Thank you for this letter. Sometimes we can look to the past when we need a moral guide to our future. I think it's a wonderful model for how we can treat each other with respect and dignity, this is so needed now!
This is an interesting post and I'm glad I could read it! However, I am curious--why is there a (sa) after each mention Muhammad's name? I think it's a respect thing but I don't want to assume!
You're exactly right! I'll do a post on the lingo soon. It's the abbreviation of an arabic prayer which translates to "may peace and blessings of God be upon him." It's said after all prophets of God. After Jesus (as), Moses (as), Abraham (as), etc you'll see the "as" which is again an abbreviation for an arabic prayer that means "on whom be peace."
Thank you for the explanation! I love that you mentioned Jesus, because my spotty knowledge tells me that Jesus actually IS a prophet of Islam--just one of many.
Not a special number per se. But a general understanding of how many prophets God has sent. Islam teaches that every people on Earth were sent prophets, not just in the Middle East.
Considering how often anti-Muslim talking points go on about how there is no freedom of religion under Islam, it is striking to read Muhammad's own words endorsing respect for their Christian neighbors. I'm also embarrassed to admit I did not realize that original writings from Muhammad were still in existence - that's truly remarkable!
IKR? Going back to when Spain was a predominantly Muslim country, Christians and Jews were free to live there, paying higher taxes. There was no religious infighting until the Reconquista - when the Catholics took over the country.
The higher taxes were to compensate for the fact that Muslims must pay the zakat. But, so far as Egypt went, and that's my area, the Muslims discouraged Christians and Jews to revert to Islam because their taxes went to government, while the zakat went to charity and religious purposes.
Always looked for someone unbiased that can tell me what the Quran really says. Instead of the "christian" fundamentalists or the Taliban or ISIS. I've learned abit from a muslim friend in Bangladesh. I find more similarities than differences.
I recommend if you have further questions to join livestreams of a YouTuber that goes by the name “Muslim Lantern” he is adept at Abrahamic theology and can answer any additional questions you may have
This is a heartbreaking but inspirational reminder that Palestine has been an example of religious harmony for hundreds of years, between Christian, Muslim and Jewish peoples- until the Zionists showed up!
Sadly, while Jesus and Muhammad both brought a message of love, their followers have not always lived in accordance with that message. I wish that modern Christians and Muslims would do more to realign their members to the message. At least Qasim is doing his part.
Thank you for this. There is too much misunderstanding among the people of the three Abrahamic faiths. I hope your sharing of the Prophet’s letter (pbuh) opens peoples’ hearts and minds to each other.
It is always good to read a reminder of what a just man was the Messenger. He was reputed to be such when he attracted the attention of Khadija. Before the revelations.
When I was in Afghanistan during the war, there was a marvelous humble young man that I respected a great deal who helped us in the clinic.
In the evening, we often did not have electricity so we would light candles and sit together reading scriptures --he his Quran(sp?) and I the Christian Bible.
Although my spiritual path has changed, those times with him are precious to me.
Two people, looking for truth and a spiritual life in different ways, sharing time together.
It's really all the same, isn't it? The desire of the seeker to find deeper meaning in life.
That time with him had a sense of holiness to it I often hadn't felt in church services.
Hadn't thought about that in years.
Again, thank you for sharing your life experience and knowledge with us.
Thank you for the post. I often ask my Muslim brethren to become a good human being first, if they want to be good Muslims. Most of them do not understand what I meant.
Anyways, can you post a link to the original Arabic text? I have trust issues with translations, especially if it involves Arabic.
I suspect that most Americans raised in Christian households have never even heard of this letter's existence, much less its message. Our ignorance is tragic, but not really surprising in hindsight.
Our US culture today seems so lacking in the virtues underlying the covenants of which the Prophet writes. Raised in the Catholic tradition myself, I find this letter incredibly uplifting. Few figures in history, religious or other, command the type of ardent following of Mohammed or Christ, and this document helps explain why. Thank you for sharing.
That is really beautiful. My Muslim friends tell me the Muslim faith is incredibly wise, beautiful, and peace-loving — even those who don’t practice it anymore.
Thank you for this letter. Sometimes we can look to the past when we need a moral guide to our future. I think it's a wonderful model for how we can treat each other with respect and dignity, this is so needed now!
Thanks for reading, and yes, I agree this can be a model if we choose to follow it -- basic humanity and respect go a long way.
This is an interesting post and I'm glad I could read it! However, I am curious--why is there a (sa) after each mention Muhammad's name? I think it's a respect thing but I don't want to assume!
You're exactly right! I'll do a post on the lingo soon. It's the abbreviation of an arabic prayer which translates to "may peace and blessings of God be upon him." It's said after all prophets of God. After Jesus (as), Moses (as), Abraham (as), etc you'll see the "as" which is again an abbreviation for an arabic prayer that means "on whom be peace."
Thank you for the explanation! I love that you mentioned Jesus, because my spotty knowledge tells me that Jesus actually IS a prophet of Islam--just one of many.
1 of 120,000!
Is that a special number in Islam or are you saying that there are a large number of prophets?
Not a special number per se. But a general understanding of how many prophets God has sent. Islam teaches that every people on Earth were sent prophets, not just in the Middle East.
This is education that is •sorely• needed these days! Thank you for all this!
Considering how often anti-Muslim talking points go on about how there is no freedom of religion under Islam, it is striking to read Muhammad's own words endorsing respect for their Christian neighbors. I'm also embarrassed to admit I did not realize that original writings from Muhammad were still in existence - that's truly remarkable!
We are all on a journey of knowledge! I appreciate your commitment ❤️✊🏽
IKR? Going back to when Spain was a predominantly Muslim country, Christians and Jews were free to live there, paying higher taxes. There was no religious infighting until the Reconquista - when the Catholics took over the country.
The higher taxes were to compensate for the fact that Muslims must pay the zakat. But, so far as Egypt went, and that's my area, the Muslims discouraged Christians and Jews to revert to Islam because their taxes went to government, while the zakat went to charity and religious purposes.
Thanks for the info!
Always looked for someone unbiased that can tell me what the Quran really says. Instead of the "christian" fundamentalists or the Taliban or ISIS. I've learned abit from a muslim friend in Bangladesh. I find more similarities than differences.
I'll be writing more about the Qur'an in the coming weeks and months. Welcome your input.
I recommend if you have further questions to join livestreams of a YouTuber that goes by the name “Muslim Lantern” he is adept at Abrahamic theology and can answer any additional questions you may have
Thank you, will check it out.
Me, too. One of these days I’ll read it.
Thank you for sharing this letter. Too many Americans remain ignorant that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths.
Amen to that. And thank you for reading, Laura.
This is a heartbreaking but inspirational reminder that Palestine has been an example of religious harmony for hundreds of years, between Christian, Muslim and Jewish peoples- until the Zionists showed up!
That's exactly right.
Sadly, while Jesus and Muhammad both brought a message of love, their followers have not always lived in accordance with that message. I wish that modern Christians and Muslims would do more to realign their members to the message. At least Qasim is doing his part.
yes well said, followers of both prophets have left much to be desired.
Thank you for this. There is too much misunderstanding among the people of the three Abrahamic faiths. I hope your sharing of the Prophet’s letter (pbuh) opens peoples’ hearts and minds to each other.
Thank you Alia
It is always good to read a reminder of what a just man was the Messenger. He was reputed to be such when he attracted the attention of Khadija. Before the revelations.
Well said, Brian. Thank you.
A beautiful letter…
When I was in Afghanistan during the war, there was a marvelous humble young man that I respected a great deal who helped us in the clinic.
In the evening, we often did not have electricity so we would light candles and sit together reading scriptures --he his Quran(sp?) and I the Christian Bible.
Although my spiritual path has changed, those times with him are precious to me.
Two people, looking for truth and a spiritual life in different ways, sharing time together.
It's really all the same, isn't it? The desire of the seeker to find deeper meaning in life.
That time with him had a sense of holiness to it I often hadn't felt in church services.
Hadn't thought about that in years.
Again, thank you for sharing your life experience and knowledge with us.
Thank you for the post. I often ask my Muslim brethren to become a good human being first, if they want to be good Muslims. Most of them do not understand what I meant.
Anyways, can you post a link to the original Arabic text? I have trust issues with translations, especially if it involves Arabic.
Irfan I agree. Even the Wikipedia translation is confusing. I would prefer to use a direct translation of the original Arabic.
I suspect that most Americans raised in Christian households have never even heard of this letter's existence, much less its message. Our ignorance is tragic, but not really surprising in hindsight.
Our US culture today seems so lacking in the virtues underlying the covenants of which the Prophet writes. Raised in the Catholic tradition myself, I find this letter incredibly uplifting. Few figures in history, religious or other, command the type of ardent following of Mohammed or Christ, and this document helps explain why. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this and the previous post on the 10 rules of war.
It seems ignorance and therefore fear is largely responsible for our difficulties and of course this means they are of our imaginings.
That is really beautiful. My Muslim friends tell me the Muslim faith is incredibly wise, beautiful, and peace-loving — even those who don’t practice it anymore.
❤️✊🏽