Buddha near the Foot Print of Prophet Adam (A.S)
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Jutting sharply skyward from the lush jungles of southwestern Sri Lanka is the 7362 foot (2243 meter) peak of Sri Pada, the 'Holy Footprint'. Also called Adam’s Peak, the mountain has the unique distinction of being sacred to the followers of four of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Long before the development of these religions, however, the mountain was worshipped by the aboriginal inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Veddas. Their name for the peak was Samanala Kanda; Saman being one of the four guardian deities of the island. For Hindus, the name of the mountain is Sivan Adi Padham, because it was the world-creative dance of the god Shiva that left the giant footprint (5 feet 7 inches by 2 feet 6 inches). According to Buddhist traditions from as early as 300 BC, the real print is actually beneath this larger marking. Imprinted on a huge sapphire, it was left by the Buddha during the third and final of his legendary visits to Sri Lanka. When Portuguese Christians came to the island in the 16th century they claimed the impression to be the footprint of St. Thomas who, according to legend, first brought Christianity to Sri Lanka. But in fact, it is the footprint of Prophet Adam (A.S) where he stood for a thousand years of penance on one foot. When Prophet Adam (A.S) was expelled from heaven, God put him on the peak to make the shock less terrible - Ceylon being that place on earth closest to and most like heaven. The mountain is more easily seen from the sea than from land, and also more impressive. Early Arab seafarers fascinated with the pyramidal peak wrote of it as "the highest mountain in the world" (it is not even the highest in Sri Lanka), and "visible from three days sail". The ancient Sinhalese also believed it to be of great height and a native legend tells "from Seyllan to Paradise is forty miles, and the sound of the fountains of Paradise is heard here". Visited by many early world travelers, among them the Arab Ibn Batuta (1304-1368) and the Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324), Adam’s Peak attained a legendary status as a mystic pilgrimage destination. Today the pilgrimage season commences in December and continues until the beginning of the monsoon rains in April (from May to October the mountain is obscurred by clouds). Certain parts of the path leading up the mountain are extremely steep and the climbing chains secured in these sections are said to have been placed by Alexander the Great (365-323 BC), though there is no evidence that he made it this far south on his Asia travels. Atop the peak is an oblong platform (74 x 24 feet) where stands a small Buddhist temple and the shrine of Saman with the strange footprint. Votive offerings are made here, especially of a coil of silver as long as the donor is tall, for recovery from sickness; and rain-water taken from the footprint is known to have a wonderful healing power. Adam’s Peak is also called Samanalakande or the 'butterfly mountain' because of the myriads of small butterflies that fly from all over the island to die upon the sacred mountain.
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Prophet Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka |
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Longest way of mountain |
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Prophet Adam's Peak
Was he Solomon, Jesus or Muhammad?
Muhammad's name appeared in Haggai 2:7 under the hebrew word mahmad () which means praised one (Muhammad is Arabic for praised one). It almost undoubtedly is referring to the Arabic Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The 5th chapter of Songs of Solomon is discussing someone. Jews will say it is discussing Solomon, while Christians will say it is discussing Jesus. Considering this is the Songs of Solomon, it would seem logical that it is discussing Solomon. The verses describing this mystery man have the narators speech conjuagted in the feminine (meaning it is a woman who is describing this man) so it is possible that it is one of Solomon's wives discussing her Husband (Solomon). However, if a Christian tries to assert that Jesus is being discussed, then they are insinuating that this is discussing a future prophet (a man who was not yet alive at that point), a prophesy.... If the 5th chapter of Songs of Solomon is looking into the future, then there is no doubt it is discussing Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Throughout the chapter, someone is being discussed. Whomever it is, verse 15 says his "countenance (face) is as Lebanon", so this is an Arabic gentleman (or Arab looking), a Semitic man none the less. Verse 11 says "his head is as the most fine gold, his locks are wavy, and black as a raven". Verse 10 describes this man as being "radiant and ruddy" which means he was slightly light-skinned with a rosy color. This can be confirmed in the Sahih Bukhari Hadiths, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 747, which says Muhammad was slightly light skinned, with a rosy color (and also has the same hair as is mentioned in verse 11). Also verse 14 describes this man as having a stomach like ivory. I take it this means the parts of his body that were usually covered by his garment from the sun, were very white (like ivory). This also can be atributed to Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who although having a rosy, golden color, had white armpitts (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 17, Number 141 says you could see the whites of his armpitt when he raised his hand). WHAT'S THE POINT?!?!
Discussing skin color, and hair color is fruitless, and if I was basing it solely on that, it could be describing ANY Semitic man. However, this person's name is given. In reading the English translation of Songs 5:16 it finishes the description by saying "He is altogether lovely". The words "altogether lovely" was translated from mahmad (). We'll take a closer look at this four character word, and prove this is talking about Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) . . . . .
First of all, the way this word is written is Hebrew is . That happens to be the EXACT same was Muhammad's name is written in Hebrew. Let's look at the spelling of this word...
It has four characters. Going from right to left they are...
Now, when writing in Hebrew, there is no difference between the word mahmad () and Muhammad (). The only difference is in the vowels used when pronouncing this word (). Hebrew is an ancient language, and there are no vowels. It is made up of 22 consonants. In ancient times, the reader decided on his own which vowels to add in. It was not until the 8th century that vowels were introduced, in the form of dots and lines. However, this has nothing to do with real Hebrew. The word mahmad () in ancient times would most likely have been pronounced "mahamad".
According to Ben Yehuda's Hebrew-English Dictionary, is correctly pronounced "mahamad" (not mahmad) which is very close to Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Ben Yehuda's Hebrew-English Dictionary defines "" as "lovely, coveted one, precious one, praised one". The correct way to say "praised one" in Arabic is Muhammad, so this is the same word!
As was stated before, the name Muhammad () and the word mahmad () are spelled exactly the same way in Hebrew, and both have the same meaning. The only reason they are pronounced different is because of vowels (dots and lines) introduced in the eigth century.
The Hebrew word for praised one is
The Hebrew word for Muhammad (the Arabic Prophet) is
In conclusion, if Songs of Solomon chapter 5 is discussing a man to come after that time, it is without a doubt Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), as it even mentions his name. Any Christian who believes Jesus is the Messiah, and believes that books were sent down by God after the TaNaKh (Jewish Bible), then surely they should take into account what they just read here, and consider the Qur'an before making a decision.
DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM IN THE TAURAT AND INJEEL
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'aan:
"Those who will serve the Messenger, unlettered the Communicator of hidden news when they will find with them written in the Taurat and Injeel. He will bid them to do good and will forbid them from doing evil, and will make lawful for them clean things and will forbid for them unclean things, and will take off from them that burden and shackles which were upon them. Then those who believe in him and honour him and help him and follow that light which has been sent down with him, they are the persons who attained their objects."In the above mentioned verse Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says that those who wish for success in this world and in the next, should follow `the Rasool', `the Nabi' and `Ummi', three qualities or titles of the beloved Rasool Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam which are also mentioned in the Taurat and Injeel (bible). The meaning of `Rasool' is `messenger' and `Nabi' is `one who gives information of the unseen'. The meanings of these two words are well known, however, the word `Ummi' requires some discussion. In an authentic book of Tafseer (interpretation of the verses of the Holy Qur'aan), `Tafseer Ruhul Ma'ani', it is stated that one reason for `Ummi' being a title of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam is because one of the names of Makkah is "Ummul Kurah". Because he was born and lived in Makkah for so many years and because of his connection with the city and he was given the title of "Ummi" just as someone from Madina would be known as Madani or someone from Iraq would be known as Iraqi.
[Surah 7: Ayat 157]
Another meaning given in the same book is `one who has never learnt to read or write' under the guidance of a teacher. It would be that his condition would be as if his mother had just given birth to him. Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam was not taught by any human, angel or jinn, but by the Almighty, thus his knowledge is like an ocean and his teachings will always be pertinent, even till the Day of Judgement.
The knowledge of Hazrat Adam Alaihis Salaam was also very wide and for this reason the angels were ordered to bow before him.
As we are all aware, there are many languages in the world. Each one would have its own word to describe a particular thing. For example, in English we say water, in Arabic `maa', in Urdu `paani' and in Persian `aab'. In this manner the names of everything and the purpose of their creation were taught to Adam Alaihis Salaam. The great Ulama of Islam are of the opinion that the knowledge of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is like an ocean and the knowledge of the other Prophets (On them be peace) is like a drop of that ocean. Thus the knowledge of Adam Alaihis Salaam is like that of a drop in comparison to that of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
To say that an ordinary person is "Ummi" would signify a default in his personality. To understand this point consider this: Pride is considered to be a bad quality in character, but when we say that Almighty Allah has pride it is His praise, likewise the word "Ummi" when used for the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam signifies his praise since without being educated by any worldly teacher he possesses knowledge about all creation.
In the words "Those who find written about him in the Tauraat and Injeel" indicates to us that the personality of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam was discussed in the original, unchanged scriptures of the Jews and Christians.
Imaam Jalaludeen Suyuti Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaihi narrates that the grandson of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam Radiyallahu Anhuma (Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam Radiyallahu Anhu was a very learned Jewish scholar of that time) says:
"I asked my grandfather about the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam and he explained that when he became aware of the presence of Nabi Alaihis Salaam in Makkah he left his homeland to go there and when he met the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam he was asked, `Are you Ibn Salaam? Are you the great scholar of the Jews?' He replied in the affirmative and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam asked him, taking the oath of Allah to answer the question truthfully, `Have you found my qualities described in the Book of Allah (Tauraat)?' Ibn Salaam replied, `I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah, and Allah will make you and your religion prevalent over the whole world. I have found your qualities in the Tauraat." The following verse was then read, `Oh giver of the unseen news, undoubtedly we have sent you as a witness, and a giver of glad-tidings, and a warner. You are my servant and Messenger, I have named you Mutawakil (one who has complete trust in Allah)....." [Al-Khasaaisul Kubra, Vol 1]Imaam Jalaludeen Suyuti Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaihi narrates that the uncle of our beloved Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam, Hazrat Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu once enquired from Kaabul Akhbaar a great Jewish scholar of his time why he accepted Islam during the time of Hazrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu instead of in the time of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam or the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radiyallahu Anhu. He replied, "My father wrote something for me from the Tauraat, he closed it and thereafter he gave it to me, and said, `Act upon this and follow it.' My father made me promise to do as he said and not to open it until a difficult time comes. Time passed and Islam spread far and wide, and I found nothing but good in the religion and at that point I opened the letter and therein I found a description of the Holy Prophet Alaihis Salaam and his Ummah. Therefore I have come now and accepted Islam."
Another Sahabi asked Ka'abul Akhbaar, "Have you found anything about our beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) in the Tauraat?" He said, "I have found written, `Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, his birth will be in Makkah and thereafter he will travel to Madina."
In a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu Anhu, our Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam said,
"When Allah revealed the Tauraat to Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) and when he received the verses regarding this Ummah he prayed, `Oh Allah, I have found in the Tauraat that there will be an Ummah that will come last but yet their positon will be the best and intercession regarding them will be accepted, Oh Allah make them my Ummah.' Allah replied, `This is the Ummah of Muhammmad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).' Thereafter Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) said, `Their holy scripture will be stored in their hearts and they will recite it from there, Oh Allah make them my Ummah.' Allah replied that, `This is the Ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).'Then Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) asked, `That Ummah that has knowledge of the past as well as future, Oh Allah, make them my Ummah.' Again Allah replied,`That is the Ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)."From this, it is clear that the previous Ummahs were informed about the coming of our Beloved Rasool Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. How fortunate are we not that the status of this Ummah has also been described in the previous scriptures by virtue of being the followers of the Beloved of Allah, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam.
The Intellectual Movement before Muhammad's (Peace be upon Him) Birth
All the Scriptures foretold of the appearance of a prophet of Ismail’s offspring from the mountainous area of Tohama. The Jewa were expecting his appearance. In the year 71 A.D the jews rebelled against the Romana in “ Iliya”[Jerusalem]. And as a consequence, the Jews, sacred temple was demolished by the Roman commander Titus.and a large number of them were driven out of the land. Some of them headed for Yathirb, Madina, and its outskirts, and they were members of the tribes of Qurayzah, Al-Nadir, Qinaqa, Khybarand others. The flocks of jews went to that part of the land because they were sure, as their Books asserted, that a new prophet would be raised there, and that the religion he was destined to preach will spread everywhere, from the city of Yathrib. They desired to live close to that prophet and to lend him support in the hope that he might restore to them the status they had lost in Jerusalem.
Later, the Jews, anticipating assistance from the prophet Muhammad, prayed for their victory against their foes, the Aus and the Khazraj. But when the prophet preached the Message, that their Scripture spoke of, they rejected both the prophet and hid Message. Alluding to this Allah says: “And when there comes to them a Book from God, confirming what is with them,-although from of old, they had prayed for victory against those without Faith, when there comes to them that which they [should] have recognized, they refuse to believe in it, but the curse of God is on those without Faith“. He also says: “And if the apostle were to invent any sayings in Our name, we should certainly seize him by his right hand, and We should certainly then cut off artery of this heart; not could any of you withhold him [from Our wrath].”
Even Jesus Christ had foretold, as stated in the Gospel, of the appearance of the prophet Muhammad, Confirming this report, the Holy Qur’an says: “And remember Jesus, the son of Mary said: O, Children of Israel: I am the apostle of Good [sent] to you, confirming the Law [which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad”
Salman, the Persian, was close to a priest who used to repeat to him that a Messenger by the name of Ahmad will be raised by Allah from the passes of mount Tohama, and that he will be known for accepting only a gift and refusing charity . And this was the reason why Salman converted to Islam.
Jesus Christ, as the Gospel of Mathew says, prophesied the rise of Muhammad (PBUH) as a prophet. He dhim the stone put by the Lord on the top of the building; he told his people that the kingdom of the Israelites will disappear, giving place to another nation, the Muslims. Whoever falls on this stone will suffer bruises, and whomever the stone might fall own on will certainly be crushed.
And because the followers of the Scriptures knew beforehand of the appearance of Muhammad (PBUH) as a Prophet, his letters, which were later sent to their kings and rulers, had albeen received by them with respect and esteem, and esteem, and their receipt had always been acknowledged nicely. The Roman Emperor of the time was about to convert to Islam had it not been for his people who rebelled against him when he called them to have faith in the prophet Muhammad.
Muhammad before Taking Office of Prophethood
Muhammad (PBUH) is the son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttaleb, of the Arab clan of Banu Hashem of the tribe of Quraish, one of the ancient, noblest and most dignified tribes of the land. It was known for its valour, hospitality, influence and eloquence. Muhammad’s nobility derived its roots from both his father’s and his mother’s lineage. He is a descendent of Adnan. And the grandson of Ismail, son of Ibrahim. No one of Ismail’s progeny became a prophet except Muhammad.
The Imam Moslem quotes the prophet Muhammad, on the authority of wa’ilah ibn al-Asq’. As having said: “Allah has singled out Kenanah from the progeny of Ismail: the Quraishites from Kenanah: the Banu Hashem from the Quraish: and myself from the Banu Hashem“.
Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, was born in the “Elephant Year“, during which time Abraha the Abyssinian, ruler of Yemen, was delegated by the Negus to go to Arabia to destroy the Ka’bah. But it was this man and his army who were destroyed instead in an unprecedented manner. Describing this incident Allah says: “Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the companions of the Elephant? Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray? And He sent against them flights of birds, striking them with stoner of backed clay. Then did He make an empty field of stalks and straw, [of which the corn] has been eaten up.” This was an indication that a new prophet would be raised and that the Ka’bah will be the place towards which he and his nation should turn their faces in prayers. Muhammad (PBUH) was the sole son of his father Abdullah; and this was decreed so that upon him alone should the blessing of his two grand-fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail, should be bestowed
Mohammed’s father died when he was still an embryo in his mother’s womb. When he was five years old, he lost his mother while both of them were on their way back to Makkah after a visit they paid to his paternal uncles, the Banu Adiy bin al-Nijar in Madinah. The mother died at a place called al-Abwa. Asma, daughter of Rahm,quotes her mother, as reported by Al-Zohari, as having said: “ I have seen Amna, the mother of the prophet . in her illness in which she died. Muhammad (PBUH) was five years old, and he was sitting all the time at her head. Lookinatherself, Amna would say: “Every living is to die; and every new thing will wear out. I shall pass away, but my name will last. I am leaving behind me goodness, and I had given birth to a pure. After saying this, she died”.
Muhammad (PBUH) was then brought up in the loving care of his grand-father Abdul Muttaleb, the leader of Quraish. And when Muhammad (PBUH) was eight years old, the grandfather died, after which the boy was brought up his uncle Abu Taleb, who took the lead of Quraish.But despite the fact that Muhammad (PBUH) was brought up in orphanhood, he was active, energetic, weary of mean things. He was of a high spirit, of good behavior, and was serious in managing matters. He never indulged in children quarrels or noisy games, and never had he behaved like anyone of his age; he was reared in the institution of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent, Who decreed that Muhammad (PBUH) was to be the last in the line of prophets and messengers.
All his life, Muhammad (PBUH) remained under the guard and care of Allah, always blessed with His favor and benignity. Once, his nurse, Halimah, of the tribe of Banu Sa’d, took the lad to spend sometime amidst her kin. Though they were suffering a season of drought, the land, unexpectedly, turned into a fertile space, with plenty of crops coming out everywhere. Herds returned from grazing with full stomachs and much of milk, while the sheep of their neighbouring lands remained hungry, with no milk in their udders, And it happened that even when the other people’s sheep grazed on Halimah’s pasture, they still failed to produce milk.
Ibn’Asaker quotes Jalhamah ibn Arfatah as narrating the following story: “Once I visited Makkah at a time of scarcity. The Quraishites approached Abu Taleb, saying: O,Abu Taleb; the valley has become barren and the young children hungry. Go forth and pray for water for the people’ .Abu Taleb headad for the Ka’bah, taking with him a young boy [Muhammad], who was radiant in face like a sun. Abu Taleb made the boy stand with his back close to the Ka’bah , The boy lifted his his hinger towards the sky, which was cloudless. But soon clouds appeared in the sky and rains fell down heavily. The valley became fertile and crops were harvested later”.
Muhammad (PBUH) accompanied his uncle Abu Taleb on two journeys to Syria, once when he was twelve years old, and secondly, when he was eighteen. On both the journeys, significant indications and unusual things were observed. Of all the travelers it was Muhammad (PBUH) alone who was overshadowed by a cloud. All inanimates used to greet him wherever he passed them. When he was seen by Bihairah, the monk, he embraced him, declaring that he was the prophet of whom the Torah had foretold; and the monk asked the boy’s uncle to protect him from the Jews.
Muhammad (PBUH) was known amongst his people for his truthfulness, honesty and prudence. And for these qualities he was called by them “Al-Amin,” the Trusty. Being so known among the Arabs, he was given by Khadijah the charge of a caravan conveying merchandise to Syria. On this journey, he was accompanied by Khadijah’s servant, Maysarah, who, being close to Muhammad, saw for himself the nobility of his behavior and the supernatural phenomena that he had never seen the like before On Muhammad’s return, Khadijah, who was of noble lineage and wealthy, was so pleased with his successful management of her business, was so attracted by his nobility, of character, reports about which she heard from her old servant who had accompanied Muhammad (PBUH) on his journey, that she offered the young man her hand, Muhammad (PBUH) then went with his uncle Abu Taleb to Khadijah’s uncle Amr ibn Asad to finalize the procedures of marriage.
All Muhammad’s sons were mothered by Khadijah except Ibrahim who was born to his other wife Maria, the Copt.
When Muhammad (PBUH) reached thirty-five rears of age, the Quraish re-constructed the ka’bah but a dispute arose among the tribe’s chieftains as to who was to place the Black Stone in is proper place in the ka’bah. The dispute lasted four nights, and it threatened to plunge the different clans of Quraish into war. The eldest chief amongst them was Abu Umayah ibn al-Mughira, of Banu Makhzoum, the uncle of Khaled ibn al-waleed, and he proposed that the dispute should be settled by arbitration. They accepted the idea and proposed that the first man to enter the Ka,bah should be the arbitrator. And the man was Muhammad; and because he was popularly known for his equity, good reasoning and honesty, all the chiefs accepted the Amin to be the arbitrator. They had sought his decision on several matters before, and he was always just, fair and unprejudicial. He stretched his robe and asked each clan to hold one of its sides after placing the Stone on it. When the garment was lifted up by them, he took the Stone by his hands and inserted it in its place. And thus the sagacious arbitration of Muhammad (PBUH) saved the situation and settled the dispute to everyone’s satisfaction. Even after he had been entrusted with the Divine Message, his opponents, who rejected the Meassage, could not deny his good qualities. One of Muhammad’s arch-enemies, Al-Nadr ibn al-Harth, of Banu Abdul Darr, could say nothing to the pilgrims but to chant the praises of the Prophet. He went further and rejected the plea that he was an enchanter.
When Hercules, King of the Romans, asked Abu Sufyan once: Did you charge Muhammad (PBUH) as a liar before he brought you the Message? The man said: No Hercules said: If he has never lied to men, how could he then tell lies about Allah?