Note: Kindly read the following as plain and simple information with a rational outlook, this is not intended to hurt or offend anyone's thoughts, faith or opinions.
Whether we believe in God or not, we always do possess more or less information about different religions, different myths and different Gods and Faiths. Religion and politics are two most controversial, confusing and highly influencing creations of the human mind... FAITH as we know it, has been around since a long long time now. The Origin of Faith can never be sited in terms of any particular era in time, but the origin of most of the religions are known.
*** For example, it is a known fact that Christ had his last supper at a place called "the Cenacle" located on "the Mount Zion". And the day next to that, he was crucified at a place nearby called Golgotha. Now it is said that Christ was resurrected exactly after 40 days (thats when we celebrate Easter Sunday). Till crucifixion, Jesus Christ was a miraculous inspiring man with extreme courage and immense faith in his deeds. After resurrection, he became God - and Christianity was born!
***Another fact, one of the most significant events in the history of Islam is Prophet Muhammad's Night of Ascention (AD 620) - when he was miraculou
sly transported from Mecca to the Temple Mount: al-Aqsa (the farthest mosque); and from here, as mentioned in the first verse of Surat al-Isra, he ascended to heaven to meet the previous prophets. As a matter of fact, this "Dome of the Rock" which stands over the Foundation Stone (from which Muhammed ascended to Heaven) was considered as the Quibla (the direction of prayer) for Muslims prior to Kabba in Mecca. This site today, is the third holiest site in Islam.
Whether we believe in God or not, we always do possess more or less information about different religions, different myths and different Gods and Faiths. Religion and politics are two most controversial, confusing and highly influencing creations of the human mind... FAITH as we know it, has been around since a long long time now. The Origin of Faith can never be sited in terms of any particular era in time, but the origin of most of the religions are known.
*** For example, it is a known fact that Christ had his last supper at a place called "the Cenacle" located on "the Mount Zion". And the day next to that, he was crucified at a place nearby called Golgotha. Now it is said that Christ was resurrected exactly after 40 days (thats when we celebrate Easter Sunday). Till crucifixion, Jesus Christ was a miraculous inspiring man with extreme courage and immense faith in his deeds. After resurrection, he became God - and Christianity was born!
***Another fact, one of the most significant events in the history of Islam is Prophet Muhammad's Night of Ascention (AD 620) - when he was miraculou
sly transported from Mecca to the Temple Mount: al-Aqsa (the farthest mosque); and from here, as mentioned in the first verse of Surat al-Isra, he ascended to heaven to meet the previous prophets. As a matter of fact, this "Dome of the Rock" which stands over the Foundation Stone (from which Muhammed ascended to Heaven) was considered as the Quibla (the direction of prayer) for Muslims prior to Kabba in Mecca. This site today, is the third holiest site in Islam.***One more fact, one of the most religious sites in Jewism or the Jewish history is the First Temple or the Solomon's Temple (constructed in 960 BCE). It is termed as the "Holy of Holies" or the "Hekhal". The Solomon's 
temple is the biggest and the most significant Synagogue (Jewish temple) amongst the other more then 1200 small Synagogues that surround it.
Now, I am not a preacher or a religious scholar, but I definitely am an information seeker and a peace lover. The reason that I am talking about these things is as follows:The Mount Zion and Golgotha; the mosque al-Aqsa and the foundation stone; and the Solomon's Temple or the Tomb of David - All of these are located in a single city called Jerusalem. In fact, all these sites are within 1 square kilometer of area (760 square meters to be exact).
temple is the biggest and the most significant Synagogue (Jewish temple) amongst the other more then 1200 small Synagogues that surround it. Now, I am not a preacher or a religious scholar, but I definitely am an information seeker and a peace lover. The reason that I am talking about these things is as follows:The Mount Zion and Golgotha; the mosque al-Aqsa and the foundation stone; and the Solomon's Temple or the Tomb of David - All of these are located in a single city called Jerusalem. In fact, all these sites are within 1 square kilometer of area (760 square meters to be exact).
Isnt it amazing??? Three of the worlds largest (see the top ten religions list link at the bottom) sort of ORIGINATED from this small piece of land during different time periods!
Imagine, a piece of land where Jesus preached his followers, where Muhammed connected with the divine heaven, where the first ever Synagogue was built, where Moses spoke with the angel of Yahweh through the burning bush (although there is no confirmed evidence about the location of Mt. Horeb). Imagine, a place so divine - a place which is the biggest symbol of unity of human kind and different religions!
But what is the current state of this place??? The status of Jerusalem right now is a matter of immense controversy within the international community. There have been so many wars fought on this land, that the land of God has now become a no man's land. It is atrocious that we as humans can fight even for out faiths. Such an irony! Faith - is to unite and not to divide! All religions preach peace and harmony - and still we create wars in the name of religions.
But I am sure, there is a way to unite. We can have a unified peaceful resolution to end this controversy, and infact every controversy that exists. God must be laughing at us from up above that we are fighting and messing up with his very own home!
Lets unite people - and make this world a better place. Lets be good human beings first, and then follow a religion or be patriotic. If you feel we as Indians have nothing to do with this, think again. Watch out for the next post - Ayodhya - The Land of Ram or Rahim???
Lets unite people - and make this world a better place. Lets be good human beings first, and then follow a religion or be patriotic. If you feel we as Indians have nothing to do with this, think again. Watch out for the next post - Ayodhya - The Land of Ram or Rahim???
Join the cause - a revolution starts with an idea of a single mind and support of a few or many other similar minds.
Post com
ments, opinions, knowledge and personal experiences. From Jan 2011, the blog will go online as a separate entity - and your inputs will be highly appreciated.
Post com
ments, opinions, knowledge and personal experiences. From Jan 2011, the blog will go online as a separate entity - and your inputs will be highly appreciated.Peace! God Bless!
Check out the following links for references or verification: (you may refer to several sources available on the internet, but here I am siting only wikipedia since it is all facts and information with 0% discrimination of any kind)
- The Cenacle
- The Mount Zion/Sion
- Crucifixion
- Easter
- Resurrection
- Night of Ascention
- Al-Aqsa (the farthest mosque)
- Quibla
- Solomon's Temple
- Synagogues
- The angel of Yahweh
- Mount Horeb
- Top ten religions in terms of population
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Maulik, do consider the following facts, Kabaa was considered as Quibla way prior to age of Proff. Muhammad (S.A.W). Consider the below facts:
ReplyDelete[Quran; 2:125] We have rendered the shrine (the Ka`aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate."
The Kaaba was built by prophet Abraham as a landmark for the House of God, for the sole purpose of worshipping of God alone.
AND ITS NOT A WITNESS OF pROFFETS MOVEMENT TO AL-AQSA.
[Quran; 2:127] As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail (they prayed): "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient.
Tradition goes that the Kaaba was ordained by Allah to be built in the shape of the House in Heaven called Baitul Ma’amoor. Allah in his infinite Mercy ordained a similar place on earth and Prophet Adam was the first to build this place. The Bible, in the Chapter of Genesis describes its building when God ordained Abraham to erect a Shrine for worship when Abraham was ordered to go to the Southern desert with his wife Hagera and infant son Ismael. The Old Testament describes this building as the Shrine of God at several places, but the one built at Ma’amoor is very much similar to the one at Makka. There is no doubt that it was referring to the stone built house at Makka.
When Prophet Ibrahim built the Holy Shrine in Makka, his prayers were that this place should remain a centre of worship for all good and pious people; that Allah should keep his family the custodians of the Holy place. Ever since, Ismael the son of Ibrahim who helped his father to build this place and his descendants remained the custodians of the Holy Shrine. History tells us that centuries passed and the guardianship of the Kaaba remained in the family of Ismael until the name of Abde Manaf came into the limelight. He inherited this service and made it much more prominent. His son Hashim took this leadership and extended it to many other towns of Hejaz so much so that many pilgrims flocked annually to this place and enjoyed Hashims’s hospitality. A feast was given in honour of the pilgrims, food and water was served to all guests by the family of Hashim. This prominence created jealousies and his brother Abdushams’ adopted son Ummayya tried to create trouble. There was a dispute in which Umayya failed and left Makka to settle down in the Northern provinces of Suria(Sham) currently known as Syria. After Hashim his brother Muttalib and after him Hashim’s son Shyba who became known as Abdul Muttalib assumed the leadership of the family. He organised feasts and supplies of water to the pilgrims during the annual festival of Pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine.
Maulik, the intention is just to through some more light on the history of Kaaba. You can also know more if you follow the below link.
http://www.kokaniz.com/kaabahis.html
Hey thanks Shareef... Like I mentioned, my information sources are limited and inputs from friends like you who have more of knowledge are highly valuable...
ReplyDeleteAgain, the point after all is that a holy land, with a great significance is right now under a controversy - which is atrocious!
Keep sharing the knowledge and supporting the cause... God Bless!
And also, to share my source of information, click on the link "Quibla" at the bottom of the post... That will probably help you understand why I have mentioned al-Aqsa as Quibla...
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Good info Maulik... I knew nothing abt it... Thanks a lot... Keep spreading the knowledge...
ReplyDeleteWell, you are right as Al-Aqsa is the Qibla, but there are cerain discrepencies in the source you have used while relating the history of Qibla. i have gone through the link and there are lot of statements which can be easily defetaed with facts those are already established. There are lot of disputes about it which i understand. But being a muslim i wanted you to show what Quran says as Quran can be considered as he fact book about it. The reason is the points and logics behind every statement is so matchless and there is no other documentaion of the contemporary Arab and Muslim world is available from anyother sources which is logical. These has been proved from scientists, philosophers and historians around the globe. Again thanks much for your honest thought about the subject you have raised. Now a days who have time to put their brain aside for a while for universal harmony?
ReplyDeleteI think the most important message here is that we seek to understand and find common ground and harmony and Maulik I sincerely thank you for sharing this
ReplyDeleteHey thanks a lot Paul! Trying to "make a difference" like you! However, your cause is very well defined, mine is still vague... Learning from you!
ReplyDeleteThanks again, God Bless!