A Prophet Like Unto Moses
The Parallel Between Moses and Aharon, with Muhammad and `Ali
By: Anti-Mason + Qizilbash

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Preface

A few points of linguistics must be prefaced before the subject at hand is addressed in fullness. Firstly, when i say "Hu" in reference to God Almighty, i am speaking in the masculine pronoun because in Semitic languages there is no such thing as a gender neutral pronoun as there is in English. In English we have the pronoun "IT." However, in Semitic languages the “default” Gender neutral pronoun is “Hu.”

 

`Ali, the cousin of Muhammad, who was the son of Muhammad's foster parents and who Muhammad raised basically from infancy - this same `Ali about whom all Muslims accept that Muhammad said "You are my brother in this world and the next" - this `Ali and his descendents told those who asked them, that if one wished to, they could think of God as a "Thing" since that would prevent them of anthropomorphizing God and attributing qualities of the creation to the Creator.

 

So let us be clear that when any educated Muslim speaks of God as "He" - or "Hu" in both Hebrew (הוא) and `Arabic (هو) - then we do not mean that God Most High, who is exalted far above Hu's Creation - is a man. So this is one of many reasons why, throughout many teachings, i refer to God with the Hebrew and `Arabic pronoun "Hu" to point back to the original word used. i find this preferable to mistranslating it as a masculine gendered pronoun into a language with a gender neutral pronoun. This does not mean that there was no reason why the masculine pronoun would have been used for God. However, that is not within the context of this topic. Suffice it to say that when a gender neutral option exists in a language, then it becomes questionable at best to attribute gender to a non-gendered Being.

 

So when "Hu" is said, in this text, we do not mean that Hu has sexual organs nor that Hu is anthropomorphic. For to think that really would assert that it is not God who is anthropomorphic, but we human beings who are "God-like" since it is God who Existed long before creation, and Exists outside of the context of time, beginning or end. So if one believes that God looks like man, has the gender of man, or the like then they are essentially saying that man is a God-like creation. They do not comprehend Allah with the Understanding due unto Hu!

 

Furthermore, when we say "God" we mean "Allah." For in `Arabic "God" is "ilah" (إله). The term "God" or "ilah" (إله), can be made feminine (إلاهة); thus attributing gender to God. Or it can be made plural (آلهة); thus associating partners with God. This is why Muslims use the Name "Allah" because it is not subject to genderization, nor pluralization, as is the term "ilah" in `Arabic or "Eloah" in Hebrew. Thus, when i speak of "God" throughout this teaching on Prophet Ishmael, i use the term "Ha'Eloah" which would be the Hebrew way of grammatically expressing what "Allah" expresses in `Arabic.

So when the Muslim says "God" we do not mean "ilah" we do not mean this term that can be made gendered or plural. We mean THE ONLY GOD. The first pillar of Islam is the Shahadah, or declaration of God's Unity. It is to say that one bears Witness to the Reality of "La ilaha ill-Allah" (لا إله إلا الله) meaning "There is no god, but The God." The definite article in English is "the" in Hebrew it is "Ha" in `Arabic it is "Al." So instead of "God" the Qur'an refers to God as "The [ONLY] God" which is said "Al-ilah" or "Allah" in `Arabic. With that said, that we do not associate partners with God, nor do we identify Him with anthropomorphic traits, reproductive organs, nor the position of sexually reproducing, i will continue.

Some have propagated a racist myth that the `Arabic language calls "God" by the name "Allah" because this was the name of an `Arabic "moon god." This is a lie based on white racists Christian's hatred for Semitic peoples. 14 Million Christian `Arabs call God by this name of "Allah" as well. These racists who tell you that "Allah is a moon god" are actually slandering the Christian faith of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ironically however, the name "El" (אל) - one of the Hebrew names for God - is a name of a pagan god of the Canaanites. But this certainly does not mean that the similar linguistics used between the ancient Hebrews and the Canaanite pagans implies that their gods are the same! If there was ever an `Arabian pagan deity named anything sounding similar to "Allah" then certainly it is because "Allah" means "The God." Thus, someone naming a God would be likely to touch the linguistic root of A-L-L-H. So too is this the case with "El" being a Canaanite pagan deity and also the name of the God of the Children of Israel. However, this is not the point of this discussion now either. i have explained the linguistic matter of "Allah" elsewhere and those with minds that seek knowledge, that seek the Truth may pursue that information. The point is that when i say "God" i mean "The God" in English, "Ha'Eloah" in Hebrew or "Al-ilah/Allah" in `Arabic.

So when either the term "God," "Ha'Eloah" or "Allah" are used in teachings, they are used in accordance with who is being spoken to. When i address my Christian Brothers and Sisters, then i primarily use the term "God" and often the pronoun "He." However, when speaking to Jews, or Jews and Christians, as in this case, i will tend to revert back to the original Hebrew language that the Tanakh was written in. Some Western Christians might find this somewhat awkward as might some of my Muslim Brothers and Sisters reading this who are more familiar with the `Arabic names for these Prophets and for God. From the context, the individual specified is fairly clear. If there is any confusion, one can easily consult a Bible or the like for clarification. With that said, let us begin...

The Eternal Prophet

Many in the traditions of non-Muslim faiths have often questioned why such emphasis should be laid on the or Religion of Islam. One might ask why they should not emphasize another traditions "instead?" The more enlightened of the bunch will claim that they accept peoples' inclinations to seek out the truth through the means they feel the most comfortable with. This becomes all the more pertinent a question to answer among mystics, who understand that Allah is not limited to one particular paradigm.

Indeed, all paths which were initiated by the 124,000 Prophets, lead to Allah. While the paths are many, the Way is ONE. The Prophet Muhammad himself, acknowledged that the Divine Will can be SUBMITTED to through various cultures and religion, instructing us to go even to China in search of "`Ilm," or "Divine Knowledge."

Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad said, "Wisdom is the lost property of the Believer. So wherever he finds it he has a better right to it."

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْكَلِمَةُ الْحِكْمَةُ ضَالَّةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَحَيْثُ وَجَدَهَا فَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا

In another saying of `Ali, the son in law and spiritual Brother of the Prophet Muhammad, we see an elaboration of Muhammad's famous oral tradition: "A wise saying is a lost and long-sought article of the believer. Therefore, acquire it even if it is to be found with hypocrites."

Anas said that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah said: "Seeking of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim."

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ

It is reported by Anas that the Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever goes out to seek knowledge is in Allah's path till he returns."

عَنْ أَنَسِ ابْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ خَرَجَ فِي طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ كَانَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ

There can be no doubt as to the implications of these statement. Clearly the teaching is that wherever there is Wisdom to be found, in whatever teaching or tradition, it is the right and possession of the Believer, regardless of whether or not the teaching itself is found within the texts preserved and touted by hypocrites who do not follow said Wisdom. Thus, the Qur'an is self-identified as "Al-Furqan" (the Criterion), as it is the litmus test of the historicity and accuracy of any relevant Scripture. Accordingly, the Torah or the Gospel can be studied, yet it should be held up to the Light of the Qur'an for verification. Wherein there is contradiction, we are to reason that God through His Archangel Gabriel is CLARIFYING the matter in the Revelation of the Qur'an.

For example, the Torah says that it was Prophet Aharon who made the idol of the Golden Calf. The Qur'an not only denies this, it gives a lengthy historical account of one "craftsman" of Sumerian origins amongst the Children of Israel, who infiltrated the migrating tribes in order to lead them into transgression. To the common Jew or Christian this looks like the Qur'an is in error. The Qur'an unequivocally states that this is not the case. The Qur'an notes the difference and maintains that IT is the correct and historically valid Revelation, while the older tribal versions of the Bible were the victims of both Scribal corruption and censorship over the years.

"You have been caste off, O Samaria, because of your Calf. My wrath is kindled against them; how long will they be unable to achieve cleanliness." Hoshea 8:5

זָנַח עֶגְלֵךְ שֹׁמְרוֹן, חָרָה אַפִּי בָּם; עַד-מָתַי, לֹא יוּכְלוּ נִקָּיֹן.

"For it is from Israel; a craftsman made it, and it is a no-god, for the Calf of Samaria shall be splinters." Hoshea 8:6

כִּי מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, וְהוּא--חָרָשׁ עָשָׂהוּ, וְלֹא אֱלֹהִים הוּא: כִּי-שְׁבָבִים יִהְיֶה, עֵגֶל שֹׁמְרוֹן.

Thus, one can study the Jewish traditions and Scriptures, as well as the many dozens of "Gospel" accounts. Wisdom can indeed be gleaned from these sources, but their corruption MUST be born in mind. As to how one can distinguish the truth from falsehood in the world Scriptures (which have undergone corruption and alteration over the millennia), the Qur'an itself is the Light, the Criterion which we use to distinguish such matters.

Thus, we must acknowledges the spiritual freedom of all people of The Book to seek out that singular, unchanging Truth, through the paths that they might find most suitable for themselves personally. Yet we must always remember that ALL of such paths, that were initiated by genuine Prophets, lead to the same Source. The primary differentiation between the Din of Islam and any other given tradition, is which we as Muslims accept the finalization of the Primordial Message - which the 124,000 Prophets came to reveal - that was culminated and synthesized in the Shariah, or outward legal code and rituals of Muhammad; and articulated in the Qur'an.

Therefore if someone were to falsely claim that Moses, Dhu'l-Kifl (Buddha), Lao Tzu, Confucius, Jesus, or the like, were not Prophets of the ONE, Absolute Truth, then they would neither agree with, nor fully comprehend, the Spirit of the revelation of the Qur'an. Neither would they fully comprehend just what was meant by Muhammad being the "Seal" of the Prophets.

"We believe in Allah, and what has been sent down to us, and what has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), and Isma'il (Ishmael), and Ishaq (Isaac), and Ya'qub (Jacob) and the Tribes, and in what was given to Musa (Moses), and 'Isa (Jesus), and the Nabiyyin (Prophets), from their Rabb (Lord). We make no difference between them." Qur'an, Sura 2:136

قُولُواْ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

We who follow the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (sal), to seek out and accept `Ilm wherever it may be found, must never underplay the reality that essentially all paths are but spokes leading to the hub of a wheel. Yet Pure Islam - as it is extant in its Primordial state, as it was purported in the Seal of Revelation, (the Qur'an) and as it will be fully embodied in the coming return of Jesus the Messiah - is that very core, the hub of the wheel, the Inner Circle, Murasiq Qun (مراسيق قون) that lies at the core of all traditions of he one who comes in the "Spirit and power of Elijah."

Pure Islam, or Islam al-Fitrah, embodies all that led up to its emergence and finalization. This "Natural Islam" is what the 124,000 Prophets themselves understood, and what they each, piece by piece, chapter by chapter, book by book, revealed to Humankind. Islam is not "one path over another." Rather, Islam is the finalization, the Seal and the Totality of the revelation of the Primordial Law or Torah.

That is why Jews, Sabaeans or Mandaeans, Magians and Christians are referred to as "People of the Book;" precisely because they accepted part of the Primordial Book, yet they had not accepted the Totality of it. That Totality, that finalization, is the purpose, the Message and the very life of the Prophet Muhammad; the living Qur'an.

"And most certainly We [the Archangels] gave Musa (Moses) the Book and We [the Archangels] sent Rusul (Messengers) after him one after another; and We gave `Isa, ibn Maryam (Jesus the son of Mary), clear arguments and strengthened him with the Ruh Al-Quddus (holy spirit), What! whenever then a Rasul (Messenger) came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew.'" Qur'an, Sura 2:87

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَقَفَّيْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِ بِالرُّسُلِ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ أَفَكُلَّمَا جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنفُسُكُمُ اسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ فَفَرِيقاً كَذَّبْتُمْ وَفَرِيقاً تَقْتُلُونَ

"In Truth Hu (Allah) sent down to you 'The Book,' which confirmed those which proceed it: For Hu has sent down the Torah, the Injil (Gospel), aforetime, as man's Guidance; and now Hu has sent down the Furqan." Qur'an, Sura 3:3

نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَأَنزَلَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ

"Have you not marked those who received a portion of the Scriptures, when they are summoned to The Book of Allah, that it may settle their differences? But a party of them Turn back and decline." Qur'an, Sura 3:23

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوْتُواْ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى كِتَابِ اللّهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّى فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

"Lo! You are those who love them (Jews and Christians) though they love you not, and you believe in all the Scripture. When they fall in with you they say: 'We believe;' but when they go apart they bite their finger-tips at you, for rage. Say: 'Perish in your rage! Lo! Allah is Aware of what is hidden in (your) breasts.'" Qur'an, Sura 3:119

هَاأَنتُمْ أُوْلاء تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ كُلِّهِ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُواْ آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيْكُمُ الأَنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ قُلْ مُوتُواْ بِغَيْظِكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

The Holy Qur'an is unique among other traditions in one striking detail above all others. That being that Islam requires a belief not only in its own Truth and to the Prophet who brought the Qur'an, but also in the Truth of previous Scriptures delivered to the Prophets of different nations of the world. Islam lays claim that there are 72 nations and a 73rd that is the unity of all. True Islam is purported as this 73rd nation. At its commencement the Qur'an explains this clearly:

"And those who believe in that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you." Qur'an, Sura 2:4

والَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَبِالآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ

Furthermore the universality of what was revealed before is unequivocally accepted:

"Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of Bashir (Good News) and a Nazhir (Warner); and there is not a people but a Nazhir has gone among them" Qur'an, Sura 35:24

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ

"And every nation had a Rasul (Messenger). So when their Rasul came, the matter was decided between them with Justice and they shall not be dealt with unjustly." Qur'an, Sura 10:47

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولٌ فَإِذَا جَاء رَسُولُهُمْ قُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْقِسْطِ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ

And to ensure that no one would be misled by the relatively short list of Prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, it was affirmed that:

"And, indeed We have sent Rusul (Messengers) before you; of some of them We have related to you their story; and of some We have not related to you their story, and it was not given to any Rasul (Messenger) that he should bring a sign except by the Leave of Allah. So, when comes the Commandment of Allah, the matter will be decided with Truth, and the followers of falsehood will then be lost." Qur'an, Sura 40:78

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا جَاء أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ

“And Rusul (Messengers) We have mentioned to you before, and Rusul (Messengers) We have not mentioned to you - and to Musa (Moses) Allah spoke directly” Qur'an, Sura 4:164

وَرُسُلاً قَدْ قَصَصْنَاهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلاً لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ وَكَلَّمَ اللّهُ مُوسَى تَكْلِيمًا

"And We have revealed to you Al-Kitab (the Book) in Al-Haqq (the Truth), verifying what is before it of Al-Kitab (the Book) and a guardian over it, therefore judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires (to turn away) from Al-Haqq (the Truth) that has come to you; for every one of you did We appoint a Law and a way, and if Allah had pleased, Hu would have made you a single people, but that Hu might try you in what Hu gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all, so Hu will let you know that in which you differed." Sura 5:48

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَـكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُم فَاسْتَبِقُوا الخَيْرَاتِ إِلَى الله مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

As well, Jibra'il, the Archangel Gabriel, spoke to Muhammad telling him that a Jew who accepted only the Prophet Moses and the Prophets of the Tanakh, would be further from accepting the finalization of The Book sent through Muhammad. In the same vein, this succession was alluded to in saying that Christians would themselves, be closer to accepting this finalization, as they accepted the mission of Jesus, as well as the earlier Hebrew Prophets.

"Of all men, you will certainly find the Jews, and those who join others with Allah, ('shirk') to be the most intense in hatred of those who believe; and you shall certainly find those to be nearest in affection, who say: 'We are Christians.' This is because some of them are priests and monks, and because they are free from pride." Qur'an, Sura 5:85

فَأَثَابَهُمُ اللّهُ بِمَا قَالُواْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَذَلِكَ جَزَاء الْمُحْسِنِينَ

So accordingly, additional emphasis must be placed on more recent advancements in spiritual understanding and refinements of the path that was undoubtedly treaded by the prophets who came before Muhammad. Such is the case with the Din of Islam itself. It transcended and included the paths that came before it, just as the followers of Jesus transcended and included the ancient Hebrew faith - not abrogating the Torah. Similarly, there are countless references in the Qur'an to the message of the Torah and canonical Gospels. All of the prophets referenced therein were regarded as Muslims (Sura 3:60).

Islam is the final "Shariah" - or law of an exoteric religious path - to emerge before the actualization of the Messianic Era spoken of in Judaism, Christianity and Islam alike; the "Saya-yuga" to be initiated by the "Kalki Avatar" of the Vedic texts (the exact parallel of "Imam Al-Mahdi" in the Islamic tradition, and the return of "Eliyahu" in Judaism). Each of such religious paths (that are authentic and valid), are a refinement and perfection of that which led to their own emergence. In Truth, these are not multiple paths, only one continuous Straight Path. When one thing in the Universe is refined or evolves in such a way, they always do so "Transcending" AND "including" what led to their emergence. Thus, molecules transcend AND include atoms, quarks transcend and include molecules, cells transcend and include quarks and on it goes...

Thus, as human religious understandings and conceptualizations of the Divine Messianic Truth unfold and further actuate themselves, they do so in a similar manner; transcending and including what directly led to their emergence. Islam is the final stage in the Prophetic tradition. It is the perfection of the Din and the completion of God's favor upon humanity.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

"Those who follow the Rasul (Messenger), the Nabi (Prophet), the Ummi (unlettered one), whom they find written with them in the Torah and the Injil (Gospel), [who] enjoins them good and forbids them evil, and makes lawful to them the good things and makes unlawful to them impure things, and removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them; so [as for] those who believe in him and honor him and help him, and follow the Light which has been sent down with him, these it is that are the successful." Al-Qur'an, Sura 7:157

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَآئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالأَغْلاَلَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُواْ النُّورَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

Allah tells us in the Qur'an, through the Archangel Jibra'il to Muhammad, that the life, prophecy and mission of Muhammad - undoubtedly one of the events of greatest impact on the world in history - were foretold in the previous Scriptures. Modern-day Judaism and Christianity would maintain that their Scriptures - full of all sorts of prophecies pertaining to the Medeo-Persian and Roman Empires - were somehow silent on the issue of Muhammad. This means one of two things. One option is that the Jewish and Christian Scriptures are themselves deficient; with Nevi'im or "Prophets" who are not privy to see a figure and event that is without question of one of the greatest impacts on world history. The other option is that these Scriptures do in fact mention Muhammad, though because of Jewish and Christian aversion to him and to the Islamic Din (spiritual practice) or "religion" taught by all Prophets, they chose to mistranslate and misinterpret the prophecies pertaining to him.

Many Jews and Christians are not at fault for this. Rabbi's and priests have for years been deliberately concealing this matter from them, just as many sought to conceal the fulfillment of Prophecy by `Isa al-Masih, Jesus the Messiah, 2,000 years ago. A Christian, for instance, with no knowledge of Hebrew, with no understanding of the terminology that would have originally been employed by the Messiah and his disciples in Hebrew and Aramaic, can hardly be expected to recognize Muhammad as the Biblical "Prophet like unto Moses" foretold in their own Scriptures.

The Biblical "Mushlam"

To begin one must examine a host of glossed over terms and passages of the Judeo-Christian "Bible." For example, Yeshayahu (Jeremiah) 42:19 is one of the most ambiguous references to the Biblical term "Mushlam." This is primarily so not because of ambiguity in the words of the Prophets, but rather in the mistranslations that about of this passage. Translators would have their readers believe that the passage reads:

"Who is blind, but My Servant? Or deaf, as My Messenger that I send? Who is blind as he that is wholehearted, and blind as the Servant of YHWH?"

At best, this is strange. "Who is blind but My Servant?" Why would the "Servant of YHWH" be blind, especially to the exclusion of others. The common mistranslation is "Who is blind but" the Servant; implying that others are not blind, but the Servant, doing the Will of YHWH is. This is not rational and should not be accepted by any mind of reason. The Servant of YHWH is not blind, the Messenger is not deaf, and neither is the "Mushlam" or "Perfected One" blind. Not surprisingly, this is not what the Hebrew text actually agrees upon. However, because there are some words that bear multiple translations depending upon the context and sentence structure, the translators often chose an extreme translation that linguistically makes little sense, and do a lot of "paraphrasing" (meaning addition of words that are not there to get the desired translation). The word for word translation of the passage is as followed. Any "additions" are in brackets, and they represent words that are commonly to be inferred in Semitic languages. For instance, it is written "Ebed YHWH" (עֶבֶד יְהוָה), which means "[the] Servant [of] YHWH" rather than how the western mind might naturally take it as "Servant YHWH" which would be ridiculous, and is simply not how Semitic languages work.

"Who (מִי) blinds (עִוֵּר), because (כִּי) [of] My Servant (עַבְדִּי)? And (וְ) deaf (חֵרֵשׁ), when (כְּ) My Messenger (מַלְאָכִי) [is] dispatched (אֶשְׁלָח)? Who (מִי) blinds (עִוֵּר) when (כִּ) Mushlam (מֻשְׁלָם, Perfected), and (וְ) blinds (עִוֵּר) like (כְּ) [the] Servant (עֶבֶד) [of] YHWH (יְהוָה)?" Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 42:19

מִי עִוֵּר כִּי אִם עַבְדִּי, וְחֵרֵשׁ כְּמַלְאָכִי אֶשְׁלָח; מִי עִוֵּר כִּמְשֻׁלָּם, וְעִוֵּר כְּעֶבֶד יְהוָה.

To comprehend the Biblical use of this term "Mushlam" we must explore the consonental root and its derivations. The Hebrew word for equanimity is "Hashlamah" (הַשְׁלָמָה) which is directly related to the word for Peace or "Shalom" (שָׁלוֹם) and the word for Completeness or "Shlemut" (שְׁלֵמוּת). Linguistically it is identical to the `Arabic construct "Islam" which originates from the consonantal root "Salaam."

In English, "Equanimity" derives from the Latin word "aequus" meaning balanced, and "animus" meaning "spirit" or "internal state." This is the Faith of ALL Prophets, from Abraham, to Moses, to Jesus.

We see this same concept of Peace, Equanimity and Perfection continued in the words of Prophet Yashuah HaMashiach (peace be upon him), when he said: "Ein talmeed na'leh 'al rabbo; shekken kal adam she'Mushlam yihyeh k'rabbo."

"A Student (תַּלְמִיד) is not (אֵין) exalted (נַעֲלֶה) near (עַל) his Teacher (רַבֹּו): because (שֶׁכֵּן) every (כָּל) Adam (אָדָם, True Human Being), [that is] Perfect (Mushlam, מֻּשׁלָם) shall be (יִהְיֶה) as (כְּ) his Teacher (רַבֹּו)."

אֵין תַּלְמִיד נַעֲלֶה עַל רַבֹּו שֶׁכֵּן כָּל אָדָם שֶׁמֻּשׁלָם יִהְיֶה כְּרַבֹּו

Christians are often told that no one can go to Heaven except "by Jesus," an ambiguous statement, to be sure, as Jesus never explained what "by" him or "through" him meant. The Antichrist Paul would have us believe that this meant "by" the torture and shedding of blood, blood that the Bible unscientifically claims flowed from Yashuah Ha'Mashiach's body after it was already allegedly dead. Corpses do not bleed. Contrary to the Paulian "Christian" dogma, this teaching of Yashuah, not Paul, recorded in the Gospel according to Luke, tells us that the only way anyone can go to heaven is to be "like" our Rabbi Yashuah, the Qur'anic "`Isa al-Masih." It is for this reason that Rabbi Yashuah came; to make us "Mushlam" or "Perfected" like him.

Menachem: The "Comforter"

"But I tell you the truth, It is better for you that I should go away; for if I do not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I should go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will rebuke the world concerning sin, concerning righteousness, and concerning Judgment. Concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; Concerning righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you will not see me again; Concerning judgment, because the leader of this world has been judged. Again, I have many other things to tell you, but you cannot grasp them now. But when the Spirit of Truth has come, he will guide you into all the Truth: for he will not speak from himself, but what he hears, that he will speak: and he will make known to you things which are to come in the future. He will glorify me; because he will take of my own and show to you. Everything that my Father has is mine; this is the reason why I told you that he will take of my own and show to you." John 16:7-13

all egw thn alhqeian legw umin, sumferei umin ina egw apelqw. ean gar mh apelqw, o paraklhtoV ouk eleusetai proV umaV: ean de poreuqw, pemyw auton proV umaV. kai elqwn ekeinoV elegxei ton kosmon peri amartiaV kai peri dikaiosunhV kai peri krisewV: peri amartiaV men, oti ou pisteuousin eiV eme: peri dikaiosunhV de, oti proV ton patera upagw kai ouketi qewreite me: peri de krisewV, oti o arcwn tou kosmou toutou kekritai. eti polla ecw umin legein, all ou dunasqe bastazein arti:

"And when `Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary) said: O Bani Isra'il (Children of Israel)! Listen! I am the Rasul'ullah (Messenger of Allah) unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing Good News of a Rasul (Messenger) who comes after me, whose name is Ahmad." Al-Qur'an, Sura 61:6

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَاءهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

It has long since become commonplace in Christianity, to imagine that this "Comforter," which many Christians refer to in the un-original Greek as the "Paraclete," was "the Holy Spirit." This is simply unacceptable, since the Bible itself speaks of the Holy Spirit on numerous occasion prior to this prophecy. But this is the conclusion that the rejecters of Muhammad must make lest they be confronted with the horrifying reality that they have no clue as to who or what their purported "God-man" was talking about.

As well, if we are to imagine that this is the "Holy Spirit" of "Ruach Ha'Qodesh" (רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ) being spoken of, then what of the statement: "he will not speak from himself, but what he hears?" Do Christians not in fact believe that the "Holy Spirit" is none other than God? Then who would it be "hearing" from, and if it were not speaking "of itself," and if we are to imagine as the Christians do, that this is as much "God" as our individual "soul" is our true "Self" - as "nefesh" (נֶפֶשׁ) in Hebrew means both "Soul" as well as "self" - then this is clearly saying that God's "Holy Spirit" would have to receive information from "what he hears." Clearly this means that there is something "higher" than the Christian concept of "Trinity." The fact of the matter is that Yashuah Ha'Mashiach, Jesus Christ, was speaking very specifically about a Prophet, whose was "the Comforter." This was the Prophet foretold in the Torah, Ketuvim and Nevi'im as well.

We know that Jesus did not generally speak Greek, let alone teach in it. The Aramaic and Hebrew speaking people in the time of Jesus considered it sinful to speak "the language of the oppressor." The Aramaic Estrangelo Script was the lingua franca in Palestine at the time of Jesus. Aramaic in this script is similar in form to Arabic and this was the language of commerce and industry. Later Aramaic was transliterated into the now traditional "Ezra Hebrew" script. A growing number of scholars now recognize that Jesus spoke this form of Aramaic and Hebrew, but not Greek, which was (as mentioned), considered the language of the oppressor.

To understand what Jesus was actually saying when he spoke of "The Comforter" we must look to the language of Jesus himself. The language of Christianity is Greek, this is because Greek was Paul's language and Paul's culture. It is Antichrist Paul who created Christianity and propagandized his religion under this word. Such a term was never spoken by Jesus the Messiah himself. So there can be no argument that the religion the HISTORICAL Jesus called his followers to was not "Christianity" as it did not even exist until after his departure.

Startling as it may seem the Greek translation of the name "Muhammad" renders to possibilities: "Periklytos" and "Paraklytos." Both terms mean "Praised" or "Celebrated," the meaning and character of the man "Muhammad."

In Hebrew, "Comforter" would clearly be "Menachem" (מְנֻחָם). In Arabic Bibles, "the Comforter" was translated as "Munhamanna." History tells us that Muhammad was the only Prophet who came shortly after Jesus and did everything Jesus said he would. The difference between Muslims and Christians, in regards to identifying "the Comforter," is that Muslims use the original words that Jesus and all the prophets used. In speaking of John 16:7-13, most Christians will tell you that the "Comforter" Jesus will send is "the Holy Ghost." But keep in mind that this "Holy Ghost" was around long before 2,000 years ago and is references in the Torah as early as the Creation story in Sefer Ha'Berashit (The Book of Genesis). In the Aramaic we see that the translation is "Spirit." Jesus was talking about the one who would ONLY appear when he joined his Father in Heaven. In other words, this Spirit of Truth (a man) was never around before. The man Jesus sent was Muhammad.

If this information is surprising to you, let me take it a step further. Christians and Jews alike have forgotten the history of the Great Nation that was to come out of Ishmael, and the 12 Princes that came out of him. Where is the conclusion of the story of Ishmael, and why was it unfinished? Was Ishmael really a bastard, or was there jealousy involved? If Ishmael was a bastard, then (if the Bible is to be believed in its corrupted state), Isaac was a greater bastard because he was born through incest; Abraham and Sarah were half-siblings (Genesis 20:12)! This is in the Christian Bible and in the Torah! Muslims do not say such grievous things against Abraham, the great Prophet of Islam (Submission to God). Jealousy and hatred towards anyone will always make one degrade the one that is hated.

It is clear that these prejudicial words were written into the Torah. This issue is of substantial importance due to the consequences of the misinterpretations, mistranslation and often racialistic lies and bigotry that the "lying pens of the Scribes" changed the Torah to say, according to Nevi Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah).

"Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of YHWH. How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the Torah of YHWH," when actually the lying pen of the Scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the Word of YHWH, what kind of Wisdom do they have?" Yirmeyahu 8:7-9

גַּם חֲסִידָה בַשָּׁמַיִם, יָדְעָה מוֹעֲדֶיהָ, וְתֹר וְסִוס (וְסִיס) וְעָגוּר, שָׁמְרוּ אֶת עֵת בֹּאָנָה; וְעַמִּי--לֹא יָדְעוּ, אֵת מִשְׁפַּט יְהוָה. אֵיכָה תֹאמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אֲנַחְנוּ, וְתוֹרַת יְהוָה אִתָּנוּ; אָכֵן הִנֵּה לַשֶּׁקֶר עָשָׂה, עֵט שֶׁקֶר סֹפְרִים. הֹבִשׁוּ חֲכָמִים, חַתּוּ וַיִּלָּכֵדוּ; הִנֵּה בִדְבַר יְהוָה מָאָסוּ, וְחָכְמַת מֶה לָהֶם.

Regarding the Islamic perception of the corruption of the Bible, the Prophet Jeremiah said it all...

"A Prophet Like Unto Moses"

"The scepter will not depart from Y'hudah (Judah), nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the obedience of the peoples be" Berashit (Genesis) 49:10

לֹא-יָסוּר שֵׁבֶט מִיהוּדָה, וּמְחֹקֵק מִבֵּין רַגְלָיו, עַד כִּי-יָבֹא שִׁילֹה, וְלוֹ יִקְּהַת עַמִּים.

"He to whom it belongs" HAS come. He has come and the scepter has passed from the hands of Judah. He has come and corrected your wrongs and warned you of this age in which we are now living. He has come and warned you of the nations of Gog and Magog, as the Prophets before him warned. He has come and warned of the Imposter Messiah, the Antichrist who was alive in the time of Jesus, in the time of Muhammad and is alive still today. He has come and brought with him the Word of YHWH, by the Inspiration and dictation of YHWH. It is he about whom it is written:

"I will raise them up a Nevi from among their brothers, like you; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the (imposter) nevi, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same (imposter) nevi shall die (be killed). If you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which YHWH has not spoken? When a (imposter) nevi speaks in the name of YHWH, if the thing doesn't follow, nor happen, that is the thing which YHWH has not spoken: the (imposter) nevi has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him." Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:17-22

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, אֵלָי: הֵיטִיבוּ, אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּרוּ. נָבִיא אָקִים לָהֶם מִקֶּרֶב אֲחֵיהֶם, כָּמוֹךָ; וְנָתַתִּי דְבָרַי, בְּפִיו, וְדִבֶּר אֲלֵיהֶם, אֵת כָּל-אֲשֶׁר אֲצַוֶּנּוּ. וְהָיָה, הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יִשְׁמַע אֶל-דְּבָרַי, אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר, בִּשְׁמִי--אָנֹכִי, אֶדְרֹשׁ מֵעִמּוֹ. אַךְ הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר יָזִיד לְדַבֵּר דָּבָר בִּשְׁמִי, אֵת אֲשֶׁר לֹא-צִוִּיתִיו לְדַבֵּר, וַאֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר, בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים--וּמֵת, הַנָּבִיא הַהוּא. וְכִי תֹאמַר, בִּלְבָבֶךָ: אֵיכָה נֵדַע אֶת-הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-דִבְּרוֹ יְהוָה. אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר הַנָּבִיא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה, וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה הַדָּבָר וְלֹא יָבֹא--הוּא הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-דִבְּרוֹ יְהוָה: בְּזָדוֹן דִּבְּרוֹ הַנָּבִיא, לֹא תָגוּר מִמֶּנּוּ.

The P'rushim or "Pharisees" asked Yochanan, John the Baptist of this Nevi, Prophet. They asked him if he was this "Nevi," Eliyahu (Elijah) or the Mashiach (Messiah). To the Christians who mistakenly believe that Yashuah Ha'Mashiach was "the Nevi" of Sefer Ha'Devarim (The Book of Deuteronomy), you must realize that in the canonical Gospels three men are listed in the questioning of the P'rushim. These three men are the three men that the Hebrew people have historically awaited. They are, The Nevi, the return of Eliyahu, and the Mashiach.

"Now this is the testimony of John, when the Pharisees sent Priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?' He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, 'I am not the Messiah.' And they asked him, 'What then? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am Not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' And he answered, 'No.'" - The Gospel attributed to John 1:19-21

kai auth estin h marturia tou iwannou, ote apesteilan [proV auton] oi ioudaioi ex ierosolumwn iereiV kai leuitaV ina erwthswsin auton, su tiV ei; kai wmologhsen kai ouk hrnhsato, kai wmologhsen oti egw ouk eimi o cristoV. kai hrwthsan auton, ti oun; su hliaV ei; kai legei, ouk eimi. o profhthV ei su; kai apekriqh, ou.

Jesus was the "Mashiach." Despite the seeming denial by John the Baptist that he was the return of the archetypal Elijah, Jesus identified John as Elijah (but added that another manifestation of Elijah was still to come).

This question was posed to Jesus Christ as the P'rushim had pointed this question out to his Talmidim. To this he replied: "And if you will Qibel (receive/understand) it, THIS IS Eliyahu, who was to come." - Matthew 11:14, Mark 9:13

Of course "Qibel" is from the consonantal root Qof, Beyt, Lamed (קִבֵּל) just as "Qabalah" is Qof, Beyt, Lamed, Hay (קַבָּלָה); thus implying a mystical and esoteric connection two Elijah and John.

Yet in John 1:21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Eliyahu? And he said, 'I am not.'"

It is essential to note that to every interrogation before this, John the Baptist answered "Lo" (לֹא) or "no." "Lo" to the question of being Mashiach, "lo" to the question of being Ha'Nevi, yet to the question of being the return of Elijah he replied "Ani Ayn" (אֲנִי אֵין) meaning "i am Not" or more literally "i am NOTHING."

In interpreting Hebrew Scriptures, and the Qur'an as well, every word should have close attention paid to it. God is not redundant, so apparent repetition should be investigated closely for expanded material and explanation. As well, if he answered a decisive "lo" to both questions, and then an ambiguous "Ani Ayn" to the last, this two should be linguistically noted, and meditated upon.

So John the Baptist was neither denying, nor confirming that he was Elijah. Jesus Christ clarified that he was, albeit in a mystical, archetypal manner - as noted by the use of "qibel" (קִבֵּל) and by the fact that he clearly was born of Z'khariyah.

Thus, it is clear that after identifying these two, we are still left with "The Nevi" whom neither Nevi'im Yochanan, nor Yashuah were.

"'Why then do the Torah Teachers say that Elijah must come first?' Jesus replied, 'To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Adam is going to suffer at their hands.' Then the Discples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist." The Gospel attributed to Matthew 17:10-13

kai ephrwthsan auton oi maqhtai legonteV, ti oun oi grammateiV legousin oti hlian dei elqein prwton; o de apokriqeiV eipen, hliaV men ercetai kai apokatasthsei panta: legw de umin oti hliaV hdh hlqen, kai ouk epegnwsan auton alla epoihsan en autw osa hqelhsan: outwV kai o uioV tou anqrwpou mellei pascein up autwn. tote sunhkan oi maqhtai oti peri iwannou tou baptistou eipen autoiV.

The Nevi has come and he DID NOT die as this passage in Devarim says the false nevi will. He in fact lived out the course of his natural life as YHWH said. He was raised up from "among our brothers" (יִשְׁמְעֵאלִיִם, the Ishmaelim), and he was a man very much like Moses, not only in the similarity of the Word of YHWH that he delivered, but also in the course of events that occurred in his life experiences. It is these very similarities that critics of Muhammad decry. His "Fiery Religious Law," his "Jihad" (Struggle) against the wicked, all of these things are traits common to both the Ministry of Moses and Muhammad, yet to no one else. So know - all you who are knowledgeable of the SScriptures and can reason - know that the Scepter has departed and been pass "to whom it belongs" as YHWH Elohenu has told us long in advance.

Mount Paran

"And he said: YHWH came from Sinai, and rose from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, and He came from the myriads holy, at His right hand was a Fiery Religious Law unto them." Devarim (Deuteromony) 33:2

וַיֹּאמַר, יְהוָה מִסִּינַי בָּא וְזָרַח מִשֵּׂעִיר לָמוֹ--הוֹפִיעַ מֵהַר פָּארָן, וְאָתָה מֵרִבְבֹת קֹדֶשׁ; מִימִינוֹ, אֵשׁדָּת (אֵשׁ דָּת) לָמוֹ.

This passage of Davarim clearly refers to the Prophethood of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad respectively. Sinai is the place where the Prophet Moses spoke to Malak YHWH, the so-called "Angel of the LORD," and received the Torah. Seir is located in Palestine, where the Prophet and Messiah Jesus received Divine Revelation. Paran is where YHWH manifested to mankind through the Qur'anic Revelation to the Prophet Muhammad.

Paran is a mountain range in Mecca. It is mentioned in the Torah (Genesis, 21.19-21) as the area in the desert where Hagar was left by her husband of 14 years Abraham, to live with her son Ishmael. The well of Zamzam appeared in it. As is stated explicitly in the Qur’an (14.35-7), that Abraham left Hagar and Ishmael in the valley of Mecca, which was then an uninhabited place within the mountain ranges of Paran.

This "Fiery Law" is clearly an "Ash" (אֵשׁ) "Dat" (דָּת) literally, a "Fiery" or "Passionate Religious Law" other than the Torah of Moses. Through who else but Muhammad has such a Law come? As well, what other religious leader is so accused and judged for his ferocity against those polytheist aggressors who waged war against him for the monotheism that he preached? If this is not fulfilled in Muhammad, then it has not been fulfilled period! In such a case this would mean that the Bible is full of false promises and false prophecies about events, people and "Religious Law" that Christians and Jews believe have never come to pass. We Muslims do not believe that Moses' final Blessing in this statement was spoken in vain or in ignorance. These were clear prophecies and were fulfilled to the letter.

"Muhammad the Great"

"His mouth is most sweet: he is Muchamad the Great (מַחֲמַדִּים). This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend, O daughters of Yerushalayim."

חִכּוֹ, מַמְתַקִּים, וְכֻלּוֹ, מַחֲמַדִּים; זֶה דוֹדִי וְזֶה רֵעִי, בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָם

Here "Muhammad" is called "Muhamadim" (מַחֲמַדִּים). As one can tell from the verse, we are told "He" not "they" so we know that this plural suffix is actually an indication of grandeur, rather than plurality. Similarly, there is no Hebrew word for "Muhamadim" which would essentially be translated here as "He is altogether LOVELIES." So we know that it must be plural of the Hebrew "Mahamad" (מַחְמָד). Likewise, no Bible reads "In the Beginning GODS created the Heavens and the Earth," (בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ), despite the fact that the plural suffix is at the end of Eloah, thus making "Elohim."

Ahmed: "The Desire of the Nations"

Haggai 2:7 states "And I will shake all nations, AND [THE] "DESIRE" [OF THE NATIONS] (חֶמֶד) shall come: and I will fill this House with Glory says YHWH Tzabaoth (LORD of Armies)."

וְהִרְעַשְׁתִּי, אֶת כָּל הַגּוֹיִם, וּבָאוּ, חֶמְדַּת כָּל הַגּוֹיִם; וּמִלֵּאתִי אֶת הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה, כָּבוֹד--אָמַר, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת

The word ChMD (חֶמֶד) is translated as "The desire of the Nations." However, this is also a proper noun which is the same as the Arabic name "Achmed" (احمد) - a name of Muhammad (מחמד in Hebrew, or مُحَمَّد in Arabic)

Thus, Haggai prophesied: "'And I will shake all nations, AND ACHMAD (חֶמֶד) shall come: and I will fill this House with Glory,' says YHWH Tzabaoth."

Immediately after that, Haggai says in 2:9 "The glory of this latter House shall be greater than the former: and in this place will I give Shalom, says YHWH Tzabaoth (LORD of Armies)."

""Shalom" (שָׁלוֹם) is the Hebrew equivalent of the Arabic "Salaam" (سَلَام). "Islam" (إِسْلَام) is a form of the consonantal root "Salaam" (سَلَام). In fact they are spelled almost identically, the only difference being the addition of the Alif (إ) at the beginning of "Islam" (إِسْلَام).

And what is this "latter house" that "shall be greater than the former?" Since the last Temple was destroyed by the Romans there has been no Jewish Temple rebuilt there. There only stands the Dome of the Rock and Masjid al-Aqsa which is certainly a place of "Peace" (سَلَام) or Islam (إِسْلَام). Again, Truth is manifest from error.

There can be no denying the conclusion of these matters. The Scepter of Y'hudah has been passed to Prophet Muhammad, to "whom it belongs" according to Sefer Ha'Berashit.

The House of My Glory

"Arise shine, for Your Light has come, and the glory of YHWH has risen upon you." Isaiah 60:1

קוּמִי אוֹרִי, כִּי בָא אוֹרֵךְ; וּכְבוֹד יְהוָה, עָלַיִךְ זָרָח.

"O you enveloped! Arise and warn! And your Lord magnify! And your garments purify!" Surah 74:1-3

يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ قُمْ فَأَنذِرْ وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but YHWH shall arise upon you, and Hu's glory shall be seen upon You." Isaiah 60:2

כִּי הִנֵּה הַחֹשֶׁךְ יְכַסֶּה אֶרֶץ, וַעֲרָפֶל לְאֻמִּים; וְעָלַיִךְ יִזְרַח יְהוָה, וּכְבוֹדוֹ עָלַיִךְ יֵרָאֶה

The advent of Prophet Muhammad was at a time of darkness when the world had forgotten the Oneness of God as taught by Abraham and all of the other Prophets, including Jesus.

"And the Goyim (non-Jewish pagans) shall come to Your Light, and kings to the brightness of Your Rising." Isaiah 60:3

וְהָלְכוּ גוֹיִם, לְאוֹרֵךְ; וּמְלָכִים, לְנֹגַהּ זַרְחֵךְ

"Lift up shine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to you:" Isaiah 60:4

שְׂאִי סָבִיב עֵינַיִךְ, וּרְאִי--כֻּלָּם, נִקְבְּצוּ בָאוּ לָךְ; בָּנַיִךְ מֵרָחוֹק יָבֹאוּ, וּבְנוֹתַיִךְ עַל צַד תֵּאָמַנָה

Within less than twenty three years of the ministry of the Prophet Muhammad, the whole of Arabia was united.

"Because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto you, the forces of the Goyim (non-Jewish pagans) shall come unto you." Isaiah 60:5

שִׁפְעַת גְּמַלִּים תְּכַסֵּךְ, בִּכְרֵי מִדְיָן וְעֵיפָה--כֻּלָּם, מִשְּׁבָא יָבֹאוּ; זָהָב וּלְבוֹנָה יִשָּׂאוּ, וּתְהִלֹּת יְהוָה יְבַשֵּׂרוּ

Within less than a century, Islam had spread beyond the borders of Arabia.

"The multitude of camels shall cover you, the "dromedaries" of Midian and Ephah, all they from Sheba shall come, they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall shew forth the praises of YHWH." Isaiah 60:6

שִׁפְעַת גְּמַלִּים תְּכַסֵּךְ, בִּכְרֵי מִדְיָן וְעֵיפָה--כֻּלָּם, מִשְּׁבָא יָבֹאוּ; זָהָב וּלְבוֹנָה יִשָּׂאוּ, וּתְהִלֹּת יְהוָה יְבַשֵּׂרו

"Gold and incense" were given to Jesus by the Magi who were a sect of Persian "Zoroastrians." They were not "from Sheba" who herself was an African Queen. As well, even if the Christian is to imagine that this is a prophecy concerning Yashuah Ha'Mashiach, then they must explain "the multitude of camels" covering this prophesied individual. Furthermore the term following is "Dromedaries." This word will be meaningless to the average individual who is not aware that the `Arabian camel is named "Camelus dromedarius;" having one hump or protuberance on the back, in distinction from the Bactrian camel, which has two humps. In `Arabia and Egypt the name is restricted to the better breeds of this species of camel.

"All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto you. They shall come up with acceptance on My altar, and I will glorify the House of my Glory." Isaiah 60:7

כָּל צֹאן קֵדָר יִקָּבְצוּ לָךְ, אֵילֵי נְבָיוֹת יְשָׁרְתוּנֶךְ; יַעֲלוּ עַל רָצוֹן מִזְבְּחִי, וּבֵית תִּפְאַרְתִּי אֲפָאֵר

The tribes of Kedar (`Arabia) who were divided were then united. "The house of my glory," referred here to the "House of Allah" in Mecca and not the so-called "Church of Christ," which is an entirely intangible and unsubstantiated concept. It is a fact that "the villages of Kedar" are located in the one of the only regions in the world that remains impenetrable to the Paulian Church's influence. The villages of Kedar are also mentioned in Isaiah 42:11

"Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the inhabitants of Sela exult, let them shout from the top of the mountains."

יִשְׂאוּ מִדְבָּר וְעָרָיו, חֲצֵרִים תֵּשֵׁב קֵדָר; יָרֹנּוּ יֹשְׁבֵי סֶלַע, מֵרֹאשׁ הָרִים יִצְוָחוּ

"Therefore your gates shall be open continually. They shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bung unto you the forces of the Goyim (Pagans) and that their kings may be brought." Isaiah 60:8

מִי אֵלֶּה, כָּעָב תְּעוּפֶינָה; וְכַיּוֹנִים, אֶל אֲרֻבֹּתֵיהֶם

It is a fact that the Masjid (erroneously called "mosque" which is an Islamaphobic term) surrounding the Holy Ka'bah in Mecca has remained open day and night since the Prophet Muhammad removed the idols located within it fourteen centuries ago. Rulers as well as subjects came for the pilgrimage.

The Twelve Ishmaelite Princes

"As for Ishma'el, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of Twelve Princes, and I will make him a great nation." - Sefer Ha'Berashit (Genesis) 17:20

וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל, שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ--הִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתִּי אֹתוֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֹתוֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֹתוֹ, בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד: שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר נְשִׂיאִם יוֹלִיד, וּנְתַתִּיו לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל.

Yishma'el or "Ishma'el" was the father of 12 sons, just as Yitzaq or "Isaac" was the father of 12 sons. From the line of the Quraysh, came Muhammad and the "Twelve Leaders" from his progeny.

There are repeated Ahadith in the Sunni and Shi'a books publicly available today, which speak of the Khalifah of the twelve Imams or "Khalifatun" (plural of Khalifah) after the Prophet Muhammad. These can be found in many of the famous recorded oral traditions called "Ahadith," like Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Tarmadi, Sahih Muslim Sahih Abu Dawoud and Musnad Ahmad, etc.

In the book Muntakhib al-Athar, there are 271 Ahadith in this area which have been recorded and a large part of them are from Sunni scholars, despite the fact that they do not accept any specific set of "12 Leaders," let alone twelve in successive order like the 12 Imams of Muhammad's progeny. The recognition of these prophecied 12 "khalifatun," the "Twelve Princes" of the Ishma'elite line (fortold in the Torah as welll as in the collection of Ahadith recorded of the Prophet Muhammad's teachings), became the dividing line between those calling themselves "Sunni" and those calling themsleves "Shi'a" (partisans of the Imams).

In Bukhari, the most famous book of the Sunnis says, "Jabir ibn Samarah says, 'I heard the Prophet say, 'There will be twelve leaders after me." Then he said, 'I heard that my father said he heard the Prophet say, "They will be from the Quraysh.."

Sahih Bukhari, part 9, Kitab al-Maqadam, p. 100

In Sahih Muslim, this same Hadith has been recorded in this way that Jabir says, "I heard the Prophet say, 'Islam will always be dear until twelve Khalifatun and successors." Then he said something which I did not understand. I asked my father and he said, 'The Prophet said, "They are all from the Quraysh."

Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-amanah, bab al-mal tih 'l-quraysh

The Twelve Imams of Muhammad's line were all of the Tribe of Quraysh. In Musnad Ahmad it has been recorded from 'Abdallah ibn Mas'ud, a famous companion, that he asked the Prophet Muhammad about his vice-gerents. He said, "They are twelve people like the Israeli tribes who were twelve people."

Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 398

Narrated Jabir bin Samura: "I heard the Prophet saying, 'There will be twelve Muslim rulers.' He then said a sentence which I did not hear. My father said, 'All of them (those rulers) will be from Quraysh.'"

Volume 9, Book 89, Number 329

Narrated Jabir ibn Samurah: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'The Islamic religion will continue until the Hour has been established, or you have been ruled by twelve Khalifatun, all of them being from the Quraysh.'"

Jabir bin Samurah, reported: "I joined the company of the Holy Prophet with my father and I heard him say: 'This Khalifah will not end until there have been twelve Khalifatun among them.' Then he (the Holy Prophet) said something that I could not follow. I said to my father: ‘What did he say?' He said: 'He has said: All of them will be from the Quraysh.'"

Abdullah bin 'Umar, reported: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'The Khalifah will remain among the Quraysh even if only two persons are left (on the earth).'"

Seeing that this notion of Twelve Prophesied Princes of the Ishmaelite line would pose a problem for the notion of exclusivity of Divine Blessing in the Israeli line, later commentators have imagined that these 12 Princes are in fact the immediate offspring of Prophet Ishma'el. There are Twelve such children listed in Divrei Yamim Alef:

"These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Yishma'el." Divrei Yamim Alef (1st Chronicles) 1:29-31

אֵלֶּה, תֹּלְדוֹתָם: בְּכוֹר יִשְׁמָעֵאל נְבָיוֹת, וְקֵדָר וְאַדְבְּאֵל וּמִבְשָׂם. מִשְׁמָע וְדוּמָה, מַשָּׂא חֲדַד וְתֵימָא. יְטוּר נָפִישׁ, וָקֵדְמָה; אֵלֶּה הֵם, בְּנֵי יִשְׁמָעֵאל

Now if these were the prophesied "Twelve Princes" then how could it be that 12 Princes can all rule in one generation? The fact of the matter is that were any of these individuals to have been "Princes" then it would have only been one, or at the most two of them due to the timeframe in which they were born. The only way that 12 different Princes could have come from the Ishmaelite line would be for them to be of successive generations, such as in the case of the A'immah, or "Imams" from Muhammad's progeny. There is simply no other reasonable option.

As well, to be a "Prince" you must have a Kingdom. Ishmael was a great man, and Qur'anically is identified as a Prophet, but at the same time he was not a King. What Kingdom was he the King of? Clearly history is silent on this issue for the simple fact that he was not a King, and his immediate Twelve children were not heirs to any throne. Thus the Rabbi's and Priest fail to have an answer for the Biblical prophecies regarding the Twelve Ishmaelite Princes.

Were the Sons of Ishmael 12 "Princes"?

The 12 direct sons of Ishmael COULD NOT have been "12 PRINCES" for the simple fact that they occurred within the SAME generation. They were merely 12 son's, and the original verse did not prophecy "12 sons" it prophesied "12 princes." So many erroneously jumped to the false conclusion that the 12 sons were in fact the 12 princes, but this is not and CANNOT linguistically be the case.

You can at most have two princes in one generation, with the younger acting as a regent prince as in the case of James the Brother of Jesus, who was actually the only "prince" as the Messiah was the King of the Jews, though the point is that "James" or "Yaqub" was an acting regent prince. i mention so as to illustrate the role and capacity of a regent prince. In the case of Imams Al-Hasan and al-Hussayn (the grandsons of Muhammad), we see the one example of two Imams in one generation. Nonetheless, two is believable, but to propose that 12 rules successively within one generation is an insult to basic reason.

A PRINCE denotes more than an offspring. For there to be 12 PRINCES from the progeny of Ishmael they must all, or MOSTLY be in successive generations.

So who would the 12 sons of Ishmael be princes of? Did they each have their own kingdom? Did they grow up in `Arabia and form 12 kingdoms of which they were princes (not kings) of? Did their father divide `Arabia into 12 kingdoms? Wouldn't that be divisive and against the nature of a prophet? There is NOTHING to suggest that they are the 12 Princes foretold of the Ishmael progeny. Nothing would make that occur to anyone other than the fact that there number is 12.

Muhammad noted that the 12 Imams are twelve like the number of the Children of Israel, so there is that numeric similarity. But were the 12 Children of Israel actually "Princes?" No, in fact they were not, and they were jealous of their brother who actually was favored as prince.

So any educated Jewish scholar will tell you that these sons of Ishmael COULD NOT have been the 12 Princes foretold. But as the Prophet Jeremiah said:

"Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of YHWH. How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the Torah of YHWH," when actually the lying pen of the Scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the Word of YHWH, what kind of Wisdom do they have?" Yirmeyahu 8:7-9

גַּם חֲסִידָה בַשָּׁמַיִם, יָדְעָה מוֹעֲדֶיהָ, וְתֹר וְסִוס (וְסִיס) וְעָגוּר, שָׁמְרוּ אֶת עֵת בֹּאָנָה; וְעַמִּי--לֹא יָדְעוּ, אֵת מִשְׁפַּט יְהוָה. אֵיכָה תֹאמְרוּ חֲכָמִים אֲנַחְנוּ, וְתוֹרַת יְהוָה אִתָּנוּ; אָכֵן הִנֵּה לַשֶּׁקֶר עָשָׂה, עֵט שֶׁקֶר סֹפְרִים. הֹבִשׁוּ חֲכָמִים, חַתּוּ וַיִּלָּכֵדוּ; הִנֵּה בִדְבַר יְהוָה מָאָסוּ, וְחָכְמַת מֶה לָהֶם

Which begs the ultimate question... Did Ishmael even have 12 sons to begin with, or were these a later addition placed later in Sefer Ha'Berashit (Genesis) to explain away the fact that the wicked soferim had no idea who on earth these 12 Princes - of DIFFERENT and SUCCESSIVE generations were - so they "handled it falsely." And Allah knows best.

Imam `Ali: The First of the 12 Ishmaelite Princes

There were many battles fought for self-defense by the Prophet Muhammad. These included Badr, Uhad, Khandaq, Khyber, Hunayn and Tabuk. In all of these battles, `Ali accompanied the Prophet Muhammad except the last one. The people spread rumors that the Prophet Muhammad disliked Imam `Ali so Imam `Ali caught up with the Prophet Muhammad and asked him. The reply was one of his most famous Ahadith:

"Is it not enough that you are in the same position as Harun (Aharon) was to Musa (Moses), except there will be no Nabiyyin (Prophets) after me"

Now we know that Aharon was claimed in the Torah and in Al-Qur'an to be the brother of Moses.

"Go You to Pharaoh, for he had indeed transgressed all bounds; (Musa) said: 'O my Lord! Expand my breast; Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech. So they may understand what I say: And give me a Minister from my family, Harun, my brother; Add to my strength through him, And make him share my task: That we may celebrate Your praise without stint, And remember You without stint: For You are Hu that ever regards us. (Allah) said: Granted is your prayer, O Musa!" Al-Qur'an, Sura Ta Ha, 20:24-36

اذْهَبْ إِلَى فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَى قَالَ رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي وَاجْعَل لِّي وَزِيرًا مِّنْ أَهْلِي هَارُونَ أَخِي اشْدُدْ بِهِ أَزْرِي وَأَشْرِكْهُ فِي أَمْرِي كَيْ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيراً وَنَذْكُرَكَ كَثِيراً إِنَّكَ كُنتَ بِنَا بَصِيرًا قَالَ قَدْ أُوتِيتَ سُؤْلَكَ يَا مُوسَى

"We sent Musa the Book, and appointed his brother Harun with him as Minister." Al-Qur'an, Al-Furqan, 25:35

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلْنَا مَعَهُ أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ وَزِيرًا

Muhammad selected Imam `Ali (as) as his brother on the Day of Brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar. Muhammad divided the companions in to pairs on this day and chose Imam `Ali saying “You are my brother in this world and the next”

So the similarities with Imam `Ali and Aharon the Prophet are established, with the one difference being maintained that unlike Aharon, `Ali was not a Nabi or "Prophet" as the Hadith concludes with "Except there will be Nabiyyin after me."

Political Leadership was passed to Joshua ben Nun, while spiritual leadership passed to Prophet Aharon. The difference between Aharon and `Ali here being that Aharon himself died before Moses, and thus spiritual succession was transmitted through his sons and political leadership arose in the figure of Joshua son of Nun.

However, with that said, Aharon was appointed as "Khalifah" or representative of Moses in his very lifetime according to the Qur'an.

"And when We did appoint for Musa thirty nights, and added to them ten, and he completed the whole time appointed by his Lord of forty nights; and Moses said unto his brother, Harun: 'Take my place (as Khalifa – ukhlufni) among the people. Do right, and follow not the way of mischief-makers." Al-Qur'an, Sura 7:142

وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَى ثَلاَثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً وَقَالَ مُوسَى لأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

Thus, while it is clear that political leadership was later given to Joshua ben Nun, it was given to Aharon that he would serve as the representative of Moses even in his very lifetime. Since this is the explanation given by the Qur'an itself, it is undeniable for those who believe therein to reject that Imam `Ali was in fact the appointed heir to Muhammad in all regards. This must be acknowledged by those who hold to the Qur'an regardless of whether one recognizes later, purely political leaders like Abu Bakr and Umar who ruled in much the same way as Joshua ben Nun, yet where not spiritual heirs like the Kohenim, and the Ahl'ul-Bayt.

Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah said: "I named Hasan and Husayn and Muhsin the names of the sons of Harun who were: Shubbar, Shubayr, and Mushbir."

• Sunan Abu Dawud al-Tilyasi, v1, p232 (without mentioning Muhsin)
• Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p774, Tradition (3) Al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, pp 165,168
• Kashf al-Astar, by al-Bazzar, v2, p416
• Ibn Habban, as quoted in al-Mawarid, p551
• Al-Tabarani, v3, p100
• Idhaah, Abdul Ghani, from Salman al-Farsi
• Al-Mu'jam, by al-Baghawi, as quoted in:
• Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p292

The third son of Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad and wife of `Ali, who was pre-named by Muhammad as "Muhsin," was miscarried after the incident when the popular ruler of the time - followed by the majority - burnt the door of Fatima's house, while she was standing behind it, and his companion then kicked the door which fell on to Fatimah, which left her deeply injured and resulted in Muhsin's (as) death too.

The death of the third son is exactly parallel to that of the Bani Harun, the Children of Aharon, the Alhi `Imran after which there is a Sura named in the Qur'an...

The progeny of Aharon were to become the priests of the Children of Isra'il. They were called the "Kohenim" a name which became synonymous with priesthood in Hebrew. They were the preservers and defenders of the Din. They were charged with ensuring the preservation of the Torah, and the correct interpretation of it. At least initially they held to this instruction and while they did they were among the most righteous in the sight of Allah.

The Levi'im or "Levites" were given the general priestly duties of the Temple, but Aharon's descendents "the house of Aharon," were given the high priesthood. They became very numerous during King David's time.

"And Yehoiada was the leader of the house of Aharon, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred." Divrei Yamim Alef (1st Chronicles) 12:28

וִיהוֹיָדָע, הַנָּגִיד לְאַהֲרֹן; וְעִמּוֹ, שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁבַע מֵאוֹת.

The Kohenim emerged in an exact parallel to the "Saddat" the "Nobles" who were descended from the Ahl'ul-Bayt, the "People of the House" of Muhammad. The "Saddat" also came to be extremely numerous, and like the Kohenim, over time the majority of Saddat had forsaken their obligation to preserve, propagate and teach the Din.

It was because of their obligation to do these things that they were entitled to 50% of the Khums, (totaly Khums being 20% of the expendable income of their partisans). As long as they were doing their job of preserving and propagating the din, they were to receive payment. Descent from Muhammad was not their genetic "meal ticket" anymore than it was supposed to be for the Kohenim. This was a family tradition that was passed down from father to son. It was their Divinely ordained job.

They were in this way much like public servants. They did not receive money because of some elevated status, but rather they received it in the same way a fire fighter, ambulance driver or EMT receives money for their service to the community. If that line of work were granted on a hereditary basis, and the progeny of firefighters, ambulance drivers and EMT's stopped doing their job but still expected the community's taxes to pay for the homes, cars and whatnot, then this would be nothing short of theft from the community. Those who fulfilled their obligation to the community could and should continue to receive the 50% due to them. The rest should get nothing, as they are delinquent in their duties.

The same came to pass in the case of the Kohenim. There were many righteous heirs of the Alhi `Imran, the progeny of `Amran, but by the time of the Roman occupation, at least, the Kohen Ha'Gadol (High Priest) was notoriously an agent of the Imperialist Roman state. While many kohenim remained supporters of the people and the grassroots revolution, just as many became sellouts to the enemy. Subsequently those who were not faithful to their duties became just as much a target in the Jewish Revolt as did the Roman forces.

This same parallel is again foretold of the progeny of `Ali, as it is written that in the time of the Mahdi's reign, 40,000 `Ulama - scholars of whom some are undoubtedly self-professed "Saddat" - would die by the sword of the Mahdi who was foretold in Sefer Ha'Malakhi (The Book of Malachi).

Alhi `Imran

"And she came to her people with him, carrying him (with her). They said: O Maryam! surely you have done a strange thing! 'O sister of Harun! Your father was not a man of evil, nor your mother a woman unchaste!" Qur'an 19:27-28

فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُ قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا

Christians in Najran during the time of Muhammad raised an objection to this terminology. If this was Divine Revelation they why was Maryam the mother of Jesus referred to as the daughter of her ancient forefather's name "`Imran" or "`Amran" in Hebrew? Why was she likewise called the "sister of Harun?" Had Muhammad just slipped up and mistakenly though that the Mother of Jesus was born thousands of years before she was?

Such an assertion is ridiculous. Jesus was a well known figure in `Arabia, and it was common knowledge what time period he had lived in. This contention, which is still raised today by modern Christians (with no substantial argument to stand upon), was answered completely and in line with basic reason. In Sahih Muslim, the hadith related by Mughirah ibn Shu`bah [5326] says:

"When I came to Najran, they (the Christians of Najran) asked me: You read "O sister of Harun" (Maryam) in the Qur'an, whereas Musa (Moses) was born much before `Isa (Jesus). When I came back to Rasul'ullah (the Messenger of Allah) I asked him about that, whereupon he said: 'The (people of that age) used to give names (to their people) after the names of Messengers and pious people who had gone before them.'"

This claim of contradiction is mistaken as it disregards both the `Arabic idiom and the context of the verse. In `Arabic the word "akhun" or "ukhtun" carries two meanings. One, a "Blood brother or sister" and two, a "Brotherhood/sisterhood in clan and faith." The above verse has used the word "ukhtun" in the second sense.

Today Muslims still refer to each other as "Akh" (Brother) or "Ukht" (Sister).In the Bible, Elizabeth was called daughters of Aharon. Was SHE literally a daughter of Aharon?

"In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Z'khariyah, of the division of Abi'jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aharon, and her name was Elizabeth." Luke 1:5

egeneto en taiV hmeraiV hrwdou basilewV thV ioudaiaV iereuV tiV onomati zacariaV ex efhmeriaV abia, kai gunh autw ek twn qugaterwn aarwn, kai to onoma authV elisabet.

Jesus was addressed as "Son of David" in the canonical Gospels. Was he literally Son of David? Then why to Paulian narrators claim that he was? Certainly if that sort of analogy was acceptable due to his ancient ancestor being David, then there is not error or in the Qur'an speaking in a similar - typically Semitic - manner regarding the ancestry and relations of Maryam.

"And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'" Matthew 21:9

oi de ocloi oi proagonteV auton kai oi akolouqounteV ekrazon legonteV, wsanna tw uiw dauid: euloghmenoV o ercomenoV en onomati kuriou: wsanna en toiV uyistoiV.

"But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' they were indignant." Matthew 21:15

idonteV de oi arciereiV kai oi grammateiV ta qaumasia a epoihsen kai touV paidaV touV krazontaV en tw ierw kai legontaV, wsanna tw uiw dauid, hganakthsan

If we take that literally then it is also a contradiction in the Bible. If Muhammad can be assumed to have though that Jesus lived in the generation immediately following Moses, then it can be assumed that the Gospels thought Jesus was King Solomon's literal brother!

`Ali the Brother of Muhammad, Aharon the Brother of Moses

The Prophet Muhammad created brotherhood among his companions, as stated above, making, in the first incident, Abu Bakr brother of `Umer, and `Uthman brother of `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf. In the Second Fraternity, Abu Bakr became brother of Kharijah ibn Zayd, and `Umer was made brother of `Atban ibn Malik. Yet on BOTH occasions, `Ali was made brother of the Messenger of Allah.

There is no room here to quote all verified texts citing Ibn `Abbas, Ibn `Umer, Zayd ibn Arqam, Zayd ibn Abu `Awfah, Anas ibn Malik, Huthayfah ibn al-Yemani, Makhduj ibn Yazid, `Umer ibn al-Khattab, al-Bara' ibn `Azib, `Ali ibn Abu Talib, and others narrating this hadith as such. Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah has also said to `Ali: "You are my Brother in this life and the life hereafter."

Al-Hakim has quoted it on page 14, Vol. 3, of his Al-Mustadrak as narrated by Ibn `Umer from two authentic sources and endorsed by both Shaykhs. Al-Thahbi has also quoted it in his Talkhis, taking its authenticity for granted. Al-Tirmithi, too, quotes it as cited by Ibn Hajar on page 72 of his Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa; so, refer to the seventh hadith of the ones included in Section 2 of Chapter 9 of Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa. All those who have discussed the brotherhood hadith among writers of traditions and chronicles have accepted it without any argument.

Muhammad took `Ali by the neck, saying: "This is my Brother, vicegerent and successor among you; therefore, listen to him and obey him." He, peace be upon him and his progeny, came out to meet his companions with a broad smile on his face. `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Awf asked him what pleased him so much. He answered: "It is due to a piece of good news which I have just received from my Lord regarding my brother and cousin, and also regarding my daughter. The Almighty has chosen `Ali a husband for Fatima." When the Mistress of all women of the world was wed to the master of the Prophet's progeny (as), the Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny, said: "O Umm Ayman! Bring me my brother." Umm Ayman asked: "He is your brother, and you still marry him to your daughter?!" He said: "Yes, indeed, Umm Ayman." She called `Ali in.

This is quoted by al-Hakim on page 159, Vol. 3, of his Al-Mustadrak. Al-Thahbi, too, has quoted it in his Talkhis, admitting its authenticity. Ibn Hajar copies it in Chapter 11 of his Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa. All those who wrote about the wedding of al-Zahra' (as) have, without any exception, mentioned it.

Quite often, the Prophet Muhammad used to point to `Ali and say: "This is my brother, cousin, son-in-law, and father of my descendants."

This is included by al-Shirazi in his chapter on surnames, and by Ibn al-Najjar who quotes Ibn `Umer. Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi has transmitted it in his Kanz al-`Ummal and Al-Muntakhab which he attaches to the footnote of his Musnad; so, refer to the second line of the footnote on page 32 of its fifth volume.

Once he spoke to him and said: "You are my brother and companion." In another occasion, he said to him: "You are my brother, friend, and companion in Paradise." He once addressed him in a matter that was between him, his brother Ja`fer, and Zayd ibn Harithah, saying: "O `Ali! You are, indeed, my brother and the father of my descendants. You are of me and for me."

Al-Hakim quotes it on page 217, Vol. 3, of his Mustadrak, the authenticity of whose narrators is endorsed by Muslim. Al-Thahbi has admitted the same in his own Talkhis.

He made a covenant with him once saying: "You are my brother and Wazir (vizier); you complete my religion, fulfill my promise, pay my debts on my behlf, and clear my conscience."

Al-Tabrani has quoted it in his Al-Kabir from Ibn `Umer, and it is transmitted by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi in his Kanz al-`Ummal as well as Al-Muntakhab; so, refer to Al-Muntakhab to see the inclusion of the footnote on page 32, Vol. 5, of the Musnad.

When death approached Muhammad he said: "Fetch me my brother." They called `Ali in. He said to him: "Come close to me." `Ali did. He kept whispering in his ears till his pure soul departed from his body. `Ali even caught some of the Prophet's saliva.

This is quoted by Ibn Sa`d on page 51, Part Two, Vol. 2, of his Tabaqat, and also on page 55, Vol. 4, of Kanz al-`Ummal.

Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, has also said: "It is written on the gate of Paradise: `There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, `Ali is the Brother of the Messenger of Allah.'"

This is quoted by al-Tabrani in his Al-Awsat, by al-Khatib in his Al-Muttafaq wal-Muftaraq, and it is transmitted by the author of Kanz al-`Ummal; so, refer to Al-Muntakhab and see the inclusion of a footnote on page 35, Vol. 5, of Ahmed's Musnad. It is also transmitted by Ibn `Asakir in his footnote on page 46.

The Almighty Allah, when the Prophet Muhammad left `Ali sleeping in his bed while the enemies were outside plotting to murder him, addressed Gabriel and Michael thus: "I have created brotherhood between both of you and let the life-span of one of you be longer than that of the other. Which one of you wishes to have the life of the other be longer than his own?" Each held his own life dearer. The Almighty said: "Why can't you be like `Ali ibn Abu Talib between whom and Muhammad I have created brotherhood, and he has chosen to sleep in Muhammad's bed, offering to sacrifice his own life for his brother? Go down to earth and protect him from his foes." They both came down. Gabriel stood at `Ali's head while Michael stood at his feet. Gabriel cried: "Congratulations! Congratulations! Who can be like you, O son of Abu Talib? Even Allah brags about you to His angels!" Regarding that incident, the verse "And there are among men those who trade their own lives for the Pleasure of Allah (Qur'an, 2:207)" was revealed.

This is quoted by authors of books of traditions in their respective works, and it is briefly referred to by Imam Fakhrul-Din al-Razi as he interprets this verse of Surat al-Baqara, on page 189, Vol. 2, of his Al-Tafsir al-Kabir.

`Ali himself is quoted saying: "I am the servant of Allah and the Brother of His Messenger. I am the strongest in believing in the Prophet. Nobody else can say so except a liar."

This is quoted by al-Nisa'i in Al-Khasa'is al-`Alawiyya, and by al-Hakim at the beginning of page 112, Vol. 3, of his Al-Mustadrak, by Abu Shaybah and Ibn Abu `Asim in Al-Sunnah, and by Abu Na`im in Al-Ma`rifa. It is also transmitted by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi in Kanz al-`Ummal and Muntakhab al-Kanz. Refer to Al-Muntakhab and read what Ahmed has included in the footnote on page 40, Vol. 5, of his Musnad.

He has also said: "By Allah! I am his Brother and wali (Friend), his cousin and the inheritor of his knowledge; who else is more worthy of it than me?"

Refer to page 126, Vol. 3, of the Al-Mustadrak. It is quoted by al-Thahbi in his Talkhis, where the author does not dispute its authenticity at all.

On the Day of Shura, he said to `Uthman, `Abdul-Rahman, Sa`d, and al-Zubayr: "Do you know of anyone among the Muslims other than myself with whom the Messenger of Allah established Brotherhood?" They answered: "We bear witness, no."

This is quoted by Ibn `Abdl al-Birr in `Ali's biography in the Isti`ab, in addition to many other trusted authorities.

When `Ali stood to duel with al-Walid during the Battle of Badr, the latter asked him: "Who are you?" `Ali answered: "I am the servant of Allah and the brother of His Messenger."

This is quoted by Ibn Sa`d while discussing Badr's military campaign in his Tabaqat, page 15, part One, Vol. 2.

When `Umar was khalifah, `Ali asked him: "Suppose some Israelites come to you and one of them told you that he was cousin of Moses, would he receive a preferred treatment than the others?" `Umar answered: "Yes, indeed." `Ali said: "I, by Allah, am the brother of the Messenger of Allah and his cousin." `Umar took off his mantle and spread it for `Ali to sit on, saying: "By Allah, you will sit nowhere else other than on my own mantle till each one of us goes his way." `Ali did so while `Umar was pleased by that gesture of respect for the brother and cousin of the Messenger of Allah as long as he was in his company.

As Dar Qutni quotes in the fifth maqsad of the Maqasid of the verse enjoining kindness to the Prophet's kin, and it is verse 14 of the ones counted by Ibn Hajar in Part 11 of his Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa; so, refer to page 107 of Al-Sawa`iq al-Muhriqa.

The Representatives of God Today

The Qur’an states very directly that the Khalifah is appointed by Allah and not by man, for Allah states Himself in Sura Noor, verse 55, that:

“Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will most certainly make them Khalifatun in the earth as He made Khalifatun those before them, and that He will most certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange; they shall serve Me, not associating aught with Me; and whoever is ungrateful after this, these it is who are the. transgressors.”

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Many copies of the Qur’an compiled in English by translators who do not follow the Khalifatin appointed by Allah will specifically use an alternative word to describe the word Khalifa in this context, when there is no grammatical justification for this, for the Arabic states Khalifa and this word is readily translated into English as khalifah or caliph, an English word.

Furthermore, Allah states in the above Sura that He will appoint those who have faith and do good deeds to the position of the Khalifat'ullah, the hallmark of faith being patience, as shall be proved later, and these virtues are exemplified by the Twelve Imams of the Shia to the extent that they alone fulfilled the requirements to be the Khalifatin of Allah from all men of their age. This view is supported by Sura 32, Ayat 24,

“And We made of them Imams to guide Our command when they were patient, and they were certain of Our communications.”

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

The role of the Khalifat'ullah is guidance to the Sirat al-Mustaqim, the Straight Path, and in every age, for every moment of time, there exists the divine guide, for Allah states in Sura 13, verse 7 that:

“And those who disbelieve say: Why has not a sign been sent down upon him from his Lord? You are only a Munazhir (one who Warns) and (there is) a guide for every people.”

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوْلا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

This guidance is different to Prophethood, for the Prophethood has ended, and the Ayah specifies that the guide is living, guiding to the way of the Prophets, whereas with Prophethood Allah uses the past tense which is not the case with the guide, as in Sura 35, verse 24, where the Prophets are spoken of,

“We have sent thee with the Truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a Nazhir (Warner); and there is not a nation but a Nazhir has passed among them..”

إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ

And Allah reinforces that every person will be gathered before his Imam in Sura Bani Isra'il 17, verse 71:

“One day We shall call together all human beings with their Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it, and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.”

يَوْمَ نَدْعُو كُلَّ أُنَاسٍ بِإِمَامِهِمْ فَمَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ يَقْرَؤُونَ كِتَابَهُمْ وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلاً

The Imam is thus living, and the people of that time will be summoned before him in the hereafter. Since the death of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (saws) there have been no prophets. Yet the Imamate continues, as it has continued since Adam (as) the first Imam such that should there be left two men on Earth one would be the Imam, such is the powerful Justice and Mercy of Allah.

It was on the day of Ghadir Khumm (the Final Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad), shortly before his own departure from this world, that the Holy Prophet drew on the words denoting his own authority as the Khalifah of Allah mentioned above in Sura Al Ahzab, verse 6, in the form of asking the believers “Do I have more right over the believers than they have over themselves?, and when the people cried “Yes O Messenger of Allah” he transferred that authority to Ali, with the words

“Of whomsoever I am his Mawla, Ali is his Mawla (master).”

There is no mention of men being given the authority to appoint the Khalifa in the Qur’an, only abundant, clear and direct evidence for it being Allah, and this position was given to Ali. This fact in itself negates the lawfulness of the khilafat of Hadrath Abu Bakr, even taking aside the historical, rational and traditional context which is similarly opposed to his position.

And after Ali, Al-Hassan and Al-Husayn, the products of the union of the line of Muhammad with Ali, both themselves in the line of Ishmael, who would transfer the Mercy of their grandfather Prophet Muhammad to mankind in their noble sacrifices, are thus extolled as the twofold blessing in Sura Al-Hadid, Verse 28, another verse that when translated in its proper grammatical sense reads:

“O believers, fear Allah and have faith in His Prophet. And you will receive a twofold blessing, and a Nur (Light) will be appointed for you which will guide you and by which you shall receive blessings.”

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَآمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

It is here in the Ahl'ul-Bayt, the purified and specified members of the family of the Holy Prophet, that the lineage of the Khalifat'ullah continues. Of the Ahl'ul-Bayt Allah says in Sura 42, verse 23,

“This it is which Allah announce unto His bondmen who believe and do good works. Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I do not ask of you a wage for this except love of my kinsfolk. And whoso scores a good deed We add unto its good for him. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Responsive.”

ذَلِكَ الَّذِي يُبَشِّرُ اللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَى وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُ فِيهَا حُسْنًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ

It is of them that Muhammad said, drawing an analogy with a Khalifat'ullah of a previous age, “The example of my Ahl'ul-Bayt (the People of the House) among you is like the example of Noah’s ark. Whoever boards it will attain salvation, whoever fails to do so will drown.”

Recounted in Mustadrak al Hakim, volume 3, page 151.

The renowned Sunni commentator Fakhr-ud-Din Razi concludes in Tafsiru’l Kabir, Vol. 10, page 144, that those in authority in this verse must be ma’sum or infallible. The verse of purity makes Ahl'ul-Bayt infallible. They are the Khalifatin of Allah, as testified by Muhammad the Messenger of Allah.

“I am leaving among you two Khalifatin, the Qur’an and my Ahl'ul-Bayt, they will never become separate until they meet me at the pool.”

Hadith Ath-Thaqalayn, the Two Weighty Things, as recorded by Al Suyuti in Tafsir Durre Manthur, Vol. 2, page 60.

It is the 12 Imams who the Torah foretells will be men of authority from the lineage of Ishmael, and that traditions of Sunni Islam testify to in the numerous Ahadith wherein Muhammad spoke of the 12 Khalifatin all from Quraysh who would succeed him till the affairs of the people would end.

Just as surely as this was foretold by the Prophets of Allah, it has accordingly come to pass. In this very age the true Partisans or "Shi'a" of Muhammad's "kinfolk" that the Qur'an requires us to love and pay allegiance to, are continuing to pave the way for the Global Rise to power of the 12th and Final Imam and the subsequent "12 Mahdiyyin" who will succeed him according to the teachings of the Imams, as recorded in the voluminous Ahadith collection of Bihar al-Anwar.

For more information about those who follow the "Prophet like unto Moses" and the partisans of the "12 Princes" of the Ishmaelite lineage - foretold in the Torah - please visit www.mikhahbendavid.4t.com