Muslims Ask

THE DIVINE GLORY

When we stop to consider the elevated state of Adam’s purity and innocence before his downfall, and when we consider that he was created in the image of the Creator, quickened by the Spirit of Allah, called “son of God,” and crowned khalifa over all the earth, we are awed by the glory of Ashraf-ul Makhluqat! This glory is depicted by a Qur’anic story about Adam(a:) and the angels. According to the passage, Allah commanded the angels to bow prostrate before Adam:

“When I have fashioned him [Adam] and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him.” So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together. Not so Iblis; he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves... Allah said, “Then get thee out from here, for thou art rejected, accursed. And the curse shall be on thee till the Day of Judgment.”

Surat-ul Hijr (15):29-31,34-35

At first, this story almost appears contradictory since no one is to be worshiped but Allah! However, we must remember that Adam(a:), in his innocent state, was indwelled by the very Spirit of Allah. Thus it is most likely that the angels in this story were bowing in reverence, not to the man Adam, but rather to the Spirit of Allah that lived inside the man Adam. For it was the Spirit of Allah that caused Ashraf-ul Makhluqat to glitter with royal splendor and divine beauty. Truly Adam(a:) was reflecting the divine nature which communed and interacted with him each day prior to his downfall. In like manner this type of reverent worship was even more prominent on the part of angels who appeared to the “second Adam.” This “second Adam” is Isa Al-Masih, the one called “Son of God,” and the one who is to come as Conquering King and Prince of Peace!

First, we find the presence of angels celebrating the birth of Isa Al-Masih with greetings of joy and peace:

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ [Al-Masih] the Lord. This will be a sign to you….” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host [angels] appeared..., praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

Injil (Luke 2:9-14)

Later in his life, Isa Al-Masih experienced a time of great spiritual testing and temptation. Shaitan repeatedly whispered lies into his ear, hoping to lure him away from his divinely appointed mission. But when Al-Masih surrendered fully to the sovereignty of Allah, instantly Shaltan left and the angels came. The account is as follows:

Again, the devil took him [Isa] to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus [Isa] said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only!’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Injil (Matthew 4:8-11)

Isa(a:) remained faithful and true. He fully submitted to the will of Allah, even to the point of extreme agony and humility. This was necessary to fulfill his mission as the Holy Qurban. As a result, Allah exalted him to the highest rank to rule as Grand Khalifa over all things! It is he, this glorified Isa(a:), whom we now find worshiped by a great host of angels! As the “Lamb of Allah,” the Holy Qurban, he fulfilled his mission and was duly rewarded!

And being found in appearance as a man, he [Al-Masih] humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus [Isa] every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ [Isa Al-Masih] is Lord.

Injil (Philippians 2:8-11)

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the Throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang, “Worthy is the Lamb [Al-Masih], who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Injil (Revelation 5:11,12)

As we consider the above references, along with the Qur’anic story of Adam(a:) and the angels, we realize that just as Iblis refused to bow to Adam, so there will be those who refuse to bow to Al-Masih Isa Ruhullah Kalimatullah. We remember the fate of Iblis who refused to acknowledge the “son,” Adam(a:). Likewise, those who refuse to acknowledge the glory of Isa Al-Masih, the “Son of God,” will be consumed by the wrath of Allah! Regardless of our religious tradition, it is very important that we heed the warning of Holy Scripture:

The “Father” loves the “Son” and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the “Son” has eternal life, but whoever rejects the “Son” will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.

Injil (John 3:35,36)

THE FIRST MISSION

Let us now consider more fully the mission of Isa Al-Masih. It was Allah’s good will that Al-Masih appear to humankind on two separate occasions. His first coming has already taken place. The Eternal Word of Allah descended upon the world in the form of a human being. That perfect man was Isa ibnu Maryam(a:). The second coming of Al-Masih will take place in the future during the Day of Reckoning! At that time, he will descend as the mighty Prince of Allah’s Kingdom. In his first appearance 2,000 years ago, Al- Masih Isa(a:) declared he came to the world not to be served, but to give his life a ransom for many. Just as Allah ransomed Ibrahim’s son by means of the qurbani sacrifice, so Allah planned to ransom all humankind through the Holy Qurban. Remember the proclamation of Yahya(a:), “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” By this act of self-sacrifice, Isa(a:) became the required kaffara for the sins of all of us. In this way he is regarded the Savior of humankind. The Scriptures declare that it is only by means of Isa Al-Masih, the Holy Qurban, that we can find atonement (kaffara) and complete cleansing from sin. For it is onlyby the Mercy of Allah that we are saved, and not by our performance of religious works. It is only through Al-Masih, the “Lamb of Allah,” that wecan enter the nearness of the Beloved. Isa(a:) isthe only way, the only mediator, that leads intothe holy presence of the Creator. His is the onlyname that leads to salvation. Notice how this is clearly revealed in the Scriptures:

“How can we know the way?” Jesus [Isa] answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the ‘Father’ except through Me.”

Injil (John 14:5,6)

God...wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus [Al-Masih Isa] who gave himself as a ransom for all men...

Injil (1 Timothy 2:4-6)

It is by the name of Jesus Christ [Isa Al-Masih].... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Injil (Acts 4:10,12)

Isa Al-Masih came the first time to become the Savior of humankind. He knew full well that it was Allah’s plan for him to suffer the sacrificial death. Yet he surrendered all to Allah’s will and lived in complete obedience as Allah’s servant (abdullah). In this profound mission of suffering, Isa Al-Masih revealed Allah’s love for humankind. Only a true perception of this divine love can arouse the spiritual love of man that would compel him to repent and return to his Beloved LORD! This is the transformation that is needed in the hearts of men before peace can begin to rule in their lives. Without this peace, there is no hope for the people of the earth.

THE SECOND MISSION

When the seekers of truth accept the gift of Allah’s Mercy in the form of the Holy Qurban, they then enter the nearness of Allah and the realm of His kingdom. We know now that the Savior through whom we enter this spiritual kingdom is the same one who presently and eternally shall rule as its great and glorious king. Such a kingdom had been planned for Isa Al- Masih from ages past. However, because of Adam’s downfall, it was first necessary for Al- Masih to come as Savior to ransom the Children of Adam from Judgment before he could come as King to lovingly rule over them. Now that the purpose of his first mission was accomplished, Isa Al-Masih will appear a second time. This time he will descend as the great and mighty Khalifa! He will come to assemble all his followers and to establish his Kingdom of peace throughout the earth. This “Prince of Peace” will arrive with great pomp and glory. Notice the description from the Scriptures. Notice also the title “Son of Man” for Isa Al-Masih. This term was commonly used by the community of God’s people to describe their own idea of the long awaited savior who would come to deliver them from their enemies.

When the “Son of Man” [Al-Masih] comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my ‘Father;’ take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

Injil (Matthew 25:31-34)

Grace and peace to you... ...from Jesus Christ [Isa Al-Masih], who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him [Al-Masih] who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood [the blood of the Qurban], and has made us to be a kingdom...to him [Al-Masih] be glory and power for ever and ever. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.

Injil (Revelation 1:4-7)

They [all the nations of the earth] will see the “Son of Man” [Al-Masih] coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds.…

Injil (Matthew 24:30,31)

THE NEW AGE TO COME

Surely the return of Al-Masih will mark the beginning of a new age. It will bring a new heaven and a new earth, since the old earth and its atmosphere have been polluted with corruption. When the King appears, he will put an end to the oppression of Shaitan and his demonic forces. A great battle will rage in the area of Jerusalem of the Holy Land. It will mark the downfall of al-dajjal, and the ultimate defeat of all evil. Listen to the details of the vision which Allah gave to one of Isa’s disciples:

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 but he himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood [the blood of his qurbani death], and his name is the “Word of God” [Kalimatullah]. The armies of heaven werefollowing 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 God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Then I saw the beast [al-dajjal] and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider of the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the “false prophet” who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf.... The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Injil (Revelation 19:11-16,19,20)

As incredible as it may seem, the Holy Scriptures assure us that Shaitan will at last be forever eliminated. The Day of Judgment will completely cleanse the world of sin!

And the devil [Ash-Shaitan], who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Then I saw a great white Throne and him who was seated on it.… 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.... If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire!

Injil (Revelation 20:10-12,15)

THE KINGDOM OF PEACE AND JOY

As the grand Khalifa, as King of kings, Isa Al- Masih will usher in an eternity of peace and joy in the hearts of Allah’s people. He will bring with him a glorious and majestic Kingdom which will descend from the presence of the Almighty. We continue now with the vision that speaks of this wonderful future:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away.… I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... 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.” “I am making everything new! ... To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”

Injil (Revelation 21:1-7)

THE FULFILLMENT OF SPIRITUAL THIRST

What a glorious Kingdom it shall be! If we truly follow him who is the “Son of God,” the “King of kings,” the Grand Khalifa of all ages, then we will become “sons of God” just as Adam(a:) was crowned “son of God” in the very beginning. We will inherit the spiritual glory of Ashraf-ul Makhluqat. We will be reinstated into the Royal Family of the Divine. The Holy Scriptures speak of this wonderful promise:

He [Isa Kalimatullah] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband’s will, but born of God [spiritual birth].

Injil (John 1:10,12,13)

Could there be any greater fulfillment than to become the spiritual “children of God?” Does not the father smile upon the son, and does not the son look up into the loving eyes of the father? Is it not our heart’s desire that Allah would look down upon us with smiling favor, and that we would look up to gaze upon the Face of the Beloved? Oh what glorious mystery! Our hearts cry out, “Show us the ‘Father,’ show us the ‘Father!’” He who is Kalimatullah, the Word, the true expression of the Almighty, responds in this way:

Don’t you know me...even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.... ....it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work.

Injil (John 14:9,10)

Now we begin to see more clearly. The Light of Allah once again reveals to us a marvelous truth!

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His Light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ [Al-Masih].

Injil (2 Corinthians 4:6)

CONCLUSION

My dear brother, through this lesson, we have journeyed together on a long pilgrimage. We have searched the Scriptures for spiritual truths and enlightenment. The desire of our hearts has been to return to the Most Beloved and to embrace His love with utmost devotion and loyalty. We have yearned to enter the purity and security of His eternal presence. At last we have found the door of assurance! We have found the path, the straight but narrow way. We have found him through whom we must enter, for there is no other way. He is the same one who has been granted complete authority over all creation. By Allah’s decree, Isa Ruhullah, Kalimatullah, Al-Masih ibnu Maryam (a:) is the Grand Khalifa; he is the King. It is only in his Kingdom that we will experience the reality of everlasting peace. It is there that we will quench our thirst for “living water.” In that Kingdom we will walk and live in the Light of Him who is Most Glorious. The Scriptures reassure us this is a Kingdom of blessing and eternal life!

Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the “Son” [Khalifa], lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way.... Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Zabur 2:11,12

The “Father” loves the “Son” and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the “Son” has eternal life!

Injil (John 3:35,36)

CLOSING MUNAJAT

O Allah, at this moment we receive with open hearts Isa Al-Masih, whom You ordained from ages past to rule as King. Help us devote our fullest allegiance to his most noble mission of establishing Your Holy kingdom in the hearts of men. O Allah, because he is your appointed Khalifa for all eternity, may the peace of his Kingdom rule in our hearts; may the love of his Kingdom purify our deeds; and may the power of his Kingdom strengthen our lives. We humbly submit all that we are, and all that we have, for the noble task of serving You and fellowman.

O Allah, continue to open our spiritual eyes that we might perceive more of the face of Isa Al-Masih who has come to reveal Your Glory. All praise to You who sits upon the Throne, and to him who rules exalted at the right hand of Your Majesty, forever and forever.

AMIN