publicly to humiliate him. 3. In the Holy Qur’an it is stated that Solomon was taught to talk with birds and even could hear conversation of ants from a great distance (17:18), and that, to Solomon, were subdued winds and the jinn. (34:12). Among Solomon’s servants, there was one who brought throne of queen of Sheba in few seconds. (17:40) The Holy Qur’an reiterates that Solomon never committed idolatry. There is no mention in the Holy Qur’an that Solomon married many hundred idolatrous wives who allured him to worship other foreign gods. 4. The Holy Qur’an shows much greater reverence to Jesus and brings to remembrance long-forgotten facts that Jesus spoke when he was only one day old, to advocate on the behalf of his mother Mary whom the Jews accused as fornicator. Also Jesus would make birds from the clay; and then by his command, they flew like real birds. The Holy Qur’an mentions all the miracles by Jesus Christ mentioned in the Gospels and also mentions that Jesus could tell what people did in their houses secretly; Allah gave him the power to see and listen to those who lived far-off. The Holy Qur’an vindicates Jesus from the charges that he was sometimes harsh towards his mother Mary. Thus it is a beauty of the Holy Qur’an that it omits mention of those incidences about the great prophets which lower their respect and provide no guidance for the followers, rather lead them to misbehave and to practice immorality with an excuse that if their role-models i.e. the prophets had weaknesses, why then they are to be blamed? The Holy Qur’an mentions about all the prophets with the highest esteem and respect and never mentions anything which may belittle their exaltedness. In Islam, it is a great sin to mention about any prophet with disrespect; if name of any prophet is uttered, it must be followed by the words ‘upon him be salam (peace)’. Thus the Holy Qur’an is a protector of the honour of all the prophets unconditionally. This is an Islamic culture!
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Chapter 4 THE WORLD SAVIOUR GOOD NEWS ABOUT HIS COMING In the Holy Bible, the coming of a world saviour is mentioned in every part of the scripture i.e. in the Torah, The Psalms, the prophets, and the Gospels. The Holy Qur’an reiterates that the mentioned saviour is none but prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). Hereunder are some of the verses from the Holy Bible: In Deuterronomy 18:15 we have, “The Lord thy God will raise unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren (Ishmaelites) like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” (Also see Deuterronomy 18:18). In Deuterronomy 33:2 we have, “And he (Moses) said, ‘The lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran and he came with ten thousands of Saints; from his right hand went a fiery law for them’.” In the Psalms 110:1 The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion; rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. In the Song of Solomon 5:10 we have “My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, the most conspicuous among ten thousand”. Again the same figure ten thousand appears to pin point the prophecy to whom it belonged. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), conquered Makkah with exactly ten thousand soldiers, and destroyed the strongest centre of idolatry. Further in verse 5:16 we have “His mouth is most sweet, he is Mohammad (S.A.W.) (translated as lovely). This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem”. In this verse even the name Mohammad (peace be upon him) has appeared; ‘im’ stands for showing reverence as is in ELOHIM. In this verse, the last line reads in original language as ‘HIKKO MAMITTA DIM VIKULLO MOHAMMADIM ZEHUDIVEZEM RAAT BENUTE YARUSHALAM’. In the Isaiah 42:1, there is a prophecy about the Gentile Prophet. “Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one (whom) my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the Gentiles is what he will bring forth. He will not cry out or raise his voice, and in the street he will not let his voice be heard. No crushed reed will he break and for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it. In trueness he will bring forth justice. He will not grow a dim nor be crushed until he sets justice in the earth itself; and for his law the islands themselves will keep waiting”. In the Gospel, we have When the Helper, (Paraclete) arrives, that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which proceeds from the Father, that one will bear witness, about me, and you, in turn, are to bear witness, because you have been with me from when I began. John 15:26,27 That is why I (Jesus) say to you, “The Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruit. Also, the person falling upon this stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will pulverize him.” MATTHEW 21:43 However, when making a reply, Jesus began to say as he taught in the temple: “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is David’s son? By the Holy spirit David himself said, ‘Jehovah said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet.” David himself calls him ‘Lord,’ but how does it comes that he is his son?” Mark 12:35 Jesus answered: The name of the Messiah is ‘Admirable’ for God himself gave him the name when He had created his soul, and placed it in a celestial splendour, God said, “Wait Muhammad (peace be upon him) for thy sake I will create paradise, the world, land, a great multitude of creatures, whereof I make thee a present, in so much that whoso shall bless thee be blessed and whoso shall curse thee shall be cursed,”(THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BARNABAS, PAGE 103 B) Moses (pbuh) spoke his last words to Joshua bin Nun, and ordered him to write down this most important prophecy and propagate and publicise it to all the generations to come. “And do thou, Joshua the son of Nun, keep these words and this book; for from my death until His advent there shall be CCL times.” (CCL times is 250 years-weeks i.e. 1750 years) Ref. Assumption of Moses 10:11, the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament, p. 423 vol. 2 by R. H. Charles, Oxford Press, Oxford, U.K. Moses (pbuh) died in 1180 B.C. and Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was born in 570 A.D.; prophecy of Moses (pbuh) is fulfilled in Muhammad (S.A.W.) exactly. The Holy Qur’an declares that the followers of the Holy Bible recognize the prophet as they recognize their sons, even more Jesus Christ confirmed the name of the Saviour as Ahmad. Also the Holy Qur’an confirms that prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, will establish His religion in the whole world which is the only religion acceptable to Allah and is culmination and summation of all the past religions of the world, Allah has perfected it and therefore no amendment is possible even in the future, as prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the last of prophets. In the Holy Qur’an, we have a number of revelations to confirm the above claims. “Today, I have perfected your religion for you and I have accomplished My favours upon you and I have given My consent and approval for Islam.” “He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth that He may cause it to prevail over all other religions even if those who worship partners with Allah hate it.” As-Saff 61-10
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144 Whoso desires a faith different from Islam, shall not be accepted and he will be one of the losers in the Hereafter. Al-Imran 3:85 In the Holy Qur’an, we further have, Say, (O Prophet) O mankind, indeed I am a Messenger to you all from Allah to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no god but He, He gives life and causes death. So put faith in Allah and His Messenger, the Prophet of the Gentile who believes in Allah and His words; follow him so that you may be rightly guided. Al Aa.raaf 159 O ye people of the Book! Believe in what We have revealed, fulfilling that which is with you.
An Nisaa 48
Those to whom We have given the Book recognize him (Prophet Muhammad, S.A.W.) as they recognize their sons, but surely some of them hide the truth knowingly. Al Baqarah 146 Those who follow the Messenger, the Gentile prophet whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel with them. Al Aaraf 158 But he (the prophet) is a messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets. Al Ahzaab 41 And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘O children of Israel, surely I am a messenger of Allah unto you, fulfilling that which is before me of the Torah, and giving good news of a Messenger who will come after me, whose name will be Ahmad. As Saff 7 When prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, started his mission, then some leading rabbis and a small number of the Jews put faith in him, but the ten lost tribes of sons of Israel, settled in Afghanistan, Kashmir, India and those in N.W.F.P, now Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (Pakistan) accepted Islam in a short time. So the Holy Qur’an proclaims that all the prophecies of the Holy Bible are unmistakably about prophet Muhammad, (S.A.W.) who is the prophet and saviour of the whole world. Jesus denied that he is that awaited Christ, the World Saviour, Jesus was only the Christ for children of Israel. Jesus was born for no mission but to give good news of coming of kingdom of God through a Gentile, non-Jewish prophet, from among their brethren, the Ismaelites (Ref. Gospel of Barnabas). Both Moses and Jesus clearly confirmed Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, as the last Messenger of Allah i.e. the Christ the World Saviour. It may confuse some of our readers that epithet Christ is being used for both Jesus and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Christ is a general word, meaning anointed one or a saviour from Allah; king Saul, king David, king Solomon are too Christs as they were great saviours for their nation and all were anointed by the chief priests at the time of becoming kings. Thus both the Holy Books, the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Bible, agree that one last Saviour i.e. the Christ of the world was expected. The believers in the Holy Bible i.e. the Jews and the Christians, deny that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), was that prophet while the Muslims, who consist of converts from among the Jews and the Christians and idolaters and other religious groups, put firm faith in the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. These all converts recognized that the prophet was from the brethren of Israelites, i.e. the Ishmaelites, and was a warrior who accomplished his mission with success; he was the one who conquered the Makkah with ten thousand Holy warriors and demolished idolatry from the world forever. He was a Gentile prophet and never hit anyone in his lifetime, not even during the battles as was prophesied in Isaiah 42:1. He was born in 570 A.D. according to the prophecy of prophet Moses, as well as the prophecies of Buddha, Krishna, Zoroastra too. All prophesied his coming at the same time. These prophesies are still present in all the Holy Scriptures of the world which can be easily verified by any one of our readers who are interested in it. That is why Jesus said that ‘the denying of this supreme Holy Spirit will not be forgiven ever; he is perfect being of Allah, on whom no one can put blame except but very hardhearted people.
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145 Chapter 5 THE WORLD SAVIOUR WHO? The Holy Qur’an claims that Jesus was a Prophet for the sons of Israel alone and that he prophesied the coming of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. About Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, it is emphatically said that he was the promised last Prophet and that he was sent for all the mankind, and that his coming is clearly and conclusively mentioned in all the Holy Scriptures of the world. In the Gospel of Matthew 15:24 we have ‘In answer He (Jesus) said: I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” After reading the above statement, it becomes clear that Jesus came only for the sons of Israel and not for the whole world. Also in the Gospel of Luke 4:43 we have, “Also to other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God because for this I was sent for.” Jesus was thus just an announcer to give the good news of coming of the kingdom of God, which was to come through Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Jesus also said in Matthew 10.5 we have, “Do not go off into the roads of the Gentiles and do not enter into a Samaritan city but instead go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”. Even to his followers, Jesus ordered not to got to non-Israelis. About the coming of the last Prophet, the Christ or son of man, Jesus said, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ’. Or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false Prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned you. Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out’ ‘Look! He is in the inner chambers.’ Do not believe it. For just as the lightening comes out of eastern parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be. MATTHEW 24:23 Also Jesus declared that the Christ will not be from among the Jews, he said In Mark 12:35 we have “How is that the scribes say that the Christ is David’s son? by the holy spirit David himself said ‘Jehovah said to my Lord “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet”. David himself calls him ‘Lord’ but how does it come that he is his son?’ The following quotation from the Gospel of Barnabas confirms the above statement. ‘Verily I say unto you, that every Prophet when he is come hath borne to one nation only the mark of the mercy of God. And so their words were not extended save to that people to which they were sent. But the messenger of God, when he shall come, God shall give to him as it were the seal of his hand, insomuch that he shall carry salvation and mercy to all the nations of the world that shall receive his doctrine. He shall come with power upon the ungodly, and shall destroy idolatry, insomuch that he shall make Satan confounded: for so promised God to Abraham, saying: “Behold, in thy seed I will bless all the tribes of the earth; and as thou hast broken in pieces the idols, O Abraham, even so shall thy seed do.” James answered: ‘O master, tell us in whom this promise was made; for the Jews say “in Isaac,” and the Ishmaelites say “in Ishmael”. Jesus answered: ‘David, whose son was he, and of what lineage?’ James answered: ‘Of Isaac: for Isaac was father of Jacob, Jacob was father of Judah, of whose lineage is David.’ Then said Jesus: ‘And the messenger of God when he shall come, of what lineage will he be?’ The disciples answered: ‘Of David.’ Whereupon Jesus said: ‘Ye deceive yourselves; for David in spirit calleth him lord, saying thus: “God said to my lord, sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool. God shall send forth thy rod which shall have lordship in the midst of thine enemies.” If the messenger of God whom ye call Messiah were son of David, how should David call him lord? Believe me, for verily I say to you, that the promise was made in Ishmael, not in Isaac,’ Thereupon said the disciples: ‘O master, it is thus written in the book of Moses, that in Isaac was the promise made.’ God.
Jesus answered, with a groan: ‘It is so written, but Moses wrote it not, nor Joshua, but rather our rabbins, who fear not Gospel of Barnabas, Page 45 In the Gospel of Mark 8-29 it is written,
Jesus (A.S.) said, “You, though, who do you say I am?” In answer Peter said to him: You are the Christ”. At this he strictly charged them not to tell anyone about him.” This incidence is also present in Luke 9:20 and Matthew 16:13. One fails to understand what sort of Saviour is he who himself did not claim but asked his disciples to solve his riddle, and then did not allow his disciples to tell anybody. Moreover he himself denied himself to be the Christ; but said; “The Christ’s name is Muhammad (S.A.W.) and I am not worthy to unloose the ties of the hozen, the lackets of the shoes of the messenger of God whom ye call Messiah.” Gospel of Barnabas P. 43
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146 Jesus said, “This is why I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits.” Jesus Christ also prophesied that before the coming of the true universal Christ, there will be great persecution of his true believers. In Mattew 10:23 we have “When they persecute you in one city, flee to another, for truly I say to you, you will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives”. In the 4th century, King Constantine started persecution of all those Christians who differed from his approved Christianity. It was Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, who came to their rescue and saved them from persecution and deaths. The fact that it was not Jesus but Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, who was the last true Christ. Read the following two prophecies: The first is the prophecy of Prophet Moses (A.S.) which he dictated to Joshua Bin Nun; ‘And do thou, Joshua the son of Nun, keep these words and this book, for from my death until His advent there shall be CCL times.” CCL times is 250 years-weeks or 1750 (Assumption of Moses 10:11) As Moses (A.S.) died in 1180 BC, so the birth of the Prophet comes out to be year A.D. 570. This is exactly the date of birth of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). The second prophecy is by Prophet Isaiah, who confirmed that the last Christ would successfully accomplish his mission and that non-Jewish and non-Israeli nations will also put faith in him. Hereunder is the prophecy. “Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one (whom) my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the Gentiles is what he will bring forth. He will not cry out or raise his voice, and in the street he will not let his voice be heard. No crushed reed will he break and for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it. In trueness he will bring forth justice. He will not grow dim nor be crushed until he sets justice in the earth itself; and for his law the islands themselves will keep waiting.” (42:l 4). Jesus neither accomplished any mission nor converted the non-Israelis. He never had any mission at all except announcement of the coming of a Gentile Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, which he fulfilled. The Prophet is the only one who established justice in the world. He never got crushed, but Jesus was crushed by the Jews. We think that we have conclusively proved that the Holy Qur’an’s claim is true; Jesus was only the Christ of the Jews while Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was the Christ, the Saviour of the whole world. The Holy Qur’an says: “And We have not sent thee but as a bearer of good news and as a warner to all mankind but most men know not. Al Sab.aa 34:29 Say” (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) O mankind! truly I am a Messenger to you all from Allah to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Al Araaf 7:159 In the light of above arguments, which are not even ten percent of all the argument which can be furthered to prove our point, the following verses are very true: Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognise the Prophet as they recognise their sons. But Lo! A party of them knowingly conceal the truth. Al-Baqarah 2:146 There are some verses which are put forward by the Christians and the Jews to prove that the Prophet was in fact their enemy and not their saviour. The questionable verses are as follows: “O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. And whoso among you takes them for friends is indeed one of them. Verily, Allah guides not wrong-doing ones. Al Maeedah 5:52 Note that the Jews and the Christians, who are historically bitter enemy, had made alliance against the Muslims. O ye who believe! Take not disbelievers for friends, in preference to believers. Do you mean to give Allah a manifest proof against yourselves? Al Nisa 4:145 O ye who believe! Take not for intimate friends others than your own people; they will not fail to ruin you; they love to see you in trouble. Hatred is revealed in their utterances, but that hatred which their breasts hide is even greater. We have made clear to you the revelations, only if you will understand. Al Imran 3:119 O ye who believe! Take not for friends such of those who received the Book before you, and of the disbelievers, who make a jest and sport of your religion. And fear Allah if you actually are believers.Al Maeedah 5:58 O ye who believe! Take not your fathers and your brothers for friends; if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso among you befriends them, such are wrongdoers. Al Tauba 10:23 O ye who believe! Take not My enemy and your enemy for friends, offering them love when they disbelieve in that truth which has come to you, driving out the Messenger and you because you believe in Allah, your Lord? Al Mumtahanah 60:1
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147 From the above verses, it becomes clear that Allah stopped the Muslims to befriend the Jews, the Christians, the idolators, and even their fathers and brothers who were hostile to the faith of Islam. These opponents were actually spying, uttering degrading remarks about the new religion, were trying to create fears among the Muslims and forcing them to forsake their faith. But when the Prophet overcame all the opponents and defeated them in battles which they initiated, he forgave them all. After conquering Makkah, he said; I forgive you all like Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) who forgave all his brothers. That is the greatest example of tolerance and large heartedness, which the Prophet manifested after about twenty years of painful and torturous experience at the hands of his enemies. After Allah fulfilled the words which David spoke that ‘Allah will put all your enemies as footstool before you’, then verses were revealed in the Holy Qur’an to befriend and enact loving relationship with the Jews and the Christians. “This day all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of the People of the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And so are virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who were given the Book before you when you give them their dowries and live with them with honour, not in fornication, nor taking secret paramours. Al Maeedah 5:6
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148 Chapter 6 CHOSEN NATION WHO? In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says, world.”
“O Children of Israel! Remember My favour which I conferred upon you, and that I chose you among the peoples of the Al Baqarah 2:48 “Remember! We made a covenant with the Children of Israel ‘You shall worship none but only Allah.’” Al Baqarah 2:17
Thus the Holy Qur’an confirms that the Children of Israel were a chosen nation of God in the past. Also the children of Israel were informed by God in the Holy Bible that He will settle them in Palestine which was their ‘Promised Land’. That promise was made by Allah to Prophet Abraham that the land of Palestine will be inherited by his children. The promise clearly was for all the children of Abraham including Prophet Ismael and his sons and their future off-springs. Also the children of Abraham included all those followers of him too who put faith in his religion and also those who embraced Abraham’s message propagated by Isaac, Ismael and all those Prophets who appeared from his progeny and upholded Abraham’s religion. The title ‘chosen nation’ does not mean that the nation is superior by birth, but it means that Allah separated those chosen people to carry out the duty from Him to promote His message that He is One God, and the only One to be worshipped and obeyed. Thus sons of Israel were ‘chosen’ to be flag bearers of Jehovah’s commandments. But for the most of time in their history they failed miserably to follow Jehovah’s words. After the death of King Solomon, the sons of Israel were divided into two groups and established their independent states i.e. the state of Judah and the State of Israel. The State of Israel in Samaria soon became a state of idolatrous nation and never returned to the worship of One God; this state was constituted by the ten tribes. The state of Judah, constituted by sons of Judah and Benjamin, practised worship of One God in the start but then reverted to idolatry; this worship of One God and then reverting to idolatry, and then again reverting to worship of One God continued for a long time till a very strong worded curse and admonishment came from Jehovah. It is perhaps the most abusive and threatening revelation of Jehovah which was ever sent by Allah. This is what Jehovah had earlier warned in Deuteronomy 28:1 to 29:1; as the sons of Israel and the Jews proved themselves worthless and rebellious, so the following disgusting revelation came to declare the end of the Jewish and the Israelis’ supremacy. The following passages are from Ezekiel 23:1 to 23: And the word of Jehovah proceeded to come to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, two women, the daughters of one mother, there happened to be. 3 And they began to prostitute themselves in Egypt. In their youth they committed prostitution. There their breasts were squeezed, and there they pressed the bosoms of their virginity. 4 And their names were O.ho’lah the older one and O.hol’i-bah her sister, and they came to be mine and began to give birth to sons and daughters. And as for their names, O.ho’lah is Sa.mar’i.a, and O.hol’i.bah is Jerusalem. 5 “And O.ho’lah began to prostitute herself, while subject to me, and kept lusting after those passionately loving her, after the As.syr’i.ans, who were near, 6 governors clothed with blue material, and their deputy rulers—desirable young men all of them, cavalrymen riding horses. 7 And she continued giving forth her prostitutions upon them, the choicest sons of As.syr’.i.a all of them; and with all those after whom she lusted—with their dungy idols—she denied herself. 8 And her prostitutions [carried] from Egypt she did not leave, for with her they had lain down in her youth, and they were the ones that pressed the bosoms of her virginity and they kept pouring out their immoral intercourse upon her. 9 Therefore I gave her into the hand of those passionately loving her, into the hand of the sons of As.syr’i.a, toward whom she had lusted. 10 They were the ones that uncovered her nakedness. Her sons and her daughters they took, and her they killed even with sword. And she came to be infamy to women, and acts of judgment were what they executed upon her. 11 “When her sister O.hol’i.bah got to see [it], then she exercised her sensual desire more ruinously than she, and her prostitution more than the fornication of her sister. 12 For the sons of As.syr’.i.a she lusted, governors and deputy rulers who were near, clothed with perfect taste, cavalrymen riding horses—desirable young men all of them. 13 And I got to see that, because she had denied herself, both of them had one way. 14 And she kept adding to her acts of prostitution when she got to see the men in carvings upon the wall, images of Chal,de’ans carved in vermilion, 15 girded with belts on their hips, with pendant turbans on their heads, having the appearance of warriors, all of them, the likeness of the sons of Babylon, Chal.de’ans as respects the land of their birth. 16 And she began to lust after them at the sight of her eyes and proceeded to send messengers to them in Chal.de’a. 17 And the sons of Babylon kept coming in to her, to the bed of expressions of love, and defiling her with their immoral intercourse; and she continued getting defiled by them, and her soul began to turn away disgusted from them. 18 “And she went on uncovering her acts of prostitution and uncovering her nakedness, so that my soul turned away disgusted from company with her, just as my soul had turned away disgusted from company with her sister. 19 And she kept multiplying her acts of prostitution to the point of calling to mind the days of her youth, when she prostituted herself in the land of Egypt. 20 And she kept lusting in the style of concubines belonging to those whose fleshly member is as the fleshly member of male asses and whose genital organ is as the genital organ of male horses. 21 And you continued calling attention to the loose conduct of your youth by the pressing of your bosoms from Egypt onward, for the sake of the breasts of your youth. 22 “Therefore, O O.hol’i.bah, this is what the Lord Jehovah has said, ‘Here I am rousing up your passionate lovers against you, those from whom your soul has turned away in disgust, and I will bring them in against you on all sides, 23 the sons of Babylon and all the Chal.de’ans, Fe’kod and Sho’a and Ko’a, all the sons of As.syr’i.a with them, desirable young men, governors and deputy rulers all of them, warriors and summoned ones, riding on horses, all of them. Thus fate of the ‘chosen nation’ was doomed; finally Jesus Christ uttered his famous prophecy: “This is why I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits: Matthew 21:43 Mark 12:9 Luke 20:16
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149 It was after Jesus’ claim that ‘Allah will give the duty of establishment of kingdom of God to the sons of Ishmael and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, to lead that revolution and fulfil it’, that the Jews finally decided to kill Jesus, forgetting all his miracles and good works, and declared him to be an agent of Devil. They even called the most pious Mary, mother of Jesus as a whore who got her son from some Ishmaelite; the Holy Qur’an curses the Jews for uttering calumny. Al Nisa 4:157 In the Holy Qur’an, we read the following verses to clear our point that now the Muslims are the ‘chosen nation’ of Allah to do His works. Remember that the Muslims are not the sons of Ishmael but are peoples from all the nations of the world. “And strive for the cause of Allah, a striving which is befitting for Him. He has chosen you and has laid no hardship in religion; the nation of your father Abraham, He has named you Muslims of old time and also now”. Al Hajj 22:79 Thus the Holy Qur’an confirms that the Muslims are ‘chosen’ to continue that mission of Abraham which was given in the past to a ‘chosen’ nation, the sons of Israel; unfortunately they failed miserably and suffered the wrath of Allah again and again but to no avail. But the Israelis always thought themselves to be a superior nation in spite of the fact that Jehovah rejected them and dispersed them among all the nations of world. This superiority complex, hatred bigotry and prejudice continued till the coming of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, who after their hostilities, bloody battles finally subdued, them and then forgave them all and declared unconditional friendship and allowed the Muslims to enact marriages with their chaste women and to eat with them. Al Maeedah 5:5 Those were only the Muslims who took them into their arms and provided security while, in among the European nations, they suffered humiliation all the time. The golden era of the Israelis was during the Muslim rule in Spain. Everywhere in the Muslim world, the Jews were highly respected because the Holy Qur’an has ordered to befriend them and enact marriages with their women. But unfortunately, those were the very Jews who killed and sent into exile the Palestinians who were a firm believer in Abraham and the religion of Moses; many were sons of Abraham through his son Ishmael, for whom too the promise of the land of Palestine was made by Allah. We hereunder quote the original promise which was retold by Prophet Moses to prove our point that the Israelis got supremacy when acted within Jehovah’s limits, thereafter they lost that favour and suffered heavily as God had told earlier.
28 “And it must occur that if you will without fail listen to the voice of Jehovah your God by being careful to do all his commandments that I am commanding you today, Jehovah your God also will certainly put you high above all other nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings must come upon you and overtake you, because you keep listening to the voice of Jehovah your God: 3 “Blessed will you be in the city and blessed will you be in the field. 4 “Blessed will be the fruit of your belly and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your domestic beast, the young of your cattle and the progeny of your flock. 5 “Blessed will be your basket and your kneading trough. 6 “Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out. 7 “Jehovah will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. By one way they will come out against you, but by seven ways they will flee before you. 8 Jehovah will decree for you the blessing on your stores of supply and every undertaking of yours, and he will certainly bless you in the land that Jehovah your God is giving you. 9 Jehovah will establish you as a holy people to himself, just as he swore to you, because you continue to keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, and you have walked in his ways. 10 And all the peoples of the earth will have to see that Jehovah’s name has been called upon you, and they will indeed be afraid of you. 11 “Jehovah will also make you overflow indeed with prosperity in the fruit of your belly and the fruit of your domestic animals and the fruitage of your ground, on the ground that Jehovah swore to your forefathers to give you. 12 Jehovah will open up to you his good storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain on your land in its season and to bless every deed of your hand; and you will certainly lend to many nations, while you yourself will not borrow. 13 And Jehovah will indeed put you at the head and not it the tail; and you must come to be only on top, and you will not come to be on the bottom, Because you keep obeying the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I am commanding you today to observe and to do. 14 And you must not turn aside from all the words that I am commanding YOU today, to the right or to the left. to walk after other gods to serve them. 15 “And it must occur that if you will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God by taking care to do all his commandments and his statutes that I am commanding you today, all these maledictions must, also come upon you and overtake you: 16 “Cursed will you be in the city, and cursed will you be in the field. 17 “Cursed will be your basket and your kneading trough. 18 “Cursed will be the fruit of your belly and the fruitage of your ground, the young of your cattle and the progeny of your flock. 19 “Cursed will you be when you come in, and cursed will you be when you go out. 20 “Jehovah will send upon you the curse, confusion and rebuke in every undertaking of yours that you try to carry out, until you have been annihilated and have perished in a hurry, because of the badness of your practices in that you have forsaken me. 21 Jehovah will cause the pestilence to cling to you until he has exterminated you from off the ground to which you are going to take possession of it. 22 Jehovah will strike you with tuberculosis and burning fever and inflammation and feverish heat and the sword and scorching and mildew, and they will certainly pursue you until you have perished. 23 Your skies that are over your head must also become copper, and earth that is beneath you iron.
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150 24 Jehovah will give powder and dust as the rain of your land. From the heavens it will come down upon you until you have been annihilated. 25 Jehovah will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. By one way you will go out against them, but by seven ways you will flee before them; and you must become a frightful object to all the earth’s kingdoms, 26 And your dead body must become food for every flying creature of the heavens and to the beast of the field, with no one to make [them] tremble. 27 “Jehovah will strike you with the boil of Egypt and piles and eczema and skin eruption, from which you will not be able to be healed. 28 Jehovah will strike you with madness and loss of sight and bewilderment of heart. 29 And you will indeed become one who gropes about at midday, just as a blind man gropes about in the gloom, and you will not make your ways successful; and you must become only one who is always defrauded and robbed, with no one to save you. 30 You will become engaged to a woman, but another man will rape her. You will build a house, but you will not dwell in it. You will plant a vineyard, but you will not begin to use it. 31 Your bull slaughtered there before your eyes—but you will not eat any of it. Your ass taken in robbery from before your face—but it will not return to you. Your sheep given to your enemies—but you will have no savior. 32 Your sons and your daughters given to another people and your eyes looking on and yearning for them always—but your hands will be without power. 33 The fruitage of your ground and all your production a people will eat whom you have not known; and you must become, one who is only defrauded and crushed always. 34 And you will certainly become maddened at the sight of your eyes that you will see. 35 “Jehovah will strike you with a malignant boil upon both knees and both legs, from which you will because of the tightness and stress with which your enemy will hem you in within your gates. 58 “If you will not take care to carry out all the words of this law that are written in this book so as to fear this glorious and fear-inspiring name, even Jehovah, your God, 59 Jehovah also will certainly make your plagues and the plagues of your offspring especially severe, great and long-lasting plagues, and malignant and long-lasting sicknesses. 60 And he will indeed bring back upon you all the diseases of Egypt before which you got scared, and they will certainly hang onto you. 61 Also, any sickness and any plague that is not written in the book of this law, Jehovah will bring them upon you until you have been annihilated. 62 And YOU will indeed be left with very few in number, although YOU have become like the stars of the heavens for multitude, because you did not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God. 63 “And it must occur that just as Jehovah exulted over YOU to do YOU good and to multiply YOU, so Jehovah will exult over to destroy YOU and to annihilate YOU; and YOU will simply be torn away from off the soil to which you are going to take possession of it. YOU
64 “And Jehovah will certainly scatter you among all the peoples from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth, and there you will have to serve other gods whom you have not known, neither you nor your forefathers, wood and stone. 65 And among those nations you will have no ease, nor will there prove to be any resting place for the sole of your foot; and Jehovah will indeed give you there a trembling heart and a failing of the eyes and despair of soul. 66 And you will certainly be in the greatest peril for your life and be in dread night and day, and you will not be sure of your life. 67 In the morning you will say, ‘If it only were evening!’ and in the evening you will say, ‘If it only were morning!’ because of the dread of your heart with which you will be in dread and because of the sight of your eyes that you will see. 68 And Jehovah will certainly bring you back to Egypt by ships by the way about which I have said to you, ‘You will never see it again,’ and YOU will have to sell yourselves there to your enemies as slave men and maidservants, but there will be no buyer.”
29 These are the words of the covenant that Jehovah commanded Moses to conclude with the sons of Israel in the land of Mo’ab aside from the covenant that he had concluded with them in Ho’reb.Deuteronomy 28:1 to 29:1 The prophesy of Prophet Moses has been fulfilled, now the promised land i.e. Palestine belongs to all the children of Abraham including all the believers who put faith in Abraham, Moses, all the Prophets, and in the Bible and the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an is the Book which enjoins upon the Muslims to bless Abraham and his children and put faith in the Holy Bible.
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Chapter 7 THE PROPHET AS A MODEL MAN The Holy Qur’an ordained the Muslims to make Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, as their role model to follow; thus the prophet is a perfect model man. No other Holy Book including the Holy Bible declares any man or a prophet as a model. We have in the Holy Quran, And surely you do possess the most excellent character.
Al-Qalam 68:5
Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model. Al-Ahzaab 33:22 Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is a model for all the people of the world, as a religious leader, as an army commander-inchief, as a friend, as a husband, as a father, as a neighbour etc. he is surely a model in all the faculties of life. Indeed, the world has no equivalent of the Prophet. He died after declaring that he has accomplished Allah’s mission, and that Allah has perfected His religion, al-Islam, as the final religion; except Islam, Allah accepts no other religion at all. Hereunder are words of praise by unbiased Western scholars: 1. “Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire that is Mohammed. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?” (Lamartine, “Histore de la Turquie, “Paris 1854). 2. “Muhammad was the greatest revolutionary leader known to us. He has left as imprint on the whole course of human history which no man after him has been able to efface. Indeed he appeared at the crossroads of human history and changed the course of human history.” “I hope it will now be realized that the Holy Prophet provided practical guidance for balanced living at all levels including physical, mental, emotional and metaphysical.” (Professor Bon on “Critical Study of Message of God”). 3. “Muhammad was a prophet, not a theologian, a fact so evident that one is loath to state it. The men who surrounded him and constituted the influential elite of the primitive Muslim community, contended themselves with obeying the law that he had proclaimed in the name of Allah and with following his teaching and example. They had a simple, robust faith that was satisfied with a small number of formulas and a few rites.” (Demombynes, “Muslim Institutions” London 1950, p.20. Maurice Gaudefroy). 4. “If genius implies a keen psychological insight into the nature and inner consciousness of life’s issues, added to inexhaustible energy, capacity for work and patience, then Mohammed was a genius. Certainly, if we accept Buffon’s definition of genius, as, “but a greater aptitude for perseverance,” he was without doubt a genius of the highest degree. The founder of a faith— one of the greatest the world has produced—spiritual commander of the faithful, his genius was essentially moral and religious. Major Arthur Glyn Leonard “Islam Her Moral and Spiritual Value.”
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Chapter 8 UNITY OF ALL MANKIND AND FAITHS The Holy Qur’an declares that all men have one origin, also their religions are in fact one and the same. All religions proclaim one Creator, and also all religions prophesy the coming of one universal prophet without the slightest ambiguity. My research has conclusively proved that the promised prophet was Prophet Muhammad, (S.A.W.). Though the Holy Bible mentions about Oneness of God i.e. Jehovah but there is neither mention of oneness of all the religions of the world, nor equality of all human beings. 13. O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. Al-Hujuraat 49:9 There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. Al-Baqarah 2:256 Say: O People of the Scripture! Come an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have accepted Islam. Al-Imran 3:64 This day are (all) good things made lawful for you. The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you (lawful for you) when ye give them their marriage portions and live with them in honour, not in fornication, nor taking them as secret paramours. Whoso denieth the faith, his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter. Al-Maeedah 5:5 Verily We have honoured the children of Adam, We carry them on the land and sea, and give them provisions of pure things, and have blessed them with a marked preferment more than many what We have created. Bani Israel 17:70 Indeed We have created man with the best measurement.
At Teen 95:4
In fact, Islam is the only religion which was sent for all the nations of the world; all previous religions were meant for one nation only. Thus Islam is the only religion of the world; except Islam, Allah do not accept any religion at all because it is final and complete. In the Holy Qur’an, the most of revelations are directed to all the mankind to unify. We hereby quote views of some great Western scholars: 1. “Take away that black man! I can have no discussion with him”, exclaimed the Christian Archbishop Cyrus when the Arab conquerors had sent a deputation of their ablest men to discuss terms of surrender of the capital of Egypt, headed by Negro Ubaidah as the ablest of them all. “To the sacred archbishop’s astonishment, he was told that this man was commissioned by General Amr: that the Moslems held Negroes and white men in equal colour, ......... Islam knows no ‘colour line.’ (S.S. Leeder “Veiled Mysteries of Egypt”, London, 1912). 2. “The Islamic brotherhood which they proclaimed was a real thing, and a new thing among Eastern nations. It is doubtful whether Christian Syrians ever felt the same sense of brotherhood with Christian Persians as Muslim Syrians did with Muslim Persian.” (Lawrence E. Browne, “The Prospect of Islam” (London 1944). 3. “If ever the opposition of the great societies of the East and West is to be replaced by cooperation, the mediation of Islam is an indispensable condition.” (H.A.R. Gibb ‘Whither Islam’, London, 1932). 4. “It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy.” (Serojini Naidu, Lecture on “The Ideals of Islam” vide speeches and writings Sirojini Naidu, Madras 1918). 5. “The extinction of race consciousnesses between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam.” (A. J. Toynbee, “Civilization on Trial”, New York 1948).
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Chapter 9 NEW LAWS The Holy Qur’an confirms almost all the old Biblical Laws, but as it is a modern and the last religion, so new laws were made to meet the changing conditions of the world for all times to come. The Holy Qur’an made the following changes: 1.
Education for Everyone
In the past, the followers of the Holy Bible were not permitted to read or keep the Bible; only men were allowed to go to synagogues. But Islam not only allows all men to read, write the Holy Qur’an but allows everyone to lead the prayers too while among the sons of Israel, only the Levite were responsible to lead the prayers. Islam allows both men and women to learn the Holy Qur’an as well as to learn all the faculties of knowledge. 2.
Laws of Inheritance: In the Holy Bible, there is no share for the women, also the eldest son has more share than the others.
In the Holy Qur’an, all women are given share, in the property left by their parents, husbands and children etc; also all the brothers have equal share too; even fathers, mothers, have a share in the properties left by the children. Islamic inheritance law is very elaborate and complete, based upon great wisdom, justice and human needs and rights. 3.
Laws of Conversion:
The Holy Bible do not put any duty upon its followers to publicize and convert other nations into their fold. But the Holy Qur’an has given an important duty to the Muslims to propagate their religion and convert them into their fold. All new converts have equal rights. 4.
Laws for Rulers:
In Islam, as per instructions of the Holy Qur’an, everyman has a right to take part in the politics; a ruler is enjoined to run his office after consultation with the people, and to rule strictly according to the principles laid down by the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Quran commands, Those who if We give them power in the land, establish Prayer and pay the Zakat and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity. And Allah’s is the end of affairs. Al-Hajj 22:42 And whose affairs are decided by mutual consultation.
Al-Shura 42:39
The Holy Bible has no commandment in this regard; the tribe of the Jews always claimed themselves as superior and born to rule others. 5.
Law about Racial Prejudice: In the Holy Bible, the sons of Israel are mentioned as ‘Chosen people’. But the Holy Qur’an has abrogated this, and has declared that in future, all the Muslims are ‘chosen people’ to do Allah’s work; there is no superiority of anyone on the basis of race, colour, language but one is superior by virtuous actions; all men are honourable and are brothers and are one community. There is no room for racial prejudice in Islam. 6.
Law about Marriage: In the Holy Bible, the sons of Israel are forbidden to marry women from other nations nor they can give their daughters to non-Israelis. But the Holy Qur’an has allowed the Muslim men to marry among the people of the Book i.e. the Jewish and the Christian women, but it forbids the Muslim women to marry non-Muslims at all. In the Christianity, cousin marriage is forbidden, but Islam abolished this custom. Also, in Islam, it is incumbent upon every Muslim to get married, and it strictly stops the practice of celibacy. And all married woman are forbidden to you except those whom your hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are those beyond those mentioned, such that you seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery. Al-Nisa 4:23 O ye who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit women forcibly. Al-Nisa 4:20 And whoso of you cannot afford to marry free believing women, let them marry from the believing maids whom your right hands possess. And Allah knows your faith best; you are all one from another; so marry them by permission of their folk, and give them their dowries fairly, wedding honestly; neither fornicating nor having secret relations. Al-Nisa 4:26 Arrange marriages for the single, poor ones among you (including widows) and your slaves and slave-girls who are virtuous. If they be poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty; and Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing. Al-Noor 24:33 This day all good things have been made lawful for you. The food of those who have received the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Book provided you give them their dowries and live with them in honest wedlock, not in fornication nor taking secret paramours. Al-Maaeedah 5:6 And if a woman fears ill-treatment or indifference on the part of her husband, it shall be no sin on them that they be reconciled peacefully; and peace is better. Al-Nisa 4:129 In the Holy Bible, Deuteronomy 24:1, we have,
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154 “In case a man takes a woman and does make her his possession as a wife, it must also occur that if she should find no favour in his eyes because he has found something indecent on her part, he must also write out a certificate of divorce for her and put it in her hand and dismiss her from his house.” In Mathew 19:7, Jesus replied to a question, ‘Why then did Moses prescribe giving a certificate of dismissal and divorcing her’, Jesus said to them: “Moses, out of regard for your hardheartedness, made the concession to you of divorcing your wives, but such has not been the case from the beginning I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication, and marries another commits adultery.” The Holy Bible do not give right to women to divorce. Our readers will notice that the laws of marriage and divorce are more suitable for the modern times as compared to the laws of the Holy Bible which were only for a section of humanity i.e. the sons of Israel. In Islam, women have full authority, both the free women and the slave-girls, to marry at will after consultation with their families and also are entitled to receive dowries. And if you fear a break between the couple, then appoint a wise arbiter from the husband’s family and a wise arbiter from the wife’s family. If they desire reconciliation, Allah will bring about an agreement between them. Al-Nisa 4:36 So in Islam, a couple can get divorce only after arbitration. And the divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly courses. Baqarah 2:229
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O prophet! When you men divorce women, put them away for their (legal) period and seek on the period (for three months courses), and keep your duty to Allah, you Lord. Do not expel them from their homes nor should they themselves leave, unless they commit immorality openly. Al-Talaq 65:2 O ye who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit the women forcibly nor you should put constraint upon them so as to take back a part of that which ye have given them unless they commit obscene acts openly, and consort with them in kindness; and if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing where in Allah has placed much good. Al-Nisa 4:20 According to the Holy Qur’an (Al-Baqarah 229-231) a husband can divorce his wife and has a right to remarry if the wife so wishes. He has a divine limit to divorce and then remarry thrice; after that she is not lawful for him unless she marries another husband. If the second husband too divorces her, then she is eligible to marry the first husband. This commandment is to save the woman from continuous and repeated humiliation from her husband, and to put a check to the evil of divorce and to stop her husband from being unrestricted harsh, unreasonable. Women have a right to divorce. In case a woman is divorced, she can stay for three months in the house of her husband, and both have right to reconcile; wise arbiters from both the families can intervene to bring about patch-up between the couple. In Islam, the Muslim men can marry non-Muslim chaste women of the people of the Book. Islam makes it incumbent upon the Muslim men that marriages should be openly declared; marriages for lust or secret marriages are unlawful; sexual exploitation of women is repugnant to Islam. In Islam, divorce is one of the deadliest sin and should be avoided whenever possible as it shakes Allah’s throne and destroys peace of a home and the future of children therein. The Prophet advised his followers to show restraint to a wife’s outburst and forgive her small mistakes and look at her good points, as all women have some weaknesses and their psychological conditions are ever changing; so always be kind to them. The Prophet also said to women that if it were lawful to prostrate to anyone besides Allah, I would have ordered the women to prostrate before their husbands; under no circumstances disobey them, never. There is a great wisdom hidden in the Prophet’s advice. The Prophet strictly forbade his followers to divorce their wives thrice at one time as it is against his teachings. A Muslim who divorces his wife three times at a time make a fun of Allah’s law and such an act is repugnant to Islam. In Islam, marriage is also a sort of worship; a man who marries accomplishes his half the religion; marriage keep a man chaste and saves from immorality; to work for wife, for children, for the member of the family is one of the greatest worship and the greatest jehad. A person who works hard for his family and for helping others is in fact busy in the greatest form of worship which pleases Allah. Thus Allah has changed the concept of worship in Islam which is absent in all past religions which were all regional. Moreover women can’t be married without their permission, their assent is a must; the Holy Bible has no such commandments. (See also chapter 17) 7.
Laws for Slaves’ Freedom:
In the Holy Qur’an, there are strict orders for the Muslims to treat the slaves as their brothers and set them free when feasible. Even government is ordered to pay for the freedom of the slaves. We have no equivalent of such law in the Holy Bible. A person who sets a slave free is surely saved from the Fire. After this commandment, the Muslims started spending money to pay for the freedom of the slaves; soon slaves became nearly extinct in the Muslim countries, and even became the rulers.
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Laws for Family:
The Holy Qur’an puts a duty upon all Muslim men to meet all the cost of their homes; while wives are responsible to run their homes faithfully. The Holy Bible has no such commandment. Men are more steadfast than women due to Allah’s grace upon some more than others and because men spend their wealth. So virtuous women ought to be obedient, guarding (chastity) even secretly with Allah’s guardianship. Al-Nisa 4:35 9.
Laws for Social Responsibility:
The Holy Qur’an puts responsibility upon the government as well as upon individuals to maintain peace in the country, to promote religious activities i.e. the prayer, and to work for the poor ones, especially for those in debts and for those who are homeless and are hungry. In the Holy Bible, we do not find any commandment equivalent to it. The Muslims are exhorted to do works for public utility, like building of homes for the poor and old people, to build mosques, schools hospitals etc. and to dig wells, canals and like. Such acts have everlasting reward from Allah even after death. 10.
Laws for Religious Freedom:
The Holy Qur’an gives religious freedom to all the religions of the world who follow their divine laws; but there is no freedom for the worshippers of man-made gods and following no law at all, also the Holy Bible too denies this right. The Holy Qur’an reiterates that all religions are in fact one religion, schism occurred later due to greediness, bigotry and lack of understanding of the religious leaders who adopted wrong paths and then followed their low-desires, and asked others to follow their footsteps. A Muslim is supposed to respect all the prophets of other nations and their revealed scriptures too; their food and their chaste women are lawful; this is missing in all the religions prior to the advent of Islam. 11.
The Laws of War:
As our readers noticed, the Holy Bible ordered the Israelis to destroy their enemies completely, to kill all men, women and children, all animals; and also to burn the houses too. The Holy Qur’an, through Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, changed the old law and transformed into most modern laws. We enumerate the new laws as under: 1. Do not attack an unwary nation and always offer a treaty for peace. It is forbidden and unethical to attack and kill sleeping enemies. 2. After the war, wounded person or the one who throws away his arms, old men, women, children, labourers, hermits, and all non-combatants are not to be killed. The prisoners must be treated humanely with respect and be given food and clothes. 3. War can’t be waged for the sake of any worldly benefit, or to gain territory or to capture women for lust, or for fame. 4. During a war, masses can’t be killed for terrorism or to make other nations weak. 5. Islamic wars can be waged only to establish peace in those countries where tyrant rulers practise tyranny, and to carry Allah’s message to all other nations. After victory, it is strongly forbidden to make conversion with force, but let the masses accept the truth, after the shackles put on by their priests and the rulers are removed, and people are free to make their decisions and accept the truth after thoughtful investigation. 6. Destruction of properties is not allowed. Islam dawned upon the world to free it from wars, lawlessness and iniquity; to bring freedom to the people of the world and to bring peace, justice to them as was prophesied in all the divine Scriptures of the world; and and this is what all the people of the world eagerly waited for. Our readers will notice that the Holy Qur’an promulgated excellent new laws as compared to the laws of the Holy Bible which are now obsolete and abrogated; Allah changes His laws according to the need of time and His plans.
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Chapter 10 OF TRINITY AND THE CROSS The Holy Qur’an strongly repudiates the Christians’ belief in ‘trinity’, and it declares that it is against the belief in One God, and that it is an utterly wrong dogma. Hereunder are the relevant verses: Verily, they commit blasphemy who say, “Allah is the third person of the three;” in spite of the fact that save the One God there is no god. If these people desist not from what they say, a painful chastisement will fall on those of them who disbelieve; will they not ask pardon from Allah and seek forgiveness of him? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Messiah son of Mariam was no other than a messenger, many messengers had indeed passed away before him too. His mother was the most truthful woman, they both used to eat food. See, how I explain My revelation clear for them and see how they are going astray from the truth! O Prophet! Tell these people, “Why do you worship besides Allah who possess no power of his own to harm you or do good to you, and Allah is He, All-Hearing and All-Knowing.” Say to them, “O people of the Book! Do not exaggerate your religion contrary to the truth and do not follow the vain desires of the people who went astray before and led many astray and lost the right path.” AlMaidah 5-73 Thus the Holy Qur’an is on head-on collision with concocted dogma of ‘trinity’. By following the belief in ‘trinity’ large section of humanity has been led away from the belief and worship of One God. Belief in ‘Trinity’ means to say: Father is the One God; son is the One God; Holy Spirit is the One God; all the three are the One God. The One God is Father, son and Holy Spirit. This is undoubtedly blasphemy and associating other gods with Allah or Jehovah. Both the Torah i.e. the Holy Bible, and the Holy Qur’an strongly condemn it and suggest death sentence for its believers. The Roman priests imposed this dogma upon their Christian followers, after getting assent of king Constantine, in the 4th century, to enforce it with all Roman Military power, followed by a great massacre of the Unitarians. The Holy Qur’an denies Jesus’ death on the cross. The four gospels in the Holy Bible clearly mention that Jesus died on the cross. Even after the supposed crucifixion, many Christian sects believed in the same version as the Muslims believe. The sects which believed that Jesus was not crucified were the Basilides the Manichaens the Nestorians and the Copts. Also the disciples of Jesus like Peter, John, Barnabas and eight others believed that Jesus was not taken to cross. Hereunder are some proofs: Peter and John were both the disciples of Jesus, peace be upon him, like Barnabas and had seen the incident themselves. Others who agree to this statement are ‘Acts of Thomas’, ‘Acts of Andrew’, both were written by the disciples of Jesus whom Jesus met and explained after ascension. Even ‘Acts of Eleven’ disciples say what the Muslims believe. In Cassel’s Modern Encyclopaedia, Cassel and Co. Ltd. London, Toronto, Melborne, Sydney we have this statement. “The Copts declare that Pontius Pilate died a Christian martyr, the Ethiopic Church regards him as a saint, his day being June 25”. We have evidence from two other Gospels, written by two apostles of Jesus, peace be upon him, which confirm our belief. 1.......I saw him apparently being seized by them. And I said, “What am I seeing, O Lord? Is it really you whom they take? And are you holding on to me? And are they hammering the feet and hands of another? Who is this one above the cross, who is glad and laughing?” The Savior said to me, “He whom you saw being glad and laughing above the cross is the Living Jesus. But he into whose hands and feet they are driving the nails is his fleshly part, which is the substitute. They put to shame that which remained in his likeness. And look at him, and [look at] me!” The Gospel of Peter 2. (a) Another of the Nag Hammadi texts, the Second Treatise of the Great Seth, relates Christ’s teaching that “it was another. who drank the gall and the vinegar; it was not I. They struck me with the reed; it was another, Simon, who bore the cross on his shoulder. It was another upon whom they placed the crown of throns. But I was rejoicing in the height over.... their error..... And I was laughing at their ignorance.” (b) At that moment John, sitting in a cave in Gethsemane, suddenly saw a vision of Jesus, who said, “John, for the people below..... I am being crucified and pierced with lances.... and given vinegar and gall to drink. But to you I am speaking, and listen to what I speak.” The Gospel of John So the Muslims’ belief is not without foundation; surely the Holy Qur’an is infallible and true. All those Christians who believed similarly to the Muslims’ faith, immediately embraced Islam; they realized that true revelations from Allah have been revealed. Earlier, such sects were being persecuted by the followers of Romans’ sponsored version of the Christianity; Islam came to their rescue. As we have already stated that Jesus was born for the mission of announcement of the kingdom of God on earth soon; this was the sole mission of Jesus and the gospels are full of teachings about the kingdom of God; gospels are full of parables about it. The claim of the Catholic and Protestant churches that Jesus came to the world to get crucified to take away the sins of the world; this dogmatic belief has mermerised the Christians for over two thousand years, but for the Muslims it is a blasphemous belief; it is against common sense, why? How it is possible that God holded the mankind as sinners, and then decided, to punish an innocent being i.e. Jesus? In the light of Jesus’ claim (Luke 4:43) that the purpose of his coming was only to announce the coming kingdom of God, it is utterly illogical to believe that he came to be a sacrifice for the sin of the world; it is undoubtedly the greatest hoax ever created by anyone in the history of mankind. Then why Jesus said that he has come only for the sons of Israel and none else’? Then how he could claim that ‘he was sent to take the sins of the world; this dogma is an obey forgery. Why then Jesus wept bitterly and prayed to God again and again to take back this plan? Isn’t it very shameful to put faith in such dogmas?
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157 It makes one to laugh at the story that a judge should judge and convict a group of criminals and then out of love should order that he would himself be crucified and the criminals should go free. Why Allah should suffer himself or punish his representative when He has all the authority to forgive anyone or all? Allah can never be unjust or can make bizarre decisions. According to Islam, all men are born sinless; if they sin, He will forgive them if they repent only once. Both John the Baptist and Jesus started their missions saying “Repent O people; the kingdom of God is coming soon.” Surely Allah forgives all repentents. The dogma of ‘original sin inherited by all children of Adam’ is a fabricated story created by blasphemous corrupt people greedy idolaters devoid of sound intellect, characterless bigot.
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Chapter 11 LESSONS FROM THE PAST REBEL NATIONS In the Holy Qur’an there are many reminders for the Muslims to learn lessons from the terrible end of the rebellious nations of the past; the Holy Bible has no such reminders. Hereunder are some quotations from the Holy Qur’an. 45. How many a township have We destroyed while it was sinful, so that it ruins (to this day) in ruins, and (how many) a deserted well and lofty tower! 46. Have they not travelled in the land, and have they hearts wherewith to feel and ears wherewith to hear? For indeed it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts, which are within the bosoms, that grow blind. Al-Hajj 22:45 58. And how many a community have We destroyed that was thankless for its means of livelihood! And yonder are their dwellings, which have not been inhabited after them save a little. And We, even We, were the inheritors. 59. And never did thy Lord destroy the townships, till He had raised up in their mother-town a messenger reciting unto them Our revelations. And never did We destroy the townships unless the folk thereof were evildoers. Al-Qasas 28:58 And (the tribes) And the Thamud! (their fate) is manifest unto you from their (ruined) dwellings. Satan made their deeds seem fair unto them and so debarred them from the (right) path, though they were keen observers. And Korah, Pharaoh and Haman! Moses came unto them with clear Signs (from Allah), but they were proud in the land. And they were not winners. So We took each one in his sin; of them were those whom We sent a violent sand storm, and of them were those whom a roaring blast overtook, and of them were those We caused earth to sallow, and of them were those whom We drowned. It was not for Allah to wrong them, but they wronged themselves. Al Ankaboot : 38 to 40 Surely, Allah changes not the condition of a nation until they change themselves that which is in their hearts. And when Allah wills misfortune for a nation there is none that can repel it, nor have they any helper beside Him. Ar Raad : 11
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Chapter 12 DUTIES OF GOVERNMENT According to the Holy Qur’an, the religion of Islam is fully involved in the politics. The Holy Qur’an enjoins upon its followers to follow democracy; all the peoples are fully qualified to speak in the affairs of the country; choose their leaders, and in case they do not act according to their expectations, can remove them and elect and appoint better ones. The rulers have divine duty to look after the religious activities of their subjects. Also the rulers are religiously bound to use the taxes for the well-being of the poor, the needy, the homeless people, for freedom of the slaves, the captives, the prisoners, to pay the debt of debtors, and for new converts and invest in all projects for the benefit of the people and their security and peace. Those who if We give them power in the land, establish the Prayer and pay the Zakat and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity. And Allah’s is the end of affairs. Al-Hajj 22:41 And those who answer the call of their Lord and observe Prayer, and whose affairs are performed after mutual consultation and who spend out of what We have provided for them. Al-Shoora 38 The Holy Bible does not have any such revelation which is its equivalent.
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Chapter 13 OF GREETINGS In the Holy Qur’an, we have the following verses which give instructions to the Muslims to greet and bless each other; this increases mutual love and affection. But when ye enter houses, salute one another with a greeting from Allah, blessed and sweet. Thus Allah maketh clear His revelations for you, that haply ye may understand. An-Noor 24:61 86. When ye are greeted with a greeting, greet ye with better than it or return it. Lo! Allah taketh count of all things. 27. O ye who believe! Enter not houses other than your own without first announcing your presence and invoking peace upon the folk thereof. That is better for you, that ye may be heedful. An Noor 24:27 The Holy Bible does mention to say salaam (Shalom) at the time of meeting, but the Holy Qur’an is more precise and elaborating and an advancement. The Holy Qur’an also enjoins that if a Muslim meets a non-Muslim, then after greetings, he must talk with the well-worded speech and show patience while talking about religious matters, a Muslim must ensure not to say hurting words or to ridicule and not to injure sentiments of the non-Muslims. In the Holy Bible, such commandments are almost absent.
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Chapter 14 OF THE ORPHANS The Holy Qur’an gives comprehensive orders for the well-being of the orphans; the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, spoke extensively for good treatment to them; Allah has the highest reward for those who show loving kindness to the orphans. The Holy Bible do not speak about the orphans as comprehensively as the Holy Qur’an does. The commandments of the Holy Qur’an generated a great movement among the Muslims to work for the goodness of the orphans. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, was himself an orphan, and an orphan in fact is his representative. And they question thee concerning orphans. Say: To improve their lot is best. And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth. Had Allah willed He could have overburdened you. Allah is Mighty, Wise. Al-Baqarah 2:220 Prove orphans till they reach the marriageable age then, if ye find them of sound judgment, deliver over unto them their fortune; and devour it not by squandering and in haste lest they should grow up Whoso (of the guardians) is rich, let him abstain generously (from taking of the property of orphans); and whoso is poor let him take thereof in reason (for his guardianship). And when ye deliver up their fortune unto orphans, have (the transaction) witnessed in their presence Allah sufficeth as a Reckoner. An Nisaa 4:6 The prophet said: The best homes are the one in which the orphans are treated well. If a person puts his hand upon the head of an orphan, then his sins will be forgiven equal to the number of the hair which his hand touched.
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Chapter 15 OF THE PARENTS In the Holy Qur’an, there are very strict instructions for the Muslims to obey, and serve their parents, and show great respect to them even at their old age. The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: Parents are your Paradise and the Fire. Paradise is under the feet of your mother. Lord’s pleasure is in father’s pleasure and Lord’s anger is in father’s anger. The best money spent by one is that spent upon the parents and the family. In the Holy Qur’an, we have, And We have enjoined upon man concerning his parents. His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying. Luqman 31:14 And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and the bearing of him is thirty months till, when he attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord! Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am one of the Muslims (unto thee). Al-Ahqaaf 46:15 Your God has strictly ordained that you shall not worship anyone save He, and always treat your parents nicely, and if any one or both of them reach old age, never say to them a word expressive of disgust nor reproach them, and always talk to them respectfully and bow before them, showing humility and great kindness ; and pray for them, “O God! Show Your kindness to them just as they brought me up with affection and kindness in my childhood.” Bani Israel 17-24 In the Holy Bible, there are strict orders to obey and serve the parents. But unfortunately there are very unfortunate and ugly incidences in the Bible regarding parents. We find sons of Jacob speaking lies to their father after they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites. Also Jacob’s son Reuben raped his mother, wife of Jacob. Both the incidences greatly hurted Jacob i.e. Israel. Genesis 49:3 David’s son Absalom not only forced his father to flee to save his life after mutiny but also raped his mothers (concubines) publicly. Jesus Christ ordered a man to not to go to attend the funeral of his father. Lot’s daughters intoxicated their father and then intercoursed with him. GENESIS 19:33 The Holy Qur’an is free from mentioning of such incidences which leave a very bad opinion in the minds of the readers.
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Chapter 16 WOMEN’S RIGHTS In the Holy Qur’an, the women are given right to work and earn and keep their wealth in their control; they have full rights to decide about their marriages after consultation with their elders and friends, and put preconditions to safeguard their rights, and if they are not satisfied with their lives with the husbands, they can even dissolve their marriage contracts. Women’s have full rights to perform their religious obligations like prayers etc. and can acquire religious as well as worldly knowledge. They can educate the uneducated ones. In the Holy Quran, we have, For men is a share of that which parents and near relatives leave; and for women is a share of that which parents and near relatives leave, whether it be little or much share is binding legally. Al-Nisa 4:8 Men have right to what they earn.
Al Nisa 4:33
And women have rights likewise men have rights over them in equity; men are a degree superior to women; Allah is the Authoritative, the Wise. Al-Baqarah 2:218 In the Holy Bible, we do not find any such permissions, nor women have any inheritance in the property left by their relatives; they cannot divorce nor it is mentioned in the Bible that it is the divine duty of the husbands to meet all the expenses of their wives and that they are responsible to give protection to them and to secure them from bad persons by accompanying them. In Islam, the maintenance and the protection of women is the prime duty of husbands. Women have a right in inheritance as a daughter, as a mother, as a sister and as a wife.
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Chapter 17 OF MARRIAGE In the Holy Qur’an, Allah has restricted the Muslims to marry upto four women, while in the Bible and all the Old Scriptures, there is no limit. In truth, the Holy Qur’an exhorts to marry the orphans, the poor, the widows. It has been observed that circumstances sometimes do compel men to marry more than one, for example if first wife is barren; or is unable to perform her duties to look after the household due to illness; or she is extremely quarrelsome and foulmouthed; or she is unfaithful, or she has an aversion to sex, or is frigid; or has chronic menorrhagia; or she hates her husband due to status difference or un-smart looks, or due to educational difference; due to bad behaviour or temperamental incompatibility. Some men are extra-sexed or are abnormally strong sexually or are by nature, lovers of women. All such factors may compel some men to marry more than one; any restriction on polygamy would solve no problem and can be harmful for the society as some men under compulsion would involve into immoral activities secretly; prostitution will naturally flourish. Also polygamy helps the shift of wealth of rich people to the poor ones. Moreover marriage in ones own community and as well as marriages in other nations can be instrumental for good understanding among different nations who are separated by difference of race, colour, languages and are prejudiced and apprehensive. If a man is married and living happily with one wife, it is always unwise to marry a second woman as it will break the heart of the first wife and she will be hurted and her life will be painful due to natural jealousy; no woman wants to share her love. The Muslim men are morally bound not to hurt his first wife and to destroy the peace of his home life. Or course, a Muslim woman should put a pre-dondition at the time of writing marriage contract to safeguard her future as a wife. Islam gives full rights to men as well as to women to safeguard their marriage lives, and they should discuss the matter with justice if some new situation arises. No body has a right to take a unilateral decision and harm his or her spouse’s interest. Society has a duty to make laws to safeguard marriages and ensure peace in homes lest children suffer by estranged parents. In some countries, women’s population is more than men’s, also in some communities, large number of men migrate to other places for jobs; in some communities, too many men are jobless; all these factors necessitates polygamy, even more many poor women themselves prefer to marry married rich men to come out of their life of poverty and toiling in preference to marry poor men and live a life of sub-human level where children have no future but live in hunger, uneducated, in huts without any amenities a torturous life. Much can be said for and against polygamy, but the truth is that a total ban on polygamy is unwarranted, unwise and can be suicidal for the society. No doubt that polygamy sanction can be misused too; rich and educated women never accept it, this is also a tragic part of it. So the final word is that polygamy be practised wisely after assessing all the consequences; whenever possible it should be avoided except when it is unavoidable. (See chapter 9, Laws about Marriage)
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Chapter 18 OF HEAD COVERING In Islam as well as in Judaism, head-covering by women is practised but the revelations of the Holy Qur’an are more clear while the Holy Bible has not much to say in this matter. Surely, head-covering of women is a sign of honour and nobility and is instrumental for virtuosity. 31. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their beauty only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their beauty save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women’s nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their beauty. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may be redeemed. Al Ahzaab 33:31 58. O ye who believe! Let your slaves, and those of you who have not come to puberty, : ask leave of you at three times (before they come into your presence): Before the Prayer of Dawn, and when ye lay aside your raiment for the heat of noon, and after the Prayer of night. Three times of privacy for you. It is no sin for them or • for you at other times, when some of you go round attendant upon others (if they come into your presence without leave). Thus Allah maketh clear the revelations for you. Allah is Knower, Wise. 59. And when the children among you come to puberty then let them ask leave even as those before them used to ask it. Thus Allah maketh clear His revelations for you. Allah is Knower, Wise. 60. As for women past child-bearing who have no hope of marriage, it is no sin for them if they discard their (outer) clothing in such a way as not to show beauty. But to refrain is better for them. Allah is Hearer, Knower. An-Noor 24:58 O wives of the prophet! You are not like any other women if you are God-fearing. Be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should aspire; and speak decent words. And stay in your houses, and do not dress up seductively like the seductive dressing up of the former days of ignorance, and observe prayer, and pay the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger.Al Ahzaab 33 Head-covering is meant for young women only because they are sexually very attractive at that age and can attract men of evil minds. So the commandment is meant for the safeguard of the society and to check the spread of immorality. In no manner, it harms the interest of women, nor it is a burden or unfair restriction; rather it is in fact honouring of women. This is a distinctive feature between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman. Women dedicated to churches always cover themselves like Muslim women because it is a virtue, an honour.
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Chapter 19 OF REPENTANCE Although, repentance is ordained in the Holy Bible, but in the Holy Qur’an, it is much more elaborate and stressed in a more effective way. Hereunder are some verses from the Holy Qur’an: 53. Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving the Merciful. Az-Zoomar 29:53 O ye who believe! Turn unto Allah in sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your evil deeds and bring you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, on the day when Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their light will run before them and on their right hands; they will say: Our Lord! Perfect our light for us, and forgive us! Lo! Thou art Able to do all things. At-Tahreem : 66 17. Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise. 18. The forgiveness is not for those who do ill-deed until, when death attendeth upon one of them, he saith Lo! I repent now; nor yet for those who die while they are disbelievers. For such We have prepared a painful doom. An-Nisaa 4:17
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Chapter 20 THE FASTING As it will be seen hereunder, the Holy Qur’an gives a clear order regarding fasting. In the Holy Bible, though word fasting do appear, but any revelation about the fasting, its time, its procedure and other details are missing, the most Jews and the Christians keep fast according to different traditions; it seems that original divine commandment is lost. The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that ye may be thankful. Al-Baqarah 2:185 And eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the darkness of the night at dawn, then keep the fast till night (sunset). Al-Baqarah 2:188 In addition to fasting during Ramadhan, prophet Muhammad ď „, would fast on other days too, nearly for 150 days in a year. Fast in intended to achieve piety and self-control and also to develop feelings for those poor ones who are hungry and deserve immediate attention. Also it is an annual exercise for the Muslims to rejuvenate their faith. During fast, a Muslim is forbidden to indulge in any sexual activity, and shun all sins, open or secret, small or big, and control his tongue and low desires.
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Chapter 21 THE PRAYER According to the Holy Bible, the prayer to God is led by a Levite rabbi in a specific place i.e. synagogue. Its timings and procedure are absent in the Holy Bible. But in the Holy Qur’an, prayers have been ordained to be performed five times a day at fixed hours, in a manner which the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) taught in the fullest detail. Prayer can be performed in a mosque as well as on any clean place or ground in the world; all places are pure for the prayer. The prayer is the greatest gift of Allah for the humanity which imparts an unimaginable peace, serenity and confidence. For performing the prayer, no leader or priest is necessary, it can be performed alone or in gathering, any Muslim can lead the prayer. This is perhaps the most revolutionary commandment ever. Unfortunately, all other religions are absent from this commandment. 45. Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish the Prayer Lo! the Prayer preserve from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. And Allah knoweth what ye do. 46. And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and you God is One, and unto Him we surrender. An-Kaboot 29:45 130. Therefore (O Muhammad S.A.W.), bear with what they say, and celebrate the praises of thy Lord ere the rising of the sun and ere the going down thereof. And glorify Him some hours of the night and at the two ends of the day, that thou mayst find acceptance. Ta Haa 20:130 Say your enjoined prayers constantly and the middle prayers (i.e. mid-night prayer, Tahajjud and remembrance of Allah in heart, and supererogatory prayers) and stand before Allah obediently. But if you are in danger, say prayer while standing or riding but when you have peace, do the remembrance of Allah the way you have been taught (by prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), what you did not know. Al-Baqarah 2-239 Verily prayer is enjoined on the believers to be performed at fixed hours. An Nisaa 104 In addition to compulsory five prayers; the Muslims can perform them in the time of distress, adversary or a famine (for rain). When a Muslim dies, the Muslims perform a collective prayer for the deceased and pray for his forgiveness to Allah. Prayers are performed to fulfill a vow. Thanksgiving prayers are performed after a person is bestowed with some goodness. After the prayer, a Muslim experiences a great felling of satisfaction and fellowship with Allah and absence of spiritual vacuum. The Most religions of the world do not have such an elaborate system of prayers. During prayer, a Muslim reminds himself that he will be questioned and repayed for his deeds; also he commits and self-suggests to follow the righteous path of the prophets and the virtuous people and seeks Allah’s help for His guidance and power. This is undoubtedly, the most effective way to acquire good character, and to save himself from following the life of obscenity and immorality.
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Chapter 22 OF PURIFICATION The Holy Qur’an enjoins upon the Muslims to purify themselves; it gives guidance and procedure. By performance of this ablution, one feels high sense of purity because it is divine obligation and fulfills Allah’s requirement. The Holy Bible is absent from such commandment, though very strict purification rules do exist in it otherwise. Prophet Muhammad meritorious.
said: Cleanliness is half the faith. A prayer performed after brushing of teeth is much more
6. O ye who believe! When ye rise up for the Prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and lightly rub your heads and your feet up to the ankles. And if ye are unclean, purify yourselves. And if ye are sick or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet or ye have had contact with women, and ye find not water, then go to clean, high ground and rub your faces and your hands with some of it. Allah would not place a burden on you, but He would purify you and would perfect His grace upon you that ye may give thanks. 7. Remember Allah’s grace upon you and His covenant by which He bound you when ye said: We hear and we obey: and keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah knoweth what is in the breasts of men.Al-Maeedah 5:6 Leviticus 11:19, a menstruating woman is unclean for seven days; anyone touching her or her clothes or her bed or articles will become unclean till evening. Even after intercourse, husband and wife are unclean till evening even after taking bath. The Holy Qur’an abrogated the above law; new commandments are as follows: During menstruation, a woman is absolutely clean by all means except that married women can’t have intercourse; they are exempted from saying the prayer or to keep the Fast. She can cook food, can sit anywhere she likes, can be kissed by her husband etc. In normal days, after intercourse, both husband and wife become clean after taking bath and can say their Prayers, contrary to the Biblical laws.
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Chapter 23 ZAKAT, ALMS AND CHARITABLE SPENDINGS The Holy Qur’an is very elaborate regarding charitable deeds while the Holy Bible does not give comprehensive orders regarding charity. No doubt, charity is practised in all the religions of the world, but in Islam, it is distinctively wonderful and modern. 10. And spend of that wherewith We have provided you, before death cometh unto one of you and he saith: My Lord! If only thou wouldst reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be among the righteous. 11. But Allah reprieveth no soul when its term cometh, and Allah is Informed of what ye do.
Al-Moonafe.qoon,
63:10 262. Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve. 263. A kind word with forgiveness is better than alms-giving followed by injury. Allah is Self-Sufficient. 264. O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk. 265. And the likeness of those who spend their wealth in search of Allah’s pleasure, and for the strengthening of their souls is as the likeness of a garden on a height. The rainstorm smiteth it and it bringeth forth its fruit twofold. And if the rainstonm smite it not, then the shower. Allah is Seer of what ye do. Al-Baqarah 2:262 270. Whatever alms ye spend or vow ye vow, lo! Allah knoweth it. Wrong-doers have no helpers. 271. If ye publish your alms giving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill deeds. Allah is Informed to what ye do. Al-Baqarah 2:270 92. Ye will not attain unto piety until ye spend of that which ye love. And whatsoever ye spend, Allah is Aware thereof. Al-Imran 3:92 22. And let not those who possess dignity and ease among you swear not to give to the near of kin and to the needy, and to fugitives for the cause of Allah! Let them forgive and show indulgence. Yearn ye not that Allah may forgive you? Allah is Forgiving. Merciful. 23. Lo! as for those who slander chaste innocent believing women, cursed are they in the world and the Hereafter. Theirs will be an awful doom. An-Noor 24:22 38. So give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the homeless. That is best for those who seek Allah’s Countenance. And such are they who will have salvation. Al-Room 30:38 The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those officiating to collect, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives (i.e. slaves), and for those in debt, and for Allah’s cause and for a homeless (wayfarer) person, it is an imposed duty from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise. At Tauba 60 Charitable spending in Islam may shortly be enumerated as under: 1. The foremost right is of the parents if they are needy, then all the family members i.e. wife, children, servants and all dependents have the greatest right. 2. Then the greatest right is of sisters, brothers, near relatives, neighbours. 3. Then the poor and needy persons, the homeless ones, the orphans, the widows have the right. 4. Then the captives, the slaves, those in debts or those who suffered sudden loss have rights. 5. Then those busy in religious or social activities and are needy have the right. 6. For new Muslim converts, special care with money must be taken. There are spendings which have everlasting reward from Allah, even after death. 1. To dig a well or a stream for general public use. 2. To build shelter house for the needy ones, passengers, homeless ones. 3. To plant trees for the benefit of the people. 4. To write book, to give education and to build schools. 5. To build a mosque or any institution e.g. hospitals, schools, old age homes etc. which are beneficial for the public. Allah, in the Holy Qur’an, demands from the Muslims to give the best things to the needy ones as the poor man’s hand is in fact Allah’s hand; a poor man is Allah’s representative which He sends to the rich ones to test their regard and love for Him.
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Chapter 24 OF INTOXICANTS The Holy Qur’an puts a complete ban upon the use of intoxicants, but the Holy Bible stops its use only at the time of prayer; Levities are especially forbidden to use it as they perform religious services. Ban on the use of intoxicants is a very worthy commandment of the Holy Qur’an, as its use leads to may social as well as health problems and thus its use is greatly undesirable. 90. O ye who believe! Liquor and gambling and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan’s handiwork. Refrain from it that you have salvation. 91. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of intoxicants and gambling and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) Prayer. Will ye not then refrain.Al-Maeedah: 5:90 Gambling is forbidden in the Holy Bible as well as in the Holy Qur’an; gambling is perhaps one of the grievest evils of the present age; men spend trillions of dollars on it each year. Gambling has destroyed home lives of millions and it is on the increase with the passage of time, in all over the world. Money spent upon intoxicants and gambling were if used for the poor people, then no one will be homeless and sleep hungry or be without education.
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Chapter 25 OF JUSTICE In both the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Bible, practice of justice is stressed. But in the Holy Qur’an, the stress is put exhaustively, maintaining that justice be shown to non-Muslims as well without prejudice. Hereunder are the verses from the Holy Qur’an: 8. O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to piety. Fear Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do. 9. Allah hath promised those who believe and do good works. Theirs will be forgiveness and immense reward. 10. And they who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, such are rightful owners of hell.
Al-Maeedah 5:8
135. O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (than ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do. 136. O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Scripture which He hath revealed unto His Messenger, and the Scripture which He revealed aforetime. Whoso disbelieveth in Allah and His angels and His Scriptures and His Messengers and the Last Day, he verily hath wandered far astray. An-Nisaa 4:135 It is a fundamental right of all men to get justice with equity; a community without justice cannot survive and dooms for destruction. That is why the Holy Qur’an puts so much stress for maintaining of justice. Hereunder are observations of some prominent people: “I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of the Qur’an which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness.” (Napoleon Bonaparte in “Bonaparte et I, Islam.” Paris by Cherfils). “Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur’an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world. (Sirojini Naidu, Lecture on “The ideals of Islam” vide Speeches and Writings of Sirojini Naidu, Madras 1918).
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Chapter 26 INSTRUCTIONS FOR KNOWLEDGE AND PONDERING In the Holy Qur’an, we find many verses which invite men to ponder into the nature and to observe the works of the Creator, Allah, so that the believers may strengthen their beliefs, we have no equivalent of such verses in the Holy Bible. Hereunder are some of such verses: And surety in the cattle there is a lesson for you. From what is within their bellies, between the excretion and the blood, We produce pure milk for you which is pleasant for the drinker. Al-Nahl 16:67 And of the fruits of the date-palms and the grapes, from which you make intoxicating drink and get good food. Verily, in that there is a Sign for those people who make use of their intelligence. Al-Nahl 16:68 And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours. Surely, in that are Signs for the men of knowledge. Al-Room 30:23 And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after its death. Surely, in that are Signs for intelligent people. Al-Room 30:25 See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? Therewith We then bring out fruits of different colours. And in the mountains are streaks white and red, of various shades of colour and others roven black. And also amongst men and beasts and cattle are various colours likewise. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants who are scholarly. Verily, Allah is Mighty, Forgiving. Al-Faatir 35:29 This is a Book which We have revealed to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its verses, and that those gifted with insight may take advice. Then exalted be Allah, the True King! And be not impatient for the Qur’an (i.e. revelation) before its revelation is completed unto thee, and pray: O my Lord, increase my knowledge. Ta Ha 20-115 O people! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, remember that I created you (in the beginning) from the dust, then from a small sperm-drop, then a clot, then a lump of flesh which is partly formed and partly formless, so I remind you (of your origin); and for whom I wish, I keep him in the womb till an appointed time and then I bring him forth as a baby and thereafter he becomes a mature person; some die early and others reach abject age which is the worst part of life when he knows and then he does not know (man loses sense of good thinking at a very old age and becomes forgetful). Also you see a piece of land lifeless, then wherever I pour rain, it stirs and swells and puts forth every lovely kind of herbage. This is because Allah is the Truth and He is the One Who gives life to dead and He has full power over everything. All the more, surely without doubt, the Hour will come, and because Allah will resurrect all those who are in the graves. Al-Hajj 22-6 And your God is only One God, there is no god but He, the Beneficent and the Merciful. Verily, there are miracles for the people who are intelligent, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships that sail in the sea with that which are useful for men; and in the rain that Allah sends down from the sky, then gives life to the earth with it after its death, and scatters herein all kind of animals, and in the change of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth. Al-Baqarah 2:164 Verily, there are Signs for men of understanding in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day. They are regardful of Allah all the time, standing and sitting and lying on their sides, and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and pray) “O our Lord! You have not created this in vain; glory be to You! Save us then from the chastisement of the Fire. Al-Imran 3:191 It is Allah indeed Who causes the grain and the date-stone to sprout, He brings forth the living from the dead (as plants from seeds, and birds from eggs) and the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How are you then misled? He is the cleaver of day break, and He has made the night for your rest, and the sun and the moon for reckoning time. This is the decree of the Mighty, the Knower. And He it is Who has created for you the stars so that you may guide your course with their help in the darkness of the land and the sea. See! I have explained My Signs for people of knowledge. And He it is Who has brought you into existence through a single soul and then there is a home and a repository. See! I have explained My Signs for people of understanding. And He it is Who pours down rain from the heaven, and then brings forth through this water, vegetation of every kind, also I create through it, green foliage (trees) wherefrom I bring forth the thick-clustered grain, and from the date-palm, out of its pollen, spring pendant bunches hanging low, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike (in shape and taste). Look at the fruit when they bear it and observe its spectacular stages of ripening, indeed there are Signs in it for the people who believe. AlAnaam 6:96 He it is Who made the sun emit a brilliant light and the moon a light and decreed stages for it that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create it but with purpose, He makes His miracles manifest for the men of knowledge. Indeed, in the variation of the night and day and what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are proofs (of a creator, Allah) for God-fearing people. Yunus 10:6 Say, ‘Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth? Or who controls the hearing and the sight? And who brings forth the living from the dead and creates the dead from the living? And who is schemer of all affairs?’ They will admit, ‘Allah’. Then say, ‘Will you not then fear Him?’ Yunus 10:32 Allah is He who raised the heavens without any visible pillars and then He took His Seat of power, and He made the sun and the moon subservient to you; each one pursues its course until an appointed term. He plans it all, He clearly manifests to you His miraculous power that you may have a firm belief in the meeting with your Lord. And He it is Who spread out the earth and made in it mountains and rivers; and He created two sexes in all the fruits; He causes the night to cover the day, most surely there are many miracles in this for men of philosophy. And in the earth, there are tracts side by side and gardens of grapes and corn-fields
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174 and date-palms having one root and sometime having more than one root, they are watered with same water, yet I make some of them excel others in fruit, no doubt, there are proofs (of God) in this for people who are intelligent. Ar-Ra.ad 13:3) Surely there are hidden miracles for such people who take heed, in the things which He has created for you in the earth, varying in colours. And He is the One Who has made the sea subservient to you so that you may eat fresh meat therefrom and bring forth from it ornaments which you wear. Al-Nahl 16:14 And surely in the cattle, there is something to ponder for you. I give you to drink of what is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood, pure milk pleasant to the drinkers. And of the fruits of the date-palm and grapes, you obtain from them intoxicating and goodly provisions, most surely there is proof (of powers of Allah) in this for intelligent people. And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, “Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in the trellises which they build. Then eat of all the fruits and follow the way of your Lord submissively.” There comes forth a beverage of many colours from their bellies, in which there is healing for mankind, most surely there are miracles in it for thoughtful people.Al-Nahl 16:67 Do you not see that Allah is He Whom all who are in the heavens and the earth glorify and the birds with their wings expanded? Each one knows its own way of worship and glorification, and Allah is fully aware of their deeds. The kingdom of the heaven and the earth belongs to Allah, and to Allah shall everything return. Do you not observe that Allah drives along the clouds, then gathers them, then piles them up, so that you see the rain coming forth from their midst? He sends down from the heaven mountains (i.e. clouds) wherein is hail and He smites therewith whom He desires and protects from it whom He desires; the flash of His lightning almost takes away the sight. Allah alternates the night and the day, most surely there is a lesson in this for the people with insight. Allah has created every living creature from water; there are some of them that move on their bellies, and there are some which walk upon two feet, and there are some which walk upon four; Allah creates what He desires; most surely Allah has power over all things. Indeed, I have manifested clear miracles, and Allah guides whom He desires to the straight path. AnNoor24-42 And He is the One Who has made the two seas to flow, one palatable and sweet, and the other saltish and bitter; and between the two He has formed a barrier and an inviolable partition. Al-Furqan 25:54 Is it not He Who created the heavens and the earth and sent down water from the heaven for you, wherewith I cause to grow beautiful gardens whose trees were not in your power to grow? Al-Naml 27:61 Do you not observe that Allah has made subservient to you everything in the heavens and the earth, and has accomplished to you His favours open and hidden? Luqman 31:21 Does not a man observe that I created him from a mere life-germ? And lo! he disputes openly and coins parables about Me and forgets his own origin; and says, ‘Who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?’ Say to them that they will be given life by the same One Who created them the first time and He is Knower of all the processes of creation; He Who creates fire for you from the green trees with which you kindle from it. Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create again the like of them? Why not! when He is the Supreme Creator and the All-Knowing. When He decides to do anything He just says, ‘Be!’ and that happens instantly. Therefore Glory be to Him in Whose hand is the kingdom of all things and to Him shall all return. Yasin 36:78 Hereunder are remarks of some eminent Western scholars: “If the Greek was the father, then the Arab was the foster-father of the scientific method of dealing with reality.” (H. G. Wells, The Outline of History, London 1920) “It (Qur’an) has created an all but new phase of human thought and a fresh type of character”. (Rev. J. M. Rodwell, The Outline of History, London 1920) “The Koran did not contain a single statement that was assailable from a modern scientific point of view”. (Dr. Maurice Bucaille, The Bible, The Koran and Science).
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Chapter 27 COMMANDMENTS ABOUT REVENGE In the Holy Bible, it is commanded to take revenge equal to the harm done to the one, but Jesus Christ asked his followers not to take revenge and if someone slapped on one cheek, offer the other one. But the Holy Qur’an commanded its followers that though one has a right to take revenge equal to the hurt, but forgiveness is more dear to Allah and that if one tries to reform the wrongdoer, then it is an excellent deed. The following verses throw a good light upon the above claim: And those who, when a great wrong is done to them, defend themselves. And the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof. But whoso forgives and acts to reform (the wrongdoer), his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not wrong-doers. Al-Shooraa 42:39, 40 If you want to take revenge, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were inflicted. But if you show patience, surely it is better for the patient ones. Al-Nahl 16:126 The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is good, then lo! Between whom and thee was enmity will become as though he was a warm friend. Haa Meem Sajdah 31:34 But Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, told that Allah commanded him to send gifts to those who hurted him, indeed the prophet had the best moral character which is not easy to emulate. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) always advised his followers to forgive the offences of their fellow men whenever possible. But once the culprit is brought before the judge for justice, then he has no choice but to decide according to the law. Many people commit crimes because they never received good education or were deprived of their basic needs or committed the offence under the effect of sudden emotional behaviour; such criminals need sympathetic treatment and should be given such punishment so as to reform them, as the Holy Qur’an suggests. But the Holy Qur’an says, and also the science of criminology tells that some men are born rogues and devils; they get enough time and opportunities to reform but to no avail; such people need exemplary punishments to be a lesson for other prospective compulsive law-breakers too for a peaceful civil society, quick enforcement of law is a must. It is a responsibility of a society to reform and educate their prospective evildoers, the Prophet said time and again. But also the people committing crimes against humanity, individually or by organized means, are infact at war with Allah and His Prophet and they must be given the hardest punishment openly according to the Holy Qur’an so that the people can sleep with peace and comfort knowing that they have a strong fiery law to protect them and give them justice. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) hanged the outstanding decoits and killers openly, and cut the hands of renowned thieves to bring a permanent piece in the society successfully. Thus the enforcement of law with love and strong hand is a successful way to achieve peace. Let no hardened criminal go unpunished.
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Chapter 28 OF STRIVING AND FIGHT FOR ALLAH, AL-JEHAD The Holy Qur’an is unique in this respect that it contains revelations regarding jehad, which are absent in all the Old scriptures; we hereunder cite few of such revelations: You are the best nation raised up for mankind; you enjoin good and forbid evil and believe in Allah.
Al-Imran 3:111
And from among you, let there be some association of people who invite to goodness and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. And it is they who will have salvation.” Al-Imran 3:105 And strive for Allah with the endeavour which is His right. He hath chosen you and hath not laid upon you in religion any hardship; the faith of your father Abraham (is yours). He hath named you Muslims of old time and in this (Scripture), that the Messenger may be a witness against you, and that ye may be witnesses against mankind. So establish the Prayer, pay the Zakat and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protecting Friend. A blessed Friend and a blessed Helper! Al-Hajj 22:78 Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay (frighten) the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged. Al-Anfal 8:60 74. Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward. 75. How should ye not fight for the cause of Allah and of the feeble among men and of the women and the children who are crying: Our Lord!. Bring us forth from out this town of which the people are oppressors! Oh, give us from Thy presence some protecting friend! Oh, give us from Thy presence some defender! 76. Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil. Lo! the devil’s strategy is ever weak. An-Nisaa 4:74 190. Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. 191. And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out, of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worser than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Sacred Mosque until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers. 192. But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. 193. And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers. Al-Baqarah 2:190 125. Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortatibn, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright. Al Nahl 16:125 In the Gospels, we find Prophet John the Baptist and Jesus Christ giving good news to the Jews that the Kindgom of God i.e. Allah’s law, rule, is soon coming on the earth. Consequently, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him was born to accomplish that goal as per prophecy. In the Gospel of Barnabas, Jesus Christ told that the saviour of the world (the Universal Christ) will be born in the family of Ismael i.e. the Arabs, and that he will not be from among the Jews, this furiated the Jews which resulted in the conspiracy to crucify Jesus Christ. Prophet Muhammad, (S.A.W.), declared that he was that promised one and was the prophet for all the nations of the world, and that the Holy Qur’an is that unique book of law for all the world for which the mankind waited for, and that his religion will prevail over all the religions of the world, and that its laws will bring peace, prosperity and happiness to the humanity. Among all the commandments mentioned in the Holy Qur’an which are an advancement as compared to all the old laws; it is a complete code of life, a most outstanding commandment is the commandment to wage jehad. Jehad is to struggle and to strive to establish the just rule of Allah, an ultimate goal of all the religions, and the desire of all the nations of the world. Jehad is to bring about that happiness and prosperity which all the prophets of the past so eagerly prophesied to their hard pressed followers who had suffered at the hands of tyrant kings and crafty, greedy priests, whom both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ condemned with the strongest harsh words. The Holy Qur’an enjoins upon all the Muslims, individually as well as collectively, to wage Holy War against lawlessness, injustice, corruption, iniquity and human suffrage. Allah’s commandments regarding Holy War i.e. jehad demand from the Muslims to use all the powers in their possession, that are, wealth, speech, knowledge and physical power, and finally by armed struggle. Jehad with wealth is to help the poor ones financially and to do all the good works with the wealth as mentioned in the chapter about Zakat for individuals as well as for collective social well-being, and to bring about mutual equality and uniformity lest poverty, which is the root cause of the most social evils destroy the social structure. Jehad with physical force is to hold the hand of the one who commits highhandedness to some weak one and save him from injury. Jehad with arms is to join the army to combat with aggressors and come to help for the weak ones and save them from perishing at the hands of lawless tyrant rulers. To struggle for justice, peace, security are the prime duty of the Muslims; it is this commandment which distinguishes Islam from all the religions of the world. Muslims are enjoined to propagate their religion to other nations and bring about their conversion by peaceful means; followers of no other religion of the past were commanded by Allah to bring about conversion into their religion as all the religions were regional, for a certain community only, Islam’s advent was to bring about unification of all the nations of the world.
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177 As our readers would have noticed that the sons of Israel were ordained to capture the promised land by force after killing all the living beings (men, women, children) and burning their properties. But in Islam, killing of non-combatants is forbidden, also the killing of old people, women, children, labourers, priests, injured persons and those combatants who throw away their arms, is too forbidden. In Islam, it is strongly forbidden to wage war for the sake of territorial expansion, or to seek wealth or for women. Allah will reward only those who fight for the supremacy of Allah’s law, all those who fight for fame or other cause are the men of Fire, and have nothing to do with Islam.
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Chapter 29 OF THE ANIMALS In the Holy Qur’an, some unique verses were revealed regarding the animals to enjoin upon the Muslims to be mindful about treatment towards them. Hereunder is revelation cited from the Holy Qur’an: There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are communities like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered. Al-Anaam 6:38 Prophet Muhammad, (S.A.W.), ordered his followers to give good treatments to the animals as Allah will take an account of this and will give rewards for good treatment and will punish those who maltreat them and neglect their rights. He said that animals should not be beaten, nor injured; they should be given proper food and a place to rest. Animals should not be overworked and be given rest. Animals are communities like human beings and have feelings too. They should not be overburdened; after they return from work, their shackles be immediately removed. Do not kill little animals and birds uselessly. To hit on face of the animal is prohibited.
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Chapter 30 LYING FOR GOD In the letter ‘to the Romans’, written by Paul (originally Saul) as present in the Christian’s Holy Bible, we have: “Yet if by reason of my lie the truth of God has been made more prominent to his glory, why am I also yet being judged as a sinner?” ROMANS 3:7 The Holy Qur’an does not accept any lying of this sort to promote a religion; lying about God is a blasphemy even if it is spoken with a good intent.
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Chapter 31 COMMANDMENTS AGAINST IDOLATRY Idolatry is strictly forbidden in the Holy Bible as well as in the Holy Qur’an. The followers of the Holy Bible i.e. the sons of Israel, repeatedly resorted to idolatry and enacted marriages with the women of idolatrous nations in spite of God’s stern orders against it; they were punished and enslaved many times, more than eight times, as punishment from God Jehovah. In the Holy Qur’an, the verses against idolatry are very explicit and effective and it stopped the Muslims to resort to idolatry, the like of such verses are missing in the Holy Bible. Hereunder are only some of examples for our readers to understand and observe the beauty of the Holy Qur’an which made Prophet Muhammad’s mission impossible as possible: Unto Him is the real prayer. All those whom they call besides Him, give no reply to their prayers; parable of their prayer is like a man who requests for water with his two hands stretched forth, that it may reach his mouth, water will never reach it, so the prayer of these disbelievers is but a wasted thing. And before Allah, everything in the heavens and in the earth makes obeisance, willingly or unwillingly, and their shadows too in the morning and the evening. Ask them (O Prophet), “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” (they will) Say, “Allah,” then ask again (O Prophet), “Then why you have created for Him helpers (false gods) who have no power even to do good or do harm to themselves?” (O Prophet) Ask, “Are the blind and the seeing equal? Or can the light and the darkness be equal? If not, then do they assign to Allah such associates who have created creation like His creation, so that the two creations appear alike to them?” Say, “Allah alone is the Creator of everything and He is the One, the Wrathful.” Ar-Raad 13:15 O Prophet tell them, “Just call those, whom you assert are your gods besides Him, they cannot remove any misfortune from you nor avert it.” Those whom these people call upon are themselves seeking the means of nearness to their Lord, even the nearest ones, and they hope for His mercy and fear His chastisement. Indeed the chastisement of your Lord is a thing to be feared. Bani Israel 17:57 Ask them, “Shall we call and pray those besides Allah which do not have any authority to do us any good or harm?” Al-An.aam 6:72 And He it is Who pours down rain from the heaven and then I bring forth through this water vegetation of every kind and also I create through it green foliage (trees) wherefrom I bring forth thick clustered grain, and from the date-palm, out of its pollen spring pendant bunches hanging low, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates alike and unlike (in shape and taste). Watch the fruit when they bear it and observe its spectacular stages of ripening, indeed there are signs in it for the people who believe. And they call the Jinn the associate with Allah, while He created them and they falsely attributed to Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Glory be to Him and High Exalted is He above what they attribute to Him; what a wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! How could He have a son when he has no wife, and He created everything and He has knowledge of all things. Such is Allah your Lord, there is no god but He, the Creator of all things, therefore pray only to Him and He is Supervisor (Caretaker, Guardian) over all things. Vision cannot comprehend Him but He comprehends all visions, and He is Incomprehensible and Well-informed. See, the divine knowledge has arrived from your Lord, whoso understands it, is for his own good and whoso becomes blind, is to his own loss and I am not a keeper over you. Al-An.aam 6:96) O Prophet tell them, “My Lord has surely shown me the straight path, a right religion, the faith of Abraham, the upright one and he (Abraham) was not of the polytheists.” Say (O Prophet), “Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are only for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no associate, and this is what I have been ordered to believe and I am the first of those who submit.” Further say to them, “What! Shall I seek some other Lord besides Allah, while He is the Lord (Rab, Holy Father) of everything? And no soul acts but is responsible for it, no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another. All will return to your Lord and then He will inform you the truth of that wherein you differed.”Al-An.aam 6:162 Surely, those whom you call for your help besides Allah are just servants like you, just pray to them for something, and if you are true, see if they can fulfil your prayer. Do they have such feet with which they walk, or do they have such hands with which they hold any thing, or do they have such eyes with which they see, or do they have such ears with which they hear? (O Muhammad peace be upon him, challenge them) Say, “Call your associates with God, then struggle you all to harm me and give me no respite. Verily, Allah is my friend, Who has revealed this Book (the Qur’an) and He befriends the righteous. And they whom you pray besides Him have no power to help you nor can they help themselves. And if you invite them to guidance they do not hear even; and you see them looking towards you but actually they see nothing.” Al-A.araf 7:195 These people worship those, instead of Allah, who can neither harm them nor do good to them and they say, “They are our intercessors with Allah,” O Prophet tell them, “Are you telling Allah of something He does not know in the heavens and the earth?” He is Holy, Supremely Exalted above all that what they associate. Yunus 10:19 O Prophet ask them, “Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth? And who has power over hearing and sight? And who creates the living from the dead and creates the dead from the living? And who is schemer of all the deeds?” They will admit ‘Allah’. Then say, “Will you not then fear Him?” This then is Allah, your real Lord. And what is there after discarding the truth but error! Then how are you being turned away? Thus the word of your Lord is proved true against the sacrilegious people that they shall believe not. Yunus 10:29 Ask them O Prophet, “Is there anyone of your associates (of Allah) who can originate the creation and then repeat it again?” Say to them, “Allah alone is responsible for the creation in the first instance and then He will recreate it again, where are you then turned away?” Ask them, “Is there any of your associates (gods) who can lead to the truth?” Say, “Allah is He Who leads to the truth.” Then who is more worthy to be obeyed, He Who guides to the truth or he who cannot find the way unless he is guided? What has happened to you? How do you make conclusions? And most of the people obey nothing except conjectures, and conjectures will surely avail nothing against the reality and indeed Allah has full knowledge of what they do. And this Qur’an is not such a book
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Chapter 32 SCIENCE AND THE HOLY QUR’AN The Holy Qur’an is not a book of science but it does invites attention of its readers to many scientific facts in the nature, as well as in Allah’s other created things. Allah calls to men time and again to ponder into His created things and try to find out the beauty and extanct of His powers and then put faith in Him. In the Holy Bible, any such invitation to men to ponder is missing. We hereunder cite some of the examples from the Holy Qur’an to prove our point. 1. In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and the day, there are indeed signs for the men of understanding. Al Baqarah 2:164 Later the men of understanding i.e. scientists found out that it was a ‘BIG BANG’ in a big ball which resulted in the formation of this inverse. The Holy Qur’an has the same or a similar view that there was a commandment from Allah ‘Be’, thereafter the universe came into being; everything was united into one mass and then it transformed into the form of a smoke like mass which separated into the present form in stages. Also the scientists found out that it is the rotation of the earth which causes days and nights; the axis of earth is tilted and also that the earth moves around the sun in an elliptical orbit which causes weather change. 2. And He it is Who spread out the earth and set thereon mountains and rivers; and fruits of every kind He made therein in two sexes. He draws the night as veil or the day. Verily, in these are Signs for the people who reflect. Ar Ra’d 13:4 It is only recently found that fruit-tree have two sexes whose union result in the formation of the fruits and the seeds therein. 3. Allah has mentioned about milk as his bounty; of course the milk is the best drink for human beings, it has good protein, sugar, fat, all the necessary salts and vitamins which are necessary for the growth of human body. Furthermore, Allah asks mothers to feed their children their own milk for thirty months. The latest scientific findings has established that children fed by breast-feeding are more healthy, more intelligent and more immune from diseases. Also mothers have much less chances of breast cancer. Surely, milk is a complete food and has no equal. Al Nahl 16:67 4. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah mentions about Olive. Recent researches have confirmed that no other oil is as good for heart as olive oil is; it is free from bad lipids; it doesn’t increase cholesterol, if used daily carefully, also triglycerides are kept under control by its use. At Teen 2 5. Dates, grapes and figs are mentioned and praised in the Holy Qur’an; all of these are an instant source of energy and have an extraordinary good effect on the health of its users. Al Nahl 16:68 6. In the Holy Qur’an, honey is mentioned with great praise. Honey has different qualities, because bees use different sources of flowers. But all types of honeys have extraordinary wonderful chemicals and sugars sucked by the bees from millions of different flowers; all these constituents have wonderful effects on the health as it provides raw material for processing by the human body to convert into vitamins, hormones, enzymes and energy; it is perhaps nature’s best gift for the human beings. Al Nahl 16:69 7. Allah invites men’s attention to ponder that how trees grow out of seeds, and to observe its different stages of development as well as stages of fruit formation. Now Botany is a great science, and every student of it would realize that there is an extremely intelligent hidden force which controls all the processes of plants life, and that is what Allah’s power is incomprehensible! Al An.aam 6:99 8. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah invites men’s attention towards animals of diverse forms and colours. Now Zoology is a very developed science. When a student of zoology observes different stages of body formation through a sperm; and after birth, the wonderful changes occur in the body, some transform into different colours and having wonderful patterns of their bodies; birds acquiring beautifully coloured and artistically arranged feathers and shapes etc. etc; one becomes spell-bound and is compelled to exclaim ‘how wonderful are You, O Allah, what a great Fashioner, a Creator, All-Powerful, AllKnowledgeable You are’. Thus a belief of a believer is strengthened by all such observations. Faatir 28, 29 9. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah invites men to investigate, why some fruits and vegetables have different tastes in different regions, their sizes and colours are also different, why? The scientists now tell us that among many other factors, chemical nature of soil and different weather conditions affect it, even if seeds may be the same. Thus Allah manifests His Signs. Al An.aam 99 10. The Holy Qur’an invites men’s attention to ponder how winds move, how clouds move, how windstorms come into being. Now scientists have investigated that it is due to temperature-differential; cold wind is heavier and travels towards that area where temperature is higher and atmospheric pressure is low, when this difference of temperature is excessive, then windstorms may occur. Clouds also move due to this principle. Al Jathiyah 6 11. Men’s attention is invited by the Holy Qur’an to ponder why lightening occurs followed by rain. Now men of science know that clouds have a electric charge; as they came closer, a great spark occur and it may turn into lightening with the release of a great heat. This release of heat results in cooling within the clouds; cooling transforms cloud into rain-drops which fall upon the land. Thus it is a beauty of the Holy Qur’an to invite and exhort its readers to indulge in scientific investigations.
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183 Then the Holy Qur’an invites attention to that how rain on a barren land causes the growth of much vegetation. Now we know by investigation that apparently looking barren land has in fact many seeds and inactive roots due to non-availability of water and due to adverse weather. Rain water bring back to life all the dormant lives. Ar-Room 30:23 Al-Jathiyah 6 12. The Holy Qur’an is perhaps the first Book which claims that the earth and the sun and the moon moves in their assigned orbits with precise accuracy. Before Islam, it was thought that earth is flat and stationary while the sun moves around it. Al Baqarah 189 Bani Israel 13 13. The Holy Qur’an has made an astonishing statement that all lives have originated through water. This is now scientifically confirmed that all the chemical actions needed for a life to start can occur only in the aqueous media only. Al Noor 45 14. The Holy Qur’an has mentioned the complete water cycle phenomenon. As water vapours arise from land, rivers and sea, it forms into clouds which travel to the land and the mountains and causes rain. From the mountains, streams and rivers issue and run to the lower portion of the land till these reach the sea. Some water is absorbed in the earth, while other part causes growth of all sorts of vegetation. Absorbed water acts as a reservoir in the earth and can be used by digging wells or taken out by the use of tube-wells. 15. The Holy Qur’an says that mountains are like nails and act to safeguard the earth. It is now known by the scientists that in the past when volcanoes erupted, then lava solidified as mountains over the lava’s escape route. The mountains now acts like a stopper of a bottle, and save the earth from destructibility of the volcanoes. Al Anbiya 32 Al Naba 8 The Holy Qur’an repeatedly exhorts its readers to look into Allah’s creation scientifically. The Holy Qur’an says: Say: O my Lord, increase my knowledge.
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He grants wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever is granted wisdom has truly been granted abundant goodness; and none would take advice except those endowed with insight. Al Baqarah 2:270 This is a beauty of the Holy Qur’an that it mentions about Allah’s works and His Signs and then invites the people to make a research and ponder into His creation. In the Holy Bible we do not find a single such revelation in which Jehovah’s works are mentioned and then there is invitation to ponder into it. In fact, such beautiful revelation were kept by Allah for His beloved, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, the last Saviour Messenger of Allah. Hereunder are the remarks of some most eminent Western scholars: “To seek knowledge is duty of every Muslim man and woman. Seek knowledge even though it be in China. The savants are the heirs of the Prophets. These profound words of the great reformer are an indisputable contradiction to those who seek and exert themselves in putting the responsibility of the intellectual degradation of Muslims upon the spirit of the Qur’an... they will read that the Prophet incessantly called the attention and the meditation of his people to the splendid marvels, to the mysterious phenomenon of creation.” (Dr. A. Bertherand, “Contribution des Arables an Progress de Sciences Medicates”, Paris 1883). “It is to Mussulman science, to Mussulman art and to Mussulman literature that Europe has been in a great measure indebted for its extrication from the darkness of the Middle Ages.” (Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, “Speeches delivered in India”, London 1890). “We must not be surprised to find the Qur’an the fountainhead of the sciences. Every subject connected with heaven or earth, human life, commerce and various trades are occasionally touched upon. (Hartwig Hirschfeld, Ph. D.M.R.A.S. “New Researches into the Composition and Exegesis of the Qur’an,” London 1902). “One of the most deplorable things in history is the systematic way in which European writers have contrived to put out of sight the scientific obligations of the Arabs.” (H. G. Farmer, “Historical Facts in the Arabian Musical Influence”). “The ancient culture of Greece, Rome and Persia were revitalized by the Arab genius and the Islamic spirit “(A. M. Lothrop Stoddard, “The New World of Islam,” London 1932). “If the Greek was the father, then the Arab was the foster-father of the scientific method of dealing with reality.” (H. G. Wells, “The Outline of History,” London 1920). “It (The Qur’an) has created an all but new phase of human thought and a fresh type of character.” (Rev. J. M. Rodwell, “The Koran,” London 1918). “The Koran did not contain a single statement that was assailable from a modern scientific point of view.” (Dr. Maurice Bucaille. “The Bible, The Koran and Science”). “Europe was darkened at sunset, Cordova shone with public lamps; Europe was covered with vermin, Cordova changed its undergarments daily; Europe lay in mud, Cordova’s streets were paved, Europe’s palaces had smoke-holes in the ceiling, Cordova’s arabesques were exquisite; Europe’s nobility could not sign its name, Cardova’s children went to school; Europe’s monks could not read ‘The baptismal service’, Cordova’s teacher created a library of Alexandrian dimensions.” (Victor Robinson, “The Story of Medicine”). “Many Westerners, accustomed by their history books to believe that Muslims were barbarians infidels find it difficult to comprehend how profoundly our intellectual life has been influenced by Muslim scholars in the field of science, medicine, mathematics, geography and philosophy”.
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184 (James A. Michener “Islam The Misunderstood Religion”, in the Reader’s Digest, May 1955.)
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185 Chapter 33 PROPHECIES ABOUT MODERN TIMES In the Holy Bible, there are many prophecies, most of them are about the coming of a Prophet, a world saviour and about coming wars. None of the prophecies has been fulfilled; both the Jews and the Christians are still waiting for that Prophet i.e. the Christ. The Muslims believe that those prophecies have been fulfilled by the coming of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, and by the wars which happened during the spread of Islam. But in the Holy Qur’an, there are prophecies pertaining to the present time which were fulfilled during the last century. PROPHECY 1 “But this day We will save thee (Rhamses 2) in thy body that you may be a sign for those after thee. And surely, most of mankind is unaware of Our Signs. Yunus 10:91 The body of Ramses 2, which was hidden from the people, came to be known after excavation of pyramids in Egypt in early part of the 20th century. Thus, body of Rhamses came to light after about 1300 years after the prophecy in the Holy Qur’an was made. Isn’t it a most astonishing proof for the truth of the Holy Qur’an? PROPHECY 2 And when the word is fulfilled concerning them, We shall bring forth for them a germ (or something) out of the earth to speak unto the people, because mankind had not faith in Our Signs. Al Naml 27:82 The followers of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), were surprised by the prophecy and asked what will be its legs like? The Prophet said ‘like thin legs of a deer’. The people further questioned what will be its back like? The Prophet said, ‘like a deer’s back’. The people again enquired ‘what will be its horn like’? The Prophet said ‘like a stag’s horn’. After the invention of television, this prophecy is conclusively proved to be true. Earlier television sets had thin legs as a stand; its back was round like deer’s, and its antenna was just like a stag’s horn. It talks to the people as prophesied, one can record any programme and then replay it. So is Allah recording deeds of all the people and will replay all deeds on the day of Recompensation. This is a fact which many people denied; so by this invention Allah has proved that He will do as He said; the new inventions prove Allah’s claim. What men can do, Allah can do it in much better way. Just notice the astonishing fulfillment of the prophecy after about 1400 years.
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Chapter 34 UNPLEASANT INCIDENCES ABOUT THE PROPHETS The Holy Qur’an is absolutely free from mentioning of such unpleasant incidences regarding the prophets whose mention leaves a bad opinion and in some cases even degrades their respect. The Muslims are completely unaware of these incidences but the Jews and the Christians are very well aware of these and insist upon its truth. Many Western scholars have made objections to the mention of these incidences as these are liable to affect the character of its readers negatively. Some scholars wished that if such incidences were absent and were expunged by the scribes, it would have been better, as these are only historical facts and are not revelations and are not worthy to become the part of a Holy Book meant for the recitation and guidance of its followers. Hereunder we mention such incidences to explain our point: 1. Jacob played a trick; he put upon the skins of the kids of the goats to look like elder brother Esau, and took a tasty dish to his father Isaac who was blind, to deceive him and receive blessings from him which he intended for his elder brother Esau. GENESIS 26:1 to 29 Jacob, then ran away from the house fearing Esau; Jacob returned after more than fourteen years. 2. Once Esau was extremely thirsty and asked Jacob to give him a drink. Jacob refused to give drink unless Esau forfeited his birthright. Esau succumbed to Jacob’s demand, thereafter he was given the drink. This incidence is certainly not a good example of brotherly treatment. 3. Jacob’s daughter Dinah was abducted and raped by a prince Shechem who later asked Jacob to give her for marriage. The Israelis put a precondition that all nation be circumcised which they accepted. When the whole nation was in great pain, the Israelis attacked and killed everyone as revenge and then migrated to Bethel. GENESIS 34:1 to 35:1 For a crime of one person, the killing of hundreds of innocent men is not understandable. 4. First-born Reuhen forcibly raped his mother Bilhah wife of Jacob. GENESIS 35:22 5. Daughters of Lot intoxicated their father and inter-coursed with him and got pregnant.
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6. Judah, forefather of the Jews hired a prostitute and intercoursed with her, she became pregnant and bore twins, Perez and Zerah. Judah later came to know that the harlot was actually his daughter-in-law Tamar who played a trick. GENESIS 38:16 The above three incidences are not worthy of record in a Holy Book for recitation; reputed elders are not presented as good role-models for the followers. An Israeli brought a Midianite woman; Phinehas the grandson of Aaron the priest took a lance and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her genital parts. Numbers 25:6 A man who was collecting pieces of wood on the Sabbath day, the whole assembly pelted him with stones so that he died, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses. Numbers 15:35 Jephthah made a vow to Jehovah that if he get victory over the Ammonites, then he will offer for burnt offering that one who comes out of the doors of his house. Incidentally his daughter came out to receive him with tambourine playing and dancing. Jephthah fulfilled his vow. (An extremely sad incidence, for detail see Judges 11-30 to 40) Admitted that above three incidences are historically true, but how are these revelations of God? Are those incidences worthy to find inclusion in a Holy Book? The Holy Qur’an is free from the mention of any such incidence. 7. Samson was a very strong man, a saviour of the sons of Israel, visited prostitutes; fell in love with Delilah, a Philistinian girl who betrayed Samson, cut his hair. Powerless Samson was captured by the Philistinians who pulled out his eyes. Finally Samson died along with large number of the Philistinians. JUDGED 16:30 It looks as if going to prostitutes is not forbidden in the Holy Bible, it is unbelievable. 8. A Levites passed through Gibean during a journey along with his concubine wife. The residents, the Banjaminites, first sought the Levite for sodomy but then agreed to rape the concubine. The concubine died by this mass rape. The Levite told the matter to the sons of Israel who attacked and massacred almost all the Benjaminites. JUDGED 19:22 to 28 9. After massacring of the Benjaminites, the sons of Israel took oath not to give their daughters to them. In order to save the tribe of Benjaminites, the Israelis suggested them to abduct the daughters of Shiloh who had gathered to dance on yearly festival. The Benjaminites made a successful raid and abducted all the girls to make them their wives so that they could ensure their survival as a tribe. JUDGES 20:23 Though the trick was successful, but in no way it is a decent legal way; no one will appreciate it! 10. Prophet David was one of the greatest saviours of the Israelis, but king Saul made numerous attempts to kill David. 1 SAMUEL 19:17 It is an astonishing behaviour of a most thankless person. 11. David saw the wife of his commander of army, Uriah, taking bath in her home, while David was at the top of his palace. He summoned the beautiful Bathsheba and intercoursed with her.
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187 When Uriah returned back from his mission, he was immediately sent to an extremely dangerous mission where he was killed. David’s trick was successful, he then married Bathsheba. 2 SAMUEL 11:2 to 27 Sorry to say, this incidence is unbecoming of a most respected prophet. 12. David’s son Amnon tricked his sister Tamar who was a sister of his brother Absalom from other mother, and raped her forcibly. In revenge, Absalom killed his brother Amnon. 2 SAMUEL 13:28 How such a most shameful incidence became a part of such an enlightened revealed book of Allah? 13. Absalom conspired against King David; David went into hiding as the mutiny was successful; Absalom became the new king of Israelis. 2 SAMUEL 16:15 14. After successful mutiny of Absalom against King David, he collected all his mother concubines and intercoursed with them in the public. 2 SAMUEL 16:22 It may be a fact of history, but how it became part of the Holy Bible? 15. King Solomon killed his brother Adonijah because he desired to marry Abishag a nurse of King David.
1 KINGS
2:25 One fails to understand legality of this act. 16. It is mentioned that King Solomon started worshipping other gods, being influenced by his wives, many of them were from idolatrous nations. 2 KING 11:4 The Holy Qur’an rejects it outrightly. 17. After Solomon, Jeroboam became the king of the sons of Israel, but the ten tribes of Israel dissociated themselves from Jeroboam, who was the son of Judah. Thus the sons of Israel separated themselves permanently; two states came into existence, a state of Judah and a state of Israel. State of Judah was around Jerusalem, while the state of Israel was in Samaria. Both the residents of these states continually fought among themselves bitterly, and both started the worship of other gods. Due to the practice of idolatry, at last, wrath of Jehovah came and all were enslaved by the king of Assyria; and the King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar who carried them into the prisons of Babylon. Thus the occupation by the children of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob came to an end after about one thousand years. Moses had clearly told the sons of Israel that when they will follow Jehovah’s laws, they will reside in Palestine, and when they will worship other gods, then they will lose their promised land and will be severely punished and will be dispersed among the nations of the world. 18. During the period of Judges, just after occupying their promised land, the sons of Israel were made slaves for seven times; every time they got freedom after the saviours were born among them. Then came King David and King Solomon; thereafter their decline started till they were enslaved by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Assyrian king. 19. In the Gospels we have, Now his mother and his brothers came, and, as they were standing on the outside, they sent in to him to call him. As it was, a crowd was sitting around him, so they said to him: “Look! Your mother and your brothers outside are seeking you.” But in reply Jesus said to them: “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And having looked about upon those sitting around him in a circle, he said: “See, my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother. MARK 3:31 When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him: “They have no wine.” But Jesus said to her: “What have I to do with you woman? My hour has not yet come.” JOHN 2:3 Note: The above incidences are not well-worded and give a poor picture of Jesus’ behaviour towards his mother. In contrast, the Holy Qur’an we have, He i.e. Jesus said: I am a slave of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined upon me Prayer and almsgiving so long as I live. And he has made me dutiful (i.e. kind and obedient) towards my mother, and He has not made me insolent (i.e. arrogant) callous.” MARYAM 19:31 Thus the Holy Qur’an confirms that Jesus was a very obedient son, and was never harsh to his mother. 20. In the Gospels we have, Then another of the disciples said to him: “Lord, permit me first to leave and bury my father.” Jesus said to him: “Keep following me, and let the dead burry their dead.” MATTHEW 8:21 Do our readers think that it is a good social ethics? 21. In Mark 11:15 we find that Jesus started to throw out those who were selling and buying in the temple and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Such an outburst is not in line with the peaceful character of Jesus and confuses a reader. 22. A Phoenician woman cried “Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David. My daughter is badly demonized.” (Verse 22). In answer he said: “I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Verse 24). Also Jesus said to her: “It is not right to take the bread of the children and throw it to little dogs.” This sort of speech is surprising, it shows prejudice and discrimination, which is not acceptable in the modern age. Was Jesus really the same Christ for whom the whole world, generation after generation, waited for? We leave it to our readers to judge?
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188 23. And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim (a prostitute, a whore); which conceived, and bare him a son. HOSEA 1:2,3 24. The Lord ordered prophet Isaiah to take off his clothes and shoes; after that Isaiah walked naked and bare-footed for three years. ISAIAH 20: 2,3 25. Jehovah ordered prophet Ezekiel to bake cake of barley upon dung cakes of human excrement before the people openly. When Ezekiel showed reluctance to eat such an unclean food, Jehovah allowed to cook upon cow’s dung. EZEKIEL 4:12 to 15 Regarding the above three incidences, only God knows the secret behind these. But outwardly, the mention of these is not worthy of inclusion in a divine book, but could have been recorded in the sacred history book separately, as these incidences are not worthy to become a role-model for the people and provide no guidance at all. Actually, these incidences point towards the most rebellious nature and extreme hardheartedness of the sons of Israel whom Allah showed His favours time and again but they were always unthankful. These incidences prove that Jehovah was extremely disgusted with the sons of Israel.
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189 Chapter 35 HUMAN RIGHTS The Holy Qur’an is the only divine book which has given all aspects of human rights; Prophet Muhammad’s , actions and words are expounder of the teachings of Holy Qur’an. In the next pages, we will quote verses from the Holy Qur’an as well as instructions of the Prophet regarding human rights. We hereunder mention only such aspects which are either absent in the Holy Bible or are not very explicit. Oneness and Equality of all the Mankind In Islam, all men are equally honourable and dignified, and the difference of colour and race is only for distinction to recognize each other, without any inherent different or superiority. Indeed We have created man with the best measurement.
At-Teen 95:4
Verily We have honoured the children of Adam, We carry them on the land and the sea, and give them provisions of pure things, and have blessed them with a market preferment more than many what We have created. Bani Israel 17:70 O mankind! We created from one male and one female and have made you nations and tribes that you may recognize one another. Surely, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most virtuous: Verily Allah is Knower, Aware. Al-Hujuraat 49:13 The Prophet said: O mankind! Your Lord is One, your father is one, all are from Adam and Adam was from dust. Verily, the noblest among you before Allah is he who is the most virtuous. No excellence an Arab has over non-Arab but by his virtues. The Right to Life In 631 AD Prophet Muhammad said in his last Sermon: Now O people! Listen to me attentively, I want to tell you everything very clearly, I perceive that may be after this year, you may not meet me again at this place (Makkah). O people! Do you know which month is this? The people replied: This is the sacred month. The Prophet: Verily! Allah has made sacred for you, your blood and your properties till you meet your Lord as is sacred this month for you. O people! Do you know which city is this? The people answered: This is the sacred city (of Makkah). The Prophet: Verily Allah has made sacred for you, your blood and your properties till you meet your Lord as is sacred this city of your. O people! Do you know which day is this? The people answered: This is great day of Hajj. The Prophet: Verily, Allah has made sacred for you, your blood and your properties till you meet your Lord as is sacred this day of yours. The Prophet said: If all the inhabitants of heaven and earth join together to kill a believer, Allah will throw them all into the Hell. The Holy Quran says that ‘the killing of one man is as sinful as killing of all the mankind’. Every man has a right to live in peace with honour. Right to Education: The Holy Qur’an says: “And pray: O my Lord, increase my knowledge.”
Ta Ha 20:115
Thus the Holy Qur’an exhorts all men to strive to seek knowledge. Prophet Muhammad , too said: It is incumbent upon every Muslim man and woman to seek knowledge. (Maja, Darmi) The Prophet exhorted his followers to teach those who are illiterate; also illiterate persons should strive to acquire knowledge from others. The Prophet assigned duty to the father to teach his child to learn how to read and write. The Prophet said: Education must start at an early age; help others in education, do not conceal knowledge from each other, as concealment of knowledge is a greater sin than dishonesty in money-dealing. Teach an illiterate one, who in turn should teach another illiterate one, and so on.
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190 RIGHT OF SECRECY, PRIVACY Do not spy others, nor backbite one another.
Al Hujuraat 49:13
The Prophet said: When two friends meet, they are under Allah’s trust; it is not lawful for any one of them to leak out that secrets whose publicity is not liked by other. He also said that it is a great sin to peep into the house of others to disturb their privacy; women should not discuss their intimate private affairs with other women; do not enter into other’s house without getting permission. The Prophet said that backbiting is a sin which Allah does not forgive; it is like eating dead brother’s flesh.
RIGHT TO SMALL FAVOURS The Prophet asked his followers not to refuse small favours to each other, like asking for water, or borrowing a knife or bucket, or fire or little amount of grass etc. One should never refuse other man for small favours. The Holy Qur’an mentions about a man contemptuously, as under, “And they refuse small kindnesses.”
Al Maoon 107:7
RIGHT TO PROPERTY AND TO WORK In the Holy Qur’an, we have, “Unto the men belong a share of that which parents and near relatives leave; and for women belong a share of that which parents and near relatives leave, whether it be little or much a settled share.”Al Nisa 4:8 In Islam, the Muslim women have share in property; they can spend their share according to their own will. Also the women have full rights to run their independent business. In the time of the Prophet, many women were selling milk, vegetables and processed skins and embroidered clothes; men and women alike can carry out their business jointly or individually.
RIGHT TO RELIGION The Holy Qur’an allows all men, whether the Muslims or the non-Muslims to practise their religions; we have “For you your religion, and for me my religion.”
Al Kafiroon 109:7
This religion of yours in actually the same religion (which earlier Prophets preached), I am your God, fear me only. Al Anbiyaa 21:93 In the Holy Qur’an, we have verses which invites non-Muslims to join with the Muslims. Say: O People of the Scripture! Come on agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have accepted Islam. Al Imran 3:85 There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break, Allah is Hearer, Knower. Al Baqarah 2:256 And whoso seeketh as religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter. Al Imran 3:79 Thus Islam is a very liberal religion; it accepts right of every man to follow the religion of his choice.
RIGHT OF HOME Islam accepts the right of every man to have a home where he can live with his family in security, and can maintain his privacy. The Holy Qur’an has strictly ordered the people to use their wealth for providing shelter to those who are homeless; we have “(The alms are) only for a homeless (way-farer) person, it is an imposed duty from Allah.”
At Tauba 9:60
The Prophet said that it is a fundamental right of every man to have a place to live; the Muslims are exhorted to fight against those who persecute weak people and force them to leave their homes. The Prophet taught that ‘a home is one’s sanctified place, none has a right to violate its sanctity by peeping into it or to enter into it without permission or to do an act to create inconvenience for its residents. Every Muslim has a right to fight for his home, and his wealth and his family; if he kills the intruder, there is no blame upon him; if he dies while fighting, then he is a martyr.
RIGHT TO JUSTICE Everybody has a right to seek justice; there are very strong instructions regarding it. The Holy Qur’an clearly says:
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191 O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to piety. Fear Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do. Al Maa’eedah 5:8 Justice is to be given without prejudice. The Prophet said: Curse of Allah be upon the one who accepts bribe, and the one who offers bribe, and the one who arranges the deal. (Ahmed Tirmzi, Maja, Dawood, Baihaqi) The Holy Qur’an reiterates, And eat not up your property among yourselves by false means nor seek by bribing it to gain the hearing of the judges that ye may knowingly devour a portion of the property of others wrongfully.Al-Baqarah 2:188
RIGHT TO LIBERTY Islam is undoubtedly the first religion of the world which spoke for the liberty of the slaves and prisoners and those whose liberty was seized by powerful persecutors. The Muslims are exhorted by the Holy Qur’an to come forward for the rescue of the suffering ones. The Holy Qur’an exhorts thus, ‘And what reason you have not to fight in the way of Allah, for the sake of those helpless men, women and children, who are praying, “O Lord! Take us out from this town whose people are oppressors and send for us some friend from Thyself and send for us from Thyself some helper?” Al-Nisa 4-75 The Holy Qur’an invited peoples’ attention towards those whose liberty is denied to them due to some reason, it says, “The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those officiating as collector, and those whose hearts need to be reconciled, and to free the captives i.e. prisoners and slaves, and for those in debt, and for those busy for Allah’s cause and for homeless ones, it is an imposed duty from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.” At Tauba 9:60 The Prophet said: The best of all deeds is to pay for the freedom of a slave.
RIGHT TO FORM ASSOCIATION The Holy Qur’an incites the Muslims to make association and work collectively for the betterment of the people. We quote the Holy Qur’an: And there may spring from you a group who invite to goodness and enjoin right conduct and forbid bad conduct. Such are they who will get salvation. Al Imran 105 In Islam, all sorts of associations are commendable, provided they are busy in doing good for the humanity; such associations are highly pleasing to Allah.
RIGHT TO POLITICAL RIGHTS Islam is the first religion of the world who defeated the most tyrant regimes of the world and brought democracy to the world. The Prophet always took important decisions after consulting with the people, and he listened to every one’s opinion, big or small, and thereafter he made final decision. The Holy Qur’an says, And (O Prophet) consult them in all the affairs; when you are fully determined then put trust in Allah; indeed Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. Al Imran 3:160 And those who answer the call of their Lord and observe prayer, and whose affairs are performed after mutual consultation and who spend out of what We have provided for them. Ash Shoora 38 The Prophet said: The greatest of Holy Wars is to speak the truth before a tyrant ruler. It is a duty of every Muslim to give good advice to the ruler. When rulers are virtuous, rich people are generous, and all affairs are performed by mutual consultation, then the earth will bring out of it all the goodness. Every Muslim is entitled to advise his rulers.
RIGHTS TO CULTURE The Holy Qur’an recognises cultural differences and rites of all the nations of the world, which in fact is according to Allah’s plan, we quote the following verses: For all people We have appointed rites which they perform ceremoniously; so let them not dispute with you in this matter; and invite them to your Lord. Surely you follow the right guidance. Al-Hajj 22:68
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192 And for every people We appointed rituals that they might mention the name of Allah over the four-legged cattle that He has provided for them. Al-Hajj 22:35 So according to Islam, all nations were given different ways of worship and rituals for sacrifice; all are from God if such acts are intended solely for God’s sake. And all other ceremonies which are performed at the time of harvesting or change of weather or to observe memorial days, or certain historical days, such ceremonies are non-religious cultural practices which play a great part in giving permanency to a society’s existence. Once the Prophet asked his wife Aisha that where was that bride to be which you brought up. Aisha (peace on her) said: I sent her to bridegroom’s house. The Prophet said: Did you send someone with her who could sing (to please her). Aisha (peace on her) said: No. The Prophet said: Don’t you know that the Ansaris (the Muslims of Medina) have the culture to sing at the occasion of marriage. Thus the Prophet taught the Muslims to follow the culture of other people, provided there is no obscenity in it.
ECONOMIC RIGHTS Islam permits every person, whether a Muslim or not, to carry out his business. The Prophet instructed the fathers to teach some art or profession to their children to enable them to earn their livelihood. The Prophet ordered that ‘when you hire a labourer, tell him his wages, and then pay him before his sweat dries’. The Holy Qur’an strictly orders to write down all business dealings with the signatures of witnesses. The Holy Qur’an strictly warns that your wealth should not circulate among wealthy ones only. So wealth may not circulate among rich among you.
Al Hashr 59:7
O believers! Do not devour your riches among yourselves unjustly except it be through trade by your mutual consent. And do not kill your own selves (by deceiving). An Nisa 4:29 Thus the Prophet Muhammad () enjoined upon businessmen to show absolute honesty in their dealings, dishonesty brings decline in business in the end. The Prophet said: Be honest in dealing with a non-Muslim even if he was dishonest with you in the past. The best profession is trading; and best action for a person is to work with his hand. The Prophet strictly ordered to fulfill all business commitment pay, back all debts in time, not to hoard, not to adulterate or to sell defective goods.
RACIALISM Racial prejudice is repugnant to Islam; one who is a racialist and dies as such will certainly enter in Gehenna. Following are the golden words of Prophet Muhammad, (S.A.W): “That one doesn’t belong to us who speaks prejudicially; that one doesn’t belong to us who fights out of prejudice; that one doesn’t belong to us who dies as a prejudiced man. A person asked: O Prophet of Allah, is it prejudice if a person loves his nation? The Prophet replied; Not at all; but prejudice is when a person helps his nation in injustice.’’ Allah says: O mankind! Lo We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. Al-Hujuraat 49:13 O people! Verily, your Lord is one and your father is one. Remember! An Arab has no excellence over a foreigner, nor any foreigner has over an Arab, nor a black has over a white, nor a white has over a black but by virtuosity. Have 1 clearly conveyed? You are all Adam’s children and Adam was from dust. Verily, all Muslims are brothers of other Muslims and surely all Muslims are brothers.” Hereunder are some of the views to strengthen our claims. “The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam”. (A. J. Toynbee, Civilization on Trial, New York 1948) “The brotherhood of Mohammedanism is no mere word. All believers are equal’ and their own high-priest, Zeid, the exslave, led Muhammad’s troop.....The Ghazanavide dynasty was founded by the slave.... The cruel treatment of slaves has been the reproach of Europeans rather than of Eastern nations”. (Dr. Leither, Muhammadanism 1893) “The nobility and broad tolerance of this creed which accepts as God-inspired all the real religions of the world, will always be a glorious heritage for mankind. On it could indeed be built a perfect world religion.” (The Gospel of Islam, p. 27 Duncan Greenlees M.A. (Oxon.)
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193 RIGHTS OF DISPLACED PERSONS In a Muslim society, if the problem of displaced persons occurs, then it is a divine duty of all the Muslims to come forward to help them with all their strength and with all their wealth. The displaced persons are to be provided shelter and food immediately as any delay can result in the deaths of many. In the time of the Prophet, the Muslims of Makkah were ousted and sent into exile; they came to Medina, the Prophet asked the Muslims of Medina to come forward for help; they took each one into their homes as a brother and offered their homes as a brother and offered their half wealth, half business and gave share in their lands for cultivation. Thus the great calamity got settled in an amicable way. Later the displaced Muslims developed their own business and built their own homes and thus became selfsufficient.
PUBLICISING OF OBSCENITY The Holy Qur’an reminds the people that as performance of obscene acts are forbidden, also its publicizing is even more injurious. We have in the Holy Qur’an, Those who love that immorality, obscenity should spread among the believers, for them is a painful chastisement in this world and the Hereafter. Al-Noor 24:20 And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan must know that he commands obscenity and evil deeds. Al-Noor 24:22 Though every sin is offensive to God, but its publicising is extremely dangerous as it attracts others to perform it. Publicising an obscene act incites others and it spreads like epidemic among those who were innocent; people do like to follow others if the sin is pleasing, even if it is immodest to do it; this is a human psychology.
RIGHT TO WAGE WAR The Holy Qur’an permits to the Muslims to wage war against those people who attack their country; or those people who break their agreements of truce; and against those who are outlaws, disbelievers in God; and against those who are oppressors and persecute innocent people. It is a basic human right to fight against those who endanger their peaceful life. In the Holy Qur’an, we have Wage a Holy War against those people of the Book who do not believe in Allah, and the Hereafter and do not treat that unlawful what Allah and His Prophet have forbidden, and do not believe in this religion of the truth, until they pay the tax with their hands, being brought low. At Tauba 9-29 And what reason you have not to fight in the way of Allah, for the sake of those helpless men, women and children, who are praying, “O Lord! Take us out from this town whose people are oppressors and send for us some friend from Thyself and send for us from Thyself some helper? An Nisaa 4:75 And fight them until mischievousness (persecution) is no more, and religion is for Allah, but if they desist then no hostility is allowed except against the oppressors. Al-Baqarah 2-194) first?
Will you not fight a people who broke their solemn pledges and plotted to drive out the Messenger and did attack you AT Tauba 9:13
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN In Islam, a discrimination against women is just impossible. The Prophet told that ‘the Paradise is under the feet of your mothers. When one brings home something, start to distribute it from the daughters, and then give to sons. When a daughter is born, angels transcend and congratulate the parents. If one finds a woman coming, if she is old; then show her your regard and respect like your mother; if she is of your age, then show her respect as if she is your sister; if she is small, then she is like your daughter. Islam enjoins upon its followers to give their women equal rights; women should be given education, she has a right in inheritance, she can be married only after her consent and can divorce her husband if he has a bad character; a woman can manage her wealth and business. Women can do all such jobs, for which they are fit. Allah has created women as extremely attractive for men, so in order to protect their honour, reputation and chastity; young women are enjoined to cover their heads and bossoms; whenever possible they should arrange some relatives to accompany them during a journey to frustrate designs of evil men. Head covering is not a discrimination against women; rather it is for their honouring and for their safety. The Holy Qur’an says, “Men shall have a share of that for which they have worked for, and women have a share of that for which they have worked (or earned).” An Nisaa 4:33 The Holy Qur’an stopped the killing of new born girls. The Prophet said: Whoso brings up two girls, and never shows disrespect to them, nor shows preference to his sons over them, he will enter into the paradise.
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194 A person asked the Prophet: Who has the most right upon me to show respect? The Prophet said: Your mother! The man against asked: Then who after her? The Prophet said: You mother! The man asked third time: Then who after her? The Prophet replied third time: Your mother! The man said: Sir, then who after my mother? The Prophet said: Then you father, then your sisters and your brothers, then your near relatives, and then those whom you know better. Thus a woman in Islam is highly respected and any discrimination against her due to gender difference is repugnant to Islam. All women are to be respected; they should be shown a special preferential regards; men are responsible for their care and safety and protection. In an Islamic society, a mother is more honourable than the father; a sister is more lovable than a brother; the women should be given preferential respect than the men. The Holy Qur’an says that as men have rights over women, likewise women have rights over men. _________
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