5:82
-
The verse reads
You will find the people with the greatest animosity towards those who believe are the Jews and those who are polytheists; and you will find the closest in affection to those who believe are those who said "We are Nazarenes;" that is because among them are Priests and Monks, and they are not arrogant.
I thought that any system of priesthood was against islam so why then is reference made to the priests and monks amongst the Nazarenes as being good people with whom the believers will find support?
Is it possible to have priests and monks in islam as per AQ?
Feedback is much appreciated.
-
Please note the context. Verses before 582 are talking how some Jews and Christians were not upholding Torah and Gospel, and invented lies about God, and denied God's signs and messengers. Why do they hate real monotheists? We see that they hate monotheists out of jealousy and animosity, according to the Quran.
Why jealousy and animosity? Because some of them in fact know the book, but they still uphold what their clergymen fabricated. For instance, I read what a Unitarian Christian wrote about logical fallacies in Trinity. In fact, Trinitarians do know the Bible well, but they intentionally mistranslate and avoid logic, to get a translation most favoring the doctrine of Trinity. But as I read through John, there're many Jesus' words supporting a Unitarian God, instead of Trinity. The Unitarian scholar found Unitarianism in more harmony with the Bible. The whole article is at http//www.biblicalunitarian.com/articles/logic/logical-fallacies-employed-in-trinitarian-theology, and more about Unitarian Christianity, see http//www.americanunitarian.org/AUCChristian.htm As those people uphold what's fabricated in spite of their knowledge of God's book (621), if it becomes evident that real monotheists who don't follow what they fabricate are indeed blessed by God, then their theory theory will be debunked and shown to be false, so they feel jealousy.What comes after 582? 582 You will find the people with greatest animosity towards those who acknowledge are the Jews and those who set up partners; and you will find the closest in affection to those who acknowledge are those who said, "We are Nazarenes;" that is because amongst them are Priests and Monks, and they are not arrogant.
583 If they hear what was sent down to the messenger you see their eyes flooding with tears, for what they have known as the truth, they say, "Our Lord, we acknowledge, so record us with the witnesses."
584 "Why shouldn't we acknowledge God and what has come to us of the truth? We yearn that our Lord admits us with the righteous people."
585 So God rewarded them for what they have said with paradises that have rivers flowing beneath them, in them they shall abide; such is the reward of the good doers.
586 Those who rejected and denied Our signs, they are the dwellers of hell.
In this context, those who said, "We are Nazarenes." can be understood as Unitarians, for they acknowledge. There might be Unitarians among Catholic Priests and Monks hiding their faith in Muhammad's era.There can be ministers in Monotheist congregations, as long as they don't lie about God, and they're nice Monotheists knowledgeable in the Scripture, and they do warn church attenders not to blindly follow ministers. In my understandings, ministers are professional researchers of Scripture, and organizers of congregations. 1094 If you are in doubt regarding what We have sent down to you, then ask those who have been studying the book from before you. The truth has come to you from your Lord, so do not be of those who doubt.
Still, in my opinion, sermons should be given by not only the minister, but also Monotheists working in different realms who are knowledgeable about the Scripture, so church goers can study the Scripture from different perspectives.There shouldn't be monks. According to 5727, God did not decree monasticism, and monasticism is not a right way to please God. Furthermore, God encourages us to strive in His cause and reform, while monks and nuns only stay behind in abbeys. Not equal are those who strive in God's cause and those who stay behind.
Does that help?
-
Peace Lamda,
I think the understanding of what a monk is, is biased by tradition. It is rather a term for someone who leaves all earthly desires and belongings behind and go out and preach the Message. But in time not even monks themselves know what they are.
A priest according to my understanding functions in the same manner as an imam in traditional islam. In fact the term imam itself may be an invention and it is rather a title for someone who is a leader, although spiritual leader rings a logical bell due to the root from which imam comes from. At best they are equal terms just used in different languages. The Quran is talking about synagogues and it is just an equal to mosque in Arabic in different languages.
Anyway, I am sure the purpose of monks is distorted with time and this person serves a different one in God's realm. Probably someone who has submitted completely to God and lives the way of God. The isolationist element of a monk's life is probably an inventive ideas of clergymen. Even priests have during various parts in history been discouraged from marriage, oftentimes due to how women have been perceived as leading men into the ultimate doom.
Jesus' followers could be perceived as ancient monks and God warned that they rather isolated themselves than proceeding with spreading the Message which may be the reason the distortion of Christianity accelerated even faster. The isolationist part of religion is a human invention perhaps adopted from Buddhism. Some privacy is desired, but not complete isolation in some mountain range where God's words cannot be heard.
I would say that monks can be seen as mu'meen are in Arabic. They are likely equal. Isolation is prescribed for neither of them.
Spiritual leaders, or priests, are Believers who have taken a further active step on the (religious) career. They likely need a strong bond to God to be real priests and dedicate most of their lives to this service. While monks have a dedicated function as role models, priests are like "speakers" or divinely inspired persons who are filled with many wise words due to their strong relationship to God. All fill their role and no one is better than the other. Any role we have needs not to be seen with excessive honor. We are all servants of God and we are all equal (in judgement) in His eyes.
I am sure this is exactly the same purpose an Imam has and there is just a language barrier which has kept them apart. Likely God made a distinction to a people speaking another language in Quran so that the contemporary recipients could understand the analogy.
The important and most difficult task is to separate between false priests/imams and true ones. We must use our minds and senses God bestowed upon us to "see" the difference. The majority of these excelled Believers are impostors just claiming to be clergymen giving this definition a bad name. I believe in clergy. All Prophets, Messengers, righteous Imams/Priests, and to some extent Monks/Mu'meen depending on how you perceive them, were all clergymen.
But the true clergy is a distinct minority and must be carefully obeyed.
God bless you
-
569
Everyone has a path that Allah swt has ordained He alone knows whats in the breast!
I liked your question
Salam -
Peace be within you, Al-Azhar
From my personal studies and research, the Nazarenes did not follow the Christianity doctrines created by the Romans and Greeks. Their doctrine was named the Way of Peace. They were a branch of the Jewish sect of the Essenes which was persecuted by other Jewish sects, the Pharisees and the Sadducee with the help of the Romans. Then they migrated to Egypt where the practice of monasticism flourished. Most of my studies about who or what were the Nazarenes and the Essenes, comes from this link
http//www.thenazareneway.com/what_is_a_nazarene.htm
http//www.thenazareneway.com/therapeutae.htmlTo me personally, in earlier times most of what the Nazarenes believed and practiced are similar to what is taught in the Book of Truth (the Quran). Apart from the Gospel of Faith written by John, I also read, study and reflect the Gospel of Faith written by Thomas which was found at the Nag Hammadi in Egypt. They are very much related to what Allah wanted us to learn, understand and accept; who the mankind really are. To me it was unfortunate that the Nag Hammadi codices which was found in Egypt (a Islamic state), gave them up to be translated and influenced by the Christianity doctrines.
Confusion arises if we still think that Arabic labels must be maintained in seeking the Truth from God. Then, seeking the Truth is that much harder and yet our Lord said His Message is easy to understand. What's the difference between priesthood and imamhood? The way I see it, the differences are in the language and their associated doctrines, but the true meaning and purpose are still the same, a leader in a family, a community, a congregation or in a gathering, about leading an example to serve God alone with His Truth. Allah did not want mankind to create divisions in establishing the faith/ iman within ourselves.
I also believed that there are people who wanted to create confusion, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in the translation of the Book into English. They translated "l-nasara" into Christian, but the true meaning is Nazarene. If the translation is maintain as Christian, then we will have many contradictions on our hands. The greatest blasphemy mentioned in the Book is the Trinity, a religion created by the Romans and the Greeks. God did not take any oath nor made any covenant with them on Mount Sinai, only with the 12 tribes, the guided ones/ the Jews.
Peace be within you, Man of Faith
5727 Then We sent on their footsteps Our Messengers and We followed with Eesa, son of Maryam, and We gave him the Gospel. And We placed in their hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy. The monasticism they innovated, not We prescribed it for them except only seeking the pleasure of Allah, but not they observed it with the right observance. So We gave those who believed among them their reward, but most of them were defiantly disobedient.
Monasticism was/is ordained by our Lord, during the time of Abraham, Moses, Eesa or the last prophet. Monasticism can also be explained as seclusion and devotion towards Allah for His pleasure and His commands. It was done in a section of the holy tent during Moses, a mihrab during the times of the 12 elders and the prophets, from a cave then in a private chamber during the last prophet, or in a room, which should be practiced in our times, without distractions.
It was what they did during isolation, they read, study and wrote their own theologies which God did not prescribed and admonished them.
Monasticism or seclusion and devotion, whether its done in a cave, a room, a mihrab or a private chamber, is a place where one should read, study and reflect on His Words alone for the Truth, without distractions. The Way of Allah is never altered, He was and is always the Teacher, the Guide, the Counselor and the Comforter on the Straight Path.
Seclusion and devotion without distractions is part of the Straight Path, as was done by the last prophet in his private room (491- whenever he study and reflect on the revelations he received. He was told to admonish his men not to call out or shout out his name while he was in his private room communing with Allah alone.
Peace and blessings be within everyone.
tauhid101 -
- "We are Nazarenes"; that is because amongst them are Priests and Monks, and they are not arrogant.
Allah loves the monks and priests of Nazarenes in truth because they enjoin peace as priests; and forbid violence as monks in the name of One God. They are clear in thoughts and knowledgeable; yet they are not arrogant. Such living examples are the priests and monks. If we too are believers in One God like them slighting aside the imams, mullahs, moulavis, who wear 'holy attires' to cover their stinking skins of sins; and speak out sermons that which is not in their hearts - then you will find them nearest to you in love for the sake of One God. 2148. To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, Allah will bring you together. For Allah Hath power over all things.
Allah hates people calling themselves as Muslims. Not those who call them 'Nazarenes'. Allah knows what is in the breasts of these two. Be a Mumin for Him Alone; Allah should love each of such of these on par or even above in measure of their individual striving.
Peace
drfazl -
Peace brother Fazlur,
What is wrong calling yourself a muslim following islam?
God bless you
-
Peace brother Fazlur,
What is wrong calling yourself a muslim following islam?
God bless you
Peace brother MoF
We do mot know what Islam is; and we do do not who a muslim is except Allah; we do not know what IMAN is; and we do not know what the scripture is 4252. For if you say i am Muslim it means "I belong to Paradise". Is that judgement with us or is with Allah? Is it not then we deny the judgement Day of Allah? And thereby denying Allah too? My point is based on this ayat. This is the prayer the two Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail have submitted to Allah. We are to follow these prophets.
- "Our Lord! make of us Muslims, obeying to You, and of our progeny a people Muslim, obeying You; and show us the way of following You; and turn unto us; for You Are the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
Salam
drfazl -
Peace,
Okay. I do not see it the way you do. Muslim is just a term of a certain behavior and living meaning anyone can be a muslim if he put his mind to it. Islam is a generic term for the whole practice, which is a harmonious submission to God and following His system. To bring a balance to the soulsystem.
If God accepts our devotion or not is up to Him, but we have the right to work towards this Path and it was this assistance from God Ibrahim asked for.
The M in front of both muslim and mu'meen seems to signify a doer of the other word, ie islam or iman or to stand as individuals for this trait. By the Lord's Grace we can be both muslim and mu'meen in the end.
Muslim is just the first step on the ladder and the next is as we can see to become mu'meen which is when true Faith has entered our hearts. Muslim is relatively easy to be, but mu'meen quite hard. Ignorant people think that muslim is the ultimate label for this religion but it is just the first step on a religious "career". Seeking that inner harmony within you is the whole meaning of muslim and not much more and that is by submitting yourself entirely to God alone, eg following the fifth verse of chapter one.
Mu'meen is much harder to become since it means that you have iman (Faith at heart) and that can take years for some and some may never obtain it (most people actually). Association of partners with God is the common preventing factor since God curses these people with animosity, restlessness and lack of inner harmony that they never succeed on the muslim part of religion which in return keeps them away from becoming Believers (mu'meen).
Self-reassuring yourself there is a God is not enough as you cannot "feel" Him which means Faith cannot subconsciously enter your heart. A mu'meen has a strong bond with God. Simply saying " there is no god but God" is not enough although it is a start as a muslim as long as they do not idolize vain things or people.
It is no wonder this information is foreign to people but that is because Quran's Message is distorted through language bias due to deliberate changes in connotation which in its turn is caused by malicious clergymen over the years. Wannabes.
God bless you
-
Peace,
And I do not agree with kgwithnob that muslim or mu'meen cannot be translated although it is difficult to find an appropriate synonymous word for muslim in English. Simply submitter or peacemaker is not sufficient, they are inaccurate. How you should translate muslim is the question. I have no worthy alternative. Muslim connotes peace, harmony, balance and submission at the same time which neither English word do.
Mu'meen is easily translated as Believer with a grand capital letter in front of it. Iman is Faith.
God bless you
-
Peace,
Muslim is relatively easy to be, but mu'meen quite hard. Ignorant people think that muslim is the ultimate label for this religion but it is just the first step on a religious "career".
Okay. I do not see it the way you do. Muslim is just a term of a certain behavior and living meaning anyone can be a muslim
God bless you
Peace brother
Just a verse or two for you to reconsider between Mumin and Muslim. Mumin is one who has Faith in Salam; and Muslim is one who has attained Salam. Having the Faithful path to attain the God promised Salam ii.e. Peace and be well pleased with Allah in the end. 2132. And the same did Ibrahim enjoin on his sons and so did Yaqoub. O my sons! Surely Allah has chosen for you this faith(IMAN), therefore die not unless you are Muslims. And Yaqoub's son Prophet Yusuf says 12101 My Lord! Thou hast given me of the kingdom and taught me of the interpretation of unseen messages Originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art my guardian in this world and the hereafter; make me die a muslim and join me with the good.
O God Make us die as people having ultimate Salam with you. That is as MUSLIMS.
Finally when you enter heavens, you are thus greeted by the Angels Salam, O People of Salam. You are soulfully satisfied pleased with Allah;and Allah is Satisfied and well pleased with you.
drfazl
-
Salaam,
When they asked to die as muslims it means that they do not change their path during the time between the statement and their moment of death. Muslim is the state of being, the behavior and righteous acts and not excessively bound to religious practices as traditionally believed.
When God's devoted servants in Heaven greet the Believers as they enter the gates it is because this is a greeting in God's system. You wish someone to be harmonious in their soul with the greeting 'salaam'.
Those who deeply believe in God and have reached full islam have iman and are mu'meen hence why the term is derived from this.
But in the philosophy you are right. A mu'meen is always a muslim fundamentally but a muslim is not necessarily a mu'meen. It is still a good sign being muslim only because you may have potential to get included in God's kingdom later on. More than someone who simply spreads mischief and goes against God's system anyway.
God bless you
-
Peace
When someone says, 'I am hopeful of achieving a life of Peace!', it means he has a belief to achieve a goal he has in mind. Here belief is being a Mumin and achieving the goal of Salam is becoming a Muslim.
A Muslim is one who is blessed with Salam
Salam from anxiety
Salam from worry
Salam from fear
Salam from anger
Salam from grief and sorrow
Salam from hilariousnessTowards attaining Salam or becoming a Muslim, a mumin strives to overcome all weaknesses of this world such as anxiety, worry, fear, anger, grief, sorrow, hilariousness with PEACE or SALAM.
In Quran, wherever Allah addresses mumins as "O believers!" the ayats follow with certain Dos and Don'ts. Every mumin striving towards becoming a Muslim shall have to stop at those places in Quran, when Allah directly addresses mumins and calls by, O believers! they shall listen to the Dos and Don'ts in the ayats and act accordingly which would strengthen them in IMAN and make their path easier towards Salam.
-
Peace brother Fazlur,
I interpret the whole islam to be about seeking harmony of mind through the help and guidance of God and not what you wrote.
Mu'meen is the next step on the ladder, muslim is the first thing we have to become.
Iman is something we have to work hard to obtain. It does not come automatically.
Anyway, it all comes down to being good folks so it does not really matter about the details.
God bless you
-
Peace
When someone says, 'I am hopeful of achieving a life of Peace!', it means he has a belief to achieve a goal he has in mind. Here belief is being a Mumin and achieving the goal of Salam is becoming a Muslim.
A Muslim is one who is blessed with Salam
Salam from anxiety
Salam from worry
Salam from fear
Salam from anger
Salam from grief and sorrow
Salam from hilariousnessTowards attaining Salam or becoming a Muslim, a mumin strives to overcome all weaknesses of this world such as anxiety, worry, fear, anger, grief, sorrow, hilariousness with PEACE or SALAM.
In Quran, wherever Allah addresses mumins as "O believers!" the ayats follow with certain Dos and Don'ts. Every mumin striving towards becoming a Muslim shall have to stop at those places in Quran, when Allah directly addresses mumins and calls by, O believers! they shall listen to the Dos and Don'ts in the ayats and act accordingly which would strengthen them in IMAN and make their path easier towards Salam.
God Bless you brother.
Thanks for the efforts.
After Reading 2260. Prophet Ibrahim did not become Muslim Over night, First he restored peace after seeing the SIGN from GOD in spite of he is having Iman. I am using "is" since he is still alive and might be reading this too)
Your efforts in this forum well appreciated and its gift for many. By the way I am reading your posts.
He wanted to become Muslim after he was blessed with son even after seeing Malaiks he was not sure he was Muslim.
At the end he was praying. "Oh Lord Make us Muslims".Such a Great Prophet that's why Allah has made him as best friend. He is the Master of Muslim. Every Muslim has to follow him.
All the Prophets followed him 368. Allah directs everyone to follow Prophet Ibrahim to all o become Muslims 397
Best to Follw is Ibrahim 4125.GOD fully educated Ibrahim to become Full Iman 675. When Malaiks told " Peace be upon you" 1169.
More over Chapter 14 is wriiten about Ibrahim. And to Remove the Fear 1435. The whole QURAN is interconnected Ibrahim's Life -
God bless Jm,
When the prophets ask their children how their end should be, it is not to put them on the lowest rung of the ladder as just a believer, a Mumin, but leap past the ladder as Muslims to enter Paradisee with greetings with Allah's Salam.
And who speaks better than he who calls to Allah while he himself does good, and says I am one of Muslims? 4133
They stand witness to their Iman when put to test by Allah. They would say We believe in Allah and bear witness that we are Muslims. 352
As true followers of Ibrahim, it is Allah who named us as Muslims.
. -
Thanks for the feedback.
The Sahih International translation is interesting when i read it compared to all the other translations because while all the others specifically single out monasticism as something that was not prescribed, the Sahih Int. translation doesn't ( to me of course!).
"Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except seeking the approval of Allah . But they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are defiantly disobedient."
The way i read it is
3 things were put into the hearts of those who followed Jesus - 1. Compassion 2. Mercy 3. Monasticism
Then these 3 things were all 'innovated' by the people. (defn. innovative - being or producing something like nothing done or experienced or created before).
This to me says that all 3 things were changed in how each was preached and practiced. God then says that what they 'innovated' was not what was prescribed and that what was prescribed was not observed 'with due observance'.
2 groups are mentioned 1. those who believed (i.e those who did not change anything) and 2. the disobedient (i.e those that changed the ways).When i read 5727 like this then 582 makes sense because there were still those amongst the followers of Jesus who were true believers and had not changed anything, and so god tells the believers that you can find support amongst some of the Nazarene, especially the monks and priests, for some were still holding true to what sent down.
If i look at all the other translations which single out monkery as not being ordained to the people, then why would god specifically mention monks in 582??
**Note I do not know Arabic but troll through the many translations and follow what seems best.
Thoughts appreciated!!
-
Peace be within you, bro Al-Azhar
When i read 5727 like this then 582 makes sense because there were still those amongst the followers of Jesus who were true believers and had not changed anything, and so god tells the believers that you can find support amongst some of the Nazarene, especially the monks and priests, for some were still holding true to what sent down.
If i look at all the other translations which single out monkery as not being ordained to the people, then why would god specifically mention monks in 582??
From my understanding, the root cause for the different word usage with a same meaning/ command/ purpose from God, came from the three divided religions from His three Books which had been established by men centuries ago. And this leads to the different opinions and leads to changes made to His Message, like 582 and 5727, according to their respective doctrines. But if you read 568, God said that we have no ground to stand upon if we don't stand behind all His Books.
This verse leads me to questions, my interaction with Allah during my studies and research for the Truth; did God wanted His Books to be divided into the three religions, did He commanded the respective Prophets to create Judaism from His Torah, Christianity from His Gospel and Islam from the Quran?
Please read and reflect on the verse 2125 and 2187.
http//corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=2&verse=125
http//corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=2&verse=187Do they have any relation to the previous two verses, especially about monasticism, i'tikaaf, seclusion and devotion? Ponder on the different time zones which Allah mentioned them, that is during Abraham, Eesa and the last Prophet. There is a specific purpose for monasticism, i'tikaaf, seclusion and devotion, and that is for purifications.
So, are there differences for the word monk according to Allah?
(and monks waru'banan Ra-ha-Ba to fear/ dread/ terrify, terror, awe, frightened, to become fatigued/ tired/ weary or jaded. rahibun (pl. ruhban) - monk, monasticism, monkery. tarahhab = he became a rahib , fearing god, or feared god with reverence or awe or he devoted himself to religious services or exercises. )
http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htmAm I a monk if I practice i'tikaaf in my bedroom, without distractions, and Allah alone as the Teacher and the Guide; no radio, no tv, no music, no internet, reading the whole Book over and over, reflecting on His verses, to purify my mind from the sayings of men with His Truth? Am I a muslim whenever I seclude myself in my bedroom and devote myself to Allah alone for the Truth? Reading the Book in a language that I can understand easily. I practice this monkery after dinner in the evening and during the early hours of the morning before I go to work. I reflected on His verses, the one that lingers in my mind, during coffee break, during lunch time, while driving to and from the office.
Should I call myself a monk? Am I a Christian? What matters to me is God's command, and that I'm doing the righteous thing towards Him alone, His acceptance of me whenever I fulfilled His commands.
Purifications of the mind and heart is always between a person and Allah alone.
Peace be within you.
tauhid101