text:
The Secret Beyond Matter
A Call for Unity
Chapter 5:
Followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, regardless of when and where they lived, had the same moral values. Refraining from murder, theft, adultery and fornication, lying, injustice, and every kind of wrong-doing, as well as behaving in a polite and respectful manner to others, are basic values recognized by all believers. Thus, they respond in a very similar manner to events, even though there are differences in their views and practices.
This moral code is common to Christians, Muslims, and Jews. For example, members of these three divinely revealed religions are told to avoid ungratefulness, transgression, arrogance, rebellion, lies, mockery, selfishness, greed, fraud, envy, aggression, disobedience, avarice, betrayal, gossip, confrontation, tyranny, slander, lack of patience, hypocrisy, and agitation, for they are incompatible with the morality that He tells believers to follow. In fact, He clearly tells all believers to be respectful, loving, just, conscientious, compassionate, merciful, helpful, modest, honest, trustworthy, generous, grateful, selfless, gentle, obedient, and loyal.
Genuinely religious people who abide by these principles are respectable, honorable, and distinguished. They have submitted wholeheartedly to Allah , have deep faith and superior moral qualities, expect no reward for helping others, and desire only to earn His good pleasure. They side at all times with the right, good, true, and virtuous morality, and refrain from all kinds of evil and immorality.
Many philosophies contain teachings that contradict the morality of divinely revealed religions. For instance, those Darwinist and materialistic philosophies that have been so influential during the last two centuries portray individuals as selfish and unscrupulous and depict life as literally a kind of arena full of people ruled by their selfish desires and thus driven to satisfy their strong desire at all costs. Since Darwinism and materialism have fallen into the error of denying the existence of Allah's revelation, it does not recognize any absolute criteria applicable to human nature, rejects all values introduced by the divinely revealed religions. The results of such views are clearly visible: conflict and tension; ruthless aggression directed toward a piece of land, status, or office; the ever-worsening oppression of the vulnerable and needy; and increasing injustice, immorality, and rapid degeneration in the quality of life.
In the face of this reality and for the salvation of those who have been misled by materialism, all followers of the divinely revealed religions must unite. Believing in the existence and unity of Allah and that He has sent Prophets to guide humanity are important common points. Jews, Christians, and Muslims have much more in common with one another than with people who reject these facts.
We will study the common moral principles between the three divinely revealed religions under their respective headings. Each of these principles makes a case for an alliance between the followers of the divinely revealed religions. It must not be forgotten that a world dominated by virtue is attainable if the believers work together.
Modesty is a common attribute of believers, for Allah reveals that He disapproves of arrogant and vain people.
Believers know that Allah gives them all they have and that He is the One and true Owner of everything. Therefore they never surrender to vanity, because they know their helplessness in His Presence and that reason, knowledge, beauty, wealth, status, and all other desirable commodities originate with Him, not within themselves.
Allah reveals the believers' modesty, as follows:
The servants of the All-Merciful are those who walk lightly on Earth and, who, when the ignorant speak to them, say: "Peace." (Surat Al-Furqan: 63)
Whether you keep your words secret or say them out loud He knows what the heart contains. Does He Who created not then know? He is the All-Pervading, the All-Aware.
(Surat Al-Mulk: 13-14)
Another verse reveals that modest Muslims will be rewarded with Paradise:
Your God is One Allah, so submit to Him. Give good news to the humble-hearted. (Surat Al-Hajj: 34)
The Gospel reveals that modesty is important and that humble people are superior in His Presence:
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians, 4: 2)
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew, 23: 11-12)
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew, 18: 4)
Likewise, the Torah states that one must refrain from arrogance and that Allah approves of humble people. Believers are required to be modest, and arrogant people will be humbled. For example:
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility... (Zephaniah, 2: 3)
You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. (2 Samuel, 22: 28)
... if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then .. I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2. Chronicles, 7: 14)
For this is what the high and lofty One says he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah, 57: 15)
When he is told to fear [and respect] Allah, he is seized by pride, which drives him to wrongdoing. Hell will be enough for him! What an evil resting-place! (Surat Al-Baqara: 206)
The Gospel
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James, 4: 6)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy, 6: 17)
The Torah
You warned them to return to Your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed Your commands. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he obeys them. Stubbornly they turned their backs on You, became stiff-necked, and refused to listen. (Nehemiah, 9: 29)
Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken. (Jeremiah, 13: 15)
The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled) (Isaiah, 2: 12-13)
Lord says: I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. (Isaiah, 13: 11)
It has been sent down to you in the Book that when you hear Allah's Signs being rejected and mocked at by people, you must not sit with them until they start talking of other things. If you do, you are just the same as them. Allah will gather all the hypocrites and unbelievers into Hell. (Surat An-Nisa: 140)
The Torah
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm, 1: 1-2)
Those who turn away from worthless talk. (Surat Al-Muminun: 3)
Those who do not bear false witness and who, when they pass by worthless talk, pass by with dignity. (Surat Al-Furqan: 72)
The Gospel
Avoid godless chatter... (2 Timothy, 2: 16)
The Torah
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word. (Psalm, 119: 37)
"Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind? Would he argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value? (Job, 15: 2-3)
" 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you", declares the Sovereign Lord. (Ezekiel, 13: 8)
[People with intelligence are] those who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and Earth: "Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al 'Imran: 191)
[There are people who are] not distracted by trade or commerce from the remembrance of Allah, the performance of prayer, and the giving of the alms; fearing a day when all hearts and eyes will be in turmoil. (Surat An-Nur: 37)
The Torah
Blessed is the man... [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm, 1: 1-2)
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs, 3: 6-8)
Love the Lord your Allah with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy, 6: 5-7)
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord..Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. (Psalm, 34: 1-3)
Allah is the believers' best friend and helper. When they encounter hardship or troubles, and when they are in safety and tranquility, they know that He is with them and so turn only to Him with absolute trust and in complete reliance upon Him. They take all possible precautions and make contingency plans, but do not forget that everything happens according to His will. Whatever the outcome, they know that there is a reason and wisdom in it. For instance, believers refrain from unhealthy things as a precautionary measure. However, if they somehow become infected with a deadly disease, they know that it is Allah's will. Given this fact, they do not panic or despair; rather, they remain patient and trusting. Believers are not saddened or worried by events, but live in the peace and calm that comes from trusting Allah.
Such trust brings a comfort and beauty to believers that no unbeliever can ever experience. One of the most fundamental causes of the stress, depression, sorrow, and suffering experienced by unbelievers is their turning away from this reality. In the Qur'an Allah reveals this truth in many verses, some of which are given below:
Whoever has fear [and respect] of Allah – He will give him a way out. And [He will] provide for him from where he does not expect. Whoever puts his trust in Allah – He will be enough for him. Allah always achieves His aim. Allah has appointed a measure for all things. (Surat At-Talaq: 2-3)
Say: "Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the believers should put their trust." (Surat At-Tawba: 51)
Trusting in Allah and relying only on Him are attributes required of all devout Christians and Jews as well. The Gospel reveals the futility of worrying and calls for faith in Allah in all matters:
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians, 3: 3)
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear... Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn. Yet God feeds them... Who of you, by worrying, can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke, 12: 22-26)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.. (Matthew, 6: 33-34)
The Torah reveals that someone who turns to Allah and trusts and relies only on Him will be rewarded with success:
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land… Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this (Psalm, 37: 3-5)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because He trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah, 26: 3-4)
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah, 17: 7-8)
... Have faith in the Lord God and you will be upheld; have faith in His Prophets and you will be successful." (2 Chronicles, 20: 20)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs, 3: 5)
He [Moses] said: "Never! My Lord is with me and will guide me." (Surat Ash-Shu'ara': 62)
Allah is with those who fear Him and with those who are good-doers. (Surat An-Nahl: 128)
My Protector is Allah, Who sent down the Book. He takes care of the righteous. (Surat Al-A'raf: 196)
The Torah
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua, 1: 9)
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence... (Proverbs, 3: 25-26)
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverb, 29: 25)
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For Who is God besides the Lord ? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God Warms me with strength and makes my way perfect… You give me Your shield of victory.. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. (Psalm, 18: 30-32, 35-36)
Being just is one of the believers' most important qualities. Allah commands people to be fair with each other, even if this means going against their own interests or those of their relatives. Believers protect justice and prevent injustice, for, as the Allah states in the Qur'an:
Allah commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what Allah exhorts you to do! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Surat An-Nisa: 58)
For Muslims, it is irrelevant whether the person is rich or poor or whether their decision may conflict with their personal interests. Whatever the circumstances, Muslims do not compromise on justice. Allah describes this superior morality in the Qur'an, as follows:
O you who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for Allah alone, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, Allah is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat An-Nisa: 135)
In another verse Allah states that hatred should not cause people to be unfair:
O you who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you to being unjust. Be just, for that is closer to heedfulness. Fear [and respect] Allah , for Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat Al-Ma'ida: 8)
The Torah and the Gospel also call for justice. In the Gospel, those who disregard justice are condemned as follows:
Woe to you! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. (Matthew, 23: 23)
Other passages from the Gospel require people to be just, as follows:
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. (John, 7: 24)
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair. (Colossians, 4: 1)
... "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew, 7: 1-2)
When the Torah describes virtuous people, it emphasizes fairness. Furthermore, it states that just and righteous people refrain from evil, are just to others, and protect the poor. Some of the passages encouraging justice are as follows:
Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right (Psalm, 106: 3)
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. (Genesis, 18: 19)
"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.(Zechariah, 7: 9)
... "Since you have asked for... discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. (1 Kings, 3: 11-12)
This is what the Lord says: "Maintain justice and do what is right." (Isaiah, 56: 1)
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, ... and robbing the fatherless. (Isaiah 10, 1-2)
Throughout history, Prophets have called people to righteousness, Allah's religion, and guided them to enlightenment. But in every era, some people turned on His Prophets and did their best to prevent them from teaching. These people believed that by slandering these individuals, whom Allah had chosen to serve as role models of morality, they could block their mission. When they realized that their slander had little or no effect, they resorted to exile, arrest, or even murder.
Allah relates the Prophets' struggles in great detail, especially those of our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who struggled against the Meccan unbelievers and hypocrites. It also reveals that those believers who faced slander and aggression never compromised; rather, they continued their struggle with the same motivation and persistence.
Allah reveals that the Prophets endured slanders like "madness" (Surat Al-Hijr: 6; Surat Al-Qalam: 51) and "lying magician" (Surah Sad: 4). These and other slanders were used against the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and his people conspired to imprison, kill or expel him (Surat Al-Anfal: 30).
Believers will experience similar hardships, for:
Or did you suppose that you would enter the Garden without facing the same as those who came before you? Poverty and illness afflicted them, and they were shaken to the point that the Messenger and those who believed with him asked: "When is Allah's help coming?" Be assured that Allah's help is very near. (Surat Al-Baqara: 214)
The Gospel reveals that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was accused of being demon-possessed (John, 7: 20, 8: 48, 8: 52), as well as of madness (John, 10: 20), subverting their nation (Luke, 23: 2), and not living according to the traditions of the elders (Mark, 7: 5). Other passages state that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was mocked and subjected to insults and physical attacks.
No doubt, the unbelievers' ugly slanders were the product of their mediocre intellect and misguided beliefs. Allah has created all Prophets as role models characterized by such qualities as superior intellect, foresight, and morality. But they and their followers, as Allah reveals, never relented or despaired. As Allah states:
Many a Prophet has fought, when there were many thousands with him. They did not give up in the face of what assailed them in the Way of Allah, nor did they weaken or yield. Allah loves the steadfast. (Surah Al 'Imran: 146)
The Prophets enlightened their followers and gave them this good news. Muslims who were with our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, while enduring hardships: "This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us. Allah and His Messenger told us the truth" (Surat Al-Ahzab: 22). Our Lord also reveals that those who show determination and virtue will have their faith and submission enhanced.
The Torah also reveals the Prophets' struggles and the hardships they endured in great detail. The Gospel, on the other hand, states that sincere believers will encounter hardship and troubles and that these will be causes of joy for them:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness... Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the Prophets who were before you. (Matthew, 5: 10-12)
The Gospel reveals that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) warned his followers that they would suffer injustice:
You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me, you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them... Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. … but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark, 13: 9-13)
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew, 5: 10-12)
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. (Luke, 6: 22-23)
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."(Matthew, 7: 13-14)
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew, 10: 22)
Those who conveyed Allah's Message and had fear [and respect] of Him, fearing [and respecting] no one except Allah. Allah suffices as a Reckoner. (Surat Al-Ahzab: 39)
They said: "Our Lord, we are afraid that he might persecute us or overstep the bounds." He said: "Have no fear. I will be with you, All-Hearing and All-Seeing." (Surah Ta Ha: 45-46)
[Believers are] those to whom people said: "The people have gathered against you, so fear them." But that merely increased their faith, and they said: "Allah is enough for us and the Best of Guardians." So they returned with blessings and bounty from Allah, and no evil touched them. They pursued the pleasure of Allah. Allah's favor is indeed immense. That was only Satan who intimidated his adherents. But do not fear them – fear [and respect] Me, if you are believers. (Surah Al 'Imran: 173-175)
The Gospel
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (1 Peter, 3: 14)
"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One Who can destroy both soul and body in Hell. (Matthew, 10: 26-28)
The Torah
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (Deuteronomy, 31: 6-8)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with Us than with him. (2 Chronicles, 32: 7)
.. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah, 8: 10)
… "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" (Isaiah, 30: 15)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua, 1: 9)
They have the word "Obedience!" on their tongues. But when they leave your presence, a group of them spend the night plotting to do other than what you say. Allah is recording their nocturnal plotting. So let them be, and put your trust in Allah. Allah suffices as a Guardian. (Surat An-Nisa: 81)
The Torah
Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think: "Who sees us? Who will know?" (Isaiah, 29: 15)
Allah reveals that some people opposed the true religion delivered by the Prophets, for their deep-rooted pagan beliefs dominate their societies, as do their misguided religious practices and some traditions. The Qur'an refers to this as the "religion of their forefathers," and the Torah and the Gospel refer to it as the tradition of the elders. In reality, the true religion in His presence is the religion taught by His Prophets. Believers will not be held accountable for these pagan beliefs and traditions, but will be judged by Allah's Books of revelation and his Prophets' practices. The situation of the people who follow such traditions is described in the following terms:
When they are told: "Follow what Allah has sent down," they say: "No, we will follow what we found our fathers doing." What! Even if satan is calling them to the punishment of the Blazing Fire? (Surah Luqman: 21)
When they are told: "Come to what Allah has sent down, come to the Messenger," they say: "What we found our fathers doing is enough for us." What! Even if their fathers did not know anything and were not guided! (Surat Al-Ma'ida: 104)
The Torah relates that some people who had been informed of the true religion chose to follow their forefathers' misguided religious practices. One such passage is given below:
They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to My words. They have followed other deities to serve them... I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. (Jeremiah, 11: 10-11)
The Gospel reveals that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and his disciples of forsaking their forefathers' traditions. However, it would have been righteousness to abide by the true religion delivered by the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) instead of following the misguided beliefs so fervently advocated by these people. Obviously, genuine believers need to abide by the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) religion in obedience to him.
The Gospel states that those who persisted in rejecting the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) teachings accused his disciples of forsaking their forefathers' traditions:
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked: "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?" (Matthew, 15: 1-2)
Another passage from the Gospel reveals the Prophet Jesus' reply to such accusations, as follows:
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus: "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders?" … He [Jesus] replied: "You have let go of the commands of Allah and are holding on to the traditions of men." And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of Allah in order to observe your own traditions!" (Mark, 7: 5-9)
Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? (Matthew, 15: 3)
One other shared moral quality of believers is sincerity. Believers are aware that Allah knows everything and that they will have to account in the Hereafter for all of their thoughts, speeches, and conduct in this world. They strive to earn Allah's approval and are sincere in their conduct. As they expect to be rewarded by Allah for their actions, they have no petty interests and do not behave in ways designed to impress or gain the love of other people.
The Prophets' devotional behaviors, as related in the Qur'an, are examples for believers to follow. Good news awaits His sincere servants, for "Those who shun the worship of false deities and turn toward Allah will have good news" (Surat Az-Zumar: 17). There are also some other verses that are related with those who show off to attract other people's notice, such as:
O you who believe! Do not nullify your charity by demands for gratitude or insulting words, like him who spends his wealth, showing off to people and not believing in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is that of a smooth rock coated with soil, which, when heavy rain falls on it, is left stripped bare. They have no power over anything they have earned. Allah does not guide disbelieving people. (Surat Al-Baqara: 264)
So woe to those who perform prayer and are forgetful of their prayer, those who show off. (Surat Al-Ma'un: 4-6)
The Gospel warns:
Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them... (Matthew, 6: 1).
Everything they do is done for men to see... (Matthew, 23: 5)
Their hypocrisy is likened to tombs that are impressive on the outside but full of filth on the inside:
You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous. But on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew, 23: 27-28)
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then God Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew, 6: 2-4)
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.. (Matthew, 6: 16)
Various passages in the Torah condemn those who pray to impress others and reveal that such people do not live by the morality they preach and thus are bent on evil. The situation of those who pretend to be close to Allah while their hearts do not appreciate Him appropriately are described, as follows:
You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts. (Jeremiah, 12: 2)
Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. (Psalm, 12: 1-2)
And [We gave John] tenderness and purity from Us – he guarded against evil. (Surah Maryam: 13)
As for those who believe and do right actions, the All-Merciful will bestow His love on them. (Surah Maryam: 96)
The Torah
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs, 3: 3-4)
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs. (Proverbs, 10: 12)
Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love... (Hosea, 10: 12)
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. (Hosea, 12: 6)
The Gospel
This is my command: Love each other. (John, 15: 17)
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. (2 John, 1: 6)
If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me so that, hopefully, they will be rightly guided. (Surat Al-Baqara: 186)
O you who believe! Fear [and respect] Allah, seek the means of drawing near to Him and strive in His Way, so that, hopefully, you will be successful. (Surat Al-Ma'ida: 35)
The Torah
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him.. (Psalm, 145: 18-20)
I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me find Me. (Proverbs, 8: 17)
The Gospel
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew, 7: 7)
Come near to God, and He will come near to you. (James, 4: 8)
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to God, Who is unseen. Then God Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew, 6: 6)
Do you not see how Allah makes a metaphor of a good word: a good tree whose roots are firm and whose branches are in heaven? Allah makes metaphors for people so that, hopefully, they will pay heed. (Surah Abraham: 24-25)
The Torah
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (Proverbs, 25: 15)
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. (Proverbs, 16: 21)
… I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. (Psalm, 17: 3)
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (Proverbs, 15: 28)
The Gospel
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians, 4: 29)
Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians, 4: 6)
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew, 12: 34-37)
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'... (Matthew, 15: 18-20)
We have conveyed the Word to them so that, hopefully, they will pay heed. (Surat Al-Qasas: 51)
What of him who spends the night hours in prayer, prostrating and standing up, mindful of the Hereafter, hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: "Are they the same – those who know and those who do not know?" It is only people of intelligence who pay heed. (Surat Az-Zumar: 9)
The Torah
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. (Proverbs, 23: 12)
I wait for Your salvation, O Lord, and I follow Your commands. I obey Your statutes, for I love them greatly. (Psalm, 119: 166-167)
Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your servant will meditate on Your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. (Psalm, 119: 23-24)
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverb, 13: 10)
The Gospel
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. (Hebrews, 13: 17)
Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James, 1: 22)
Understanding of Righteousness
People usually understand righteousness in different ways: giving some money to the poor, helping an old person cross the road, or not lying. Clearly these are all good deeds, but on their own they cannot define righteousness. Allah reveals the true meaning of righteousness, as follows:
It is not righteousness to turn your faces to the East or to the West. Rather, those with true devoutness are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets; and who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and orphans and the very poor; to travelers and beggars, and to set slaves free; and who perform prayer and give the alms; those who honor their contracts when they make them and who are steadfast in poverty and illness and in battle. Those are the people who are true. They are the people who guard against evil. (Surat Al-Baqara: 177)
Those who are steadfast in seeking the face of their Lord, perform prayer, and give from the provision We have given them, secretly and openly, and stave off evil with good. It is they who will have the Ultimate Abode. (Surat Ar-Ra'd: 22)
Believers refrain from injustice, never compromise when it comes to honesty, protect the poor, are polite and respectful to all people, and are gentle and friendly. They do good and call on others to emulate them. The Torah defines righteousness, as follows:
He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes... (Isaiah, 33: 15)
Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery, but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong, and judges fairly between man and man. He follows My decrees and faithfully keeps My laws. That man is righteous. (Ezekiel, 18: 5-9)
The Gospel reveals that people can find happiness in both worlds only if they believe and do good:
[Jesus said: ] "There is only One Who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied: "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor. … Then come, follow me." (Matthew, 19: 17-21)
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. (Luke, 6: 30-33)
He directs the whole affair from heaven to earth. Then it will again ascend to Him on a Day whose length is a thousand years by the way you measure.
(Surat As-Sajda: 5)
They will be given their reward twice over, because they have been steadfast and because they ward off the bad with the good and give from what We have provided for them. (Surat Al-Qasas: 54)
A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will become like a bosom friend. (Surah Fussilat: 34)
The Gospel
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter, 3: 9)
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. (Luke, 6: 27-29)
The Torah
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this... and the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs, 25: 21-22)
" 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge … but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord... (Leviticus, 19: 18)
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. (Proverbs, 16: 6)
Allah does not wrong anyone by so much as the smallest speck. And if there is a good deed Allah will multiply it and pay out an immense reward direct from Him.
(Surat An-Nisa: 40)
But do not obey any vile swearer of oaths, any backbiter, slander-monger, impeder of good, evil aggressor, gross, coarse, and, furthermore, despicable [person] simply because he possesses wealth and sons. When Our Signs are recited to him, he says: "Just myths of previous peoples!" (Surat Al-Qalam: 10-15)
An evil generation succeeded them, [one] who neglected the prayer and followed their appetites. They will plunge into the Valley of Evil. (Surah Maryam: 59)
The Gospel
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, … insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. (Romans, 1: 29-31)
The Torah
They would not be like their forefathers – [rather, they were] a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him. (Psalm, 78: 8)
Suppose he has a violent son who sheds blood or does any of these other things: He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbor's wife. He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things. (Ezekiel, 18: 10-12)
He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. (Job, 5: 12-13)
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not block justice by siding with the crowd... Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge, and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. (Exodus, 23: 1-8)
People make mistakes. While in this arena of testing, they will make many mistakes and be wronged by other people. Most unbelievers are intolerant of mistakes and impatient with those who make them. If they are harmed by the mistakes of others, they often retaliate viciously. Religious morality, however, commands forgiveness and a loving nature. Believers, aware of their total dependence upon Allah, know that they can make the same mistakes as others. Thus, they speak soothingly and are forgiving. In the Qur'an Allah praises those who forgive:
Correct and courteous words accompanied by forgiveness are better than charity followed by insulting words. Allah is Rich Beyond Need, All-Forbearing. (Surat Al-Baqara: 263)
Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or pardon an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful. (Surat An-Nisa: 149)
Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. (Surat Al-A'raf: 199)
In the Qur'an Allah reveals that people who wish to be forgiven should forgive others:
Those of you possessing affluence and ample wealth should not make oaths that they will not give to their relatives, the very poor, and those who have migrated in the way of Allah. They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat An-Nur: 22)
The Torah states that believers must be patient and forgiving. One must not elaborate upon another person's mistakes, and must not surrender to rage and revenge:
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs, 19: 11)
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Proverbs, 17: 9)
Do not say: "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." (Proverbs, 24: 29)
The Gospel states that forgiving others brings forgiveness from others (Luke, 6: 37). People are required to say such prayers as: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew, 6: 12). Other passages of the Gospel urge believers to be forgiving and loving:
... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive, as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians, 3: 12-13)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… He(God) causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?..." (Matthew, 5: 43-46)
"But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke, 6: 27-28)
... But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great.. "(Luke, 6: 35)
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, God will also forgive you. (Matthew, 6: 14)
Stinginess is one of the bad manners condemned in the Qur'an. People who do not realize that Allah is the true Owner of all property and possessions passionately cling to their material possessions, believing that these will be theirs forever or that their wealth will protect them. This belief is seriously mistaken, however, for whatever people possess ultimately belongs only to Allah, Who gives or removes wealth or poverty as He wills. As a result, in the Qur'an Allah disapproves both vanity and despair. Believers are deeply thankful to Allah for what He has bestowed upon them and use these gifts in His cause. If they are poor, they remain patient due to their knowledge that some good will come of it.
Many unbelievers are stingy. They show off their wealth, but do not help the needy. This is definitely behavior of which Allah does not approve. They forget that Allah is perfect and above all needs, and that people need to earn His good pleasure by using their gifts given by Allah wisely. In the Qur'an Allah reveals the truth of this statement:
Here you are then: people who are called upon to spend in the Way of Allah and then some of you are tight-fisted! But whoever is tight-fisted is only tight-fisted to himself. Allah is Rich and you are poor. If you turn away, He will replace you with a people other than yourselves, and they will not be like you. (Surah Muhammad: 38)
People who think that wealth and property are eternal are wrong. In fact, such things have no value in His Presence:
We never sent a warner into any city without the affluent people in it saying: "We reject what you have been sent with." They also said: "We have more wealth and children. We are not going to be punished." Say: "My Lord expands the provision of anyone He wills or restricts it. But the majority of humanity do not know it." It is not your wealth or your children that will bring you near to Us – only in the case of people who believe and act rightly; such people will have a double recompense for what they did. They will be safe from all harm in the High Halls of Paradise. (Surah Saba: 34-37)
The Torah states: Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left, and you live alone in the land (Isaiah, 5: 8). Judaism condemns hording possessions and greed.
Some passages from the Torah in which parsimony is condemned and generosity praised are as follows:
…do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. (Deuteronomy, Bap 15, 7-8)
"Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure. Nothing is left for him to devour; his prosperity will not endure. In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him. When he has filled his belly, God will vent His burning anger against Him and rain down His blows upon Him.(Job, 20: 20-23)
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs, 11: 24-25)
The metaphor of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah is that of a grain which produces seven ears, in every ear there are a hundred grains. Allah gives such multiplied increase to whoever He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing
. (Surat Al-Baqara: 261)
The Gospel proclaims that wealth can prevent people from practicing the religion's morality (Matthew, 19: 23) and that You cannot serve both God and money (Luke, 16: 13) (Allah is beyond this). It also relates the story of a rich but stupid man who horded possessions to ensure his security:
... The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself: "What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops." Then he said: "This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself: 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.'" But God said to him: "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God. (Luke, 12: 16-21)
O you who believe! Give away some of the good things you have earned and some of what the earth produces for you. Do not have recourse to bad things when you give, things you would only take with your eyes tight shut! Know that Allah is Rich Beyond Need, Praiseworthy. Satan promises you poverty and commands you to avarice. Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and abundance. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surat Al-Baqara: 267-68)
You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love. Whatever you give away, Allah knows it. (Surah Al 'Imran: 92)
Those who give away of their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Surat Al-Baqara: 274)
The metaphor of those who spend their wealth, desiring the pleasure of Allah and firmness for themselves, is that of a garden on a hillside. When heavy rain falls on it, it doubles its produce; and if heavy rain does not fall, there is dew. Allah sees what you do. (Surat Al-Baqara: 265)
The Gospel
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the treasury of the mosque. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said: "I tell you the truth. This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on." (Mark, 12: 41-44)
The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same. (Luke, 3: 11)
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans, 12: 13)
... Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew, 10: 8)
The Torah:
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord, God. (Leviticus, 19: 10)
" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord, God.' "... (Leviticus, 23: 22)
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah, 58: 7)
He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. (Ezekiel, 18: 7)
Therefore be patient with a patience which is beautiful.
(Surat Al-Ma'arij: 5)
Believers encourage others to live a life of which Allah approves and help them improve themselves. They advise them to win Allah's good pleasure, whereas insincere and hypocritical people do so with profit in mind. They do not seek to serve Allah's religion with what they do, but pursue worthless or evil aims like status, reputation, admiration, or respectability.
Allah warns such insincere people in the Qur'an, as follows:
Do you order people to devoutness and forget yourselves, when you recite the Book? Will you not use your intellect? (Surat Al-Baqara: 44)
The Gospel severely reprimands people who claim to follow the Prophet Moses (pbuh) but do not abide by the morality he taught:
... they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew, 23: 3-4)
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew, 7: 12)
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew, 7: 3-5)
Thankfulness means to express one's thanks and love to Allah for all of the gifts He gives, to declare that all we have comes from Him. Careful reflection reveals that Allah's gifts are countless and that we receive them due to His grace. For example, the fact that each of the 100 trillion or so cells in your body works for you continuously and without fail is only a small fraction of His gifts.
Believers are thankful to Allah regardless of their circumstances, whereas being thankful does not even occur to unbelievers.
In the Qur'an Allah demands believers to be thankful, which He considers a form of worship, and tells them to adopt this attitude wholeheartedly, as the following verses indicate:
No! Worship Allah and be among the thankful. (Surat Az-Zumar: 66)
So eat from what Allah has provided for you, lawful and good, and be thankful for the blessing of Allah, if it is Him you worship. (Surat An-Nahl: 114)
In the Qur'an Allah states that thankful believers will receive more rewards, whereas ungrateful unbelievers will deserve His fierce punishment.
[Moses said to his people: ] "And when your Lord announced: 'If you are grateful, I will certainly give you increase. But if you are ungrateful, My punishment is severe.'" (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
The Gospel says; give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians, 5: 18), and passages dealing with Jesus' (pbuh) life reveal that he thanked Allah for all things. All believers should follow his example.
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish." He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. (Matthew, 15: 34-38)
The Torah tells believers to be thankful, as follows:
Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name…. that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.(Psalm, 30: 4 and 12)
I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9: 1-2)
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. (Psalm, 100: 4)
I thank and praise You. (Daniel, 2: 23)
We give thanks to you, O God. We give thanks... (Psalm, 75: 1)
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. (1 Chronicles 16, 8-10)
All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. (Psalm, 145: 10)
Ward off evil with what is better. We know very well what they express.
(Surat Al-Muminun: 96)
Rage, which prevents people from evaluating situations correctly, undermines accurate and fair decision-making, as well as understanding and compassion. Thus, in the Qur'an Allah demands believers not to succumb to it, for doing so only results in misguided behavior and damaged relationships with others. In the Qur'an, Allah praises those who overcome their anger:
[People who guard against evil are] those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people – Allah loves the good-doers. (Surah Al 'Imran: 134)
The Gospel states that rage is evil and that those who are angered by others deserve to be punished:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians, 4: 31)
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment (Matthew, 5: 22)
The Torah expresses similar sentiments:
A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs, 12: 16)
A quick-tempered man does foolish things... (Proverbs, 14: 17)
... do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. (Psalm, 37: 7-8)
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.( Ecclesiastes, 7: 9)
Most people pray to Allah at certain times for certain reasons. Almost everybody knows what praying signifies, but the believers' prayers are completely different from those of the unbelievers. Believers turn to Allah at all times and pray wholeheartedly. Prayers made to impress others, pursue one's self-interest, or ward off disaster may not be acceptable by Allah. The following verses deal with this matter:
He is the Living – there is no deity but Him – so call on Him, making your religion sincerely His. (Surah Ghafir: 65)
Call on your Lord humbly and secretly. (Surat Al-A'raf: 55)
Restrain yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, desiring His face. (Surat Al-Kahf: 28)
If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me, so that, hopefully, they will be rightly guided. (Surat Al-Baqara: 186)
Both the Torah and the Gospel stress the importance of prayer and provide examples of the believers' prayers. We relate some of these below:
And pray with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians, 6: 18)
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. (Matthew, 6: 5)
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans. (Matthew, 6: 7)
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew, 21: 22)
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians, 4: 2)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew, 7: 7-8)
The Torah reveals that praying is an important act of worship, how prayers should be made, and that Allah answers prayers:
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear [and respect] Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him. (Psalm, 145: 18-20)
I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Answer me quickly... Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God... in Your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. (Psalm, 143: 6-11)
... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…will forgive their sin and will heal their land.(2 Chronicles 7: 14)
" Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; ….Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. …. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. (Psalm, 27: 7-11)
He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. (Job, 33: 26)
All people have faults and make mistakes. Believers need to admit their sins after committing them, make the intention to correct them, and ask Allah to forgive them. Even if they repent and then commit the same sin again, they should repent and seek His forgiveness yet again, for nothing is hidden from Him. Those who try to deceive Allah (may Allah forbid this) deceive only themselves.
People must accept Allah's compassion and mercy for His servants and not delay their repentance, for a death-bed repentance may not be accepted. Many Qur'anic verses request people to repent, as follows:
Turn to Allah every one of you, believers, so that, hopefully, you will have success. (Surat An-Nur: 31)
But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and puts things right, Allah will turn toward him. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat Al-Ma'ida: 39)
Except for those who repent and believe and act rightly: Allah will transform the wrong actions of such people into good – Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Furqan: 70)
According to the Gospel, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) proclaimed:
I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance. (Luke, 5: 32)
I tell you, no! Unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke, 13: 5)
... The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark, 1: 15)
Some passages from the Torah related with repentance:
Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. (Isaiah, 1: 27)
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."(Job, 42: 5-6)
They are not all the same. There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite Allah's Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate.
They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong,
and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous.
(Surah Al 'Imran: 113-114)
People answer the question of what they have done for Allah in many different ways. For example, they may say: I have stilled the hunger of the poor, I have prayed, or I have worshipped. Each of these is commendable, but it is a serious error to do what Allah asks at certain times and then, at all other times, be oblivious of His existence and the proximity of the Day of Judgment. Those who truthfully believe do not forget that they are always surrounded by Allah, and so do their utmost at all times to earn His good pleasure and Paradise and to avoid Hell.
In the Qur'an Allah states that the believers' prayers, life, and death are "only for the Lord of the universe, Allah" (Surat Al-An'am: 162). This means that each believer's life is dedicated to earning Allah's good pleasure. In the Qur'an, Allah says that those people who work only to win His good pleasure will find salvation:
Who is better: someone who establishes his building on fear [and respect] of Allah and His good pleasure, or someone who establishes his building on the brink of a crumbling precipice, so that it collapses with him into the Fire of Hell? Allah does not love wrongdoers. (Surat At-Tawba: 109)
Solomon's (pbuh) prayer, as recorded in the Qur'an, asks Allah to let him do those deeds that will earn His good pleasure. Given below, it is an example for all believers:
"My Lord, keep me thankful for the blessing You have bestowed on me and on my parents; keep me acting rightly, pleasing You; and admit me, by Your mercy, among Your servants who are righteous." (Surat An-Naml: 19)
The Torah reveals that believers asked Allah to "teach them to do His will." This prayer is as follows:
... I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God... (Psalm, 143: 9-10)
The importance of living for the approval of Allah is explained in the Torah as follows:
The Lord…but those of the pure are pleasing to him.(Proverbs, 15: 26)
The Lord…delights in men who are truthful. (Proverbs, 12: 22)
The Lord…delights in those whose ways are blameless.(Proverbs, 11: 20)
He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. (Job, 33: 26)
The Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because He delighted in me.(Psalm, 18: 18-19)
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced…He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. (Psalm, 105: 4-7)
The Gospel reveals that the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) main request of his followers was that they do their best to earn Allah's good pleasure. According to it, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) always did what Allah approves of, and thus all of his followers should emulate his behavior. The Gospel reveals that believers should do everything only for Allah:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians, 10: 31)
... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians, 3: 22-23)
... will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Lord. (Matthew, 7: 21)
People have been created impatient, for they want their desires to be fulfilled at once. But Allah has determined a time and place for everything, and no one can bring it forward or postpone it. This is why believers must remain patient. Prophets as well as believers have proven their patience to the day they died.
In the Qur'an Allah commands: "Be patient for your Lord" (Surat Al-Muddaththir: 7). Patience is a form of worship, and the believers' patience is a beautiful one (Surat Al-Ma'arij: 5). Those who remain patient during this short life are promised the following reward:
We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger, loss of wealth, life, and fruits. But give good news to those who are patient. (Surat Al-Baqara: 155)
Patience is a moral quality that strengthens believers mentally as well as physically. In the Qur'an Allah states that at the times of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), 20 patient believers could defeat 200 enemies on the battlefield. This clearly demonstrates how much strength the believers gain by remaining patient. This is revealed in the following verse:
If there are twenty of you who are patient, they will overcome two hundred; and if there are a hundred of you, they will overcome a thousand of those who do not believe. (Surat Al-Anfal: 65)
The Torah emphasizes the importance of patience and declares that such people are superior. The power of the patient is described as follows:
Better a patient man than a warrior... (Proverbs, 16: 32)
man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs, 19: 11)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.(Psalm, 37: 7)
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (Proverbs, 15: 18)
The Gospel teaches this as well:
... be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians, 4: 2)
... help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thessalonians, 5: 14)
but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew, 24: 13)
In the Qur'an Allah invites people to think. Allah commands them to reflect on its verses, humanity's creation, natural phenomenon, His gifts, and other beings. Believers are told to think carefully when evaluating events so that they can help other people comprehend the profound evidence for Allah's existence and the magnitude of His creation. One verse Allah reveals this reality:
In the creation of the heavens and Earth, the alternation of the night and the day, the ships that sail the seas to people's benefit, the water that Allah sends down from the sky – by which He brings Earth to life when it was dead and scatters about in it creatures of every kind – the varying direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between heaven and Earth there are Signs for people who use their intellect. (Surat Al-Baqara: 164)
In the Qur'an Allah also reveals that believers reflect deeply while drawing conclusions:
In the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people with intelligence: those who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and Earth: "Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al 'Imran: 190-91)
Is he whose breast is opened to Islam, and who is therefore illuminated by his Lord? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah! Such people are clearly misguided. (Surat Az-Zumar: 22)
Wherever people turn and wherever they are, they encounter Allah's infinite wisdom, unequalled artistry, inexhaustible might, greatness, and supremacy. However, before they can benefit from all of this, they must free themselves from prejudice and carefully study and observe the other beings in their environment. Genuinely reflective people will find an underlying purpose in their encounters. Learning from these encounters enables them to have a better and deeper understanding of Allah's providence. As a result, their love, respect, and devotion to Him will increase.
The Gospel states that genuine believers need to ponder and learn from their encounters, as the following passages make clear:
Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? (Mark, 8: 17)
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. (1 Corinthians, 1: 26)
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (2 Timothy, 2: 7)
The Torah also emphasizes the importance of pondering Allah's artistry in creation and His might, and calls on believers to contemplate these matters deeply. For example:
… and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm, 1: 2)
On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. (Psalm, 63: 6)
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm, 119: 13-16)
I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. (Psalm, 77: 12)
Throughout history, Prophets and believers have invited people to Allah's path and virtue. They told people about Allah, the Hereafter, Paradise and Hell, and morality, and called on them to live according to His will. One verse commands: "Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition" (Surat An-Nahl: 125). Other verses commend those who call others to Allah and virtue:
Let there be a community among you who call to the good, enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success. (Surah Al 'Imran: 104)
Those who repent, those who worship, those who praise, those who fast, those who bow, those who prostrate, those who command the right, those who forbid the wrong, and those who preserve the limits set by Allah [for humanity]: give good news to the believers. (Surat At-Tawba: 112)
In the Qur'an Allah refers to the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) who were given books of revelation by Allah and mentions that genuine Jews and Christians called others to virtue as well:
They are not all the same. There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite Allah's Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in Allah and the Last Day, enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. (Surah Al 'Imran: 113-114)
Among the people of the Book there are some who have iman in Allah and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before Allah. They do not sell Allah's Signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And Allah is swift at reckoning. (Surah Al 'Imran: 199)
The Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) and his Disciples' lives are a good example of this. As the Gospel relates:
And will give our attention to prayer and spreading the word of God. (Acts, 6: 4)
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James, 5: 19-20)
People are called on to have good moral virtues thus in the Torah:
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm, 34: 14)
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.' (Zechariah, 7: 10)
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good…(Amos, 5: 14-15)
Throughout history, people have asked Prophets for miracles so that they would believe. As Jesus (pbuh) put it:
"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." (John, 4: 48)
In the Qur'an Allah reveals that those who persisted in their unbelief demanded that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) perform miracles:
They say: "We will not believe you until you make a spring gush out from the ground for us; or have a garden of dates and grapes through which you make rivers come pouring; or make the sky, as you claim, fall down on us in lumps; or bring Allah and the angels here as a guarantee; or possess a house built out of gleaming gold; or ascend up into heaven – and even then we will not believe in your ascent unless you bring us down a book to read!" Say: "Glory be to my Lord! Am I anything but a human Messenger?" (Surat Al-Isra: 90-93)
Conscientious and rational people do not require miracles to believe in Allah, because for such people of awareness everything is a proof of Allah's existence. Everything from atoms to galaxies, every piece of the universe, is full of His existence and creation. Those who persistently demand miracles are, in reality, only looking for an escape route. In fact, they always make allegations of sorcery or anarchy when they witness the Prophets' miracles they perform as a blessing from Allah. Such an attitude only proves their unbelief.
The insincerity of such people is exposed, as in the passage given below:
If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. (Luke, 16: 31)
In the Qur'an Allah states that such people will not believe, even if they see a miracle:
Even if We sent down angels to them, and the dead spoke to them, and We gathered together everything in front of them right before their eyes, they would still not believe, unless Allah willed. The truth is that most of them are ignorant. (Surat Al-An'am: 111)
They have sworn by Allah with their most earnest oaths that if a Sign comes to them, they will believe in it. Say: "The Signs are in Allah's control alone." What will make you realize that even if a Sign did come, they would still not believe? (Surat Al-An'am: 109)
This attitude on the part of deniers is described in the Torah in the story of the Prophet Moses (pbuh):
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a miracle,' then say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a snake." So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. Yet Pharaoh's heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.(Exodus 7: 8-13)
They say: "Our hearts are covered up against what you call us to, and there is a heaviness in our ears. There is a screen between us and you. So act – we are certainly acting." (Surah Fussilat: 5)
Allah has sealed up their hearts and hearing, and over their eyes is a blindfold. They will have a terrible punishment. (Surat Al-Baqara: 7)
We created many of the jinn and humanity for Hell. They have hearts with which they do not understand. They have eyes with which they do not see. They have ears with which they do not hear. Such people are like cattle. No, they are even further astray! They are the unaware. (Surat Al-A'raf: 179)
The Gospel
For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew, 13: 15)
[Jesus asked: ] "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?"... (Mark, 8: 18-19)
The Torah
The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people. (Ezekiel, 12: 1)
"Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing. (Isaiah, 42: 18,20)
He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' (Isaiah, 6: 9)
Perfection and faultlessness belong to Allah. Believers make mistakes knowingly or unknowingly, but always repent each time wholeheartedly and try their best never to repeat the same sin. They do not try to portray themselves as free of sin and faults or exalt themselves by looking down on others. Those who arrogantly take salvation for granted through their insincere acts cannot earn Allah's approval and compassion:
Do you not see those who claim to be purified? No, Allah purifies whoever He wills. They will not be wronged by so much as the smallest speck. (Surat An-Nisa: 49)
In the Qur'an, Allah reveals that such people's insincere efforts will not save them, and that they will be devastated:
Say: "Shall I inform you of the greatest losers in their actions? People whose efforts in the life of this world are misguided, while they suppose that they are doing good." (Surat Al-Kahf: 103-104)
It is also revealed in the Torah that boasting is a characteristic of poor moral values:
This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
.. or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, Who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on Earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9, 23-24)
To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.' " No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God Who judges: He brings one down, He exalts another. (Psalm, 75: 4-7)
He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God (Psalm, 10: 3-4)
Many Passages from the Gospel state that those who expect exaltation in their conceit are, in reality, debased. For example:
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke, 18: 14)
so that no one may boast before him…Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.(1 Corinthians 1, 29-31)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians, 2: 3)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians, 13: 4)
Greetings or wishing well are ways to express one's best wishes for someone else when they meet. Believers do this without fail, even when they are busy or have urgent business elsewhere, when they enter each other's houses or meet somewhere. In the Qur'an, Allah commands believers to reply in a similar manner, or with even nicer wishes, when they are greeted and to say suitable words of greeting when they enter another person's house:
When you are greeted with a greeting, return the greeting or improve on it. Allah takes account of everything. (Surat An-Nisa: 86)
And when you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allah, blessed and good. In this way Allah makes the Signs clear to you so that, hopefully, you will use your intellect. (Surat An-Nur: 61)
The Gospel contains similar instructions, such as:
As you enter the home, give it your greeting. (Matthew, 10: 12)
... Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"… Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! (John, 20: 19,21)
The Torah discusses this subject as follows:
The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: " ' "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." '
... Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." (Psalm, 122, 6-8)
… wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! (Daniel, 6: 25)
Avoiding Envy
.. But people are prone to selfish greed. If you do good and have fear of Allah, Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat An-Nisa: 128)
Say: "I seek refuge with the Lord of Daybreak, from the evil of what He has created, from the evil of the darkness when it gathers, from the evil of women who blow on knots, and from the evil of an envier when he envies." (Surat Al-Falaq: 1-5)
The Gospel
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Galatians, 5: 19-21)
You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (James, 4: 2)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians, 13: 4)
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.( Galatians 5: 25-26)
The Torah
Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job, 5: 2)
.. for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. (Proverbs, 6: 34)
… have done with telling lies. (Surat Al-Hajj: 30)
O you who believe! Fear [and respect] Allah, and speak the right word. (Surat Al-Ahzab: 70)
The Gospel
For out of the heart come evil thoughts... false testimony... (Matthew, 15: 19)
Do not lie to each other... (Colossians, 3: 9)
The Torah
... 'Do not lie. 'Do not swear falsely by my name (Leviticus, 19: 11-12)
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd. (Exodus, 23: 1-2)
Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.(Exodus, 23: 7)
And do not go near to fornication. It is an indecent act, an evil way. (Surat Al-Isra: 32)
The Torah
You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus, 20: 14)
The land is full of adulterers…(Jeremiah, 23: 10)
The Gospel
... What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men's hearts, come ... sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a person unclean. (Mark, 7: 20-23)
O Prophet! When women who believe come to you pledging allegiance to you on the grounds that they will not associate anything with Allah, or steal or fornicate, or kill their children or give a false ascription of paternity – making up lies about their bodies – or disobey you in respect of anything right, then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat Al-Mumtahana: 12)
The Torah
Do not steal... Do not deceive one another. (Leviticus, 19: 11)
... thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before Me. (Hosea, 7: 1-2)
The Gospel
Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, and honor your father and mother. (Mark, 10: 19)
Your Lord has decreed that you should worship none but Him, and that you should show kindness to your parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say "Ugh!" to them out of irritation, and do not be harsh with them. Rather, speak to them with gentleness and generosity. (Surat Al-Isra: 23)
The Gospel
Honor your father and mother. (Luke, 18: 20; Matthew, 19: 19)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the Earth. (Ephesians, 6: 1-3)
You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. (Mark, 10: 19)
The Torah
Honor your father and your mother. (Exodus, 20: 12)
Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 5, 16)


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Brain scan study reveals owner's age
True measure Being able to lie about your age may soon be a thing of the past, after a new study shows the human brain develops at a consistent rate across individuals.
The finding could also advance our understanding of autism and ADHD, and be used in a court of law.
The team of US researchers used different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to scan the brains of 885 people aged between 3 and 20 years. The images were used to identify more than two hundred structural brain features known to change over time in this age group.
"We have uncovered a 'developmental clock' of sorts within the brain -a biological signature of maturation that captures age differences quite well, regardless of other kinds of differences that exist across individuals," says Dr Timothy Brown of the University of California, San Diego, lead author of the study, which appears in the journal Current Biology.
The researchers were able to assess an individual's age with more than 92 per cent accuracy, beyond what's been possible with any other biological measure.
"The fact that we found a collection of brain measures that so accurately captures a person's chronological age means that brain development, or at least certain anatomical aspects of it, is more tightly controlled than we knew previously," Brown says.
"The regularity in this maturity metric among typically developing children suggests that it might be sensitive to detecting abnormality as well."
Insights in autism and ADHD
Child and adolescent psychiatrist Professor Rhoshel Lenroot from Neuroscience Research Australia says this research, if it can be replicated, offers a unique opportunity to understand the mechanisms underlying disorders such as ADHD and autism.
"One of the big questions that we've had is, are neurodevelopmental disorders to do with the rate of development or are they just wrong development," says Lenroot.
For example, studies of cortical thickness in people with ADHD suggests the cortex develops more slowly but at the same time, a number of people with ADHD continue to experience symptoms in adulthood, even after cortical growth has 'caught up'.
"It would be marvellous to be able to look at that same data set and track this combined phenotype and say, 'does it really look like it was just slow or is there something that is looking different?'," Lenroot says.
The data might one day also be used to argue that someone with the neurodevelopmental features of a minor should not be tried as an adult, Lenroot says.
"I think that the use of neuroimaging in the legal system can get started long before the data really is robust enough to be a good use of it, so I wouldn't be surprised if it started showing up."

subset: commoncrawl


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Jeff Wagner, an operator with LOI Environmental & Demolition Services, uses a multi-processor with a concrete processing jaw to break up rubble at the site of a new 71-unit apartment complex being developed by Creston Homes in the Buckman neighborhood of Southeast Portland Jan. 30.
The seven-story Macdonald Center is being built on Northwest Sixth Street in Portland by Howard S. Wright.
Ken Haines, a journeyman carpenter with Skyline Construction and member of Local 156, takes a measurement on a drop ceiling at the Broadway Commons building at the corner of Southwest Broadway and Oak Street in Portland Jan. 20.
Alfredo Ramirez, a taper with Skyline Interiors and member of Local 10, sprays texture onto a wall at Broadway Commons, formerly known as the Commerce Building, in downtown Portland Jan. 20.
Brady Bennett, a carpenter with Skyline Interiors and a journeyman with Local 156, trims a piece of frame for a drop ceiling while working at the Broadway Commons building Jan. 20.
Craig Briscoe recently became director of integrated design at the Portland office of international engineering company Glumac after working for over ten years as an architect with Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects.
A trio of spaces in a Happy Valley strip mall are being renovated by BnK Construction from designs by Toni King & Associates. Two of the spaces, totaling 6,900 square feet, will be combined to house the Clackamas County Crisis Care Center, while a tenant is being sought for a third 2,900-square-foot space. Work on the project, which includes new interior walls, ceilings, lighting, and flooring, began in October and is expected to be completed this month.
Victoria Frey, fourth from left, executive director of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, speaks during a project meeting at the group's future West End headquarters Monday. Multiple general contractors and subcontractors that are usually competitors are working side-by-side on a pro bono basis to complete the renovation.
A third-floor space in the 419 Building on Southwest 10th Avenue is being renovated pro bono by multiple contractors for the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art.
Timothy Kahlberg, a certified public accountant with Perkins & Company, P.C., speaks at the Daily Journal of Commerce's Builder Banker Breakfast at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel in Portland Tuesday.
Attendees of the Daily Journal of Commerce's Builder Banker Breakfast listen to a presentation at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel Tuesday.
Miriel Aguirre, a journeyman electrician with O'Neill Electric and a member of IBEW Local 48, installs a chandelier designed to resemble raindrops at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront Tuesday in Southwest Portland. Abbott Construction is performing an extensive remodel on the hotel's lobby, restaurants, and conference rooms.
Attorney Phil Schuster holds a copy of his book, "Sun-Painted Man," at his Northeast Portland practice Tuesday.
Jason Glenn, a foreman for underground utilities with Northwest Earth Movers, uses a hoe pack to compact dirt over a stormwater pipe at the site of the Stafford Hills club in Tualatin Wednesday. The $18.5 million athletic club is being built by Todd Construction, and is slated for completion by late November.
Fermin Chable, left, and Carlos Burgos, both ironworkers with SI Contracting, tie rebar on a foundation wall at the Stafford Hills club project in Tualatin Wednesday.
Mac Riskey, left, and Brian Tatro, both carpenters with Todd Construction, set bolts on a foundation wall at the site of the Stafford Hills club in Tualatin Wednesday.
Val Ballestrem, education manager for the Bosco-Milligan Foundation, holds a smartphone displaying an application which
A chemotherapy treatment room at Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel features visual themes that appear throughout the hospital, including bright colors, animal graphics, and large windows providing bright natural light.
A garden room at the recently completed Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel will allow patients who are too sick to be outdoors to sit in the sunlight and look out on a garden terrace.
After three years of construction, the Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel will take in its first patients later this month. The $250 million, 334,000-square-foot hospital was designed by ZGF Architects and built by Hoffman Construction.
The exterior of Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel was designed to minimize the building's visual impact, tying in with the themes of nature prevalent in the building's interior.
Trees and bird's nests in a hallway at Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel are among the nature-themed works of art integrated into the building to promote healing.
Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel features three "Lantern Lounges," designed to give families and visitors a place to be together with patients in a homelike setting. The lounges feature living room-like spaces and kitchens, as well as various toys and games.
A group treatment room at Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel will allow a comfortable environment for chemotherapy patients to be in the company of family or fellow patients while receiving treatment.
A former Chrysler dealership in Southwest Portland has been converted to a MINI dealership by R&H Construction. The LRS Architects-designed renovation includes a completely remodeled showroom, new rack system and mezzanine in the parts department, offices, a steel canopy for vehicle delivery, and updated lighting to meet Energy Trust specifications. The dealership is slated to open today.
Rick Lent, a sign technician with Security Signs, marks the date on a fluorescent bulb while installing a sign for a new Under U 4 Men location in downtown Portland Friday. The boutique men's underwear retailer is opening a new 5,000-square-foot store at the corner of Southwest Washington Street and Park Avenue.
East Bank Saloon owners Robert "Pudgy" Hunt, left, and his wife, Connie, along with sons Kevin, right, and David (not pictured) restored the Southeast Portland sports bar and restaurant after a September 2011 grease fire caused major damage.
Ryan McGinnis, kitchen manager at the East Bank Saloon, works in the restaurant's remodeled kitchen Feb. 10. A grease fire last September caused extensive damage in the kitchen and throughout the restaurant, which has been in operation in Southeast Portland since 1978.
The East Bank Saloon, located on Southeast Grand Avenue in Portland, is back in operation after a grease fire caused extensive damage to the bar and restaurant's interior last year.
Portland Parks and Recreation is moving forward with plans to build the South Waterfront Greenway, which would stretch for over a mile along the Willamette River in Southwest Portland. Construction is expected to begin this summer on the nearly $10 million project.
Jim McKune, chief operating officer of Emerick Construction, is the 2012 president of the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of Associated General Contractors.
Attorney Kelly Clark repeats his closing arguments from a 2010 lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America during the DJC's Battle of the Lawyers event at the Winningstad Theatre in downtown Portland Feb. 15. Five lawyers competed by delivering closing arguments from some of their most memorable cases at the event; Clark was given the People's Choice award by receiving the most audience votes.
Christine Yun, a member of the Buckman Historic Association, has been working for the past five years to register the Southeast Portland neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places. The effort came to a halt this month amongst opposition by neighborhood residents unhappy with the fees and regulations associated with historic district status.
Clark County Sheriff Garry Lucas holds up a smartphone while speaking about the importance of technology and social media in catching thieves during the Construction Industry Crime Prevention awards luncheon at the Multnomah Athletic Club Feb. 15.
From left, CICP board chair Joel Scroggy looks on as Dan Payne, Scott Vogl, and Jim Gibson accept the Padlock Award on behalf of Wildish Companies during the CICP awards luncheon Feb. 15. The award is given for the demonstration of courage, ingenuity, or foresight in the prevention of crime in the construction industry.
Milwaukie resident Ed Zumwalt is the author of a petition that would send nearly every city decision about the Portland-Milwaukie light rail project to a public vote. Zumwalt's petition needs 1,724 resident signatures by late summer in order to be placed on a special election ballot in September.
A new stormwater management device in North Portland features covered bicycle parking and a public art component.
A three-bedroom Tudor-style building in Northeast Portland is for sale at an asking price of $369,000. The property, located at 3565 N.E. Broadway, measures 2,300 square feet and currently serves as an office building for three attorneys.