Conversations about Mary, Jesus and Christmas
Sabeeha,
I am pleased to read your notes about Mary, it is well put indeed. If you want to talk about Mary as the topic, a Model woman for Muslims to follow, Reem Alghonimi would be a good speaker on the subject, she and I have made a presentations about Maryam to the Theology Students at SMU. Indeed, there is always a Model in every community, among Hindus, the legend about Sati Savithri, the one who speaks nothing but truth is a good model woman to follow, so is Durga, who will bring justice where there is none.
You are right, the forces to create wedges between people are few but well funded, it is our duty, every one of the 6.5 billion individuals' duty to bring peace to the world.
I am going to add a radical thought here;
Neither Jesus was Christian nor Muhammad was a Muslim; indeed both of them were for the entire humanity with a good message to be better human lives. Neither Bible nor the Qur'aan is the property of Christians or Muslims; they belong to all, by claiming exclusivity, we are decimating the purpose of those books. In my writings, I have consciously avoided "our prophet" when referring to Prophet Muhammad, we don’t own him; he is every one's prophet. When we start looking at Buddha, Bahaullah, Mahavir, Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Nanak and other great teachers, all I see is their effort to create a better world. If we can emulate them, we can create at least a better world around us and that is more than enough.
I think I am repeating the following, which is also at:
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/December-Festivals-Christmas-Kwanza-ZortoshtDiso-Muharram-Z.asp
Christmas signifies renewal to me, the birth of Jesus pushes the 'refresh' button and opens our hearts and minds towards fellow beings. Jesus is my mentor, I think about him every day as I see the wisdom of forgiveness and inclusiveness doing its miracles in giving solace, Peace, Nirvana, Mukti, Moksha, Nijaat, salvation and true freedom to each one of us. Jesus (pbuh) is one of my role models. He set the example to the world that God has created every soul on this earth and that we have to embrace every one for our own good. His symbolic outreach to the lepers and prostitutes is a model for us to live by, reaching out to every one that the society shies away from. I am truly blessed to see another Christmas and wish to extend my heart felt love to every one out there. By the way, Jesus is the star for Muslims, one's faith in Islam is not complete without believing in Jesus, Moses and the other prophets.
In the name of Jesus whose birthday we are celebrating, may this Christmas refresh us to seek peace through forgiveness and inclusiveness. Amen.
I am available to volunteer on Christmas day anywhere in North Texas, please feel free to call me.
Mike Ghouse
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In a message dated 12/24/2008 9:38:07 A.M. Central Standard Time, sabeeha writes:
Sue,
It gives me great pleasure, to observe more people understanding and acknowledging the truth about Islam. It may be that Muslims have failed to reveal this truth to all believers, please let me clear this one today as it is the Christmas Eve, it is very important to learn the truth.
This is the very simplest and very clear revelation from God...
It is Christmas Eve today, Our Lady Mary holds the highest Honor in the History of Islam. Above all Jesus Christ - Isa Alaisalam is Spirit of Allah -> Ruh-Allah....
Maryam( Mary) in ISLAM – An icon of sincerity, piety, purity and devotion to God
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Then came the time when the angels said: 'O Mary! Behold, Allah has chosen you, and made you pure, and exalted you above all the women in the world. (Quran Surah Al-Imran 3:42)
You may be surprised to learn that Muslims love and honour Mary, the mother of Jesus (peace be upon them both). In fact, when naming the best woman to ever live, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) named Mary, known as Maryam in Arabic, as the best woman to ever live!
In the Quran, there is without a doubt no woman that is given more attention than Maryam. She is mentioned 34 times in the Quran and there is an entire chapter dedicated to her and her history, Chapter 19 entitled Maryam. As a matter of fact, Maryam is mentioned more times in the Quran than in the entire New Testament, and there is more information about her life contained in the Quran than in the New Testament.
Muslims aim to completely submit themselves to the will of God, and Maryam is the prime example of this. She showed complete submission to God even when it meant that her own family would accuse her of being unchaste when they discovered she was pregnant (Quran 19:16-21). This demonstrates Maryam's complete devotion to God, and highlights to us her intense spirituality and piety. Maryam was able to completely submit herself to God, showing that she was a true "Muslim", as the word "Muslim" means one who submits.
The virtues, moral excellence and high status of Maryam are detailed in the Quran, and she is presented as an example to all humankind. Maryam is arguably the most outstanding character in Islamic history, and as a woman, she is an example for women in all aspects of their lives. Her sincerity, piety, purity and devotion to God the All Mighty are qualities that all Muslims aspire to.
So it must be understood that Maryam holds one of the most honoured positions in the hearts of Muslims of all times and places.
-:Please read:-Chapter Introduction to Surah # 19 Maryam
Peace
Merry Christmas
Sabeeha Kazmi
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On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 7:49 PM, Sue Melton wrote:
All,
I agree totally with Mike. In fact, we in Unity are closer to the Muslim faith than the more orthodox Christians. Many of them denounce Unity or any new age thinking as heresy. To get a really diverse group of believers and a chance to discuss the differences in any area such as the Trinity, we really need more than just these two groups represented, at least after a while. I believe, however, that all of us (or most) come from and are familiar with the more fundamental approach to Christianity. That can, of course, add perspective to our discussions as we are seeing the differences and similarities.
Blessings,
Sue
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 3:54 PM
Subject: Faith Club Meeting - The Trinity
Mike, I very much liked your comments below - thanks for sharing them with the group. With your permission, I will borrow your last statement - Let all systems manifest into a better world.
Have a blessed holiday. Marylou
In a message dated 12/22/08 3:18:52 PM, MikeGhouse writes:
Marylou,
I have been swamped with upcoming program "II Annual reflections on Holocaust and Genocides" and I am attaching the draft for your action..." about participation item in the letter.
And am pleased to share a few notes on your comments;
Jesus is one of my mentors, meaning I think about him often when we are going through issues of forgiveness and inclusiveness. He is a role model for me.
All spiritual paths should be respected, even if we don't agree with them; Agree with this statement and like to add that our beliefs are merely tempered and conditioned as we learn and focus on the path. I feel fairly comfortable, if you and I had the exposure to any one of the paths, we would have had the opportunity of taking that path. Faith does not have rhyme or reason for one to consider, it is purely what appeals to the heart.
I am very certain that if we raise each other's grand children or friends children in our traditions, they would grow up to believe what we have taught them. So which one is the right belief then, yours or mine? Both are, because simply they are beliefs. I do not see anything wrong if one believes in Trinity or Unity...as long as that belief turns us into a good human being that will stand the test of 9 things you have identified.
I believe the heavy focus on singular God in Islam and Judaism to give clarity and resoluteness to one's belief, beyond confusion and beyond doubt. However, it does not mean that those who are Trinitarians they are any less resolute and clear.
Claiming exclusivity or superiority of one belief over the other amounts to arrogance, and arrogance is the root cause of all conflicts, chaos, mayhem and wars. I do believe (belief again) God has not personally signed any deal with any one behind other’s backs, if he (she or it) did that, then he would be wrong, but God cannot be wrong so he did not sign.
Let all systems manifest into a better world.
Mike Ghouse
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