People of the Book

In the Qur'an, Mohammad (peace be upon him) mentions those whom he calls the People of the Book. They are the ones to whom God (Baruch haShem) has given a revelation of His character and purposes, and they have kept a record of it in sacred Scripture. In his day, these were the Christians and the Jews. Mohammad (pbuh) recognizes their founders as great prophets who passed on to their people the words of God (BhS), giving them the guidance they needed to live their lives in righteousness, and explaining what God (BhS) desires and what he expected them to do. God's ideals and priorities are clearly laid out in these sacred works, but people being what they are did not always do as they were supposed to do. The messages were slowly twisted by dogma and obscured by self-interested interpretations and speculations. Maybe this cannot be avoided, but it does not please God (BhS). It is merely the blind leading the blind. Mohammad (pbuh) had no patience with this kind of foolishness, but saw that our paths to God (BhS) needed to be purified of such dross.

Mohammad (pbuh) became a prophet because he was discontent with the messages brought to him by those who claimed to speak for God (BhS). He retreated into the mountains to try to sort out the truth for himself. God (BhS) loves those who seek Him ardently with purity of heart, and often comes to them with visions. This time, He sent the angel Gabriel to teach Mohammad the Qur'an. As time progressed, the Qur'an became a new sacred Book. But Mohammad saw into the future and knew that even this Qur'an would eventually be covered over with humanity's dross, so he declared, "I shall be the Seal of the Prophets," and this shall be the last of the sacred Scriptures to begin a new religion. It is pointless to start any new religions when there is already enough guidance to be found by those who truly seek God (BhS).

But Mohammad (pbuh) retained his respect for the prophets who had come before him. Their Books held essential ideas and principles both necessary and sufficient to guide any one who would seek God (BhS) along the paths they marked. Mohammad (pbuh) only spoke against them in the places where they went wrong. He insisted that there can only be one God, and that He is a Unity, without any peer or divisions - which is true, and he declared that observing the 613 laws promulgated among the Jews would only succeed in making one into a Jew - which is also true. If one sincerely seeks God (BhS), it is enough to be a person of faith keeping the laws of Noah, to be strictly ethical and carefully rational, and to be devoted to God (BhS) through submission to His will and service to His plan. The People of the Book who follow in this way are of equal stature before God (BhS), even with the most pious and "good works" muslim. We all stand in need of His infinite compassion, mercy and grace.

A Statement of Intent:

I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all religions.
I have thought about this a lot, for many years, and I have developed a few
conclusions and opinions. Many of these may be controversial, or maybe not...

I expect to open a number of subjects for discussion.
Please feel free to comment on any of these:

1. Mystical experience: there are several varieties, including enlightenment
as well as prophetic visions and personal inspiration.

2. Practical ideals: I have discerned these in the world's various sacred literatures
and Scriptures - Truth, Freedom, Love and Wisdom. I feel that they are the
foundations of morality, and the priorities that God wishes us to pursue.

3. Silence: including meditation and worship. The unlimited Way can only be
followed in the silence of one's own heart.

4. Virtue: the transformation of one's character to reflect the perfection of God.
Muslims call this the interior jihad, and it is truly a great struggle.

5. Community: God always wants us to reach out to others in His name, both for
our own fulfillment and for His joy.

6. Creation: this is a very deep subject. God wants us to respect and enjoy his, and
to find the talents He gave us for our participation in this activity.

7. Reconciliation: Clearly there is much that is amiss in this world. Thus we have
the concept of sin. We need to bridge the alienation between ourselves and God,
other persons and Nature. Thankfully, God is ready with His grace to help.

8. Prayer: How do we pray so that we, and God, get the most out of the encounter?
What does God want to hear and to say to us, and what does he want us to get from it?
Are there some secrets that the Masters know better than the rest of us?

As far as I have read in the world's various Scriptures, and I have least dabbled in
most of them, these are the central topics of most interest to God and to ourselves.
The differences are mostly cultural and/or due to differences of the personalities or
agendas of the prophets.

Of course, if you wish to suggest a new topic, feel free to email me, and I may take
it up in a future entry. Even now, I can think of a couple more... Apocalypticism,
and the Afterlife. Hmmm... more to come. I hope to hear your views as mine emerge
here. Variety and harmony also please our God.

May He bless you always with His Presence and His merciful guidance.