You are on page 1of 56

What are the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil?

Introduction I. The Muslim Understanding of the 3 Holy Books. A. Some Say Tawrat equals the Pentateuch B. Some Say Tawrat equals the Old Testament C. Some Say Tawrat equals a Lost Book D. Some Say Injil equals a Lost Book E. Some Say Injil equals the Gospels of New Testament F. Some Say Injil equals the New Testament: G. All (?) Say Zabur equals the Psalms of Hazrat Dawud (David) H. Some Say Tawrat, Zabur and Injil equals the Bible II. The Koran's Testimony about the Previous Scriptures. A. The Tawrat B. The Zabur C. The Injil D. Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil together E. Other Prophetic Voices F. Conclusions III. The Testimony of the New Testament: A. "Law" (i.e. Torah or Tawrat) as the entire Old Testament. B. "Prophets" as generic for any part or all of Old Testament. C. "Law" and "Prophets" used for the total Old Testament Revelation. D. One Remarkable Statement. The Hebrew Old Testament Arrangement E. Conclusions. IV. The Interval Between the Giving of the Injil and the Koran. A. The Law: B. The Prophets: C. The Psalms: D. The Gospel:

Summary

What are the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil?


Introduction It is common knowledge that Muslims recognize four remaining holy books out of a total of 104 revelations, of which 100 are missing. Although Muslims are often taught that the 3 remaining books previous to the Koran have been altered, still, Muslims for the most part, respect those 3 holy books. The 3 holy books are known as the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil. This paper will not deal with the Muslim belief in abrogation of previous scriptures, nor will it major on the Muslim belief in the corruption of the scriptures by Jews and Christians. The purpose of this paper is to examine the various opinions held regarding these 3 holy books. How did they come up with that understanding? Let it be stated here that this author has confidence that the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil extant today amongst Jews and Christians (i.e. the Holy Bible), are the same as those books originally given by almighty Allah. Muslim belief about the previous holy books has been in part shaped by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s interaction with Jews and Christians of his time. Some of these Jews and Christians were his earlier converts. The prophet's first wife, Khadijah was known as a Christian before converting to Islam, as was her cousin Waraka (or Warqa), who was considered a serious Bible student and perhaps even a translator of Scripture. So it would be beneficial to try to understand exactly what the Koran says about those holy books, and also what Jews and Christians of that time would have thought about the books. In doing this, we will also look at the holy Injil's use of various titles for different Scriptures. I. The Muslim Understanding of the 3 Holy Books. General Muslim understanding today of the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil, is somewhat simplistic. Each is thought to be a revelation in the form of a written book that was given through Hazrat Musa, Dawud, and Isa (peace be upon them) respectively. But there is some divergence of opinion: A. Some Say Tawrat equals the Pentateuch: Three sections of the Bible are cited by the Koran as being Divinely revealed: the Pentateuch, or Books of Moses (Tawrat); the Psalms of David (Zabur); and the Gospels of Jesus (Injil) (Glasse, The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, pg. 72.) B. Some Say Tawrat equals the Old Testament: Others however, would say that the Tawrat is more or less the entire revelation given to the Jews: The religious dissociation of Abraham and other religious personalities from the main body of Jews and Christians was an inevitable consequence of two strands among Jews and Christians. The Qur'an continuously praises the one strand, and condemns the other, e.g.,

'From among them (i.e., the People of the Book) there is an upright group but most of them perpetrate misdeeds' (V, 66). They were asked to live up to the Torah and the Evangel (V, 68), but, like the proprietors of all organized religious traditions, Jews and Christians quarrelled among themselves and each claimed that the keys of salvation were firmly in their exclusive grasp: 'The Jews say the Christians have nothing to stand on and the Christians say the Jews have nothing to stand on, and they both read the Book' (II, 120). (Fazlur Rahman, Islam, pg. 27) It may be inferred from the preceding quote from Fazlur Rahman that the Scriptures of the Jews and Christians may be summed up in the words Torah (or Tawrat) and Evangel (or Injil), i.e. the Old Testament and the New Testament. This thinking is partly due to the Koran's own testimony, more of which will be seen later. The same belief is expressed by A.J. Arberry, noted English Muslim in his introduction to his translation of the Koran: In many passages it is stated that the Koran had been sent down 'confirming what was before it', by which was meant the Torah and the Gospel; the contents of the Jewish and Christian scriptures, excepting such falsifications as had been introduced into them, were therefore taken as true and known. (Arberry, The Koran Interpreted, pg. xi.) C. Some Say Tawrat equals a Lost Book: Abdullah Yusuf Ali seems to equate the Tawrat with the Old Testament, "Vaguely we may say that it was the Jewish Scripture." (Ali, The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary, pg. 282.) However, because of his belief in the corruption of the Bible, there are qualifiers: But it was lost before Islam was preached. What passed as "The Law" with the Jews in the Apostle's time was the mass of traditional writing which I have tried to review in this Appendix. (Ali, Ibid., pg. 285.) The "mass of traditional writing" to which he refers is the Talmud (Ali, Ibid., pg. 284.) (see section on Interval Between Christ and Muhammad for more). So in Ali's opinion, the Tawrat no longer exists. D. Some Say Injil equals a Lost Book: Regarding the Injil, the same divergence of opinion is true. This divergence however, is only variations of the same theme. The "same theme" is this, the Injil has been corrupted. Some holding this belief vehemently, say that the Injil is no longer extant, and that today's New Testament bears little, if any, resemblance to the original Injil:: The Injil (Greek, Evangel=Gospel) spoken of by the Qur'an is not the New Testament. It is not the four Gospels now received as canonical. It is the single Gospel which, Islam teaches, was revealed to Jesus, and which he taught. Fragments of it survive in the received canonical Gospels and in some others, of which traces survive (e.g., the Gospel of Childhood or the Nativity, the Gospel of St.Barnabas, etc.). (Ali, Ibid., pg. 287.) E. Some Say Injil equals the Gospels of New Testament: Toward the other end of the spectrum is Cyril Glasse, a western Muslim scholar. He uses three different names for the Injil interchangeably, Gospels of Jesus, the Gospel, and New Testament::

Three sections of the Bible are cited by the Koran as being Divinely revealed: the Pentateuch, or Books of Moses (Tawrat); the Psalms of David (Zabur); and the Gospels of Jesus (Injil)... However, the Gospels and Psalms have found no place in an Islamic canon and their contents are mostly ignored and unknown to Muslims. Moreover, the Gospel poses particular difficulties in Islam. Leaving aside the distinction between direct revelation from God, which is the case of the Koran (in Arabic tanzil, which corresponds to sruti in Sanskrit), and secondary inspiration (in Arabic ilham, the equivalent of smrti in Sanskrit), which is the case of the Gospels, the Christian Gospel clashes with Islamic understanding of doctrine on several points, most importantly regarding the nature of Jesus... Muslims believe that the New Testament as used by Christians is incorrect and has, somehow, been falsified. (Glasse, Ibid., pg. 72.). So there is divergence, but it is only a matter of degree. Because of supposed corruption, some Muslims refuse to accept the New Testament as the Injil. F. Some Say Injil equals the New Testament: Some, despite supposed corruption, do identify the two as one and the same. Hughes made an interesting comment along this line back in 1885: Injil is used in the Qur'an, and in the Traditions, and in all Muhammadan theological works of an early date, for the revelations made by God to Jesus. But in recent works it is applied by Muhammadans to the New Testament. (Hughes, Dictionary of Islam, pg. 211.) For some Muslims it is difficult to conceive of the fact that Hazrat Isa (pbuh) did not speak or write the Injil. A multiplicity of authors for the various New Testament books is a new concept to them. G. All (?) Say Zabur equals the Psalms of Hazrat Dawud (David): The Zabur or Psalms, does not seem to be a big issue. Except for the comment by Cyril Glasse above about the Psalms, very little is said or discussed about this matter. H. Some Say Tawrat, Zabur and Injil equals the Bible: To top this all off, reference must be made to Abd-al-Rahman Azzam, respected Muslim leader and founder of the Arab League, as well as one who was instrumental in steering Malcolm X towards a more orthodox Islam: The Imam Ibn-al-Qayyim said, "God (may He be praised and glorified) sent His messengers and revealed His books that people may measure with the justice on which Heaven and earth have dwelt." (Azzam, The Eternal Message of Muhammad, pg. 102.) In commenting on this quote, Azzam says, "By books is meant the ones revealed by God: the Bible, the Koran." (Azzam, Ibid., pg. 102n.) Azzam equated the other three heavenly books with none other than today's Holy Bible. II. The Koran's Testimony about the Previous Scriptures. A. The Tawrat.

The term Tawrat is simply the Arabic equivalent for the Hebrew Torah, normally understood as the law of Moses (Hazrat Musa). The Koran gives abundant testimony to the Tawrat, so much so, that it is mentioned more than any other part of the Bible: It was We who revealed the Law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the Prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to God's Will, by the Rabbis and the Doctors of Law: For to them was entrusted the protection of God's Book, and they were witnesses thereto: Therefore fear not men, but fear Me, and sell not my Signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what God hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers. We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.".... (surah 5:47,48a) From this quotation it can be seen that the holy Koran highly esteems the Tawrat ("guidance and light"), and as having been revealed by Allah. Also a quotation from the Tawrat is given, which seems to be from Exodus 21:23-25, But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. (Ex. 21:23-25) In al-Koran it sometimes appears that the term Tawrat refers not only to the books of Hazrat Musa (pbuh), but to the entire Hebrew Scriptures, especially in verses that mention the Tawrat and Injil together: He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel (3:3, Pickthall) Ye People of the Book! Why dispute ye about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding? (surah 3:65) Three "people of the book" are in view in these verses -- Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Their respective "books" in a nutshell are the Tawrat, Injil, and Koran. The second verse mentions only two, but implies Muslims, whom the others should emulate. This particular understanding of Tawrat is borne out in the Hadith : Abu Harairah said: When the Prophet (may peace be upon him) went to his bed, he used to say: O God! Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, Lord of everything, Who splittest the grain and the kernel, Who hast sent down the Torah, the Injil and the Qur'an, I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of every evil agent whose forelock thou seizest...(Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 3, pg. 1403.) Of course, the prophet knew that the Zabur had also been sent down, but perhaps in his thinking he was including it under the Tawrat, i.e. the Jewish Scriptures. Another tradition makes an apparent quote from the Tawrat, a prophecy regarding the Prophet: Ka'b, quoting the Torah, said we find written, "Muhammad God's messenger, My chosen servant, is not rough, or coarse, or loud-voiced in the streets, he does not requite evil with evil, but forgives and pardons. His birthplace will be in Mecca, his place of emigration in Taiba, his kingdom in Syria, and his people will be those who are devoted to praising, who praise God in prosperity and adversity, who praise God in every alighting-place, who declare God's greatness on every rising ground, who watch for the sun and observe the prayer when its time comes, who tie their lower garments round their middle, who perform ablution at their extremities, who crier summons in the open air, who

are the same in fighting as they are in prayer, who make a low sound at night like the buzzing of bees." (Mishkat Al-Masabih, vol. 2, pg. 1237.) The section in bold-type is of interest because of its parallel to Isaiah 42:1-4: Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. The rest of the quote from the Hadith claims to come from the Tawrat as well. If you compare with the rest of Isaiah 42, you do seem some parallels. For example, Isa. 42:11 speaks of the "desert" and "Kedar", probably being the Arabian desert and the territory of Haidar (Kedar), the forefather of the Prophet (pbuh). As well, Isa. 42:10-12 speak of a lot of people praising God, many of whom live in the Arabian desert. Now back to the real point of all this... This tradition refers to the book of Isaiah as being part of the Tawrat, backing up the idea of the Tawrat sometimes being used to refer to the entire Hebrew Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament. B. The Zabur. This term "Zabur" is the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew zimra, translated in the King James Version as "psalm" in Ps. 81:2 and 98:5. The Hebrew word has the meaning "song, music", as in Ex. 15:2, "The Lord is my strength and song". It along with zamir (song) and mizmor (psalm) is a derivative of zamar , meaning "sing, sing praise, make music". (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, vol. 1, pg. 245.) In the Koran, the Zabur is mentioned by name only three times: ...And to David We gave the Psalms. (surah 4:163) And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some Prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms. (surah 17:55) Before this We wrote in the Psalms, after the Message (given to Moses): "My servants, the righteous, shall inherit the earth." (surah 21:105) The last reference is of interest because of the quotation from Psalm 37:29 which says, "the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever." Many Muslims scholars think that it also has reference to Exodus 32:13, "...it will be their inheritance forever." Well-known Christian apologist, C. G. Pfander went as far to say that al-Koran's reference to the Psalms is actually a reference to the third division of the Hebrew Scriptures, known as the Writings or Kethubim: "as it begins with the Psalms, it is so styled in the Gospel (Luke 24:44) and in the Qur'an alike". (The Balance of Truth, pg. 51.) C. The Injil. "Injil" is Arabic for euaggelion in Greek, evangel or gospel in English. The term occurs twelve times in the holy Koran:

We sent after them Jesus son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. (surah 57:27) This particular reference is of interest for several reasons. First, it states that Hazrat Isa was given the Gospel by God, from which Muslims infer that the real Gospel (i.e. real New Testament) came from the mouth and pen of the prophet Isa. Second, as an aside, God made Christians to have two distinctive qualities -- compassion and mercy. It is reminicent of the heading of most surahs of the Koran, and the common formula for blessing and beginning any good work: Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, "In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful". It seems that Christians are said to have the character of Allah! What a testimony the holy Koran gives regarding followers of Hazrat Isa! Third, this verse is the only one out of twelve specific mentions of the Injil or Gospel in the Koran that does not also mention the Tawrat (Law). The Injil is almost always coupled with the Tawrat (see also 3:3, 48, 65; 9:111; 5:49, 50, 69, 71, 113): Muhammad is the Apostle of God; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from God and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Tawrat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: Like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight... (surah 48:29) The verse states that the Prophet's Companions were a mixture of humililty and strength. Strong against enemies of God, humble toward God and other believers. It says that their humble prostration in prayer is like that found in the Tawrat (cp. Numbers 16:22, "Moses and Aaron fell facedown..."). Then it says that the strength and victory of Muslims is like that spoken of in the Gospel, apparently referring to the parables of Isa: ...A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain -- first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head... ...like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade. (Mark 4:26-28, 31-32) The group of Muslims started off small but grew quickly to become an international force. However, the main point we need to see is that this is one of ten Koranic references which couple the Law and the Gospel closely together, implying that the totality of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures can be summed up in the phrase "the Law and the Gospel". One more example: Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. (surah 7:157, Pickthall) Another interesting verse. It states that the coming of the Prophet is prophesied in the Book of the Jews, and in the Book of the Christians. From the Torah, Muslims usually refer to Deut. 18:15 as indicating Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), The Lord you God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. (Dt. 18:15)

It is explained that only Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) qualifies to fulfill this because the phrase, "from among your own brothers" is taken to mean "from among those who are brothers to you Jews, that is, Ishmaelites for example". They see it as significant that the Prophet was not a Jew. As far as Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) being prophesied in the Injil goes, it is helpful to look at another Koranic verse: And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of God (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." (surah 61:6) This verse does not have the word Injil or Gospel but it does give the idea that news of the coming of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) is in the Injil. This verse also reinforces the "law and gospel" couplet pattern in the Koran. Muslim scholars look to an emended version of verses in John's Gospel to support this Koranic statement: "Ahmad", or "Muhammad", the Praised One, is almost a translation of the Greek word Periclytos. In the present Gospel of John, xiv. 16, xv. 26, and xvi. 7, the word "Comforter" in the English version is for the Greek word "Paracletos", which means "Advocate", "one called to the help of another, a kind friend", rather than "Comforter". Our doctors contend that Paracletos is a corrupt reading for Periclytos, and that in their original saying of Jesus there was a prophecy of our holy Prophet Ahmad by name. Even if we read Paraclete, it would apply to the holy Prophet, who is "a Mercy for all creatures" (xxi. 107) and "most kind and merciful to the Believers" (ix. 128). (Ali, Ibid., pg. 1540, footnote.) Muhammad often addresses Christians in the Koran, such as, Let the People of the Gospel judge by what God hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what God hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. (surah 5:50) Christian leader Michael Nazir-Ali in commenting on the preceding ayat makes an observation which is perhaps worth as much as everything else that has been said: The point here is not what Muhammad [pbuh]thought the Injil to be...but what in fact it was at his time. He is, in the above passage, exhorting the Christians of his day to look into the Injil for guidance. Now, if these Christians had responded to such an exhortation and had looked into their Injil or evangel into what would they have looked? The answer is quite obvious: They would have looked into their New Testament (which is also ours)...(Nazer-Ali, Islam: A Christian Perspective, pg. 14.) D. Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil together. Nowhere in the Koran are these three books mentioned together. They are not even mentioned within the same surah. To find all three together, you have to go to the Hadith,: Abu Huraira told that when God's messenger once asked Ubayy b. Ka'b how he recited in the course of the prayer and he recited Umm al-Qur'an [the first surah of the Koran], he said, "By Him in whose hand my soul is, nothing like it has been sent down in the Torah, the Injil, the Zabur, or the Qur'an, and it is seven of the oft-repeated verses and the mighty Qur'an which I have been given." (Mishkat Al-Masabih, pg. 454.)

This tradition neatly encapsulates the Muslim belief in four heavenly books. The Koran mentions no other such heavenly books, but it does mention biblical prophets who are not contained in the Pentateuch, Psalms, or New Testament. E. Other Prophetic Voices. Biblical prophets who fall outside the pale of the three accepted books of the Bible and yet are mentioned in the Koran are, Job (4:163), Elijah (6:86), Elisha (6:87), Solomon (2:102), Jonah (4:163), Ezekiel [or possibly Isaiah] (21:85), and Ezra (9:30). In addition, there are other non-prophet biblical characters mentioned such as Goliath (2:251), Korah (28:76ff), King Saul (2:247ff), and the Queen of Sheba (27:22). All this serves to indicate that the names Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil, cover more than those Scriptures given through Hazrat Musa, Dawud, and Isa (pbut). It is in fact, a strong argument that the whole of the Holy Bible is indicated by these three titles. The argument strengthens a little when you read verses like these, Say (O Muslims): We believe in God and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. (surah 2:136) This verse leaves open the possibility of other Scripture which is not included in the Tawrat and the Injil. Surely more must be intended than just the Zabur and the Koran? There are other verses also: If only they [i.e. the People of the Book] had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. (surah 5:69) Say: "O People of the Book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." (surah 5:71) Some Muslim scholars take the bold phrases (my doing) to refer only to the Koran. Some however, seem to be unsure and lack dogmatism. Certainly, at least the Zabur must be included here, and perhaps other writings. Other verses showing a wider field of revelations are 5:113 and 3:48. They are almost identical in content, speaking of how God would teach Hazrat Isa. Surah 3:48 is given here: And He [God] will teach him [Isa] the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel. (surah 3:48, Pickthall) Torah is clear, and so is Gospel, but what is meant by "the Scripture"? Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi seems to represent the safe and common position, "the revealed Books in general". (Tafsir-ul Qur'an, vol. 1, pg. 227.) The word for "Scripture" in Arabic furnishes no clues because it is al-kitab, the generic word used for any holy book including the Koran. But since it is so generic, perhaps we could say the Scripture includes the writings which speak of Elijah (Hazrat Ilyas), Elisha (Al-Yasa), Ezekiel (Dhul-Kifl or Hizkil), Jonah (Hazrat Yunus), etc. However, these could also be comprehended in a more general understanding of Tawrat to signify "the Jewish Scriptures", including the Tawrat proper, the Psalms and writings, and the Prophets.

We did aforetime grant to the Children of Israel the Book, the Power of Command, and Prophethood; We gave them, for Sustenance, things good and pure; and We favoured them above the nations. (surah 45:16) Abdullah Yusuf Ali comments on this verse in this way: Israel had the Revelation given through Moses, the power of judgment and command through the Kingdom of David and Solomon, and numerous prophetic warnings through such men as Isaiah and Jeremiah.. (Ali, Ibid., pg. 1358.). He seems to recognize the words of Isaiah and Jeremiah as legitimate prophecy from God. This is remarkable in view of the fact that such prophets are mentioned neither in the Koran nor the Hadith.. A Hadith of great importance shows that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) attributed wahi (Divine Inspiration) to at least one of the Apostle Paul's writings: Abu Huraira told that after God's messenger had stated that God most high has said, "I have prepared for my upright servants what eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man," he added, "Recite, if you wish, 'No soul knows what comfort has been concealed for them'." (Bukhari and Muslim) This is quite close to what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor. 2:9) The quoted Hadith closely follows Paul's wording. To top it off, it says that God most high said this! Then the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) must have thought 1 Corinthians was part of God's Word, as part of the Injil. Though many Hadith are admittedly unreliable, this one (like all mentioned in this paper) are of high authority and considered trustworthy. This one gets a double portion, being found in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. F. Conclusions. In al-Koran, Tawrat can refer to the law of Moses or the entire Old Testament revelation, depending on the context. The Zabur is at least the Psalms of David, but perhaps equivalent to the Kethubim., the third division of the Hebrew Bible. The Koran does not militate against such an interpretation. The Injil is that revelation given to the Christians, i.e. the New Testament. From the Koran's testimony we learn that in addition to the 3 previous holy books, there are other prophets who may have been given written revelation from God. The Hadith help define the previous holy books to be exactly three, but show us also that an unnamed prophet might make contribution to a holy book (i.e. the apostle Paul contributed to the Injil). III. The Testimony of the New Testament: A. "Law" (i.e. Torah or Tawrat) as the entire Old Testament. The Injil uses several terms to designate the Old Testament books, the most generic one being "Scriptures". But second to it possibly is the way "law" is used many times:

Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'? (Jn. 10:34) Hazrat Isa Masih quotes Psalm 82:6 and says it is in their "law", that is, the Old Testament. The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'? (Jn. 12:34) It is interesting that of all the possible Old Testament cross-references that the NIV Study Bible gives for this verse, not one of them is from the Pentateuch. "Law" is again being used in a wider sense than the law of Moses. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' (Jn. 15:25) Again, Hazrat Isa quotes the Psalms and calls it the "law". But just so no one can say that this usage only occurs in John: I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matt. 5:18) That this usage refers to the entire Old Testament is borne out by two things: 1. Matt.5:17, the previous verse says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets...". The second reference to Law in verse 18 calls back not only to Moses' law, but also the "Prophets"; 2. Reason tells us that Jesus would be saying that nothing in any of the previous revelations would be deleted or abrogated. Rather, they would all be fulfilled. So, "law" must refer to the whole of the Old Testament. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. (Romans 3:19) This statement by Paul puts words in the mouth of the "law". What words? The words found previous to this verse in Romans 3:10-18, after "As it is written". The familiar gospel verses are quoted from the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah, but not from the Pentateuch. Again, "law" is used of the entire Old Testament. In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord. (1 Cor. 14:21) This quote from the "law" is out of Isaiah 28:11,12. B. "Prophets" as generic for any part or all of Old Testament. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord you God will raise up for a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.' (Acts 3:18, 21,22) In this passage, it appears that even the law of Hazrat Musa is included as part of the "prophets". Other passages that indicate a more generic use are:

But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. (Mt. 26:56) When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots [that the word spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: "They divided my garments among themselves and cast lots for my clothing". (Mt. 27:35) He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago). (Luke 1:69,70) Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled." (Luke 18:31) All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43) The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. (Acts 13:27) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways. (Heb. 1:1) I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. (2 Pet. 3:2) The last two references very clearly point to the entire Old Testament revelation, as opposed to the New Testament revelation. That the "prophets" also includes the Hebrew Scriptures section, the "Writings" or Kethubim, is clear from Hazrat Isa's own designation of Daniel as a prophet (see Matt. 24:15), and Peter's testimony in Acts 2:30 concerning David that "he was a prophet". C. "Law" and "Prophets" used for the total Old Testament Revelation. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matt. 7:12) This couplet of "the Law and the Prophets" (or variations thereof) is found some fourteen times in the New Testament. See also Matt. 5:17; 11:13; 22:40; Luke 16:16, 29, 31; 24:27; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; 24:14; 26:22; 28:23; Rom. 3:21. The implication is obvious in every case that the phrase signifies the entirety of the Old Testament revelation. D. One Remarkable Statement. Just prior to his departure from this earth, Hazrat Isa (pbuh) said: This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. (Luke 24:44) This is the only such statement in all of the Bible, dividing the Old Testament into 3 sections: the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. It is a well known fact that the Jewish Bible is divided into 3 sections as well: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nebi'im), and the Writings (Kethubim), the Psalms being the first book in the Writings, as the chart shows.

The Hebrew Old Testament Arrangement Law (Torah) Prophets (Nebi'im) Writings (Kethubim) 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers A. Former Prophets A. Poetical Books 6. Joshua 7. Judges 8. Samuel B. Latter Prophets 10. Isaiah 11. Jeremiah 12. Ezekiel 13. The Twelve 14. Psalms 15. Proverbs 16. Job B. Five Rolls (Megilloth) 17. Song of Songs 18. Ruth 19. Lamentations 20. Ecclesiastes 21. Esther C. Historical Books 22. Daniel 23. Ezra-Nehemiah 24. Chronicles The preceding classification, with minor variations, is one that was settled before or by the fourth century A.D. in the Babylonian Talmud. The name "Writings" or Kethubim seems to be a title that came along later than the New Testament, even though the divisions themselves were in existence in New Testament times. However, it is apparent that the list of Kethubim was by no means fixed and rigid. The title of that section was also slow in coming as is indicated by the 2nd century B.C. reference to the Old Testament in the Prologue of Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus: ...my grandfather Jesus, when he had much given himself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books of our fathers, and had gotten therein good judgment, was drawn on also himself to write something pertaining to learning and wisdom... For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force in them: and not only these things, but the law itself, and the prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference, when they are spoken in their own language. (The Apocrypha according to the Authorised Version, pg. 94.) The ancient writer knew that there were 3 sections to the Old Testament, but he did not seem to know the name of the third section, if there was one. Hazrat Isa's only-one-time designation of Law, Prophets, and Psalms, may indicate that the third section was still lacking an accepted widely-known name in the 1st century A.D. However, this designation was used at least sometimes in the 1st century, else his disciples might have not understood what was being referred to: The three sections are also referred to, in the first century AD, by Philo (De Vita Contemplativa 25) and by Hazrat Isa Masih (Lk. 24:44), both of whom give the third section its earliest name of "the Psalms".

5. Deuteronomy 9. Kings

Hazrat Isa (pbuh) followed the order of books found in the Hebrew Bible in one sweeping statement, when he covered the contents of the entire Hebrew Old Testament, from the beginning book (Genesis 4), to the end (2 Chronicles 24:20-22): Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel [Habil]to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. (Luke 11:50-51) Naming this section of the Hebrew Bible after its first book, Psalms, is not without precedent among the Jews. The Hebrew title for Genesis took its name from the opening words in the book, as did the Hebrew titles for Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Lamentations. So it is natural for the unnamed collection of writings to be called by its first book, "Psalms". Many scholars take it for granted that what Hazrat Isa had in mind in saying "Law, Prophets, and Psalms" was in fact, the three divisions of the entire Old Testament canon. An interesting corroboration comes from Abdullah Yusuf Ali: The Jews divide their Scripture into three parts: (1) the Law (Torah), (2) the Prophets (Nebiim), and (3) the Writings (Kethubim). The corresponding Arabic words would be: (1) Tawrat, (2) Nabiyin, and (3) Kutub. This division was probably current in the time of Jesus. In Luke xxiv. 44 Jesus refers to the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms. (Ali, Ibid., pg. 283.). The ancient historian Josephus gives further evidence of the existence of the three-fold division in the first century, also similar to Hazrat Isa's "law, prophets, psalms" designation: For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another [as the Greeks have,] but only twenty-two books, which contain the records of all the past times; which are justly believed to be divine; and of them, five belong to Moses, which contain his laws, and the traditions of the origin of mankind till his death. This interval of time was little short of three thousand years; but as to the time from the death of Moses till the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, who reigned after Xerxes, the prophets, who were after Moses, wrote down what was done in their times in thirteen books. The remaining four books contain hymns to God, and precepts for the conduct of human life. (Josephus: Complete Works, pg. 609.) It is apparent that Josephus' breakdown (5+13+4=22) does not tally with the (5+8+11=24) scheme found in Hebrew Bibles today, but that is due to the unsettled arrangement/combination of books within the last two divisions during that time, and not due to a different accepted canon. There is an additional reason for Hazrat Isa (pbuh) and others identifying the third division with Hazrat Dawud's book, the Psalms: David Noel Freedman, "The Formation of the Canon of the Old Testament," in Religion and Law: Biblical-Judaic and Islamic Perspectives, ed. by Edwin B. Firmage, Bernard G. Weiss, and John W. Welch (Winona Lake IN: Eisenbrauns, 1990), pp. 320-321: The effort to rewrite or revise the classic history of Israel did not entirely succeed, but the Chronicler's work, ultimately supplemented by the memoirs of Ezra and Nehemiah, constituted the framework of a third cycle of literature in the canon. Such books as the Psalter, Proverbs, and others that could be associated with the house of David (for example, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes) were included, as well as those that dealt with the fortunes of the sacred city and its Temple (for example, Lamentations, and later, Daniel). Thus, the division of Zabur as the corpus belonging to David is not an unexpected category of the Old Testament canon. It does not, in and of itself, deny the existence of the Kethubim or even make it difficult to explain their association. Freedman's explanation also answers

questions regarding the separation of books like Chronicles, Ruth, and Daniel from the Prophets. When we look at the Old Testament canon in this fashion we find that the three divisions center around Moses, David, and the prophets. This is consistent with both the Islamic division and the New Testament division of the Old Testament canon. (letter from Dr. W. Barrick) Freedman's comments bear a remarkable similarity to the record found in 2 Maccabees 2:13, written sometime prior to 50 A.D.: The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts. (The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English.) The Greek of the LXX supports a translation along the lines of Nehemiah gathering books concerning "the kings and prophets, and that of David, and letters of kings concerning votive offerings" In Nehemiah's time, the canon/arrangement of the Pentateuch was settled, but the rest of the Old Testament canon was still in the process of being revealed and arranged. Interestingly enough, the writer of Maccabees mentions the gathering of literature which looks suspiciously like the last two sections of the Hebrew Old Testament as it was known during the first century; namely, the Prophets ("the kings and prophets", corresponding roughly to the former and latter prophets respectively), and the Psalms ("that of David"), or as later known, the Kethubim. One can only guess what scripture is signified by "letters of kings concerning votive offerings". Generally speaking, according to the above observations, the Kethubim would be primarily concerned with David (Hazrat Dawud), his lineage, or his city. Specifically speaking, however, where does the book of Job (Hazrat Ayub) fit into this scheme? Was it packaged with Hazrat Dawud because it was the only section of Scripture containing a significant amount of poetic/wisdom literature? One possibility is that as has been held by some, the author of the book Job, is none other than the son of David, Hazrat Sulayman (pbuh), linking the book with the house of David through authorship. Or perhaps there was a time in the early development of the Kethubim when Job was not included there but among the Prophets? Might this also explain why Josephus includes only four books in this section (perhaps Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs)? Anyway, these are questions that probably cannot be answered, seeing there seems to be no strong evidence to prove or disprove them. E. Conclusions. In the first century, the Old Testament Scriptures were known usually as the Law and the Prophets. Sometimes this was abbreviated to the Law. These Scriptures were also known by a threefold division, by the first century designated as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. IV. The Interval Between the Giving of the Injil and the Koran. The Jews continued to follow the three-fold division of the Hebrew Old Testament, whereas the church thought more in terms of the divisions originally given in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the books of Law, History, Poetry and Wisdom, Prophecy), and later adapted by the Latin Vulgate, and brought over to the order found in the present-day Bible we have in our hands. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had dealings with both Jews and Christians and learned something from each religion. He learned about the Law, the Psalms, the Gospel, and about many prophets. The mention of these four things could naturally lead to the three Jewish Old Testament divisions and the New Testament.

A. The Law: Christian leader Chrysostom (c. 354-407 A.D.) in his commentary on the Book of Galatians, makes a comment on Galatians 4:21 which verse says, "Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?" His comment reads, "It is the Book of Creation which he calls here the law, which name he often gives to the whole Old Testament." (Schaff, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church: First Series, vol. 8, pg. 33.) So "the Law" can be understood as the books of Moses, or as the entire Old Testament. B. The Prophets: Verses about the prophets and Prophethood abound in the Koran, but not one clear reference to the "book of the Prophets". This is not because the inspiration of the Old Testament prophets was not recognized. It has before been shown that the Old Testament prophets are recognized by Islam. C. The Psalms: There seems to be no direct evidence that the Jews in the Prophet's day knew the Kethubim also as the Psalms. It can only be assumed based on the practice of Jews in preceding centuries. It is clear that the accepted Hebrew canon before Hazrat Muhammad's time placed Psalms at the head of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and it is also clear that Hebrew Bibles today do the same. However, the Babylonian Talmud (pre-400 A.D.) places Ruth, not Psalms, at the head of the Kethubim: The oldest testimony of Jewish tradition about the order of the kethubim is furnished by the Babylonian Talmud. In the treatise Baba Bathra (14b) we find after the Prophets the series of the kethubim as follows: 'The order of the kethubim is: Ruth, and the Book of Psalms and Job and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and Lamentations, Daniel and the roll (megillath) of Esther, Ezra and Chronicles.' (Dhorme, A Commentary on the Book of Job, pg. vii.) Two things are worth noting here: 1, that the section is not called Psalms but Kethubim (Writings), and 2, that the first book is not Psalms, but Ruth. This may mean that the Zabur of seventh century Arabia was only the book of Psalms, but not necessarily. "The first five editions of the Hebrew Bible begin the Hagiographa [Kethubim] with Psalms, Proverbs, Job." (Dhorme, Ibid., pg. viii.). The Babylonian Talmud was not the only authority in Hebrew scriptural matters at the time (e.g. - the Palestinian Talmud), and obviously its authority has not carried through the years in this particular matter. So it is possible that Zabur stands for the Kethubim. This designation may have been used among Jews, but what about Christians? The church did not follow the Hebrew Bible divisions, seeing that their Bible was the Septuagint. What then did this term "the Psalms", or Zabur in Arabic, mean to the church? Tertullian, in the second century, tells us that the Christians were wont to sing Psalms at their agap, and that they were sung antiphonally. From the earliest times they formed an essential part of Divine Service. Hilary, Chrysostom, Augustine, all mention the use of the Psalms in the public service, and describe them, sometimes as being sung by the whole congregation, at others as being recited by one individual, who was followed by the rest. (Perowne, Commentary on the Psalms, 2 vol. in 1, pg. 23.)

To emphasize the importance that the early and medieval church placed on the Psalms, Van Espen's comment on a canon of the Second Council of Nice (787 A.D.) that "a Bishop must know the Psalter by heart" is in order, because of what it says about prior church history: And it should be noted that formerly not only the clergy, but also the lay people, learned the Psalms, that is the whole Psalter, by heart, and made a most sweet sound by chanting them while about their work. But as time went on, little by little, this pious custom of reciting the Psalter... slipped away to the clergy only and to monks and nuns...(Schaff & Wace, A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church: Second Series, vol. 14, pg. 556, 557.) It is no wonder that Gustav Oehler speaks of the Psalms as he does: The book of Psalms is, above all other portions of Old Testament Scripture, that which, from the first, has been most used by the Christian church, and which she has cherished as one of her noblest jewels. Just as the Lord himself, following the passover custom of his nation, at his last meal with his disciples sang the great Hallel out of the Psalms, Mat. xxvi. 30, so the apostle also, Col. iii. 16; Ep. v. 19, has exhorted the Christian community to edify itself out of the same. From this Israelitish book of song and prayer not only have the liturgies of the Christian church drawn many of their parts, but from it also has the sacred hymnology of the church itself proceeded. And how can we suitably express all the spiritual benefit which believers of all time have received from these songs? (Fairbairn, The Imperial BibleDictionary, vol. 5, pg. 334.) Of course, that statement holds true not only for the church, for as Perowne said, "the Psalter has been in the truest sense, the Prayer-book both of Jews and Christians." (Perowne, Ibid., pg. 22.) It appears from all this, that Arabic Christians would have understood Zabur to mean the book of Psalms, and that they treasured it. D. The Gospel: The Koran's way of calling the New Testament, "the Gospel" or Injil is something to be addressed. When the Koran mentions "the Gospel" is it referring to the New Testament or to another book? After all, Christians do not commonly call the New Testament by this name today. If it can be shown that this was a common title (used by Christians) for the New Testament before and/or during the time of Muhammad, then it can be argued that the Koran is actually referring to the New Testament as it is known today. One strong argument for identifying the Injil with the New Testament is the word Injil itself. This word found its way into the Koran ultimately from the New Testament. Christians would have been heard to use the word gospel quite regularly. Jews would not have used it much, and neither would Arabian idol-worshippers. Where did Christians get the word from? The New Testament, of course. The word euaggelion occurs some 77 times in the New Testament, and euaggelizw/euaggelizomai some 55 times. Injil or gospel is a New Testament word. Not only that, but the New Testament authors made it clear that they believed their message (whether spoken or written) was the gospel or Injil: Mark 1:1-- The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Romans 16:25,26-- Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him --

1 Thess. 1:5-- ...because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. The common belief is that the original Injil was given to Hazrat Isa (pbuh), and so people have difficulty in seeing the New Testament written by anyone other than him. The following quote from the apocryphal Epistle of Barnabas may help to bridge the gap from the Muslim position and the New Testament as it stands: And when he [Isa] chose his apostles, which were afterwards to publish his Gospel, he took men who had been very great sinners; that thereby he might plainly shew, That he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (The Lost Books of the Bible, pg. 149.) The New Testament itself bears abundant witness to the gospel being Hazrat Isa's gospel, a gospel which he committed into the hands of his followers to publish throughout the world. From historical documents it is clear that the church of the centuries before Islam arrived, did use "Gospel" as a title for all or part of the New Testament: At a very early date it appears that the four Gospels were united in one collection. They must have been brought together very soon after the writing of the Gospel according to John. This fourfold collection was originally known as "The Gospel" in the singular, not "The Gospels" in the plural; there was only one Gospel... Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, refers to "The Gospel" as an authoritative writing, and as he knew more than one of the four "Gospels" it may well be that by "The Gospel" sans phrase he means the fourfold collection which went by that name. (Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? pg. 23.) Toward the end of the second century, Irenaeus gave a similar testimony, "The Word gave to us the Gospel in a fourfold shape, but held together by one Spirit". (Harrison, Introduction to the New Testament, pg. 99.) In the fourth century, Chrysostom wrote, We assert, therefore, that, although a thousand Gospels were written, if the contents of all were the same, they would still be one, and their unity no wise infringed by the number of writers. -- Whence it is clear that the four Gospels are one Gospel; for, as the four say the same thing, its oneness is preserved by the harmony of the contents, and not impaired by the difference of persons. (Schaff, A Select Library of Nicene and Post- Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church: First Series. vol. 8, pg. 7.) But what about the rest of the New Testament? The corpus Paulinum, or collection of Paul's writings, was brought together about the same time as the collecting of the fourfold Gospel. As the Gospel collection was designated by the Greek word Euangelion, so the Pauline collection was designated by the one word Apostolos... (Bruce, Ibid., pg.25.) Apparently, Augustine knew of the same divisions in his day in the fourth century, "For I ask them, is it good to take pleasure in reading the Apostle? or good to take pleasure in a sober Psalm? or good to discourse on the Gospel? They will answer to each, 'It is good'." (The Confessions of St.Augustine, pg. 144.) In the same time period, "Gospel" was used by Christian church historian Eusebius in the same way, as well as for each of the four gospels individually. The whole New Testament was known as simply the Gospel very early on however. In fact, Christian theologian B.B. Warfield states that it was the earliest name for the entire New Testament collection:

The earliest name given to this new section of Scripture was framed on the model of the name by which what we know as the Old Testament was then known. Just as it was called "The Law and the Prophets and the Psalms" (or "the Hagiographa"), or more briefly "The Law and the Prophets," or even more briefly still "The Law"; so the enlarged Bible was called "The Law and the Prophets, with The Gospels and the Apostles" (so Clement of Alexandria, "Strom." vi. 11, 88; Tertullian, "De Prs. Hr." 36), or most briefly "The Law and the Gospel" (so Claudius Apolinaris, Irenus); while the new books apart were called "The Gospel and the Apostles," or most briefly of all "The Gospel." This earliest name for the new Bible, with all that it involves as to its relation to the old and briefer Bible, is traceable as far back as Ignatius (A.D. 115), who makes use of it repeatedly (e.g., "ad Philad." 5; "ad Smyrn." 7). In one passage he gives us a hint of the controversies which the enlarged Bible of the Christians aroused among the Judaizers ("ad Philad." 6). "When I heard some saying," he writes, "Unless I find it in the Old [Books] I will not believe the Gospel,' on my saying, 'It is written,' they answered, 'That is the question.' To me, however, Jesus Christ is the Old [Books]; his cross and death and resurrection, and the faith which is by him, the undefiled Old [Books] -- by which I wish, by your prayers, to be justified. The priests indeed are good, but the High Priest better," etc. Here Ignatius appeals to the "Gospel" as Scripture, and the Judaizers object, receiving from him the answer in effect which Augustine afterward formulated in the well-known saying that the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is first made clear in the New. (The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible, pg. 413.) Again, in his letter to the Smyrnns, early church father Ignatius identifies the Gospel, alongside the Law and the Prophets: Only in the name of Jesus Christ, I undergo all, to suffer together with him; he who was made a perfect man strenthening me. Whom some not knowing, do deny; or rather have been denied my him, being the advocates of death, rather than of the truth. Whom neither the prophecies, nor the law of Moses have persuaded; nor the Gospel itself even to this day, nor the sufferings of every one of us. (The Lost Books of the Bible, pg. 187.) The Apostolic Constitutions, probably written in the late 4th century, though parts possibly dating from the 5th century, contains several interesting references to the "Gospel": Let him [a bishop] be patient and gentle in his admonitions, well instructed himself, meditating in and diligently studying the Lord's books, and reading them frequently, that so he may be able carefully to interpret the Scriptures, expounding the Gospel in correspondence with the prophets and with the law; and let the expositions from the law and the prophets correspond to the Gospel. ...and let [the repentant] depart after the reading of the law, and the prophets, and the Gospel, that by such departure they may be made better in their course of life... Let us walk after the law, and the prophets by the Gospel. (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7, pg. 397, 414, 461.) These quotations make it clear that "the Gospel" was a title used to refer to the entire New Testament, as opposed to the Old Testament ("the law and the prophets"). Summary 1. Tawrat is quite properly and acceptably the title of the Pentateuch, however it also can signify the entire Old Testament in use today.

2. Zabur (Psalms) not only referred to the book with that name, but at one time was also a title for the Kethubim or third division of the Hebrew Bible. It is highly possible that it was still commonly used that way by Jews contemporary to the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Hebrew Bible, not the Greek Septuagint, was the Old Testament known to the people of Arabia in the time of the Prophet, in view of the fact that they were aware of the Tawrat. "Zabur" then can be arguably used as the title of that section of the Hebrew Bible known as the Kethubim. 3. The Prophets was unknown as a 'book' to Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), but the prophets described therein were clearly believed in by him. He apparently had very little firsthand knowledge of this collection. An Arabic equivalent for the Hebrew title of this section of the Old Testament (Nebi'im) is Anbiya. 4. Injil is rightly a title for the New Testament. It was not new with the Koran, but one known and used by Christians before the Koran was given.

Are the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil important today? Almighty Allah has revealed his Word to mankind through the holy prophets. People who want to worship Allah correctly must believe what the prophets have said. It is commanded by Allah that we believe the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil, along with all that Allah has revealed. But what are these books really? Are the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil which exist today reliable? Is their message important for us today? The answer is--yes. Here are three reasons why: 1. They are Ancient Scriptures from Allah -- Beginning at about 1500 B.C., continuing on until about 100 A.D., these Scriptures were bit-by-bit given for the benefit and guidance of mankind. The Tawrat was revealed first, then the Zabur, and finally the Injil. These three holy books are also known today by other names. For example, the Tawrat (or Torah) is sometimes called "Pentateuch". The Zabur is known also by the title "Psalms". The three books are usually printed together in one volume, along with the books of other prophets as the "Holy Bible". The word "Bible" came originally from the Greek language, with the simple meaning, "book". So when you say "the Holy Bible", you are actually saying "the holy book". In this "holy book", there are two large divisions, commonly called the "Old Testament" and the "New Testament". The Old Testament division includes the Tawrat of Musa (a:), the Zabur of Dawud (a:), and the books of other prophets such as Hazrat Yusha (Joshua), Samuel, Uzair (Ezra), Sulayman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Ishaya (Isaiah), Irmiya (Jeremiah), Zul-Kifl (Ezekiel), Yunus (Jonah) and Daniel (a:). The New Testament division is the exact same thing as the Injil of Isa Masih. The word "Injil" comes from a Greek word meaning "good news", giving us the English word "evangel". And so the Injil is the "good news" of Hazrat Isa Masih. The Injil is the book which the Jews rejected as false, but which both Christians and Muslims believe as true. Today many very ancient copies of these books exist in museums and libraries. These ancient copies agree with the newly printed copies available in bookstores today. 2. They are Reliable Scriptures -- That which Allah gives us is good and perfect. When these books were revealed, they were without error and completely true. These books were still in existence when Al-Koran came into this world, for the Koran states again and again that Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil must be believed. The ancient manuscripts in libraries and museums previously mentioned predate the Koran by hundreds of years. Millions of people all over the world believe and cherish these

books. Some people claim that the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil have been changed and so have become false and unreliable. Assuming this to be true, let us ask the question, "When were they changed? Before the coming of Al-Koran, or after?" Some might say, "Before". If "before", then why does the Koran command the people to believe all the heavenly books, including those which came before the Koran? (See surah Bakara 2:136 for example). Would the Koran command people to believe something that had been corrupted? Certainly not! If these heavenly books were changed beforehand, the corrupted versions should not be believed at all. Some people might say, "The books were changed after the Koran was given." But if that is true, then what is the meaning of Koran's statement that no man can change Allah's words? (See surah An-Aam 6:34, 115). Shall we say that Allah would allow some of his eternal words to be changed, while he protected others? But we know that the message of Allah's Word stays the same no matter what men try to do. As it says in the holy Injil: For, "All men are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. holy Injil, 1 Peter 1:24,25 Is man greater than Allah? Of course not! Allah's Word, including Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil, "stands forever". 3. They are Necessary Scriptures -- Some people believe that books such as the Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil are unnecessary today because there is a new and improved, latest edition of truth available in Al-Koran. Without realizing it, people who say such things are making a distinction between the heavenly books. Will any man dare to say that Allah gave us something that is useless and unnecessary? In school, we might say that class four is better than class three, two, or one. But does that mean that class three, two, or one are unnecessary? No, of course not. They are essential for anyone who wishes to go to class four and pass his tests. Class one, two, and three lay a necessary foundation in order to understand class four. In the same way, Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil, lay a necessary foundation for anyone who wishes to understand Allah's will. They must not only be believed, but read and obeyed by anyone who wishes to please Allah. Listen to what is said in the Zabur about these holy Scriptures: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Zabur 19:7-11)

1. The holy Injil is the Word of Allah 2. The Word of Allah, including the holy Injil, cannot be corrupted 3. The holy Injil brings special spiritual blessing to those who follow it 4. The holy Injil must be believed and obeyed as the Word of Allah

Four Things You Should Know about the holy Injil


1. The holy Injil is the Word of Allah

Surah Al-Imran 3:3,4 "...He revealed the Torah and the Gospel [Injil] aforetime, for a guidance to mankind...". Surah Al-Maidah 5:46 "...We bestowed on him [Isa] the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah--a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil)." Surah Al-Maidah 5:110 "When Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour unto thee and unto thy mother; how I strengthened thee with the holy Spirit, so that thou spakest unto mankind in the cradle as in maturity; and how I taught thee the Scripture and Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel...". Surah Al-Hadid 57:27 "...and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him..." Also see 3:48,65; 5:47; 19:30

2. The Word of Allah, including the holy Injil, cannot be corrupted


Surah Al-Anam 6:34 "No man can change the words of Allah". Surah Yunus 10:65 "There is no changing the Words of Allah--that is the Supreme Triumph." Surah Al-Kahf 18:28 "There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him."

3. The holy Injil brings special spiritual blessing to those who follow it

It Guides You in Daily Life Surah Al-Maidah 5:46 "And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus son of Mary, confirming the Torah before him; and We gave to him the Gospel, wherein is guidance and light, and confirming the Torah before it, as a guidance and an admonition unto the godfearing." It Builds Faith and Casts Out Doubt[GS] Surah Yunus 10:95 "And if thou (Muhammad) art in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto thee, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before thee." It Can Change Your Heart Surah Al-Hadid 57:27 "Then We sent, following in their footsteps, Our Messengers; and We sent, following, Jesus son of Mary, and gave unto him the Gospel. And We set in the hearts of those who followed him tenderness and mercy."

4. The holy Injil must be believed and obeyed as the Word of Allah

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:85 "What, do you believe in part of the Book, and disbelieve in part? What shall be the recompense of those of you who do that, but degradation in the present life, and on the Day of Resurrection to be returned unto the most terrible of chastisement? And Allah is not heedless of the things you do." Surah Al-Baqarah 2:136 "Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and

Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered." *Surah Al-Baqarah 2:285 "The Messenger believes in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and the believers; each one believes in Allah and His angels, and in His Books and His Messengers; we make no division between any one of His Messengers." *Surah Yunus 10:95,96 "And if thou art in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto thee, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before thee. Verily the Truth from thy Lord hath come unto thee. So be not thou of the waverers. And be not thou of those who deny the revelations of Allah, for then wert thou of the losers." *Also see 2:4,5,101,102,174; 3:84; 4:56,136; 5:68; 6:49 Application: All Muslims claim to believe in all the revelations Allah has sent, not making distinction between any of them. In practice however, what do we see? We see many people following only one book, while the others are ignored, unread, or even rejected on the basis of man-made traditions. It is time to return to the belief about Allah's Word that is found in His Word, not the belief that comes from the lips of scholars unable to see past their own preconceived notions. The call today is for honest and open-minded inquiry into the truth, grounded in a firm faith that Allah guides those who seek Him with all their heart. To those who boldly seek the truth at any cost, Allah has given a special message through one of the ancient prophets, Hazrat Irmiya (pbuh): You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. --Jeremiah, chapter 29 verse 13; chapter 33 verse 3

The Secret Meaning of Id-al-Adha


Every year many thousands of sheep, goats, camels and other animals are sacrificed throughout the world on the occasion of Id-al-Adha. At this special time, Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is remembered for his humble submission in being willing to sacrifice his son at the command of Allah. We remember that at the last moment as the prophet was about to plunge the knife into the body of his son, Almighty Allah called out to Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) to stop and not to harm his son. Instead, Allah provided an animal as a substitute sacrifice. And so, every year similar sacrifices are performed in memory of Hazrat Ibrahim's submission to Allah. But is there a deeper, secret meaning to this sacrifice that can benefit us today? Yes, there is a deeper meaning to the sacrifice which can only be understood by first listening to the voice of Allah in the holy Tawrat, one of the heavenly books. Why must we look into this particular holy book? Because it is this book which gives the original account of the life of Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh), including the original account of this great sacrifice. The event is recorded in the holy Tawrat, part one (Genesis), chapter 22. In the story, Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) and his son are walking to the hill where the sacrifice is to take place. The boy notices that they have everything except an animal to sacrifice, and so he

asks his father a question, "The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" (Genesis 22, verse 7) Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) answers, "Allah himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (Genesis 22, verse 8). Notice that both the prophet and his son thought that the appropriate animal for the sacrifice was a lamb, or baby sheep. Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) speaking as a prophet, said that Allah would provide the lamb for sacrifice. But what actually happened? Then he [Hazrat Ibrahim] reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he [the angel] said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in the thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22, verses 10-13) Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh), or Abraham, said that Allah would provide a lamb for sacrifice. But what did Allah provide? Allah did not provide a lamb, but a ram. We know that it was a ram because it was caught in a thicket by its horns. A lamb has no horns. If this is so, then a question remains, "Was Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) mistaken when he said that Allah would provide a lamb?" No, he spoke the truth. This is where the secret meaning of the sacrifice comes in. For many centuries after Hazrat Ibrahim's sacrifice, the full meaning of the prophet's statement remained hidden. Then one day, a new prophet appeared to mankind-- Hazrat Yahya (pbuh). Listen to the account of Hazrat Yahya (pbuh), or John the Baptist, found in the holy Injil, The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Injil, John 1, verse 29). Hazrat Yahya (pbuh) undoubtedly knew the story of Hazrat Ibrahim's great sacrifice. He himself could have read the story in the holy Tawrat. He knew that Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) said that Allah would provide a lamb to die as a substitute for his son. Hazrat Yahya (pbuh) could also know that the actual animal sacrificed at the time was a ram, not a lamb. Now as a prophet of Allah, Hazrat Yahya (pbuh) upon seeing the great messener Hazrat Isa Masih, says to everyone, "Look, the Lamb of Allah, who takes away the sin of the world!" According the holy Injil, Hazrat Isa Masih is a lamb. But which lamb? The lamb which Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) first said Allah would provide. This is the lamb which had to be sacrificed to save the son of Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh). The animal which Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) sacrificed was not the real lamb of Allah, but just a ram. It was only a temporary arrangement made until the real lamb of Allah should come. The real Lamb, Hazrat Isa Masih, would be much better than any mere animal because he could take away the sins of all men! An animal's life does not have the value of a man's life, and so the sacrifice of an animal can never take away any man's sins. But the life of Hazrat Isa Masih has inestimable value, and so he can help every man. By giving his own life as a sacrifice for sins, he could free all the sons of Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) from their sins. But when did Hazrat Isa Masih give his life as a sacrifice for sins? Before he was taken up to be with Allah. Of his own free will, he himself decided that he would let evil men kill him, by nailing his body to a cross:

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus [Isa]. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had finished the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Injil, John 19, verses 17,18,28-30) Perhaps this is new knowledge to you, but it was not new to the prophet, Hazrat Isa, Spirit of Allah. He knew in advance that it would happen. Not only that, he allowed it to happen. Before all this happened, Hazrat Isa Masih had said, No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. (Injil, John 10, verse 18) So it was Hazrat Isa's own decision to lay down his life as a sacrifice. But just as he layed his life down, he also took it up again by his own authority. He became alive again! His rising again was the proof that his suffering was not a defeat. Allah is most great! The plot of the evil men failed. Hazrat Isa Masih was victorious. After he became alive again, Hazrat Isa Masih said this, I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. (Injil, Revelation 1, verse 18) In giving his life as a sacrifice, Hazrat Isa Masih fulfilled the words which Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) spoke to his son many years before, "Allah himself will provide a lamb for sacrifice." This is the lamb which takes away the sins of all men. His sacrifice is still powerful to save men from sins today because he is not dead, but alive. The holy Injil says, Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Injil, Hebrews 7, verse 25) Hazrat Isa Masih is the lamb who saves the sons of Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh), that is, those who have the faith of Ibrahim. Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) believed that Allah himself would provide a lamb as a substitionary sacrifice. Hazrat Ibrahim also believed that even if death should come, Allah can raise the dead to life. Allah has raised Hazrat Isa Masih, who is alive today to intercede on behalf of all those who come to Allah through him. You too may approach Allah through Hazrat Isa, who will intercede to Allah for you, and save you from the penalty of your sins. So remember that when you see an animal being sacrificed on Id-al-Adha, the sacrificed animal speaks of a much greater sacrifice--the sacrifice of Hazrat Isa Masih, the Lamb of Allah, who takes away the sins of men.

THE DAY THAT DEATH WILL DIE


Introduction The Birth of Death

The Consequences of the Sin of Adam (a:) and Hawa (a:) The Meaning of Spiritual Death The Promise of Victory spoken through the Prophets After Death -- Then What? The Waiting Place for the Wicked The Rest of the Righteous Is Qiyamat Near? Are You Ready for Qiyamat? The Seven Year Kingdom of Death The Seven Trumpets - (Injil, Revelation 8:2-9:21; 11:15-19) The Seven Bowls - (Injil, Revelation 15:1-16:21) Dajjal, the Great Liar Masih or Liar? Israel -- The Nation that Refuses to Die Israel's Past Israel's Present Israel's Future The People Who Will Never Die Protection from Qiyamat's Troubles A Special Place and how to get there Hazrat Isa Masih's Kingdom of Life Prince of Peace One Thousand Years of Peace Yajuj and Majuj Attack Hazrat Isa's Kingdom Fire from Heaven The End or the Beginning? The Death of Death A New Heaven and a New Earth Hazrat Isa, Victor over Death Reason #1: Hazrat Isa raised the dead

Reason #2: Hazrat Isa was not conquered by death Reason #3: Hazrat Isa will raise the dead in Qiyamat Reason #4: Hazrat Isa will judge all men Reason #5: Hazrat Isa saves men from Death and Hell

THE DAY THAT DEATH WILL DIE


Introduction "NO, MOTHER, NO! DON'T LEAVE US!" As I heard that mournful cry and looked out through my window towards the clinic across the way, I immediately understood what had happened. A patient had died. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, death had come in like a thief and snatched a living soul away. Now the family was left behind to suffer the pain of losing a loved one. This is a sad but true fact of life repeated daily. Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, godly or sinner, one day we must pass through death's gate. This is very sad news. But even in the midst of such terrible tragedy, there is good news! The good news is this -- one day, DEATH itself will DIE. That's right. Death will be utterly defeated and show its face no more. The time is coming when we will no longer lose loved ones to this dreaded enemy. The fear of death and of the pains of the grave will be gone because death itself will be gone, never to come again. Is that not wonderful news? Allah has revealed this truth in the writings of his holy prophets. He has appointed a day in which death will be destroyed, a day commonly known as qiyamat. That is the subject of this book. The word "qiyamat" is an Arabic word meaning "rising (from the dead)". So when we say "qiyamat", we are actually saying "resurrection". Qiyamat is the day of resurrection. The dead will rise in that day, but more than that, in qiyamat, death itself will be thrown down never to rise again. It is written in one of the heavenly books, The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (Injil, 1 Corinthians 15:26) Not only that, but all the bad things that are associated with death like physical pain and sorrow, will also be finished forever. Allah's holy word says, And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Injil, Revelation 21:4) Perhaps you have already learned about some of the events of qiyamat in the past. This book however, is different. Heavenly scriptures such as Tawrat, Zabur, and Injil, contain many details concerning qiyamat that you will want to know. Not only that, but from the reading of these portions of holy Scripture you will find encouragement as you face the future. As you read this book you will notice that Hazrat Isa (Spirit of Allah), or Jesus Christ, is mentioned time and time again. As you perhaps already know, Hazrat Isa is sometimes called "the sign of qiyamat". His visible return to earth is the sign that the end is near. Many

amazing events will happen during that time, some good, some very bad. But last of all, all creation will joyfully shout, as the proclamation goes forth that "death is no more". In this book, the term "qiyamat" is used to refer to the entire period of time at the end of this age which includes not only the actual day of resurrection, but also the following events:

the rise of Masih-al-Dajjal (Antichrist) the time of great trouble which will come upon the earth in the last days the return of Hazrat Isa to earth the kingdom of Hazrat Isa on earth battle with Yajuj and Majuj the final judgment and several other subjects

Is it possible that qiyamat will come soon? When will it be? How will it all happen? How will we know if the day has arrived? Is there some special thing we can do to prepare ourselves for that day? What happens to us after death? What can we do so that in death we can be sure to find rest instead of misery? We will try to answer some of these questions by means of Allah's holy word. It is the prayer of this writer that in reading this book the reader may discover how to be ready for that day without fear of death. Instead, may you discover how to face the future with peace, joy, and confidence. Hazrat Isa said to his followers, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (Injil, John 14:27)

The Birth of Death


And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. (Tawrat, Genesis 2:16,17) In the beginning when Allah created heaven and earth, he made it a very beautiful place. All kinds of birds and animals lived together in harmony, enjoying the colorful flowers, delicious fruit and lush vegetation. But the most beautiful thing about His creation was that there was no death. Allah's original intention was that mankind would never die but live forever in Paradise (Ferdous). Hazrat Adam (a:) and Bibi Hawa (a:) were created innocent of sin. Allah had planned for them and their descendants to enjoy the pleasures of the garden forever. But one day Iblis, or Satan, came as a serpent to tempt Bibi Hawa (a:) to eat the fruit from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil", the one which Allah had commanded them not to eat from. There were many other good fruit trees in the garden but Iblis wanted Adam and Hawa to eat from that tree. Why? Because in doing so, they would obey Iblis and disregard the command of Allah.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Tawrat, Genesis 3:1-6) By eating the fruit, our first parents sinned. This was the first time any human being ever sinned. Hazrat Adam (a:) and Bibi Hawa (a:) disobeyed a direct command of Allah, and so there was a penalty -- death. Those who had been created to live forever, would now be subject to death. The Consequences of the Sin of Adam (a:) and Hawa (a:) The consequence of their sin however, was much greater than just their own deaths. All of creation was affected by that one sin. Look at what Allah said to Adam (a:) and Hawa (a:) after they sinned: 1. Pain in childbearing - "To the woman he said, 'I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children.'" (Tawrat, Gen.3:16) Today, women have pain and sometimes even death in childbearing because of the sin of Bibi Hawa (a:). 2. Curse on ground - "To Adam he said, 'Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, "You must not eat of it," cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.'" (Tawrat, Gen.3:17,18) Weeds were not a problem before Hazrat Adam (a:) sinned, but now they are plentiful, as every farmer and gardener knows. 3. Hard labour in work- "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Tawrat, Gen.3:19) Many hard-working people have little to show for their toil. The sin of Hazrat Adam (a:) made life and work more difficult for us all. Today, we have all of these troubles in daily life. These are the result of the sin of Hazrat Adam (a:) and Bibi Hawa (a:). But there is one more terrible thing that happened due to their sin: 4. Death to all - "sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." (Injil, Romans 5:12) This is the most serious result of Hazrat Adam (a:)'s sin. Death has come to all of his descendants. Not only that, but we all deserve death because we all sin just as he did. As the holy Injil says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Allah" and "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 3:23, 6:23). Notice, that death is not the creation of Allah. Allah never intended it to be a part of his creation. Rather, death is the judgment of Allah on sin. Every time we are confronted with death, we should be reminded of what bad people we are. However, it is not only physical death of which we speak. Even more serious than physical death is spiritual death. Because of Adam's sin, all men are spiritually dead, even while they are physically alive! But what is meant by this?

The Meaning of Spiritual Death Spiritual death means the following things: 1. A selfish, sinful heart from birth -- People say that small children are innocent of sin, but listen to this story. One day I bring home some sweets for a special guest who is coming to visit. I place them momentarily on a table while I tend to another matter. Then while I am out of the room, my young daughter comes in and finding the sweets, quickly eats them up. I return and finding that the sweets are gone and noticing the sweet syrup on my daughter's face, I ask my daughter, "Did you eat the sweets?" What does she say but, "Not me! Not me!" Tell me, who taught my daughter to tell lies? As far as I know, I have never sat down with my child and said, "Now I will teach you how to tell lies..." As parents, we want our children to do what is right. How then do they learn to do wrong? Or, who taught the neighbour's boys to steal mangoes from your tree? Do they know it is wrong to steal? Yes, they know. That's why one boy watches out for anyone coming, while the other quickly works to get the fruit. Nobody teaches small children to lie and steal and many other such things. They learn to do these things all by themselves. They learn to do these things not because they are innocent, but because they are not. Their hearts, and ours, are selfish and sinful. This is part of what it means to be spiritually dead. Hazrat Dawud (a:) wrote this true word, "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies." (Zabur, 58:3). Lest we think that he wrote only of certain people, in another place he gave this testimony about himself, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (Zabur, 51:5). If this is the condition of the prophet, then what is the condition of our own heart? The Injil, along with all the heavenly books, teaches that all men are rebellious toward Allah, As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Injil, Romans 3:10-12) But there is another meaning to the spiritual death that Adam's sin caused, 2. Separation from Allah -- As long as Allah is in heaven, and we are on earth, we are physically separated from Allah. But our separation from Allah is more than physical. Our separation from him is spiritual separation. He is holy, but we are unholy. We are full of sins, big and small, but he separates himself from all sin. Is this perhaps why Allah seems to be so far away to most people? Is this why men cry out to Allah and so often he does not seem to hear? As it is written, But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2) How can we ever hope to have a place in heaven as long as this is our condition? Spiritual death has another meaning,

3. Eternal Place in Hell -- Those who live separate from Allah in this life will be separated from him after death also. The place of separation from Allah is called hell or Gehenna. It is a place of extreme torment and pain for those who are spiritually dead. Through Hazrat Isa this warning was given: And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." (Injil, Mark 9:47,48) Mankind, being spiritually dead and separated from Allah, is destined for the torments of hell. Remember, we were talking about how the sin of Hazrat Adam (a:) brought death into this world. Physical death, spiritual death. If death is like this, then is there any hope for us? Yes, there is a great hope. In his matchless wisdom, Allah formed a plan by which he would forgive sins, cause man's desire to sin to disappear, and give men victory over death! The ultimate fulfillment of that plan will take place in the day of resurrection -- qiyamat. But there is more you must know, so continue reading. The Promise of Victory spoken through the Prophets Many of the prophets since the time of Hazrat Adam (a:) have spoken of the day when death will die. Hazrat Ayub (a:) was certain of his own resurrection from death in the last days: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes -- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27) In Al-Zabur, Hazrat Dawud (a:) expressed his joy about the day of resurrection in this way: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Zabur 16:9-11) Hazrat Daniel (a:) was given this message from Allah: Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake... You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. (Daniel 12:2,13) In the holy Injil we have a sure word in this matter: There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Injil, Revelation 21:4) What a wonderful prospect! The end of all pain, sorrow, and death. O that it was so even now! All of these words of the prophets speak of a time of great joy and happiness when death will be no more. They speak of qiyamat, the day when death will die.

After Death -- Then What?


Qiyamat has not yet come, and every day people die and are buried. What happens to these people as they wait in their graves for the day of resurrection? As far as the body is concerned, it remains unconscious in the grave and goes through the natural process of decay. Allah spoke of this to Hazrat Adam (a:) after the sentence of death came upon Adam for his sin, In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Tawrat, Genesis 3:19) But everyone who has seen a dead body knows that there is more to life than the body. Something is missing from the dead body, something we call the soul. The body remains, but the soul is gone. Where has it gone to? According to the holy scriptures, different people go to different places depending on whether they are righteous or wicked. The Waiting Place for the Wicked Hazrat Isa once told a story about two men who died that helps us understand more about life after death, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with soresand longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Injil, Luke 16:19-31) There are several things we can learn from this story: 1. That after death our soul is conscious, not sleeping. 2. There is a place of torment for the wicked, and a place of comfort for the righteous. 3. There is no way to travel from one place to the other. 4. After death you cannot change your destiny. 5. Before death, in this life, we must prepare by listening to the message of Allah's prophets. 6. Some people will never listen to Allah's Word, even if someone were to die and rise again to tell us.

Those who do not listen to Allah's prophets such as Hazrat Musa (a:) and Hazrat Isa will end up in a place of torment like the rich man. But what of those who do listen? What will their condition be after death? The Rest of the Righteous We have already seen from the story of the rich man and Lazarus, that Lazarus received comfort after death, the same comfort enjoyed by Hazrat Ibrahim (a:). There are other verses of Allah's Word that tell us much more: For to me, to live is Christ [Isa] and to die is gain. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far... (Injil, Phil. 1:21,23) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (Injil, 2 Cor. 5:8) These verses are written only about followers of Hazrat Isa Masih, not about everyone in general. Those who are his own disciples are given a very special arrangement after death. The prophet who healed the sick and raised the dead will give great comfort to his followers in their death: 1. They will go to be with Hazrat Isa in heaven. 2. It will be much better than the present life. 3. They have confidence that after death things will be much better for them. The third statement is quite amazing. Most people do not have confidence about where they will go in the future life, and even think that it would be wrong to have such confidence. After all, almighty Allah decides our fate. Even though that is so, the followers of Isa are confident that they will go to heaven after death. This is not because they think they are better than other men, but because Hazrat Isa gave a special promise to them from Allah. Listen to what he says, I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved. (Injil, John 10:9) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Injil, Matt. 11:28-30) ...whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (Injil, John 6:37) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (Injil, John 14:3) Where is Hazrat Isa? In heaven, of course. Where will his followers be? In heaven also. What mercy and compassion Isa shows toward his people. Because he is a prophet, his word must be believed. If we choose to accept his word, we will receive rest and confidence about the future. Friend, the question remains for you, "Where will you go after you die?" Will you enjoy the joy and peace of heaven because you are a follower of Hazrat Isa Masih? Or will you go to

the place of torment as you wait for the day of judgment? Hazrat Isa is a special holy prophet, and as such as he has made a special arrangement for his followers. Believe and obey his words so that you may also find that peace he gives, and a place in heaven with him when you die.

Is Qiyamat Near?
One day, Hazrat Isa's disciples came to him and asked him, "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" In response, Hazrat Isa gave them a very clear list of signs by which they would be able to understand whether qiyamat is near or not. This list is found in the Injil in Matthew 24:4-14, which is reproduced here for your convenience: Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am Christ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Injil, Matthew 24:4-14) As we ponder these words of the holy prophet, several signs of the end are obvious: 1. Rise of False Masihs - Matt. 24:4-5 "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am Christ' and will deceive many." "Christ", or "Masih" means "anointed one", that is, one who is anointed with oil as a sign that he is chosen by Allah to fulfill a special task. Kings of Israel were anointed in this way. So were priests who served in the Jewish temple. Masih was also a special title the ancient Hebrew people knew referred to a special individual whom Allah would send in the future to save them from all evil. Eventually, Hazrat Isa was born into this world of a virgin, Bibi Miriam (a:). Hazrat Isa knew that he himself was this "Masih". Hazrat Isa Masih's task was to save men from their sins. The angel announced on the day of his birth, "Today in the city of David your Saviour has been born. He is the Christ." (Injil, Luke 2:11). This truth is also proven by the name Allah gave Isa. The name Isa or Jesus, in the Hebrew language means "Saviour". This means not only that he was to intercede to Allah for men's forgiveness, but more importantly, that he would actually accomplish nazat (salvation) for men. This explains why the angel Hazrat Jibrail (a:) said to Hazrat Yusuf (a:) concerning the child, "You will call his name Jesus, [Isa] because he will save his people from their sins." (Injil, Matthew 1:21). Hazrat Isa is "Saviour". In the verses quoted at the beginning of this chapter, the prophet Isa says that many false Masihs will come during the time prior to qiyamat. This will be like a foretaste of the coming of the great false Masih, Dajjal, who will exercise power in the last days. Since the time of Hazrat Isa, many men have come and gone claiming to be the Masih or Saviour also. But this tendency of certain people to claim to be Allah's Masih has multiplied dramatically in recent years. According to one source, over 1,100 religious leaders in different parts of the world in the last fifty years have claimed to be Masih and the Saviour of the world.

2. Much News of War and International Unrest - Matt. 24:6,7 "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." Everyday in the newspaper and on the television news, there are reports of "wars and rumors of wars". This situation was not always true. In the last century, it used to take weeks, even months for international news like this to arrive. In many cases, people never got to hear of events occurring in distant lands. Nowadays however, we hear of such events the same day they are happening, and sometimes even at the moment they are happening. 3. Famines - Matt. 24:7 "There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." At one time, the World Health Organization estimated that approximately one-third of the world is well-fed, one-third is underfed, and one-third is starving. The threat of famine in various places is always imminent. 4. Earthquakes - The previous verse mentions "earthquakes in various places". Now that there are good, scientific methods for measuring earthquakes, we are more aware of "earthquakes in various places" than ever before. Each year there are many significant earthquakes throughout the world. For example, in just one year there were 76 serious earthquakes throughout the world. Many of them caused casualities or considerable damage. 5. Persecution of Hazrat Isa's Followers - Matt. 24:9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me." Hazrat Isa Masih knew that his followers would not be liked by certain people. Nowadays, some people will speak of followers of Hazrat Isa in an uncomplimentary manner. Sometimes they are accused of worshipping Allah incorrectly. In some countries, they lose their property, homes, or job opportunities. In other lands, they have been imprisoned or even executed for being a follower of Hazrat Isa Masih. Isa Masih himself predicted that this would happen to his people! 6. Apostasy and Unfaithfulness - Matt. 24:10 "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other". Possibly due to persecution, many followers of Hazrat Isa will turn away from following him and become enemies of the believers. This happens sometimes today in countries where his followers are in the minority and are persecuted by believers in other religions or philosophies. It also happens in some cases where the children of believers are being tempted by worldly pleasures to forsake the faith of their fathers. It is not enough to be born into the family of a follower of Hazrat Isa. Such children must also decide for themselves that they too will follow Isa. 7. Many False Prophets - Matt. 24:11 "and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." Although most people cherish freedom of speech and religion (this writer included), one unfortunate disadvantage of such freedom is that it allows for false religion to freely grow. Hazrat Isa said that this would happen throughout the world and so it has. There are many false prophets in the world today and they somehow manage to obtain many followers. Without knowing it, anyone today who proclaims, "I am Allah's prophet", is fulfilling the prophecy of the true Masih, Hazrat Isa. 8. Increasing Wickedness - Matt. 24:12,13 "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Not only

has false religion increased, but so has corrupt behaviour. While wickedness has increased, love for fellowman has decreased. It is a rare thing to meet someone who is known as a loving person. But daily one can read in the newspaper about a man being killed by his neighbour, a wife being murdered by her husband, and so on. 9. The Injil, or good news of Isa to be proclaimed throughout the whole world Matt. 24:14 "And this gospel [Injil] of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Hazrat Isa Masih sent his followers out into the world to proclaim his Injil, or "good news" to all people. The good news is that anyone who calls to Allah for forgiveness through Isa the Saviour finds salvation from all his sins. Taking this message, the followers of Hazrat Isa Masih have gone to almost all of the peoples of the world. Someday in the near future, this good news will have been preached in the whole world. When that day comes, you can be sure that the end will also come quickly. Are You Ready for Qiyamat? These nine signs of the end were spoken nearly two thousand years ago by a trustworthy prophet of Allah. In these days, every one of these signs is coming to fulfillment. Is qiyamat near? Yes, it seems to be so. But perhaps an even more important question is this, "Are you ready for qiyamat?" If the world was to end today, would you be ready to stand before Allah? You see, there is a connection between the spreading of Isa Masih's good news and the end times. Hazrat Isa Masih said that first, the preaching of the holy Injil would happen in all the world, and second, the end would come. Have you heard and believed the good news? If you have, you are ready for the end. If you have not, then continue to read, and as you read, pray that Allah will guide you into all truth so that you may understand how to become ready for qiyamat.

The Seven Year Kingdom of Death


Death will certainly meet its end in the day of qiyamat, but before that finally happens, death will seem to stand strong for one last time. Just before Hazrat Isa Masih returns to earth out of the skies, there will be a seven-year period worse than any other time in the history of mankind. During that time, death will seem to reign supreme on this earth, so that it can be called the "seven-year kingdom of death". In the holy Injil it is written, For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Injil, Matthew 24:21,22) Hazrat Isa said that if this future time of great trouble would be allowed to continue, not even one person would escape the clutches of death; all would perish! For this reason, Allah will limit it to seven years duration (see Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 12:7; Injil, Revelation 11:2,3; 12:6,14; 13:5). But why will Allah allow this terrible time to happen on earth? The holy Scriptures reveal two main purposes for this unprecedented time of distress -- judgment and mercy. It is not difficult to understand that the time of great trouble will be a judgment from Allah on a sinful world. The holy Injil says, "Fear God, and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come." (Revelation 14:7).

But how can such terrible events be described as mercy from Allah? Even in the midst of these judgments, people will have opportunity to repent of their sins and turn to Allah. One particular instance shows how that great catastrophe in that future time of trouble will encourage people to turn to Allah, At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Injil, Revelation 11:13 This is a severe mercy, but mercy nonetheless if it results in tawbah (repentance). The holy scriptures often mention the seven year period as two periods of three- and-one-half years. If you look at the references given, sometimes they say "3 1/2 years", sometimes "42 months", and sometimes "1,260 days". These all mean the same length of time, that is, 3 1/2 years according to a lunar calendar. The great event marking the end of the Great Trouble will be the return of Hazrat Isa Masih to earth. But the time of Great Trouble itself will be marked by death and destruction on this earth. The Injil speaks of three series of terrible calamities associated with the Great Trouble. These three series are known as the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls. The last section of the Injil, known as Revelation, speaks in great detail concerning these things (see Revelation 6-16). The Seven Seals - (Injil, Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1) Beginning in Revelation chapter 6 of the Injil, Hazrat Isa Masih called by the title of "the Lamb" (cf. Injil, John 1:36), opens a seven-sealed book. As he opens each successive seal, something important happens relating to Allah's anger in the end times. As Hazrat Isa opens the fourth seal look at what happens: I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and the Grave was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. Injil, Revelation 6:8 The judgment of the seven seals is the least severe of the three series of seven judgments. Even still, it is so terrible that one quarter of the world's population does not survive. The other seals result in calamaties such as international aggression and conquest, war, famine and rationing, religious persecution and martyrdom, and physical disturbances on earth and in the sky. Look at the sixth seal: I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" Injil, Revelation 6:12-17

A terrifying scene is painted for us of heaven and earth being shaken as a sign that the day of Allah's anger has arrived. Hundreds of years before the holy Injil was revealed, Allah spoke similar words through the prophet Hazrat Joel (a:): I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved... Joel 2:30-32 It can be seen that the seven seals is only the beginning of Allah's judgment in the seven years of great trouble. What follows may be much worse. But notice that even in judgment Allah shows mercy and calls us to repentance. He says, "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved". Allah wants to save all men from their sins. Not only that, but he promises to save anyone who calls on him as this verse states. This means that it is possible to be sure of having all your sins forgiven. This is not presumption or blasphemy. It is simply believing Allah's promise. The Seven Trumpets - (Injil, Revelation 8:2-9:21; 11:15-19) The opening of the seventh seal issues ultimately in the blowing of seven trumpets. As each trumpet is blown by a holy angel, a new judgment falls upon the earth. Some of the events that occur at that time include the following:

destruction of 1/3 of all vegetation, trees, and farmland 1/3 of all oceans turned to blood and 1/3 of sealife dies 1/3 of all fresh water poisoned, many people die sunlight and moonlight diminished by 1/3 plague of locusts to torture men for five months, people will want to die and cannot earthquake and great hailstorm

Although all the judgments are severe, the blowing of the sixth trumpet is especially bad: The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. Injil, Part 27, Revelation 9:13-16 Just as in the judgment of the seven seals, much destruction and death will take place. In the sixth trumpet judgment, 1/3 of all people will die! If you add up the number of deaths from the fourth seal and the sixth trumpet you find that half of all people on earth have died! The fourth seal takes one quarter. The sixth trumpet takes one third of the three quarters which remain. That leaves only two quarters or one half. If the world population at the time will be eight billion, then four billion will meet death as a result of those two judgments alone! Although this particular judgment is the result of the release of four evil angels, the actual killing will be accomplished by a huge army of 200 million human soldiers! People who live during the "seven-year kingdom of death" will be no strangers to war. The Seven Bowls - (Injil, Revelation 15:1-16:21)

With the series of judgments called the seven bowls, Allah's anger against the people of the earth will be finished. The seven bowls are much more severe than the judgments of the seals or the trumpets. Some of the curses resulting from the seven bowls are:

ugly and painful sores on followers of Dajjal intense heat and burning from the sun plague of darkness on kingdom of Dajjal worst ever earthquake in history all mountains flattened every island submerged huge hailstones weighing more than one mon

The second and third bowls affect all water on the earth, whether fresh or salt: The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Injil, Revelation 16:3-4 Obviously, if no good drinking water is available, many people will become ill or perish. But this is only preparatory to greater trouble coming later. Look at the sixth bowl: The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs... They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of Almighty God. Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Injil, Part 27, Revelation 16:12-14,16 This refers to a terrible battle in the Middle East before Hazrat Isa will return from heaven. Armies will gather from all over the world to fight. World War I and II will seem small in comparison to this war. The Scriptures tell us that there will be so much human blood spilled that it will be several feet deep and extend to a distance of almost 200 miles (see Injil, Revelation 14:20)! We can only thank Allah that the words of Hazrat Isa Masih are true that "those days will be shortened". Even in the midst of Allah's judgment of sin, he shows mercy by not destroying mankind completely. When we consider how hard Allah's judgment on sin will be, we should also consider how terrible our sins are and how corrupt our hearts are. Then we should cry out to Allah to guide us into the path by which we may be made clean and holy in his sight. We have already learned that Allah wants to save us from our sins, but we must truly want to be saved from our sins as well. Like Hazrat Dawud (a:) before us, we can pray: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the

inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Zabur 51:1-7

Dajjal, the Great Liar


Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. Injil, 1 John 2:18 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." Injil, Matthew 24:4,5 In a previous chapter it was already seen that there are many imposters in the world claiming to be Allah's chosen messenger. This is what is meant by the word "dajjal" or "antichrist". It literally means "liar" or "imposter". All who claim to be the one who will lead mankind into a new world are just a foretaste of a great imposter who will yet come, called "Al-Masihu'dDajjal" (the lying or false Masih), or "Ad-Dajjal", or simply "Dajjal" (liar). When he shall come, he will lead the entire world into believing a lie. People will believe that Dajjal is the greatest leader the world has ever known, sent by Allah to lead men to peace and prosperity. In actual fact however, he will be sent by Satan to lead the whole world to war and misery, and finally to the fire of hell. The very first judgment associated with the seven-year time of great trouble, is one which pictures a rider on a white horse: ...Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. Injil, Revelation 6:1-2 "As a conqueror bent on conquest". This phrase well describes Dajjal as he begins his rise to world domination. At the beginning of this present age's final seven years, Dajjal will go forth to conquer other nations in his quest for absolute power. Within 3 1/2 years the imposter can be said to be "world dictator". If there is any question that anyone could rise so quickly from insignificance to supremacy, consider Alexander the Great. He was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. At the age of 20, Alexander became king of the small kingdom of Macedonia. Within ten years, he conquered most of the civilized world of his day. In these days of modern travel and weapons of mass destruction it is quite possible that Satan's Dajjal could rise to power much more quickly. At the height of his power, Dajjal will reveal his true character, that of a great liar: He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those that are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Injil, 2 Thessalonians 2:4,9,10 Dajjal will claim to be Allah himself and will deceive many. He will stand against every religion which does not recognize him as Lord. With the power of Satan helping him, he will be successful in causing most of the inhabitants of the earth to follow him. He will ruthlessly persecute or kill those who refuse to follow him. Just like a

"wild beast", he will recognize no authority but his own, as the following passage concerning him says: The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Injil, Revelation 13:5-7 Masih or Liar? As has already been mentioned, Dajjal can be called Al-Masihu'd-Dajjal, that is, the lying or false Masih (Antichrist). The heavenly books make a contrast between Dajjal and Hazrat Isa, the true Masih of Allah. In chapter three, "Is Qiyamat Near?", it was mentioned that "Masih" is the special title of Hazrat Isa only. It signifies that he is the one whom Allah sent to accomplish salvation so that men could be forgiven their sins. When Dajjal comes, people will hope that he is Masih. The world will look to him to save them from all their troubles and bring peace and prosperity. But the following chart shows some of the differences between Dajjal and Hazrat Isa: Dajjal false Masih (Antichrist) speaks lies sent by Satan works by Satan's power does counterfeit miracles hurts many people kills many people Hazrat Isa true Masih (Christ) speaks truth sent by Allah works by Allah's power does genuine miracles helps many people raises people from death

brings war and destruction brings peace and prosperity Whom would you rather follow? The very existence of a lying Masih in the future day of qiyamat teaches us what importance we should give to the true Masih. Satan is so concerned about Hazrat Isa Masih and what he will do in qiyamat, that he will send a false Masih first to try to fool people. And as we have seen, he will succeed in causing many people to follow Dajjal, but this success will be shortlived. At the end of the seven-year time of great trouble, Hazrat Isa will himself come from heaven and destroy Dajjal, and his followers: And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel [Injil] of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power. Injil, 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1:8,9 It is only fitting that the one to stop Dajjal, the lying Masih, from bringing further death and destruction, should be none other than the true Masih, Hazrat Isa. In qiyamat, he will also punish all those who "do not obey the Injil of our Lord Isa", that is, those who are not his true disciples. Hazrat Isa is the "sign of qiyamat" and considered to be notable in the world to come. If qiyamat were to come today, what would happen to you? Would you like Dajjal, be judged by Hazrat Isa as an enemy? Would you be judged with that group of people who make

little of his importance in Allah's plan for the world? Do you recognize him as Al-Masih whom Allah has sent to save men from their sins? Listen to the words of comfort that he gives to his true followers: God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. Injil, 2 Thessalonians 1:6,7 You already know that Hazrat Isa, the "Masih", is coming back to earth. You also know that "Masih" means that he is the one whom Allah chose to be "Saviour". An important question is this--is he your Masih? Is he your Saviour? He is not only the Masih for the Jews or the Christians. He is the Masih for all people. He can be your Masih today, if you accept him as Saviour from all your sins.

Israel -- The Nation that Refuses to Die


After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel." So he named him Israel. Tawrat, Genesis 35:9,10 Israel's Past The people today known by the name "Israel" are a very ancient people, tracing their lineage back to Hazrat Yakub (a:), or Jacob. As can be seen in the above verse, Allah gave Yakub (a:) the new name, Israel. So when we speak of "the descendants of Israel", we are speaking of the descendants of Hazrat Yakub (a:), one of the ancient prophets. Hazrat Yakub (a:) was the grandson of Hazrat Ibrahim khalilullah, that is, the friend of Allah. Allah blessed Hazrat Yakub (a:) with twelve sons who became a great nation with many notable descendants. The most famous king of all time, Hazrat Sulayman (a:), known for his wealth and wisdom, and the builder of the Baitul Mukaddas in Jerusalem, was a descendant of Israel (a:). Think of the many prophets who have come from this family. Hazrat Yusuf (a:), Hazrat Musa (a:), Hazrat Harun (a:), Hazrat Samuel (a:), Hazrat Ilyas (a:), Hazrat Al- Yasa (a:), Hazrat Dawud (a:), Hazrat Yunus (a:), Hazrat Zakaria (a:), Hazrat Yahya (a:), are just a few of the many prophets who came from the nation Israel. Allah gave to Israel a special ministry of prophethood. These holy men prophesied to the children of Israel about Al-Masih who would come one day. They said that he would be their king and their Saviour from sins. Allah would also bless the entire world through Al-Masih because he would one day rule a righteous kingdom in which there was peace and long life for all. But what actually happened when Hazrat Isa, the Masih came? The children of Israel did not recognize him and so rejected him. This did not surprise Allah, for he knows all things. Hundreds of years before the rejection of Hazrat Isa Masih, the prophets said that this would happen: He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 Hazrat Isa Masih also knew that the Jews would reject him and so he said: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,

but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Injil, Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 23:27-29 Less than 40 years later, these words were fulfilled as the Roman armies surrounded and destroyed Jerusalem. The Jews were scattered throughout the world as a result of this, and remained so for almost 1,900 years. But why? Why did Allah bless them so much and then turn around and curse them? They rejected Allah's Masih, Hazrat Isa, their Saviour, and so rejected Allah's grace and mercy. Even until the present time, most Jews continue to reject the claims of Hazrat Isa Masih. They think of him as an imposter, a Dajjal. Israel's Present Arab people call it Palestine. Jews call it Israel. But no matter what you call it, the land which gave birth to Hazrat Isa Masih is a source of tension for many people around the world. And there appears to be no easy solution. Almost daily, you can read in the newspapers about Israelis killing Palestinians, or Palestinians killing Israelis, over that small piece of land. So many people ask, "Whose land is it really?" As important as that question may be, there is a more important question in relation to the children of Israel. The question is, "What is their relationship to Allah?" The Jews claim to worship Allah correctly, and believe that they are following the truth. But even though the Jews now live in the holy land after 1900 years of exile, that which caused the exile in the first place has not been made right. Most Jews still reject Hazrat Isa Masih, the one whom Allah sent to them. We know that Hazrat Isa is no ordinary prophet. He is unique in many ways. He is the only virgin-born person there has ever been. He has the distinction of being known as "the healing prophet". He has more followers around the world than any other religion. He is the only one who rightfully bears titles such as "Word of Allah", "Spirit of Allah", "Al-Masih", and "Saviour". Is it any wonder that Allah would show such great displeasure when Israel rejected such a one? Israel then, is in one way an "enemy" of Allah (see Injil, Romans 11:28), but that is only half the truth. Allah still loves Israel, because of his relationship to Hazrat Ibrahim (khalilullah) and Hazrat Yakub Israel (a:). Even though the people of Israel are presently under the curse of Allah, the day will come in which Israel will once again receive Allah's blessing. Israel's Future Before Israel can receive Allah's promised blessings, it must endure much more hardship. In the future seven-year time of great trouble, Jews will suffer terribly. It is common knowledge that during the era of Adolph Hitler in Nazi Germany, many many Jews died in concentration camps. However, Hitler may seem like a gentleman compared to the coming Dajjal. Dajjal will hate Jews intensely and even exceed the cruelty shown by Adolph Hitler. As Hazrat Isa said:

...then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now -- and never to be equaled again. Injil, Matthew 24:16-21 As terrible as this will be, Allah will use it in the lives of countless Jews to bring about repentance. In the day of qiyamat, the nation of Israel will have its eyes opened as to how it has rejected Allah's Masih for all these centuries. Israel shall repent and believe in Hazrat Isa Al-Masih. Allah in turn, will forgive them and give them new hearts to fully obey him: And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity. Zechariah 12:10,11; 13:1 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel! Ezekiel 36:26-32 Allah will bring blessing upon Israel in the future. He will bless them with eyes to see their wickedness. He will grant them repentance and faith concerning Hazrat Isa Masih. He will give them a new heart in exchange for their hard heart. He will let them live peacefully in the land promised to Hazrat Ibrahim (a:), and bless them with prosperity. What more could they ask for? The call goes out to Israel today to "be ashamed and disgraced" for their conduct. But the same call goes out to us all to repent, and believe in Hazrat Isa, the Saviour. Then similar blessings can be ours. Allah will give us a new heart, forgiveness of sins, and a beautiful place of our own in paradise. But the question still remains, "Whose land is it really?" It is Allah's land!

The People Who Will Never Die


Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed -- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. Injil, 1 Corinthinans 15:51,52 Did you know that there are some people who will never die? "We will not all sleep..." In the Injil, Allah's Word, it says that there is a group of people who will go directly from this mortal life to immortality without going through death. Perhaps these people are even alive

today! From the above verse of Scripture it can be seen that these people will be changed in this way during the same time period in which the resurrection occurs, that is, the day of qiyamat. The day of qiyamat is not just one 24-hour day in length. Qiyamat will actually be many years in length. Such events as the fearful rule of Dajjal, Allah's judgments, the glorious return of Hazrat Isa Masih, and then Hazrat Isa's kingdom of peace, are all part of the day of qiyamat. It is during this amazing time of qiyamat that this remarkable event will occur in which many people will be changed from mortal life to immortal life. They will never die. Who are these special people? Why is it that they will never die? How can we possibly become worthy to be one of these people who will never die? First, let us note some things about these special people: Characteristics of the People Who Will Never Die 1. they will be part of the generation that sees qiyamat's arrival. 2. this group will not include all the people alive at that time. 3. this group will include only followers of Hazrat Isa. 4. they will be changed at the same time that dead followers of Hazrat Isa are raised to life. 5. they will escape the great judgments that fall during qiyamat. 6. they will live forever and enjoy Allah's great blessings. Note that the people who will never die are people who will be alive when qiyamat arrives. It is possible that qiyamat will come soon, so then it is also possible that these people are now walking on the earth. Not all people who will be alive when qiyamat arrives will be a part of this group however. Only disciples of Hazrat Isa Masih who are alive at the approach of qiyamat will be part of this group of people who will never die. Hazrat Isa, called "Lord" by his followers, will do many amazing things when he comes again. One of them is that he will give life to his dead followers and give immortality to his living followers: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Injil, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 By now, you have understood that being a follower of Hazrat Isa is more than just believing that he is a special prophet of Allah. Those who are his true followers, believe in him not only as prophet but as their intercessor and Saviour from sin. They believe in him and obey him even if it means they must endure trouble. It is because of their genuine faith in him that he will deliver them from having to face death in that day. It is not to the followers of just any prophet, but only those of Hazrat Isa Masih the Saviour that this promise has been given. He is a special messenger of Allah and because of that has special arrangements for his disciples. Protection from Qiyamat's Troubles

This group of people will escape death. They will also escape harm in qiyamat. As the Injil says: Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Injil, Revelation 3:10 Some believe that these people will be protected in the midst of the troubles of qiyamat. This belief states that those special followers of Hazrat Isa will undergo the great troubles of qiyamat like everyone else, but that they will receive miraculous protection from real harm. Others, including this author, believe that these special believers will be protected from the troubles of qiyamat by actually being taken to heaven until the great troubles on earth are over. Before the onset of the time of great trouble, these believers will disappear from the face of the earth to meet Hazrat Isa their Saviour in the air to be taken to heaven. But no matter which of these two beliefs one holds, it is clear that Allah will protect his people from the judgments of qiyamat. A Special Place and how to get there Hazrat Isa Masih himself said that when he returns he will take his people to a special place: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Injil , John 14:3,4 Hazrat Isa here says not only that he "will come back" but that he will also "take" his people. Do you know the way to the place to which Hazrat Isa went? If you do not, then don't worry. Even one of his close companions did not know the way. Hazrat Thomas, one of his twelve disciples felt that it was not clear and so he asked a question: Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Injil, John 14:5 At that time Hazrat Thomas did not know where Hazrat Isa was going. We know today that Hazrat Isa went to heaven, and so the question is "What is the way to heaven?". Hazrat Isa Masih answered this question for Thomas and for us: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Injil, John 14:6 Hazrat Isa himself claimed to be the way to heaven. He claimed that no one can go to the "Father" except through him. The "Father" spoken of here is of course, Allah, the creator of us all. One of the meanings of this term "Father" is that there exists a spiritual relationship between Allah and his people. He is their spiritual father and they are his children. In the same way, those who follow the path of evil can be called "children of Satan". Satan is the "father" of the wicked. Allah is the "father" of the godly. Hazrat Isa said that he himself is the "way" to heaven. Not only that, but he said that no one can go to heaven except through him. This is because he is the one whom Allah chose to be the Saviour of mankind. He will come in the day of qiyamat and save his followers from death's grasp and from the troubles of qiyamat. However, you must be one of his true followers in order for him to come for you in that day. It is not enough to say that you believe him to be Allah's prophet. He is more than a prophet. He is the Saviour.

If you say that you believe in him, remember that your faith is proved by your godly behaviour. This is why there is a very stern warning to us about the importance of persevering in Allah's way: Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day [qiyamat] will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man [Isa]. Injil, Luke 21:34-36 The warning given here is not for true believers who sometimes fail and sin. The warning is for those who are self-deceived. Those who say they are disciples of Hazrat Isa, but in actuality are not. There is a promise here though for his true followers. They will "escape all that is about to happen". They will escape the trouble that will "come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth." In the present age, followers of Hazrat Isa Masih receive enough trouble. If you are one of followers, take courage. If people even say unkind words about you, or call you names then be happy! Your endurance now will mean comfort in the future, just as Hazrat Isa has said: Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Injil, Revelation 3:10

Hazrat Isa Masih's Kingdom of Life


The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-8 Have you ever been to the zoo? Various animals and birds from all over the world are placed in cages or behind fences so that people can come and see. But why are the cages and fences necessary? For the safety of the visitors, AND for the safety of the animals. Imagine if the tigers were allowed to go into the cages where all the beautiful tropical birds live. What would you have? Soon, you would have tigers with full bellies, but no more birds. Strange as it may seem, there was a time when a tiger could live side by side with a beautiful bird without trying to devour it. When Allah created the world, animals did not devour each other. All animals, even tigers and other now meat-eating beasts, ate vegetation only: And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food. Tawrat, Genesis 1:30 Here Allah is saying that at first, even tigers were to eat vegetables and no meat. It appears that in the beginning there was no death anywhere on earth amongst men or animals. Something happened however, to cause animals to kill and devour one another. Something happened to bring death into the world for the first time. Sin came, and brought death with it:

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin... Injil, Romans 5:12 For the wages of sin is death... Injil, Romans 6:23 When Hazrat Adam (a:) sinned, he brought death upon himself, but that's not all! He started a chain reaction which brought death into the whole creation. As a result, today, sickness and death are seen everywhere amongst man and beast. However, when Hazrat Isa Masih returns to earth, this will change. He will set up a very special kingdom. In his kingdom, animals will no longer devour one another: The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox... Isaiah 65:25 The short life span which man and beast have today, will be greatly enhanced: Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. Isaiah 65:20 Death will be rare. This scripture says that someone who dies at hundred years of age will be considered a youth. If that is true, then how many years of age will old people be? When death does come, it will primarily come as a result of wickedness, that is, rebellion against the authority of the king. Who is this king? Hazrat Isa Masih, he is the king. The following description of his future coming shows how great will be his authority to deal with wickedness: I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of Almighty God. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Injil, Revelation 19:11-16 Prince of Peace He will not be just a king among other kings. He will be the king over all other kings. His kingdom will be worldwide and full of peace and justice. The prophet Hazrat Isaiah (a:) was given the following prophecy over 700 years before Hazrat Isa was born: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6,7 In the above scripture, the word "peace" is repeated twice. Everyone in the world wants peace today, but how can it be obtained? Over the years, hundreds of peace treaties have been made, but wars continue. It will take a very powerful, but good leader to bring the kind of

peace the world is seeking. That leader is Hazrat Isa, the "Prince of Peace". When he reigns as king, peace will be everywhere in his kingdom. There will be peace between nations, peace between people, and peace in men's hearts. One Thousand Years of Peace There are various opinions about how long this kingdom of Hazrat Isa Masih will be. The Injil however, is the one heavenly book which actually states how long it will be. Six times in one section of Allah's Word, it speaks about a period of a "thousand years". This portion immediately follows one which describes the return of Hazrat Isa to this earth in qiyamat: And I saw an an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast [Dajjal]and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Injil, Revelation 20:1-10 According to the holy Injil then, Hazrat Isa Masih will reign for one thousand years. Several things are said here about the one thousand year period:

Satan will be a prisoner during this time, unable to deceive the nations. followers of Hazrat Isa will be resurrected and reign with him. unbelievers will be resurrected after the 1000 years. Satan will be released to deceive after the 1000 years. Yajuj and Majuj will attack Allah's people after the 1000 years.

Yajuj and Majuj Attack Hazrat Isa's Kingdom You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people--all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land." Ezekiel 38:11,12

Imagine, a world at peace for 1000 years, with no war or strife. But then suddenly, a world war breaks out. What a shock it will be for the peace-loving people in Hazrat Isa's kingdom to be attacked without warning. The event marking the end of the peaceful kingdom of Hazrat Isa on earth will be the attack by Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog). Isa's capital city being Jerusalem, this will be the center of the attack. Yajuj, the ruler of the people of Majuj, will lead a coalition of nations against Jerusalem and surrounding area. These nations will come from every direction to make war on the followers of Hazrat Isa. The 38th chapter of Hazrat Ezekiel (a:)'s book names some of the nations which will be involved in this attack on Hazrat Isa's kingdom: Name of land in Ezekiel 38 Modern-day equivalent Direction from Isrl Meshech and Tubal (v. 2) Persia (v. 5) Cush (v. 5) Put (v. 5) Gomer (v. 6) eastern Turkey Iran Sudan or Ethiopia Libya north east south west

south Russia, Ukraine north

Beth Togarmah (v. 6) Armenia north-east Identifying the location of Majuj itself is difficult, although some have suggested Russia as a possibility. Even still, these present nations cannot be blamed for starting a war which will not happen for over a thousand years. Giving the names only shows that the enemies of Hazrat Isa's kingdom will come from all directions to attack Jerusalem. Fire from Heaven Even though enemies surround Allah's people, no harm can come to them as long as Allah does not will it. The Almighty will see from heaven, and utterly destroy Yajuj and Majuj: When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. Injil, Revelation 20:7-9 I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 38:21-22; 39:6 The End or the Beginning? The attack of Yajuj and Majuj seems to mark the end of Hazrat Isa Masih's kingdom, not because Yajuj is victorious, but because Hazrat Isa is:

Then will the end come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Injil, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 In one way, the end of Isa's kingdom marks the beginning of that which is best. The coming of the day when the "last enemy" will be destroyed--the coming of the day that death will die!

The Death of Death


"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? Hosea 13:14 This book began with the "birth of death" and now we come to the "death of death". Death will one day cease to exist, because death is unnatural. The main reason that it seems to be a natural part of life to us today is that we have lived all of our lives with death. We know nothing else, and so we think it is normal. But it is not normal. Death is not a part of Allah's creation. Death is a sentence which Allah imposed on creation as a penalty for sin, as the Scriptures say: The soul who sins is the one who will die. -- Ezekiel 18:20 The wages of sin is death. -- Injil, Romans 6:23 In this way death came to all men, because all sinned. -- Injil, Romans 5:12 Death has been with us ever since Hazrat Adam (a:) ate the forbidden fruit, disobeying Allah's direct command. Eternal life in Paradise had been offered to Adam (a:) and Hawa (a:), but by sinning they threw it away. There were two trees in the middle of Paradise which were very significant. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil contained the forbidden fruit which brought death. The other tree was the tree of life which could give them immortality. However, once Adam (a:) and Hawa (a:) sinned, they lost the right to eat from the tree of life: And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. Tawrat, Genesis 3:22-24 Even though our first parents lost the right to eat from the tree of life, Allah has been at work throughout the centuries to restore what was lost. In qiyamat this work of restoration will be completed. Hazrat John (a:), one of Isa's companions, was given a vision of the future in which he saw the tree of life restored: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [Isa] down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. Injil, Revelation 22:1-3

To each person a personal invitation goes out to partake of the tree of life, but conditions must be met: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Injil, Revelation 2:7 With an obedient heart, we must listen to what Allah is saying through his holy word. We must be overcomers by means of our faith in Hazrat Isa Masih. He is the one whom Allah chose to die in our place as a substitute for our sins. He rose again and is a living Saviour. He will come again to judge and reward us. Do you believe this? If you have accepted Isa Masih as your Lord and Saviour, then you will have the right to eat from the tree of life in Allah's paradise. A New Heaven and a New Earth In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Tawrat, Genesis 1:1,31 The present heaven and earth which were created "very good" and beautiful, have been scarred by sin, decay, and death. You can look in any direction and see a world which though beautiful, is infected with death and decay. Things don't get better and better. Left to themselves, they go from bad to worse. This is because death is everywhere present in our world. But look at what will happen to death in the day of judgment after Hazrat Isa's kingdom: The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. Injil, Revelation 20:13,14 Death and the grave will be consumed in a fiery lake and never appear again. At the same time that Allah will destroy death, he will also remake his creation. The old heaven and old earth, will give way to a new heaven and new earth. Everything that is tainted by sin and death will be changed: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Injil, Revelation 21:1-5 Allah will make all things new. Death will die, and eternal life will be the portion of all those who trust in Hazrat Isa Masih as Saviour from sin. But wait! Allah has even now begun his new creation. His new creation exists in the hearts of his people, as it is written: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Injil, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Would you like all the "old" to be gone? The old sins, the old fears, the old shame, the old guilt? Then look to Hazrat Isa the Saviour and intercessor to make your life new. He can take

away the shame and guilt of your sins. He can exchange the fear of death for courage and joy about the future. He came to give you eternal life, and is alive to intercede to Allah on your behalf. Welcome him into your life today. Hazrat Isa said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Injil, John 10:10

Hazrat Isa, Victor over Death


Hazrat Isa is known as "the sign of qiyamat". This literally means that he is the "sign of the rising of the dead". But why should he have this special distinction? The most obvious reason is that he is coming to earth again in qiyamat, when the resurrection will occur. But there are other possible reasons why he should be called the "sign" of qiyamat. Reason #1: Hazrat Isa raised the dead One time Hazrat Isa arrived at the home of friends only to find that his sick friend Lazarus had died. The body of his friend had been in the tomb for four days already and many people were gathered mourning for the loss of this man. The dead man Lazarus, had two sisters, Martha and Mary: When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now that God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." -- Injil, John 11:21-25 Hazrat Isa made an astounding claim for himself in this passage. He claimed to be "the resurrection and the life". Not only that, but those who believed in him, would be raised from death. Then to prove that he was not making a wild claim he told the people to remove the stone from the mouth of the tomb, then prayed and called out to the dead man in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" What happened? The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." -- Injil, John 11:44 Who better to be the "sign of qiyamat"--the sign of the rising of the dead--than the one who can raise the dead? Reason #2: Hazrat Isa was not conquered by death Allah has sent many prophets to mankind down through the centuries. But among all the prophets who have lived and died, Hazrat Isa stands out as unique, because he is the prophet whom death did not defeat. Some people believe that he did this by being taken directly to heaven without seeing death. However, the holy Injil teaches that Hazrat Isa was victorious over death by another means. It teaches that he died, but because of his power and authority, he was able to rise again from the grave immortal, never to die again! Just as Isa said, No man taketh it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. (Injil, John 10:18)

Hazrat Isa's disciples, including this author, believe that in this way he was victorious over death. He faced death, and finally defeated death. He faced death for a reason though. He died so that men could be freed from death, and so that death and Satan could be destroyed: ...he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Injil, Hebrews 2:14,15 Are you afraid of dying? If so, then Hazrat Isa died to free you from your fear. You can believe that his death for you has inestimable value. But how did his death take place? What were the circumstances? In order to find out, we must look into the holy Injil, one of the heavenly books sent by Allah: So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, the disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Injil, John 19:17-18, 25-30 Hazrat Isa's words from the cross, "It is finished", refer not to finishing the drink, but also to finishing his work of dying so that death would be destroyed. It is as though he was saying, "Death is finished! I have conquered it!" Afterward, we read not that his spirit was taken from him, but that Hazrat Isa willingly gave up his spirit. If Hazrat Isa of his own free will died so that death could be destroyed, then his death was not in vain. His death means he was victorious. The proof of his victory is that he did not stay dead. He arose from the grave: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." Injil, Matthew 28:1-10, 16-19 Is it not interesting that the one who rose again from death, would be known as the sign of qiyamat, that is, the sign of the day of resurrection?

All the other notable prophets lie in their graves awaiting qiyamat so that they like us may be raised from the dead. But Isa, having once died, is now alive and will come back to earth to raise the dead to life. This is why he said: I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Injil, Revelation 1:18 Reason #3: Hazrat Isa will raise the dead in Qiyamat When Hazrat Isa walked this earth, he proved his power and authority to give life to others by healing the sick and raising the dead. He will prove it again in the day of qiyamat by raising the dead to immortality. Listen to these words spoken about Hazrat Isa: Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Injil, John 5:28,29 According to this, at the shout of Hazrat Isa the dead will rise. After this, each person will be judged according to his works. Reason #4: Hazrat Isa will judge all men Did you know that in the day of qiyamat, your judge will be Hazrat Isa Masih? Although it is widely believed that when Isa returns he will administer some sort of judgment, few people think about what that really means. It means that he is the one to whom we must answer for our sins and wrongdoing. He is also the one who will reward us for work well done. He is the one who will intercede for his own people. One time when Hazrat Paul was speaking to idolaters about the foolishness of worshipping idols, he spoke this message from Allah: In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. Injil, Acts 17:30,31 Hazrat Isa is the one who has been raised from the dead. He is also the one Allah has appointed to judge all men, both those who are his disciples and those who are not. Listen to his words: "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." Injil, Revelation 22:12 Isa is keeping a book called the "Book of Life". In this Book of Life the names of all his true disciples are recorded. In the day of judgment that book will be brought forward and opened. Those whose names are in the Book, will receive a place in heaven. Those whose names are absent, will be cast away from Allah's presence forever: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was

not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Injil, Revelation 20:11-15 Reason #5: Hazrat Isa saves men from Death and Hell Hazrat Isa claimed to be the "resurrection and the life". He proved it by raising the dead and by rising from death himself. He will also cause all men to rise from their graves in qiyamat and then either accuse them or defend them. How will it be with you, friend? Are you his disciple? Have you believed that he gave his life so that you could receive salvation? Do you depend on him to save you in the day of judgment? ...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Injil, Romans 10:9-11 Right now, you should accept him as your Lord and Saviour. He wants to save you. As Isa said, ...whoever comes to me I will never drive away. Injil, John 6:37 Seek out others who believe in him as well, and tell them of your faith. Then together you can look forward to the day when Hazrat Isa Masih will come again. Together you can look forward to THE DAY WHEN DEATH WILL DIE.

You might also like