WISDOM OF ISLAM

If only Muhammad could speak to us about all this. (He has!)

Dear Family and Friends,

I love reading the words of the founders of the world's religions, starting with my own Christian heritage. About 3 weeks ago, I picked up "The Sayings of Muhammad," the founder of the religion of Islam.

"Islam" means "absolute surrender to the Will of God" and comes from the root word for "peace" - which is perfectly appropriate, as you shall see below! Followers of Islam are called Muslims.

In light of last week's terrible events, I went back to that book and was quite newly astounded and moved. I wish to share my findings with you for two reasons:

We in the West may only know Muslims through the media

reports of war and violence in the Middle East. and not know how the founder of Islam spoke so strongly about peace and brotherhood among all humanity 7 Perhaps the consciousness contained in Muhammad's own words might find its way into the eyes, ears, and hearts of ANYONE - Muslim or non-Muslim - who might be planning actions that are so contrary to that Prophet's own teachings and laws Some of the quotes below are from the Kur'an (Koran), the holy book of Islam. Its precepts are law to Muslims.

Other quotes are from "The Sayings of Muhammad" as translated in 1905 by Allama Sir Abdullah al-Mamun al-Suhrawardy, the founder of the Pan-Islamic Society of London. These are just as important as the Kur'an, as Sir Abdullah Suhrawardy's introduction states: "The Ways and Wont of Muhammad and his utterances form a living commentary on and supplement to the Kur'an. Their great importance. lies in this: the utterances of Muhammad have already acquired the force of law. A Muslim may question the genuineness of an individual saying; but once its authority is proved, it is as binding upon him as the injunctions and prohibitions of the Kur'an."

Please share with me the delight of listening to the Messenger of God, as he was called, as he speaks with such relevance to the spiritual calling of this moment in history! On Aggression It was said to the Prophet (Muhammad), 'O Messenger of God! Curse the infidels.' Muhammad said, 'I am not sent for this, nor was I sent but as a mercy to mankind. (SM 325) The most excellent Jihad (Holy war) is that for the conquest of the self. (SM 73) Henceforth the vengeance of blood is forbidden. (Sermon on Mt. Arafat, Farewell pilgrimage in 10th year of the Hijra)

(Determine) that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them. (SM 195) He who believes in one God and the Hereafter (i.e., a Muslim), let him not injure his neighbors. (SM 141) On Treating Others as Family Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow-beings first. (SM 145) The creation is as

God's family; for its sustenance is from Him: therefore, the most beloved unto God is the person who does good to God's family. (SM 161)

Do to all men as you would wish to have done to you, and reject for others what you would reject for yourself. (SM 138)

What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighen the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured. (SM 249) When the (funeral) bier of anyone passes by you, whether Jew, Christian, or Muslim, rise to your feet. (SM 102)

On Making Peace

Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots. (SM 340)

Muhammad once said to Anas, 'Son, if you are able, keep your heart from morning till night and from night till morning free from malice towards anyone.' Then he said, 'Oh! My son, this is one of my laws, and ho who loves my laws verily loves me.' (SM 132)

And if they (enemies) incline towards peace, incline also to it, and trust in God. (Kur'an viii:61) That person is nearest to God who pardons when he has in his power the person who would have injured him. (SM 194)

The best of almsgiving is that which springs from the heart and is uttered by the lips to soften the wounds of the injured. (SM 21)

On Gentleness and Mercy

Whoever has been given gentleness has been given a good portion, in this world and the next. (SM 76) Verily, God is mild and is fond of mildness, and he gives to the mild what he does not to the harsh. (SM 196) They will enter the Garden of Bliss who have a true, pure, and merciful heart. (SM 370)

On Honoring All Religions

Whether Muslim, Jew, Christian. whosoever believes in God and in the Last Day, and does good to others, verily he shall find his reward with the Lord. (Kur'an ii:62)

On "Karma" and Forgiveness

Verily your deeds will be brought back to you, as if you yourself were the creator of your own punishment. (SM 145)

Despair not the mercy of God, who forgives all sins; He is the forgiving, the Merciful

On Developing Divine Qualities

And your God is one God, there is no God but He: Loving, Gracious, Most Merciful. (Kur'an ii:163) (God says,) O Man! Only follow you My laws and you shall become like unto Me. (SM 204)

We are all of God, and towards Him are we progressing. (Kur'an ii:156) Be ye imbued with divine qualities. (SM 155)

The most excellent Jihad (Holy war) is that for the conquest of the self. (SM 73) There have been some who act violently while calling themselves followers of Muhammad - just as there are Protestants and Catholics who do violence to each other while calling themselves followers of Jesus Christ.

(Yes, we too in the West can be adept at distorting and deviating from the teachings of a religious founder.) In their ignorance, terrorists for ANY cause betray their own salvation. Let us not confuse their actions with the purity and beauty of the teachings of Muhammad and Christ.

Mahatma Gandhi wrote the Foreword to "The Sayings of Muhammad" and had this to say: "I have read Sir Abdullah Suhrawardy's collections of the sayings of the Prophet with much interest and profit. They are among the treasures of mankind, not merely Muslims. "May we all treasure and live by these words, and the similar holy words we may know from our own spiritual paths. May these words ring loudly in the hearts of all who might otherwise act contrary to these laws.

Thank you for giving your hearts to uplifting humanity with your own version of Muhammad's teachings.

With Love,

William

Dharma Center

"Divine Love Boldly in Actionî

 william@globaldharma.org

 www.globaldharma.org