View allAll Photos Tagged Prophet
Prophet in early sixteenth century Renaissance glass now located in the west window at Hatton, but presumably originating from a tracery light of an unidentified German church.
The church of the Holy Trinity at Hatton was almost entirely rebuilt in the Victorian period (1878-80 by William Young) retaining only the fifteenth century tower from the medieval building. The old tower itself has a fine west window which contains some pieces of 16th century German glass.
This church is normally locked outside of services and has no keyholder listed, so prior arrangement or a special event may be necessary to see inside.
"Too late now
and it was not chance
but choice and
even now the rivers boil
and the moon cuts itself in half
wind thick with hate
your hate like a chorus of lightning
i tried to warn you
spoke first in words then screams
then signs written in blood in the air
a beckoning to reconcile
paint myself in ashes and shame
for us all
but you would not listen
tie the truth
in knots
another garrote
upon the hanging tree
which you hung those before me
there were days
i thought it would repeat itself forever
like a rocking invalid spitting out the name
of his imagined accuser
but now
i know
it will not
so now i must leave
through cracks in the air
between the notes of the feast song
no time for desert or wine
not now nor for ever
i go (for now)
to the place of grieving
but not for me..."
OILGRAPH ON WOODEN PANEL
(and as an occasional reminder)
there is no digital work in this
it is a physical piece
on a physical surface
the texture is not downloaded but painted
there are other ways to do things
if you are willing....
Seen during a British summer holiday in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Kent: the prophet holding the Holy Book under the Octagon at Ely Cathedral.
this appeared, this morning, the 16th, on a side street in tallahassee, florida, usa, next to rt 90, the main east/west road from Miami to L. A. for many many travelers.
Here is a Genuine street prophet's poster, and if you click on the "original size" section, in the options under "all sizes" one can actually read this poster.
if you want to, some of the words are cuss words, on the size, here, they are not visible.
there is a much more readible version here!
www.flickr.com/photos/freestone/1159472445/sizes/l/in/pho...
But something tells me that this person did indeed have these dreams. whether these dreams merely reflect a homeless person's anger toward society, or maybe a real Vision series that infers that
our culture will soon become Toast, very very soon: you make the call, I report what I see that is interesting, on the streets.
Yes this spot is where many homeless people gather to beg for change and bills. the Shelters are four blocks away.
In a sense, the homeless, NOW, are living a bit like of this future seen, the woods around here are full of Camps of homeless and often there are fights and killings, events that escape the seeing eye of the police. many of them *want* to see Babylon burn down, and too, many of the hands that reach out to help them, merely have strings attached, or even Ropes attached!
1...take thoughbenzidrine every day, yes you will walk around in a daze and also gain 40 lbs, but You Are Being Helped!
2...report to job training and placement every day even as it is located ten miles out of town, and if you do not come every day for most of the day, you will fail; of course there is no time to apply for work!
3...necktie and suit and live indoors and give up ye Indian ways.
Become White man Now.
[would you like to be kidnapped and flown to afgan to be converted against your will to fundamentalism? would you Go Down Screaming?!]
many of them would like to see this poster vision[s] to come true.
have Us all live like they do now!
"The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:
‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’"
– Luke 11:29-32, which is today's Gospel at Mass.
Stained glass window in St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
Structures rhyme, colors too
And he [John] went into all the surrounding region of the Jordan,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight! Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be leveled, and the crooked will become straight, and the rough road will become smooth, and all flesh will see the salvation of God.’ ”
(Luke 3,3-6)
من هو رسولنا ...كلمات قليله تذكرنا بفضل نبينا
محمد بن عبد الله بن عبد المطلب، يعتبره المسلمون رسول الله للبشرية ليعيدهم إلى توحيد الله وعبادته، ويؤمنون بأنه خاتم النبيين والمرسلين،[1] وأنه أشرف المخلوقات وسيّد البشر،[2] كما يعتقدون فيه العصمة.[3] عند ذكر اسمه، يُلحِق المسلمون عبارة «صلى الله عليه وسلم» مع إضافة «وآله» و«وصحبه» في بعض الأحيان، لِمَا جاء في القرآن والسنة النبوية مما يحثهم على الصلاة عليه.[4] اعتبره الكاتب اليهودي مايكل هارت أعظم الشخصيّات أثرًا في تاريخ الإنسانية كلّها باعتباره «الإنسان الوحيد في التاريخ الذي نجح نجاحًا مطلقًا على المستوى الديني والدنيوي».[5] ترك محمد أثرًا كبيرًا في نفوس المسلمين، حتى كثُرت مظاهر محبّتهم وتعظيمهم له، من ذلك الاحتفال بمولده، واتباعهم لأمره وأسلوب حياته وعباداته، وقيامهم بحفظ أقواله وأفعاله وصفاته وجمع ذلك في كتب عُرفت بكتب الحديث النبوي.
ولد في مكة في شهر ربيع الأول من عام الفيل قبل ثلاث وخمسين سنة من الهجرة (هجرته من مكة إلى المدينة)، ما يوافق سنة 570 أو 571 ميلاديًا و52 ق هـ.[6] ولد يتيم الأب وفقد أمه في سنّ مبكرة فتربى في كنف جده عبد المطلب ثم من بعده عمه أبي طالب حيث ترعرع، وكان في تلك الفترة يعمل بالرعي ثم بالتجارة. تزوج في سنِّ الخامسة والعشرين من خديجة بنت خويلد وأنجب منها كل أولاده باستثناء إبراهيم. كان قبل الإسلام يرفض عبادة الأوثان والممارسات الوثنية التي كانت منتشرة في مكة.[7] ويؤمن المسلمون أن الوحي نزل عليه وكُلّف بالرسالة وهو ذو أربعين سنة، أمر بالدعوة سرًا لثلاث سنوات، قضى بعدهنّ عشر سنوات أُخَر في مكة مجاهرًا بدعوة أهلها وكل من يرد إليها من التجار والحجيج وغيرهم. هاجر إلى المدينة المنورة والمسماة يثرب آنذاك عام 622م وهو في الثالثة والخمسين من عمره بعد أن تآمر عليه سادات قريش ممن عارضوا دعوته وسعوا إلى قتله، فعاش فيها عشر سنين أُخر داعيًا إلى الإسلام، وأسس بها نواة الحضارة الإسلامية، التي توسعت لاحقًا وشملت مكة وكل المدن والقبائل العربية، حيث وحَّد العرب لأول مرة على ديانة توحيدية ودولة موحدة، ودعا لنبذ العنصرية والعصبية القبلية.[8][9]
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad* was born in Makkah in the year 570* at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth* and his mother shortly afterwards* he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up* he became known for his truthfulness* generosity and sincerity* so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative.
Muhammad was of a deeply religious nature* and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal al-Nur* the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
How did Muhammad become a prophet and a messenger of God?
At the age of 40* while engaged in a meditative retreat* Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation* which continued for twenty-three years* is known as the Quran.
~TITLE OF PAINTING~
PROPHET
APPROXIMATE SIZE: 8" x 10.5" inches
Media: Acrylic Paint , Ink on Altered Bible Page.
* This piece is Signed Dated for authenticity.
Created in March 2014.
Darksteel armor made by us for dragonspropheteurope.com
Photos by Jesús Clares facebook-com/jesusclares
"Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,
if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,
he shall surely live, he shall not die."
- Ezekiel 18:21, which is part of today's 1st reading.
Stained glass detail from All Souls' College in Oxford.
Prophet in early sixteenth century Renaissance glass now located in the west window at Hatton, but presumably originating from a tracery light of an unidentified German church.
The church of the Holy Trinity at Hatton was almost entirely rebuilt in the Victorian period (1878-80 by William Young) retaining only the fifteenth century tower from the medieval building. The old tower itself has a fine west window which contains some pieces of 16th century German glass.
This church is normally locked outside of services and has no keyholder listed, so prior arrangement or a special event may be necessary to see inside.
Photo: Türe der Evangelischen Oranier-Gedächtniskirche in Wiesbaden-Biebrich
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Mein Jesu, treuester Prophet
- Lied für den zweiten Adventssonntag -
1.) Mein Jesu, treuester Prophet,
Du predigest von großen Zeichen,
Wie Sonn' und Monde werd' erbleichen,
Wie alles, was jetzt feste steht,
Wird über'n Haufen fallen müssen,
Und als ein schmelzend Wachs zerfließen,
Den Leuten werde bange sein,
Und sie betreffen Angst und Pein.
2.) Du warnest mich vor Sicherheit,
Vor Geiz, vor Sorgen, Fressen, Saufen,
Daran jetzund der größte Haufen
Zu seinem Schaden, sich erfreut.
Mich aber heißt du beten, wachen,
Und mich dadurch bereitet machen,
Dass ich dem Unglück mög' entfliehn,
Und aus der Welt in' Himmel ziehn.
3.) Mein Jesu, wecke mich selbst auf,
Dass ich in Sünden nicht erliege,
Noch Höllenqual zum Lohne kriege,
Ermuntre mich, den Himmel zu betrachten.
Lass mich im Unglück nicht verschmachten,
Bewahre mich vor Üppigkeit,
worauf nichts folgt als Herzeleid.
4.) Verleihe mir ein wachend' Herz:
Hilf, dass ich gern und fleißig bete,
Von Ungerechtigkeit abtrete.
Und wenn dein Zorn, Angst, Not und Schmerz
Den ganzen Erdkreis wird beziehen,
So lass dem Unglück mich entfliehen.
Bricht denn der Jüngste Tag herein,
So lass ihn meinen Sommer (a) sein.
5.) Den Sommer, dessen man sich freut,
Nach den betrübten Wintertagen.
Und den kein Herbst mehr kann verjagen,
Der währen soll in Ewigkeit.
Man quält sich hier mit vielem Bösen,
Mein Jesu, komm, mich zu erlösen,
Und wenn ich vor Gericht muss stehn,
So heiß mich in den Himmel gehn.
Amen.
(a) Im Kirchenlied wird der Sommer oft als Begriff für die Ewigkeit verwendet
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Autor: Zacharias Herrmann
Melodie: ohne Angaben
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Frommer Christen Seuffzende Seele
und Singender Mund
In Sonn- und Festtäglichen,
Nebst andern Klag- Buß- Trost- und
Sterbe-Gebeten; Wie auch verschiedenen
ehemals schon gedruckten Liedern
von Zach[arias] Hermann
Breslau und Leipzig, 1722
Verlag: Johann Georg Bleßing
Thema: Advent
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Zacharias Herrmann, (* 3. Oktober 1643 in Namslau im früheren Fürstentum Breslau (heute Woiwodschaft Oppeln im Süden Polens); † 10. Dezember 1716 in Lissa) war ein deutscher lutherischer Theologe und Kirchenlieddichter.
Er besuchte ab dem Jahr 1656 das Gymnasium zu St. Maria Magdalena in Breslau; um Ostern 1664 ging er, um Theologie zu studieren, nach Jena, wo damals viele Schlesier studierten und wo er während fünf Jahre ein Stipendium vom Stadtrat seiner Heimatstadt Breslau genoss. 1667 erwarb er in Jena den Magistergrad. Sehr bald nach seiner Rückkehr nach Breslau 1669 wurde er zum Diakon in Lissa, 1681 wurde er daselbst Pastor und Inspektor und 1692 General-Senior der vereinigten Kirchen in Großpolen. Er war zweimal verheiratet; auch seine zweite Frau und eine Anzahl Kinder starben vor ihm; fünf Kinder überlebten ihn.
Als Liederdichter war er sehr fruchtbar. Ungeachtet eines eigenen Lebens voll Not und Sorge hat er mit seinen geistlichen Liedern seinen Mitmenschen Trost und Erquickung gegeben. Die Lieder wurden zunächst in seiner Gemeinde auf Einzelblättern verbreitet, nach seinem Tod ist 1722 eine Auswahl von 40 seiner 300 Lieder, herausgegeben von seinem Sohn Daniel Herrmann unter dem Titel 'Frommer Christen seufzende Seele und singender Mund', in Breslau und Leipzig erschienen.
Diese Lieder entsprechen dem Geschmack des jüngeren schlesischen Dichterkreises, doch vermeiden sie die Überschwänglichkeiten desselben. Sein bekanntestes Lied trägt den Titel 'Was betrübst du dich, mein Herze, warum grämst du dich in mir?'
Der Liederdichter darf nicht verwechselt werden mit zwei anderen gleichnamige Schriftstellern, nämlich mit dem lutherische Pastor zu Breslau (1563-1637), sowie einem Theologen und Professor aus Ulm, (1640-1711), der der Verfasser des 'Historischen Blumen-Gepüsches' (Ulm 1675 u. 1680) war.
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1. The spiritual entity Qalb
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Adam
In the Urdu language the fleshy meat, (the heart) is known as dil, and in Arabic it is called fawad. The spiritual entity that is next to the heart is the Qalb and according to a Prophetic statement the heart and the Qalb are two separate entities.
Our solar system is the physical human sphere. There are other realms and spheres, for example the realm of the angels, the realm of the throne of God, the realm of the soul, the realm of the secrets, the realm of unification and the realm of the essence of God. These spheres and life forms inhabiting these spheres have existed before the eruption of the ball of fire, our Sun, which created our solar system. Ordinary angels were created alongside the creation of the souls when God commanded "Be" but the Archangels and the spiritual entities (which are placed inside the human body at birth) have existed in these realms before the formation of our solar system.
Many planets in our solar system were inhabited but subsequently these life forms became extinct. The remaining planets and their inhabitants are awaiting their destruction. The Archangels and the spiritual entities (of the human body) were created seventy thousand years before the command "Be."
Of these spiritual entities God placed the Qalb in the realm of love. It is with this that a human being is able to become connected with God. The Qalb acts like a telephone operator between God and the human being. A human being receives guidance and inspiration through it. Whereas the worship and the meditation done by the spiritual entities themselves can reach the highest realm, the Throne of God, with the aid of the Qalb. The Qalb itself, however cannot travel beyond the realm of the angels, as its place of origin is the Khuld, the lowest heaven in the realm of the angels.
The Qalb’s meditation is from within and its vibrating rosary is within the human skeleton (the heartbeat). People that failed to achieve this meditation of the Qalb in this lifetime will be regretful, even though they may be in paradise. As God has stated regarding those who will go to paradise, that do they, the inhabitants of paradise think that they will be equal to those who are elevated (reached higher realms by practicing the spiritual disciplines and becoming illuminated). As those that have achieved the meditation of the Qalb, they will enjoy its pleasures even in paradise when their Qalb will be vibrating with the Name of God.
After death physical worship ceases to exist and the people whose Qalb and spiritual entities are not strengthened and illuminated with the light of God are afflicted and distressed in their graves and their spiritual entities waste away. Whereas the illuminated and strengthened spiritual entities will go to the realm where the righteous will wait before the final judgement.
After the day of judgement a second body will be given, the illuminated spiritual entities along with the human soul will enter that body. The people that taught their spiritual entities, meditation, whereby the entities chanted the Name of God Allah in this life time will find that the spiritual entities will continue with this meditation even in the hereafter. Such people will continue to be elevated and exalted in the hereafter.
Those that were “blind of heart” (not illuminated) in this life time will be in darkness in that realm also, as this world was the place of action and effort. Those in the latter category will become quiescent.
Besides the Christians and the Jews the Hindu faith also holds a belief in these spiritual entities. The Hindu faith refers to them as Shaktian and the Muslims know them as Lata’if.
The Qalb is two inches, to the left of the heart. This spiritual entity is yellow in colour. When it is illuminated in a person, that person sees the colour yellow in their eyes. Not only this but there are many practitioners of alternative medicine who use the colours of these spiritual entities to heal people.
Most people regard their heart’s word, “inner feeling” to be truthful. If the hearts of people were indeed truthful, then why are all the people of the heart not united?
The Qalb of an ordinary person is in the sleeping or unconscious state and it does not possess any appreciation or awareness. Due to the dominance of the spirit of the self, the ego, and the Khannas, or due to the individual’s own simple- mindedness the heart can make judgements in error. Placing trust in a sleeping Qalb is foolish.
Only when the Name of God Allah, does vibrate in the heart does an appreciation of right and wrong and wisdom follow. At this stage the Qalb is known as the awakened Qalb. Thereafter due to the increase in the meditation by the Qalb, of the Name of God Allah, it is then known as the God-seeking Qalb. At this stage the heart is capable of preventing the person from doing wrong but it is still incapable of making a right or just decision. Thereafter and only when the Light and the rays of the Grace of God (theophany) start to descend upon that heart, is it known as the purified and illuminated Qalb that stands in the presence of God (witnessing Qalb).
A Prophetic statement:
“The mercy of God descends upon a broken heart and an afflicted grave.”
Thereafter when the heart reaches this stage then one must accept whatever it dictates, quietly without question because due to the rays of the Light and the Grace of God the spirit of the self, (ego) becomes completely illuminated, purified and at peace. God is then closer to that individual than that person’s jugular vein.
God then says, “I become his tongue with which he speaks and I become his hands with which he holds.”
2. The Human Soul
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Abraham
This is on the right side of the chest. This is awakened and illuminated by the meditation and one-pointed concentration on it. Once it becomes illuminated, a vibration similar to the heartbeat is felt on the right side of the chest. Then the Name of God, Ya Allah is matched with the vibrating pulse. The meditation of the soul is done in this way. At this point, there are now two spiritual entities meditating inside the human body, this is an advancement in rank and status and is better than the Qalb. The soul is a light red in colour and when it is awakened, it is able to travel to the realm of the souls (the station of the Archangel Gabriel). Anger and rage are attached to it that burn and turn into majesty.
3. The spiritual entity Sirri
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Moses
This spiritual entity is to the left of the centre of the chest. This is also awakened and illuminated by the meditation and one-pointed concentration on it with the Name of God, Ya Hayy, Ya Qayyum. Its colour is white and in the dream state or by spiritual separation from the physical body “transcendental meditation” it can journey to the realm of the secrets. Now there are three spiritual entities meditating within a person and its status is higher than the other two.
4. The spiritual entity Khaffi
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Jesus
This is to the right of the centre of the chest. It too is taught the Name of God Ya Wahid by meditation. It is green in colour and it can reach the realm of unification. Due to the meditation of four entities one's status is further increased.
5. The spiritual entity Akhfa
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Mohammed
This is situated at the centre of the chest. It is awakened by meditating on the Name of God, Ya Ahad. It is purple in colour and it too, is connected to that veil in the realm of unification behind which is the throne of God.
The hidden spiritual knowledge relating to these five spiritual entities was granted to the Prophets, one by one and half of the knowledge of every spiritual entity was granted from the Prophets to the Saints of their time. In this way there became ten parts of this knowledge. The Saints in turn passed this knowledge on to the spiritually favoured (Godly) who then had the benefit of the sacred knowledge.
The apparent knowledge of the seen is connected to the physical body, the spoken word, the human realm and the spirit of the self, this is for the ordinary mortals. This knowledge is contained in a book that has thirty parts. Spiritual knowledge was also given to the Prophets by revelation brought by Gabriel and for this reason it is known as the spiritual Holy Scripture.
Many of the verses of the Qur’an would sometimes be abolished, since the Prophet Mohammed would sometimes mention matters relating to this “hidden spiritual knowledge” before ordinary people, which was only meant for the special and Godly. Later this knowledge passed on spiritually from the chest of one Saint to another, and now it has become widespread by its publication in books.
6. The spiritual entity Anna
This spiritual entity is inside the head and is colourless. It is by the meditation on the Name of God Ya Hu that this spiritual entity reaches its pinnacle. It is this spiritual entity that when it becomes illuminated and powerful it can stand in the Presence of God, face to face, and communicate with God unobstructed. Only the extreme lovers of God reach this realm and station. Besides this there are a few and extremely exalted people who are granted additional spiritual entities, for example the spiritual entity Tifl-e-Nuri or a spiritual entity of the Godhead, Jussa-e-Tofiq-e-Ilahi, the spiritual status of such people is beyond understanding.
With the spiritual entity, Anna, God is seen in the dream state.
With the spiritual entity of the Godhead, God is seen in the “physical meditating state” when the spiritual entity itself leaves the human body and transcends to the essence of God.
Those possessing the spiritual entity, the Tifl-e-Nuri, see God whilst they are fully conscious.
It is these people who are the majesty and power of God in the world. They can either occupy the people by prescribing worship and austerities or by their spiritual grace send a person straight to the realm of God’s love. In their sight, concerning dispensing spiritual grace the believers and the non-believers, the dead and the living are all the same. Just as a thief became a Saint, in an instant, by the passing glimpse of the Saint Sheikh Abdul-Qadir al-Jilani, similarly, Abu-Bakr Havari and Manga the thief, became instant Saints by the passing glimpses of such Saints.
The five major Messengers were given knowledge of the five spiritual entities separately and in order of their appearance, as a result of which spirituality continued to prosper. With whichever spiritual entity you practice meditation you will be connected to the corresponding Messenger and become worthy of receiving spiritual grace (from that Messenger).
Whichever spiritual entity receives the rays of the Grace of God (favour), the Sainthood granted to that spiritual entity will be connected to the corresponding Prophet’s spiritual grace.
Access to seven realms and gaining elevated spiritual status in the seven heavens is obtained through these spiritual entities.
The functions of the spiritual entities inside the human body
Akhfa: Due to the spiritual entity, Akhfa a person is able to speak. In its absence a person may have a normal tongue but will be dumb. The difference between human beings and animals lies in the presence or the absence of these spiritual entities. At birth, if the entity, Akhfa was unable to enter the body for whatever reason, then a Prophet appointed for the rectification of this ailment would be called to treat the condition as a result of which the dumb would start to speak.
Sirri: A person is able to see due to the spiritual entity, Sirri. If it does not enter the body the person is blind from birth. An appointed Prophet had the duty to find and place the spiritual entity into the body, as a result of which the blind would start to see again.
Qalb: Without the spiritual entity of the Qalb, in the body, a person is like the animals, unacquainted, far from God, miserable and without purpose. Returning this entity into the body was the task of the Prophets also.
The miracles of the Prophets were also granted to the saints, in the form marvels and mystical wonders as a result of which even the impious and liberal became close to God. When a spiritual entity is returned by any allocated Saint or Prophet, the deaf, dumb and the blind are healed.
Anna: When the spiritual entity, Anna, fails to enter the body, a person is regarded as insane even though the brain may be functioning normally.
Khaffi: In the absence of the spiritual entity, Khafi, a person is deaf, even if the ears are opened wide.
These conditions can be caused by other defects in the body, and can be treated. There is no cure in the case, where the defect is caused by the absence of the associated spiritual entity except where a Prophet or a Saint intervenes and cures the defect.
Nafs, self: As a result of the spiritual entity of the self (ego) a persons mind is occupied with the material world and it is because of the spiritual entity Qalb that a persons direction turns towards God. For more detail visit www.goharshahi.org or visit asipk.com and for videos visit HH rags
Came to the mosque for the morning prayers. And observerd that the colours in the morning light were changing so beautifully. I stayed out til noon, just to see all the changes in the sky above Madinah.
Just across the street from the famous al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo is probably the holiest site in the entire city: the al-Hussein Mosque, built in 1154 CE.
The mosque was named after Hussein [the second Ismaili imam, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and son of Ali, the fourth caliph for Sunnis and the first imam for Shias].
Hussein was beheaded as a martyr in the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq on the 10th of Muharram, 680 CE. This date is known as Ashura (loosely translated to "ten" in Arabic) and its observance is one of the many aspects of Islam that separates the Sunnis from the Shias.
For Shias, the 10th of Muharram is a day of mourning as it is the day their first imam became a martyr. Sunnis however fast on the 10th of Muharram as it is said that the Prophet Moses fasted on this day to show gratitude to God for freeing the Israelites from Egypt.
However, Hussein became a martyr in 680 in Iraq, so why was there a mosque built in his honor in Egypt almost 500 years later?
Hussein's body and head was buried in Karbala near the place of his death after the battle, and a shrine / mosque was built in the space a few years later. It is known as the Hussein Mosque (similar to what became the name of the Cairene mosque). All the martyrs from the Battle of Karbala were also buried in a nearby mass grave. This site commonly known as the holiest site for Shias after Makkah/Medina.
But it is said that around the time that the 21st Shia Imam / Fatimid ruler, Tayyab, went into hiding, the head of Hussein was ordered to be transferred from the Hussein Mosque in Karbala to Cairo, and in 1154 they built a mausoleum for it, and a mosque around it: the al-Hussein Mosque. It is believed that this is the present location of Hussein's head, as well as a few other artifacts.
Next to Hussein's mausoleum is what is known to be the oldest and complete Qur'an existing today (pictured). It is written in much larger text than normally found in Qur’ans and it is blocked off by bars and glass, the same one's blocking off the mausoleum.
Also in the mosque (though the only confirmation I got of this is from two Egyptians in the mosque at the time), there is a closed off room that is said to house a few hairs from the Prophet Muhammad's (saw) beard, a sword and eyelashes. However, Topkapi Palace in Turkey claims to have the same artifacts and more -- perhaps both places have them. I have not yet been to Turkey so I cannot confirm the accuracy of this detail.
However there is something that I would like to write of al-Hussein's mosque that I found, as a Muslim, very disheartening.
In Islam, there is a term known as Shirk. Literally, "polytheism." Or to consider anyone a god other than God, or to associate partners with God (as in the Prophet Jesus being God's son). In Islam, shirk is known as one of the worst, if not the worst, sin. It is written in the Qur'an that God forgives any sin except for those who commit shirk.
Well, the reason I felt very disheartened in the al-Hussein Mosque is because I witnessed countless amounts of shirk. The acts of course could also be seen as paying respects, but there are tamer ways to pay respects, I feel.
I don't mean to offend anyone by writing this, because everyone has the right to believe and behave however they want, but as a Muslim, I was not happy with what I saw going on in the al-Hussein mosque.
In the mausoleum, the entire group was singing chants and prayers about Hussein (seen here). Many were rubbing their heads and hands against the railing that surrounded the mausoleum. Others kissed it. Weeping. Outside of the mausoleum in the prayer area, men were praying in groups facing the mausoleum. Almost as if they were prostrating before Hussein. These could all be seen as either signs of respect or simply praying toward Makkah (as Makkah is technically in the direction they were praying), but then why did they choose to pray directly in front of the mausoleum? The entire mosque was empty. To me, this is known as shirk, as they were dignifying Hussein to holy levels. Something very wrong in Islam.
The same thing was going on for the closed off room that housed Muhammad's (saw) beard / sword (seen in this photo here). Men lined up to kiss the door that supposedly housed such artifacts. Rubbed their heads and face against the door. To me, there are other ways to show respect than to kiss and bow your heads towards a person, or the idea of a person. Especially when the ways you choose to show respect is forbidden in Islam.
But what bothered me most about all of it was that no one was saying anything. It seemed common place.
Shias obviously hold Hussein in a much higher light than Sunnis do – and by connection they hold Ali in a much higher light. This form of paying respects is common place at the mosque in Karbala where the majority of people who go are Shia. But in Egypt, where it is said that Sunni is by and large the majority sect? Like figures that describe 99% Sunni? Why is there so much of this going on in a mosque, and on an Eid of all days!
(btw, there cannot be any absolute truth to the 99% figure of Sunnis. Cairo was in fact created by the Fatimid Empire, who was all Shia. There is a big anti-Shia sentiment in Cairo, or rather all of Egypt, but there is no way there are that few Shias in this country.)
A friend brought it to my attention that when she went for Umrah (like Hajj/pilgrimage) that security had to keep Muslims from the Prophet's (saw) tomb in Medina as they would perform the same type of shirk acts that I described to her there as well. Why was no one keeping these Muslims from doing the same thing here?
I really don’t mean to offend anyone in this writing, but I just can't understand why this was going on. So if anyone can enlighten me, please do so. I also posted up a video of the reverence inside the mausoleum here.
This icon of the Holy Prophet Elijah is part of my private collection. It was painted (written) for our Slava. It depicts the Prophet Elijah in a cave with a raven bringing him food, as well as the angel waking him from sleep with the words "arise and eat" and the Prophet ascending into heaven in a fiery chariot handing his mantle to the Prophet Elisha.
My wall at Sand, Sea and Spray. I reworked a piece from my last exhibit, EVERYTHING MUST GO at /A WORD OF ART in Cape Town. Latex and acrylic on beautiful rough brick. Could have used more time but the rain was having none of that. Still, quite happy with how it turned out.
probably between 1478 & 1486, when Courtenay was bp. of Exeter ; another move leftward - this section shows {l. to r.} prophet Joel, saint Philip, prophet Haggai, saint Bartholomew, the saints bearing texts from the creed