There are many questions that come to mind when the name Jesus is mentioned. Some people say he was a prophet, others call him a god, while others say he was a very wise man. But whatever your idea is, one thing remains certain: he was not your ordinary man. So if there is something special about him, why all the confusion?
Just who was Jesus anyway?
His Origin
Jesus lived about 2,000 years ago in ancient Palestine when the Roman Empire was at its zenith. He was not conceived in the usual way, but was implanted in the womb of a young woman named Mary. God simply commanded, “Be” and he was. In this sense, he was “a word” of God and a special sign for humanity. In fact, he was the last in a long line of religious guides sent to the Jews.
Mary, The Blessed
Mary was a righteous woman. Her mother dedicated her to God’s service even before she was born. As a child, she lived a life marked by health and righteousness, which others pointed to in admiration. She was raised by the wise Zechariah, who instilled in her, a beautiful sense of faith in God. When she had become a young woman, Mary sought to purify herself further before her Lord. Knowing that the hustle of life in the towns was distracting, she withdrew from her people to a sanctuary in the East. There she could meditate in seclusion and peace. Suddenly, on a day that seemed no different from the rest, an angel of God visited her, disguised in the likeness of a human. Afraid of so strange a sight, Mary prayed for protection, but the strange being reassured her and declared that he was a messenger from the Lord to announce the glad-tidings of a faultless son. Mary, astounded, asked how this was possible seeing that no man had ever touched her. But the angel replied, “Your Lord says, it is easy for Me …”. But when she felt the little child within her, she fled her sanctuary out of fear of what her family would do or say when they heard the news. Mary, however, was not to face hardship. When in her despair she cried out to God for oblivion, a voice soothed her and she found shade and a cool spring. Under a date-palm in the warmth of late summer, she made her dwelling and there bore the child unlike any other in human history.
Shortly thereafter, Mary returned to her community carrying the child who was to be called Messiah, Jesus, and son of Mary. When her people saw her with the baby in her arms they couldn’t believe their eyes, let alone accept her word. They refused to believe when she told of an angel who came and told her she was chosen above all other women to carry this burden. They accused her of infidelity and implied that she had ruined the family name. Mary, being overwhelmed, simply motioned towards the child meekly.
The Miracles
Now the child was the product of a miracle and consequently, miraculous things began to happen. In defense of his mother and of the truth, the infant Jesus spoke saying, “I am a servant of God. He has given me Scripture and has made me a Prophet. He has blessed me wherever I may be and has made prayer and charity my duty as long as I live.” This put the detractors to rest.
Throughout his youth, Jesus remained dutiful to his mother and developed quickly in intelligence, wisdom, and piety. He dumfounded the learned and was greatly admired by those around him who appreciated his talents. He claimed to be a sign of God and a Messenger to the Israelites.
His people had strayed from the spirit of truth and placed their trust in legalism, thereby burying their sense of mercy beneath dusty scrolls and rituals. Finally, when he came of age, Jesus began to travel and preach throughout the land of Palestine about a return to the truth of the old revelations and a rejection of all that man had added. In his task he was supported by the spirit of truth, the angel Gabriel.
The Gospel, His Message
He taught that love and mercy overcome hate and anger and that only a true and sincere faith in the Creator and obedience to His will can bring a person salvation in this life as well as in the next. To reinforce his message, which was called “Injeel” (Good News), God granted him the performance of miracles. He healed the sick, uplifted the distressed and revived the dead. All these things he did with the permission of God, never taking credit for them himself.
He led a simple and pious life. Soon he attracted an inner-circle of devoted followers who listened to his teachings with fervor and humility. These disciples, among them Peter, Barnabas, and John helped him carry the message of Divine Love to the people. They helped him in his mission.
A Test Of Wills
But no righteous man of God is without trial and tribulation. As the message of Jesus began to gain wider acceptance, a small clique of hypocrites and evil men began to plot against him. They were the priests and leaders of the Jews whose position and wealth depended upon their place as the sole interpreters of religion to the masses. They pursued him and his followers and eventually captured him. Though they abused him, he never renounced his faith in the one God. So in their anger they plotted to crucify him on a Roman cross. But Jesus slipped from their grip at the last moment, and all the while they thought they had succeeded. They were sure they had killed him but God answered Jesus’ prayer and saved him from their schemes. Confusion overtook the mob and they might have killed the man who betrayed Jesus instead. In any case, Jesus escaped from their grasp. Then God removed Jesus from this world into another dimension, to a place with Him, not to return until a later time.
With their teacher gone, the devoted followers of Jesus tried to maintain the purity and simplicity of his teachings. But they were soon besieged and overtaken by a flood of Roman and Greek influences, which eventually so buried and distorted the message of Jesus that only a little of its truth now remains. Strange doctrines of Jesus being a man-god, of God dying, of saint worship and of God being made up of different parts came into vogue and were accepted by many of those who took the name “Christians” centuries after Jesus.
Conclusion
The only records that have come down to us concerning Jesus are some sketchy biographical material, poorly researched and compiled, which can in no way be representative of the full and accurate Message of Jesus, the Son of Mary. The time of the final and incorruptible Message was not yet at hand. It would be left to the last prophet of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him), to clarify the truth from man’s additions and deletions.
Jesus taught the same eternal message that was taught by all the Messengers of God, from Adam, on through Noah, Abraham, Moses and ending with the mission of God’s last Guidepost to humanity, Muhammad (peace be on them all), whose coming was foretold by Jesus himself.
Every nation and every people, from the Aztecs to the Greeks, have received a Prophet or a Messenger from God. Jesus was the last of a series of Messengers sent to the Israelites, but they consistently strayed from the path of surrender to God. Each of the many Messengers spoke a different language and followed varied customs. Yet the core faith taught by each was the same: surrender your imperfect and fickle will to the perfect will of the Power that is greater than you. You will then find the peace and freedom that only the Creator of all things can provide. Then you must do what is right and good to your fellow creatures. This way of life is called Islam (surrender to God and find peace).
By Yahiya Emerick
“(Allah is) the Creator of the heavens and the earth: He has made for you pairs from among yourselves and pairs among cattle: by this means does He multiply you: there is nothing whatever like unto Him and He is the One that hears and sees (all things). To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth: He enlarges and restricts the Sustenance to whom He will: for He knows full well all things.” Quran 42:11-12
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
HAJ COMMITTEE OF INDIA - ANNOUNCEMENT FOR HAJ – 1431 (H) - 2010
The Haj Committee of India is pleased to announce the Programme for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010, to call Haj Applications From Indian Muslims above 16yrs. of age, who intend to perform Haj and holding valid International Passport. Single Haj Application Form for provisional registration for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010, are available with all the State Haj Committees with effect from 1st April 2010, the same may be collected from State Haj Committees, free of cost. If any individual or organization is found charging money for the same, this may immediately be reported to Chief Executive Officer, Haj Committee of India.
Single Haj Application Forms are available on the website of Haj Committee of India www.hajcommittee. com The Pilgrims are advised to download the same and submit the application duly completed in the respect along with pay-in slip of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim towards non refundable provisional processing fee, in the respective State Haj Committees on or before 30th April, 2010. The photo copies of forms will also be accepted by State Haj Committees.
The Haj Application Form should be dully filled in accordance with the instruction on the Haj Application Form for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010. Pilgrims, in their own interest, are requested to fill the Application Form by self. He/She should thoroughly go through the Guidelines before filling Haj Application Form. Haj Application Form complete in all respect must reach the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the concerned State/Union Territory Haj Committee on or before 30th April, 2010.
The competent authority has decided to directly confirm the applications of those Pilgrims whose applications have been rejected continuously for last three (3) years, during Haj 2007 – 2009. In order to get the benefit of this scheme during ensuing Haj, the applicant along with his co-pilgrims have to indicate the cover number in the column mentioned for that purpose. The application, which does not match with previous year Cover Number, the entire applications will be registered as a fresh applications and will be included in General Category. Option once made at the time of registration, will not be changed at any cost.
Those applicants who have been selected earlier but have cancelled their journey due to any reason will not be considered under Reserved Category. Their applications shall be considered as fresh, and will be registered in General Category.
All the intending Pilgrims are informed that Haj Committee of India, Mumbai has no administrative relations with any person or organization to conduct the Haj affairs, except the duly constituted State Haj Committees.
The single Application Form for Provisional registration should be filled in legibly and the particular requires to be recorded therein needs to be written in English and all in BLOCK LETTERS.
Incomplete Application is liable to be rejected.
Please ensure that all particulars including your signature/thumb impression recorded in the Application Forms is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. It needs to be noted that the false information furnished or suppression of facts shall lead to rejection of application.
The Application Form should be submitted through your respective State Haj Committee only. Details of address of the concerned State Haj Committees are given with application Form. Application directly sent to Haj Committee of India, Mumbai should not be entertained.
(10) The following persons are not entitled to make Application for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010.
Those who have performed Haj during last FIVE years viz. during block year 2006 – 2009. This restriction applies even for Haj-e-Badal.
Those suffering Tuberculosis, AIDS or other communicable disease or are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physical incapacitated.
The male Children in the age group 5 to 16 years are not permitted.
Infants, who would complete two years of age on 31st December 2010 i.e. till the arrival of last inwards Haj Charter Flight shall be allowed to travel accompany of their parents.
The lady Pilgrims should be accompanied with Sharai Mehram provided that Mehram should not be a Repeater.
Each Application Form is required to be accompanied by pay-in-Slip issued by State Bank of India the amount of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim deposited in current Account No. 30683623887 towards non- refundable processing fee. (i.e. maximum Rs.1000/- per application this amount can be paid either by cash or through bank transfer in the current account no. 30683623887 IFS code SBIN0000300 maintained with the State Bank of India, Main Branch Mumbai.) and photo copies of valid International Passports if available OR valid address/Residential proof if applied for passport.
The Application Form duly filled in and accompanied Pay-in-Slip of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim for processing fee should reach the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the State / Union Territory Haj Committee on or before the 30th April 2010. No Application Form received after expiry of the Closing date shall be entertained.
A maximum number of five (5) persons comprising the family members or close relatives can make Application in a single cover. It is in the interest of the Pilgrims to ensure that only family members having Blood relatives are included in the cover. The head of the cover should be responsible for all the payments of the Persons included in the cover under the circumstances and refund shall issue in favour of him later on if any, An alien person should not be included in the cover. Haj Committee of India has no objection to register a cover with a single Application/ Pilgrim.
CONFIRMATION
This is not selection. It is computerized form for provisional registration for Haj 2010. Haj Committee of India after obtaining details about total number of application received by the State Haj Committee shall decide about holding Qurrah (Lottery),if necessary. The computerized Qurrah shall be held by the State Haj Committee on date fixed by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai.
The seats are allotted to the State proportionate to the Muslim Population based on the last Census of 2001. If any State Haj Committee receives less applications, remaining seats surrendered in favour of Haj Committee of India would be utilized for confirmation of seats of the other States, where the applications have been received in excess of the Quota.
Out of the total seats allotted to the State Haj Committees, the applications of those Pilgrims, who have been rejected continuously for last three (3) years will be give confirmed status, without holding Qurrah (draw of lots), during Haj 1431 (H) – 2010. This confirmation without Qurrah will be applicable to only those States where Qurrah was conducted in the year 2007-2009. If the number of applications received in Reserved Category by the State/Union Territory Haj Committee is less than final quota till the closing date, the balance seats will be made available for the General Category Pilgrims and the State/Union Territory Haj Committees shall hold Qurrah of such seats on the date fixed by the Haj Committee of India. However, if the numbers of rejected applications are more than the Quota allotted to a particular State/Union Territory, in that case State/ Union Territory Haj Committee shall hold Qurrah for rejected Pilgrims only, on the fixed date by the Haj Committee of India, and no fresh applications register under General Category can be entertained.
Confirmation of success in Qurrah (Lottery) system shall be communicated to the intending Pilgrims by the respective State Haj Committees after getting them confirmed status from Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. Thereafter selected Pilgrims will have to fill-up the Haj Application Form and to be submitted to State Haj Committee on or before the date fixed by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. The confirmation will be done against district wise quota.
At the time of submission of regular Haj Application intending Pilgrim should deposit 30% amount of Foreign Exchange, Air fare & other charges and also send their original International Passport to State Haj Committee. The remaining 70% amount of Foreign Exchange, Air fare and other charges be paid upto 31st August, 2010.
The Saudi Arabia Government has intimated that Haj Visa will be endorsed on International Passport only. Thus intending Pilgrims must posses International passport and photo copy of Passport should be attached with Application Form. Those who presently do not have International passport can also apply but they should try to get International Passport as early as possible.
For any further enquiry:
Phone : 022 – 22612989 (6 Lines),
Fax : 022 - 22620 920
Chief Executive Officer
Haj Committee of India,
Haj House,
7 – A, M. R. A. Marg (Palton Road),
Mumbai – 400 001.
By time (through the ages), Verily humans are in loss, Except those who have Belief in God, and do Righteous Good Deeds, (i.e. to perform all kinds of good deeds which God has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which God has forbidden), and Recommend one another to the Truth and Patience (towards the happenings, sufferings, injuries, losses or profits which one may encounter in his journey towards salvation ). [Al - Quran, Surah Asr:103]
Single Haj Application Forms are available on the website of Haj Committee of India www.hajcommittee. com The Pilgrims are advised to download the same and submit the application duly completed in the respect along with pay-in slip of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim towards non refundable provisional processing fee, in the respective State Haj Committees on or before 30th April, 2010. The photo copies of forms will also be accepted by State Haj Committees.
The Haj Application Form should be dully filled in accordance with the instruction on the Haj Application Form for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010. Pilgrims, in their own interest, are requested to fill the Application Form by self. He/She should thoroughly go through the Guidelines before filling Haj Application Form. Haj Application Form complete in all respect must reach the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the concerned State/Union Territory Haj Committee on or before 30th April, 2010.
The competent authority has decided to directly confirm the applications of those Pilgrims whose applications have been rejected continuously for last three (3) years, during Haj 2007 – 2009. In order to get the benefit of this scheme during ensuing Haj, the applicant along with his co-pilgrims have to indicate the cover number in the column mentioned for that purpose. The application, which does not match with previous year Cover Number, the entire applications will be registered as a fresh applications and will be included in General Category. Option once made at the time of registration, will not be changed at any cost.
Those applicants who have been selected earlier but have cancelled their journey due to any reason will not be considered under Reserved Category. Their applications shall be considered as fresh, and will be registered in General Category.
All the intending Pilgrims are informed that Haj Committee of India, Mumbai has no administrative relations with any person or organization to conduct the Haj affairs, except the duly constituted State Haj Committees.
The single Application Form for Provisional registration should be filled in legibly and the particular requires to be recorded therein needs to be written in English and all in BLOCK LETTERS.
Incomplete Application is liable to be rejected.
Please ensure that all particulars including your signature/thumb impression recorded in the Application Forms is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. It needs to be noted that the false information furnished or suppression of facts shall lead to rejection of application.
The Application Form should be submitted through your respective State Haj Committee only. Details of address of the concerned State Haj Committees are given with application Form. Application directly sent to Haj Committee of India, Mumbai should not be entertained.
(10) The following persons are not entitled to make Application for Haj 1431 (H) – 2010.
Those who have performed Haj during last FIVE years viz. during block year 2006 – 2009. This restriction applies even for Haj-e-Badal.
Those suffering Tuberculosis, AIDS or other communicable disease or are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physical incapacitated.
The male Children in the age group 5 to 16 years are not permitted.
Infants, who would complete two years of age on 31st December 2010 i.e. till the arrival of last inwards Haj Charter Flight shall be allowed to travel accompany of their parents.
The lady Pilgrims should be accompanied with Sharai Mehram provided that Mehram should not be a Repeater.
Each Application Form is required to be accompanied by pay-in-Slip issued by State Bank of India the amount of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim deposited in current Account No. 30683623887 towards non- refundable processing fee. (i.e. maximum Rs.1000/- per application this amount can be paid either by cash or through bank transfer in the current account no. 30683623887 IFS code SBIN0000300 maintained with the State Bank of India, Main Branch Mumbai.) and photo copies of valid International Passports if available OR valid address/Residential proof if applied for passport.
The Application Form duly filled in and accompanied Pay-in-Slip of Rs.200/- per Pilgrim for processing fee should reach the Executive Officer/ Secretary of the State / Union Territory Haj Committee on or before the 30th April 2010. No Application Form received after expiry of the Closing date shall be entertained.
A maximum number of five (5) persons comprising the family members or close relatives can make Application in a single cover. It is in the interest of the Pilgrims to ensure that only family members having Blood relatives are included in the cover. The head of the cover should be responsible for all the payments of the Persons included in the cover under the circumstances and refund shall issue in favour of him later on if any, An alien person should not be included in the cover. Haj Committee of India has no objection to register a cover with a single Application/ Pilgrim.
CONFIRMATION
This is not selection. It is computerized form for provisional registration for Haj 2010. Haj Committee of India after obtaining details about total number of application received by the State Haj Committee shall decide about holding Qurrah (Lottery),if necessary. The computerized Qurrah shall be held by the State Haj Committee on date fixed by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai.
The seats are allotted to the State proportionate to the Muslim Population based on the last Census of 2001. If any State Haj Committee receives less applications, remaining seats surrendered in favour of Haj Committee of India would be utilized for confirmation of seats of the other States, where the applications have been received in excess of the Quota.
Out of the total seats allotted to the State Haj Committees, the applications of those Pilgrims, who have been rejected continuously for last three (3) years will be give confirmed status, without holding Qurrah (draw of lots), during Haj 1431 (H) – 2010. This confirmation without Qurrah will be applicable to only those States where Qurrah was conducted in the year 2007-2009. If the number of applications received in Reserved Category by the State/Union Territory Haj Committee is less than final quota till the closing date, the balance seats will be made available for the General Category Pilgrims and the State/Union Territory Haj Committees shall hold Qurrah of such seats on the date fixed by the Haj Committee of India. However, if the numbers of rejected applications are more than the Quota allotted to a particular State/Union Territory, in that case State/ Union Territory Haj Committee shall hold Qurrah for rejected Pilgrims only, on the fixed date by the Haj Committee of India, and no fresh applications register under General Category can be entertained.
Confirmation of success in Qurrah (Lottery) system shall be communicated to the intending Pilgrims by the respective State Haj Committees after getting them confirmed status from Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. Thereafter selected Pilgrims will have to fill-up the Haj Application Form and to be submitted to State Haj Committee on or before the date fixed by the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai. The confirmation will be done against district wise quota.
At the time of submission of regular Haj Application intending Pilgrim should deposit 30% amount of Foreign Exchange, Air fare & other charges and also send their original International Passport to State Haj Committee. The remaining 70% amount of Foreign Exchange, Air fare and other charges be paid upto 31st August, 2010.
The Saudi Arabia Government has intimated that Haj Visa will be endorsed on International Passport only. Thus intending Pilgrims must posses International passport and photo copy of Passport should be attached with Application Form. Those who presently do not have International passport can also apply but they should try to get International Passport as early as possible.
For any further enquiry:
Phone : 022 – 22612989 (6 Lines),
Fax : 022 - 22620 920
Chief Executive Officer
Haj Committee of India,
Haj House,
7 – A, M. R. A. Marg (Palton Road),
Mumbai – 400 001.
By time (through the ages), Verily humans are in loss, Except those who have Belief in God, and do Righteous Good Deeds, (i.e. to perform all kinds of good deeds which God has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which God has forbidden), and Recommend one another to the Truth and Patience (towards the happenings, sufferings, injuries, losses or profits which one may encounter in his journey towards salvation ). [Al - Quran, Surah Asr:103]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)