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This manuscript was executed in 1475 by a scribe identified as Aristakes, for a priest named Hakob. It contains a series of 16 images on the life of Christ preceding the text of the gospels, as well as the traditional evangelist portraits, and there are marginal illustrations throughout. The style of the miniatures, which employ brilliant colors and emphasize decorative patterns, is characteristic of manuscript production in the region around Lake Van during the 15th century. The style of Lake Van has often been described in relation to schools of Islamic arts of the book. Numerous inscriptions (on fols. 258-60) spanning a few centuries attest to the manuscript's long history of use and revered preservation. The codex's later history included a re-binding with silver covers from Kayseri that date to approximately 1700. This jeweled and enameled silver binding bears a composition of the Adoration of the Magi on the front and the Ascension on the back.
To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.
Buddhist scriptures underneath the white stupas of Sandamuni Pagoda in Mandalay, Myanmar March 2, 2015. Photo by Tim Chong
The People's March against the Damocles of Brexit I attended on Saturday 23rd. March drew over a million protesters to London, marching from Hyde Park to Parliament Square. This week is a critical week in UK history - which way will the tide sway?
This character is a permanent 'fixture' at most rallys, prophesising some Biblical passage relevant to the day's protest. Here's one he's dug up from Ezekiel promoting Brexit - 23/03/2019
(f/6.3)
Scripture - Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel", which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
The stained glass window was photgraphed inside St. Mark's Catholic Church in Long Valley, NJ, USA.
Photograph Copyright 2009 Loci B. Lenar
Several textures applied by Joe'sSistah, Bible paper free from the net.
JESUS, name above all names!!!!!!!
The three revealed faithssent down as a blessing by our Lord through
trueprophets and true scriptures, Islam and the uncorrupted, genuine
forms of Christianity and Judaism, share many common beliefs. Although
the Torah and the Injil were gradually corrupted over the course of
time, the essence and moral values of the true faith are still to a
large extent preserved in these bookssent down from the Presence of
Allah. These uncorrupted parts can clearly be seen when looked at
using the Qur’an and the hadith asa guide. These three revealed faiths
all believe in the absolute existence of Allah, that He is eternal,
that He created the universe from nothing and that He rules all matter
with His almighty power. Muslims, Christians and Jews also oppose the
same intellectual errors. They share the same intellectual struggle
against atheism, irreligion, racism, fascism and moral degeneration.
All three faiths strive to preach the existence of Allah in the same
way. Members of all three faiths aim fora world full of justice in
which everyone will know Allah, sincerely believe in and submit to
Him, and live in peace and compassion. Members of all three faiths act
out of a fear and love of Allah, follow in the path of His messengers
and abide by His revelation.
In essence, the members of these three faiths believe in and worship
the same, one Allah. Our Almighty Lord has revealed His power and
might, His creative artistry, His sublimity, that He is the Lord of
theworlds, that He is All-Powerful and the soleCreator of all things
in allthree faiths. He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and
all things belong to Him, He knowsall, is Almighty and is thePossessor
of all. His might, sublime power and majesty pervade all things and
all places. He is unfettered by any flawor deficiency, though He is
needed by all beings.
Our Almighty Lord revealed His faith with the religion of the Prophet
Abraham (peacebe upon him):
We revealed to you: “Follow the religion of Abraham, a man of pure
natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters.” (Surat an-Nahl, 123)
The word “haneef” means “someone who believes in and serves only
Allah.” This is the attribute of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) that is
emphasized in the Qur’an as being “haneef,” for he believed in and
submitted to Allah as theone and only. This devout servant of Allah
distanced himself from his tribe's superstitious beliefs and turned
solely to Him. He also called on his tribe to abandon their pagan
beliefs and idolatry, and to believe in Allah.
The true religion revealed by Allah to the Prophet Abraham (pbuh)was
kept alive by other prophets from his line and by true believers. This
is revealed in the Qur’an as follows:
Who would deliberately renounce the religion of Abraham except someone
who reveals himself to be a fool? We chose him in the world and in the
Hereafter he will be one of the righteous. When his Lordsaid to him,
“Become a Muslim!” he said, “I am a Muslim who has submitted to the
Lord of all the worlds.” Abrahamdirected his sons to this, as did
Jacob: “My sons! Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die
except as Muslims.” Or were you present when death came to Jacob and
he said to his sons, “What will you worship when I have gone?” They
said, “ We will worship your God, the God of your forefathers,
Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac – one God. We are Muslims submitted to Him.
” (Surat al-Baqara, 130-133)
The Prophet Abraham's (pbuh) “haneef” religionis common to Muslims,
Jews and Christians. He was a sincere prophet who believed in one
Godalone, Allah, who praised Him, and who served Him genuinely and
with all his heart. Our Lord praises those who follow the pure faith
of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) in the Qur’an:
Who could have a betterreligion than someone who submits himself
completely to Allah and is a good-doer, and follows the religion of
Abraham, a man of pure natural belief? Allah tookAbraham as an
intimate friend. (Surat an-Nisa’, 125)
The pure faith of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh), whom Allah praised and
sent as a guide for mankind, and the belief in the one Allah that
forms the basisof that faith are commonvalues shared by true faiths
that were sent down later—Islam, Judaism and Christianity.Therefore,
the members of all three faiths have a responsibility to worshipAllah,
the one Lord of all,He Whose All-Powerful might pervades all things
and all places, theCreator of all things.
This common value requires the members ofall three revealed faiths to
come together in a single monotheistic belief and to act together for
a common purpose. People with true faith, who abide by the religion of
the Prophet Abraham (pbuh)and believe in the one Allah must combine
theirstrengths, grow deeper in faith and grow even stronger in unity
in order to wage an intellectual struggle against the atheist,
Darwinist system that is trying to rule the world. Rather than waging
an artificial struggle againstone another, they must be aware of the
real danger, that is the atheistic, Darwinist system of the antichrist
(dajjal), and must not ignore those forces that are striving to set
believers against one another. They must act together to spread
beliefin Allah across the world and must preach the religion of the
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) together. By Allah’s leave, that will lead to
the greatest force that will totally eradicate the system of the
antichrist that now rules the worldand will cause atheism to collapse
entirely.
Almighty Allah will bestow a great reward from His Presence on those
who genuinely strive in His name, who unite and praise monotheistic
belief and who combine forces in order for belief in Allah to rule the
world. And Hewill make His religion rule the world. By His leave, that
powerful dominion will definitely come about in the time of the coming
of the Prophet Jesus and HazratMahdi (peace be upon them). That time
is now imminent. The coming ofHazrat Mahdi (pbuh), as revealed in
hadith by our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and in
the statements by religious scholars, has already happened. Hazrat
Mahdi (pbuh) is currently unrecognized, but he is among us. As for the
second coming of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), according to the
information in the hadith, the indications in the verses of the Qur’an
and statements by Islamic scholars, this will take place in the next
10 to 20 years. This will be the Golden Age, when the system of the
antichrist is completely defeated and when well-being, peace,
security, brotherhood, wealth and friendship rule the world entirely.
In that time, belief in Allah will rule the world and people will live
by the “haneef” faith of theProphet Abraham (pbuh)in all its majesty
and beauty. All believers have a duty to prepare for this age, when
Muslims, Jews and Christians will live together as brothers under the
leadership of the Prophet Jesus and Hazrat Mahdi (peace be upon them).
For that reason, all believers in the world must seek to praise the
name of Allah together, in feelings of love and brotherhood, and
establish a fine and powerful union against irreligion.
Belief in the One Allah Was Gradually Misinterpreted in Christianity
ACCORDING TO THE TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE INJIL, belief in Allah in
Christianity is the same as that in Islam and Judaism. However,
certain passages in the Injil have been interpreted differently from
their genuine meanings, and certain descriptions and ideas stemming
from a failure to properly appreciate the might of our Lord have
entered Christian belief. That false belief isthe error of the
trinity.
The error of the trinity adopts a false view of our Almighty Lord and
is a totally mistaken and corrupt belief that ascribes divine status
(surely Allah is beyond that) to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), whom Allah
sent to mankind as a prophet. Despite its many internal contradictions
and anti-monotheistic nature, it assumed a veryimportant place in
Christian belief. So much so that someone who does not believe in the
error of the trinity, therefore who does not believe that the Prophet
Jesus (pbuh) is the son ofAllah (surely Allah is beyond that) is not
regarded as a true Christian by those who espouse trinitarian belief.
Although the trinity is a false belief in total opposition to the
monotheistic belief, the true one in the Presence of Allah, and
preached by the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), and EVEN CONTRADICTS VARIOUS
PASSAGES IN THE INJIL, it gradually came to be an obsession that
Christians must never deny. Historyshows that those people and
communities who rejected this erroneous belief and maintained that the
Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was merely a human being and a prophet of Allah
have been dealt with harshly. The evidence that such people produced
from the Injil and the life of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)was always
ignored, andpeople were forbidden to discuss such matters. For that
reason alone, the proponents of monotheistic belief werebranded
“infidels,” “heretics,” or “enemies of the faith” by the Christians in
question, and those who supported them elicited the same reactions.
Some were exiled for that very reason, and others were hanged or burnt
alive by the Inquisition's courts within the history. Through this
repression, BASED NOT ON THE INJIL BUT ON MISINTERPRETATIONS, the
artificial belief in the trinity came to reign supreme through force
and imposition and became a component of Christianity. Many sincere
Christians, unaware of this policy ofimposition, are still blindly
devoted to belief in the trinity, imagining that they are abiding by
the Injil. They are unaware of their error. They do not know this
belief is a total contradiction of the belief in Allah revealed in the
Qur’an, Torah and the Injil. This is a most grave error.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of this subject is that TRINITARIAN
BELIEF DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE BIBLE ITSELF. It appears neitherin the
Old Testament, theholy book of the Jews, nor in the Injil, the
Christian holy text. Rather, it is based on misinterpretations of a
few Injil passages, and the word itself was only used for the first
time byTheophilus of Antioch at the end of the second century.
Acceptance of the belief took place much later. Therefore, NO BELIEF
THAT IS NOT PRESENT IN THE INJIL, ANDWHICH WAS THUS UNKNOWN TO THE
EARLY CHRISTIANS, CAN REPRESENT THE BASIS OF CHRISTIANITY. This is a
grave error that came about after the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and under
the influence of the established Greek culture.
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is completely unfettered by this false belief
artificially developed in Christianity. Like all the prophets, the
Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is a servant created by Allah. He is a sincere
and noble prophet who worships Allah with all his heart and seeks to
earn His approval. He is a chosen, honored messenger of high esteem
(Surah Al ‘Imran, 45). Allah reveals the following about the Prophet
Jesus (pbuh):
The Messiah would never disdain to be a servant to Allah nor would the
angels near toHim . If any do disdain toworship Him, and grow
arrogant, He will in any case gather them all to Him. (Surat an-Nisa’,
172)
As revealed in the verse, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)is a very genuine
humanbeing eager to discharge the duty of being a servant to Allah and
who has completely submitted to Him. All the statements made about his
supposed claim to divinity are all nonsense produced subsequently. Our
Lord has absolute sovereignty over all beings. APART FROM OUR LORD
HIMSELF, EVERYTHING ELSE NEEDS HIM IN ORDER TO EXIST AND SURVIVE. The
Prophet Jesus (pbuh) of course appreciated this reality and spent his
life striving with all his heartto be the servant of Almighty Allah.
In the verses of the Qur’an, Allah reveals thatthere is no other Deity
but Him using very wise clarifications:
Everyone in the heavens and the earth belongs toHim. Those in His
Presence do not consider themselves too great to worship Him and do
not grow tired ofit. They glorify Him by night and day, without ever
flagging. Or have they taken deities out of the earth who can bring
the dead to life? If there had been any deities besides Allah in
heaven or earth, they would both be ruined. Glory be to Allah, Lord of
the Throne, beyond what they describe! He will not be questioned
aboutwhat He does, but they will be questioned. Or have they taken
other deities besides Him? Say:“Produce your proof! This is the
message of those with me and the message of those before me.” But most
of them do not know the truth, so they turn away. (Suratal-Anbiya’,
19-24)
It Is Stated in the Injil that Allah Is One
While the error of the trinity ascribes divine status (surely Allah
is beyond that) to the Prophet Jesus (pbuh), the oneness of Allah and
His infinite dominion over all things is set out in great detail in
the Injil. People are called tomonotheistic faith in both the message
of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) to his people and followers, and in the
words of his disciples. In the Injil, THE PROPHET JESUS (pbuh)
constantly makes it clear that EVERYTHING HE DOES IS THE RESULT OF
ALLAH’S INFINITE POWER AND MIGHT, THAT IT IS ALLAH WHO CAUSES HIM TO
SAY EVERYTHING HE SAYS, AND THAT HE PERFORMS THESE MIRACLES ONLY
BECAUSE ALLAH WILLS THEM TO OCCUR. He also invites those who elevate
him to elevate Allah instead, remember His infinite might, and submit
to Him.
Such statements by the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) calling people to belief
in the one Allah are still to be found in the otherwise corrupted
Gospels of the New Testament. For instance, according to the Gospel of
Saint Mark, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) gave the following reply to a Jew
who asked him which commandment was the most important:
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "isthis: ' Hear, O Israel,
the Lord our God, the Lord isone . Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all
your strength.”(Mark 12:29-30)
The following passage again from the Gospel ofSaint Mark shows that
far from ascribing divinestatus to himself, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)
even prevented himself being praised:
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his
kneesbefore him. "Good teacher," he asked,"what must I do to inherit
eternal life?""Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. “No one is
good—exceptGod alone.” (Mark 10:17-18)
By refusing praise and emphasizing that only Allah is worthy of it,
the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) makes it clear he is just aservant of Allah.
Those who set up other deities together with Allah are called on to
accept monotheism in many passages of the Injil. Some of these read as
follows:
… answered Jesus, "the Lord our God, the Lord isone” … "Well said,
teacher," the man replied. "You are right insaying that God is One and
there is no other butHim .” (Mark 12: 29-32)
… God is one . (Galatians 3:20)
And exchanged the gloryof the immortal God for images made to look
like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.T hey exchanged the
truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather
than the Creator —Who is forever praised. ... (Romans 1:23-25)
… for us there is but One God, from Whom all things came and for Whom
we live ... (1 Corinthians 8:6)
We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is
no God but One. (1 Corinthians 8:4)
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before
God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: " We give thanks
to You, Lord God Almighty, the One Who isand Who was, …” (Revelation
11:16-17)
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor
and glory for ever and ever .... (1 Timothy, 1/17)
For there is one God … (1Timothy 2:5)
You believe that there is One God. Good! … (James2:19)
… to the only God our Savior be glory ... (Jude:24)
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no
effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God ? (John 5:44)
For nothing is impossiblewith God . (Luke 1:37)
It is also described in theInjil how the followers of the Prophet
Jesus (pbuh) went from town to town and from villageto village,
preaching the word and calling on people to be Christians believing in
Allah, the one and only:
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heardof this, they tore their
clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Men, why are you
doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you
good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to ... God,
Who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them… He has shown
kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He
provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
"(Acts 14:14-17)
"The God Who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven
and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not
served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself
gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man He
made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and He determined the times setfor them and the exact places where
they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him … though He
is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have
our being…” (Acts 17:24-28)
The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) always praised the glory of Allah and said
that all power belongs to Allah, in such passages as, “I do
exactlywhat God has commanded me,” (John 14:31); "The words I say to
you are not just my own,” (John 14:10) and "Itell you the truth, the
apostle can do nothing by himself” (John 5:19).
Some passages from the Injil that refer to the infinite might and
power of Allah are as follows:
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the
glory forever! ... (Romans 11:36)
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is
forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered
…. (Luke 12:6-7)
Jesus looked at them and said: "With man this is impossible, but with
God all things are possible. "(Matthew 19:26)
… Who is God over all, forever praised! (Romans9:5)
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33)
Fear [and respect] God and give Him glory, because the hour of His
judgment has come. Worship Him Who made the heavens and earth, the sea
and the springs of water. (Revelation 14:7)
Great and marvellous areYour deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true
are Your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear [and respect] You,
O Lord, and bring glory to Your name? For You alone are holy. All
nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts
havebeen revealed. (Revelation 15:3-4)
Everything comes from God. (1 Corinthians 11:12).
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are
His judgments… For our Lord God Almighty reigns. (Revelation 19:1-6)
There is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)
…"As surely as I live," saysthe Lord, "every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God." (Romans14:11)
… God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of
lords, Who alone is immortal and Who lives in unapproachable light,
Whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. (1
Timothy 6:15-16)
It is revealed in the Qur’an that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) sought
shelter in Allah from the claims of divinity that some people
heretically made regarding him andCALLED ON PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THE
ONE AND ONLY ALLAH:
And when Allah says, ‘‘Jesus son of Mary! Did you say to people, “Take
me and my mother as deities besides Allah?” hewill say, “Glory be to
You! It is not for me to say what I have no right to say! If I had
said it, then You would have known it. You know what is in my self but
I do not know what is in Your Self . You are the Knower of all unseen
things. I said to them nothing but what You ordered me to say: ‘
Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. ’ I was a witness against them
as long as I remained among them, but when You took me back to You,
You were the One watching over them. Youare Witness of all things. If
You punish them, they are Your servants. If you forgive them, You are
the Almighty, the All-Wise.” (Surat al-Ma'ida: 116-118)
... Tribe of Israel, worship Allah, your Lord and my Lord... (Surat
al-Ma’ida, 72)
The Injil clearly contains a great many true passages that praise our
Almighty Lord as the oneand only and that perfectly express His might
and sublimity. Thecorrupt belief in the trinity, which was addedon to
Christianity subsequently, was developed many years after the Injil
had been sent down and consists of an utterly false misconception.
The essential point is of course this: even if someone who can
properly appreciate the sublimity and greatness of Allah has no
knowledge of the history of Christianity, his own conscience should
still make him strongly doubt the idea of trinity. That is becausethis
false belief fails to properly appreciate the might of Allah, and is
an expression of a failure torecognize Allah and His sublimity. It is
revealed in the Qur’an, sent downconfirming the Injil and the Torah,
that this erroneous belief spread among Christians is actually
“polytheism” and sincere Christians are warned on the subject.
They say, “Allah has a son.” Glory be to Him! No, everything in the
heavens and earth belongs to Him . Everything is obedient toHim, the
Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decides on something, He
just says to it, “Be!” and it is. (Surat al-Baqara, 116-117)
They say, “The All-Merciful has a son.” They have devised a monstrous
thing. The heavens are all but rent apart and the earth split open and
the mountainsbrought crashing down, at their ascription of a son to
the All-Merciful. It is not fitting for the All-Merciful to have a
son. There is no one in the heavens and earth who will not come to
theAll-Merciful as a servant . He has counted them and numbered them
precisely. Each of them will come to Him on the Day of Rising all
alone. (Surah Maryam, 88-95)
Allah Is Praised As the One and Only God in the Torah
The Judaism described inthe Torah sent down to the Prophet Moses
(pbuh) is a monotheistic faith, just like Islam. TrueJews praise our
Lord as the one and only God, genuinely believe that Allah is the Lord
of all, that there is no other Creator but Him and thatall beings are
in need of Him.
Almighty Allah is praised in the Old Testament andreverenced as the
sole Possessor of power, strength and sublimity, the one and only God.
Christians, who believe in the Old Testament as well as the New
Testament must not ignore this fact:
The Lord is God; besides Him there is no other … Acknowledge and take
to heart this day that theLord is God in heaven above and on Earth
below. There is no other.(Deuteronomy 4:35-39)
… Before Me no God was formed, nor will there be one after Me. I, even
I, am the Lord, and apartfrom Me there is no savior... (Isaiah,
43:10-11)
For this is what the Lord says—He Who created the heavens, He is God;
He Who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create
it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—He says: "I am the Lord,
and there isno other.” (Isaiah 45:18)
And there is no God apart from Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there
is none but Me. (Isaiah 45:21)
... The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
(Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
… I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me
. (Isaiah 46:9)
So that all the peoples ofthe earth may know thatthe Lord is God and
that there is no other. (1 Kings, 8:60)
This is what the Lord says: “ … Surely God is with you, and there is
noother; there is no other God. "(Isaiah 45:14)
The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
... O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. All the nations You have
made will come and worship before You, O Lord; they will bring glory
to Your name. For You are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are
God. (Psalms 86:8-10)
O Lord Almighty ... You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the
earth. You have made heaven and earth. (Isaiah 37:16)
… so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are
God. (Isaiah 37:20)
This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, Who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord, Who has made all things,Who alone stretched outthe
heavens, Who spread out the earth by Myself . (Isaiah, 44:24)
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has
seen any God besides You, who acts onbehalf of those who wait for him.
(Isaiah 64:4)
… Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from Me, a
righteous God and a Savior; there is none but Me . (Isaiah 45:21)
"See now that I myself am He! There is no God besides Me. I put to
death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal …
(Deuteronomy 32:39)
“… so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God." (Exodus 8:10)
O Lord ... there is no God like You in heaven aboveor on earth below
…. (1 Kings 8:23; 2 Chronicles 6:14)
Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, "Lord, there is no one
like You to help the powerless against the mighty…” (2 Chronicles
14:11)
You can access detailed explanations on the subject from here .
True Believers in the OneAllah Must Unite in Order to Spread the Glory
of Our Almighty Lord
Muslims, Christians and Jews are all believing descendants of the
Prophet Abraham (pbuh)and they all believe in the same Allah, strive
to spread the Sublime Gloryof our Lord and eliminate irreligion
fromthe world. At this time when atheism, degeneration, Darwinism,
anarchy, oppression and war are so widespread, it is a great blessing
and support from Allah that there are believers who believe in the one
and only Allah and who eagerly strive to praise Him by adhering to the
“haneef” faith of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh). At this blessed time,
that of the coming of the Prophet Jesus and Hazrat Mahdi (peace be
upon them), we must actbefitting this blessing bestowed on us by our
Almighty Lord and establish an intellectual union to praise His name.
If true believers fall for the traps set by masonic Evangelicals or
masonic Muslims and fallout with one another, if they strive against
one another rather than against atheists and Darwinists, that could
mean their failing to properly appreciate this blessing from Allah.
Our Lord tells all believers to be united, and any efforts to disunite
believers may hinder Allah’s bounty. Instead ofbestowing blessings
andvictory, Allah may hold blessings back from believers because of
this attitude. We must act in the knowledge of this and praise His
faith with all our hearts. The most essential condition for this is
not to be deceivedby the snares of the masons, to find the truthby the
use of conscience,reason and faith and to act accordingly.
Almighty Allah is the Lord of all beings, and absolute power and
victory belong to Him alone. Every effort to praise His name is an act
of worship the believers need to draw closer to Him and gain Paradise.
Itis certain that Allah has the power to cause His religion to prevail
without the need for any natural causes.
குறள் 66:
குழல்இனிது யாழ்இனிது என்பதம் மக்கள்
மழலைச்சொல் கேளா தவர்.
The pipe is sweet, the flute is sweet," say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children.
தம் மக்களின் மழலைச் சொல்லைக் கேட்டு அதன் இனிமையை நுகராதவரே குழலின் இசை இனியது யாழின் இசை இனியது என்று கூறுவர்.
Caption: Reading the scriptures. India.
Citation: Mennonite Board of Missions Photograph Collection. India MP, 1939-1963. IV-10-7.2. Box 4, Folder 23, Photo #44. Mennonite Church Archives. Elkhart, Indiana.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “#Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;
Isaiah 40:3-4
Varahi (Sanskrit: वाराही, Vārāhī) is one of the Matrikas, a group of seven or eight mother goddesses in the Hindu religion. With the head of a sow, Varahi is the shakti (feminine energy, or sometimes, consort) of Varaha, the boar Avatar of the god Vishnu. In Nepal, she is called Barahi.
Varahi is worshipped by all the three major schools of Hinduism: Shaktism (goddess worship); Shaivism (followers of the god Shiva); and Vaishnavism (devotion to Vishnu). She is usually worshipped at night, and according to secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices. The Buddhist goddesses Vajravarahi and Marichi are believed to have their origins in the Hindu goddess Varahi.
HINDU LEGENDS
According to the Shumbha-Nishumbha myth of the Devi Mahatmya from the Markandeya Purana religious texts, the Matrikas goddesses appear as shaktis (feminine powers) from the bodies of the gods. The scriptures say that Varahi was created from Varaha. She has a boar form, wields a chakra (discus), and fights with a sword. After the battle described in the myth, the Matrikas dance – drunk on their victim's blood.
According to a latter episode of the Devi Mahatmya that deals with the killing of the demon Raktabija, the warrior-goddess Durga creates the Matrikas from herself and with their help slaughters the demon army. When the demon Shumbha challenges Durga to single combat, she absorbs the Matrikas into herself. In the Vamana Purana, the Matrikas arise from different parts of the Divine Mother Chandika; Varahi arises from Chandika's back.
The Markendeya Purana praises Varahi as a granter of boons and the regent of the northern direction, in a hymn where the Matrikas are declared as the protectors of the directions. In another instance in the same Purana, she is described as riding a buffalo. The Devi Bhagavata Purana says Varahi, with the other Matrikas, is created by the Supreme Mother. The Mother promises the gods that the Matrikas will fight demons when needed. In the Raktabija episode, Varahi is described as having a boar form, fighting demons with her tusks while seated on a preta (corpse).
In the Varaha Purana, the story of Raktabija is retold, but here each of Matrikas appears from the body of another Matrika. Varahi appears seated on Shesha-nāga (the serpent on which the god Vishnu sleeps) from the posterior of Vaishnavi, the Shakti of Vishnu. Varahi is said to represent the vice of envy (asuya) in the same Purana.
The Matsya Purana tells a different story of the origin of Varahi. Varahi, with other Matrikas, is created by Shiva to help him kill the demon Andhakasura, who has the ability – like Raktabija – to regenerate from his dripping blood.
ASSOCIATIONS
The Devi Purana paradoxically calls Varahi the mother of Varaha (Varahajanani) as well as Kritantatanusambhava, who emerges from Kritantatanu. Kritantatanu means "death personified" and could be an attribute of Varaha or a direct reference to Yama, the god of death. Elsewhere in the scripture, she is called Vaivasvati and described as engrossed in drinking from a skull-cup. Pal theorizes that the name "Vaivasvati" means that Varahi is clearly identified with Yami, the shakti of Yama, who is also known as Vivasvan. Moreover, Varahi holds a staff and rides a buffalo, both of which are attributes of Yama; all Matrikas are described as assuming the form of their creator-gods.
In the context of the Matrikas' association to the Sanskrit alphabet, Varahi is said to govern the pa varga of consonants, namely pa, pha, ba, bha, ma. The Lalita Sahasranama, a collection of 1,000 names of the Divine Mother, calls Varahi the destroyer of demon Visukaran. In another context, Varahi, as Panchami, is identified with the wife of Sadashiva, the fifth Brahma, responsible for the regeneration of the Universe. The other Panch Brahmas ("five Brahmas") are the gods Brahma, Govinda, Rudra, and Isvara, who are in charge of creation, protection, destruction, and dissolution respectively. In yet another context, Varahi is called Kaivalyarupini, the bestower of Kaivalya ("detachment of the soul from matter or further transmigrations") – the final form of mukti (salvation). The Matrikas are also believed to reside in a person's body. Varahi is described as residing in a person's navel, and governs the manipura, svadhisthana, and muladhara chakras.
Haripriya Rangarajan, in her book Images of Varahi - An Iconographic Study, suggests that Varahi is none other than Vak devi, the goddess of speech.
ICONOGRAPHY
Varahi's iconography is described in the Matsya Purana and agamas like the Purva-karnagama and the Rupamandana. The Tantric text Varahi Tantra mentions that Varahi has five forms of Varahi: Svapna Varahi, Canda Varahi, Mahi Varahi (Bhairavi), Krcca Varahi, and Matsya Varahi. The Matrikas, as shaktis of gods, are described to resemble those gods in form, jewellery, and mount, but Varahi inherits only the boar-face of Varaha.
Varahi is usually depicted with her characteristic sow face on a human body with a black complexion comparable to a storm cloud. The scholar Donaldson informs us that the association of a sow and a woman is seen derogatory for the latter, but the association is also used in curses to protect "land from invaders, new rulers, and trespassers". Rarely, she is described as holding the Earth on her tusks, similar to Varaha. She wears the karaṇḍa mukuṭa, a conical basket-shaped crown. Varahi can be depicted as standing, seated, or dancing. Varahi is often depicted pot-bellied and with full breasts, while most all other Matrikas – except Chamunda – are depicted as slender and beautiful. One belief suggests that since Varahi is identified with the Yoganidra of Vishnu, who holds the universe in her womb (Bhugarbha Paranmesvari Jagaddhatri), that she should be shown as pot-bellied. Another theory suggests that the pot-belly reflects a "maternal aspect", which Donaldson describes as "curious" because Varahi and Chamunda "best exemplify" the terrible aspect of the Divine Mother. A notable exception is the depiction of Varahi as human-faced and slender at the sixth-century Rameshvara cave (Cave 21), the Ellora Caves. She is depicted here as part of the group of seven Matrikas. A third eye and/or a crescent moon is described to be on her forehead.
Varahi may be two, four, or six-armed. The Matsya Purana, the Purva-karnagama, and the Rupamandana mention a four-armed form. The Rupamandana says she carries a ghanta (bell), a chamara (a yak's tail), a chakra (discus), and a gada (mace). The Matsya Purana omits the ghanta and does not mention the fourth weapon. The Purva-Karanagama mentions that she holds the Sharanga (the bow of Vishnu), the hala (plough), and the musula (pestle). The fourth hand is held in the Abhaya ("protection gesture") or the Varada Mudra ("blessing gesture"). The Devi Purana mentions her attributes as being sword, iron club, and noose. Another description says her hair is adorned with a garland with red flowers. She holds a staff and drinking skull-cup (kapala). The Varahini-nigrahastaka-stotra describes her attributes as a plough, a pestle, a skull-cup, and the abhaya mudra. The Vamana Purana describes her seated on Shesha while holding a chakra and a mace. The Agni Purana describes her holding the gada, shankha, sword, and ankusha (goad). The Mantramahodadhi mentions she carries a sword, shield, noose, and goad. In Vaishnava images, since she is associated with Vishnu, Varahi may be depicted holding all four attributes of Vishnu - Shankha (conch), chakra, Gada, and Padma (lotus). The Aparajitapriccha describes her holding a rosary, a khatvanga (a club with a skull), a bell, and a kamandalu (water-pot).
The Vishnudharmottara Purana describes a six-armed Varahi, holding a danda (staff of punishment), khetaka (shield), khadga (sword), and pasha (noose) in four hands and the two remaining hands being held in Abhaya and Varada Mudra ("blessing gesture"). She also holds a shakti and hala (plough). Such a Varahi sculpture is found at Abanesi, depicted with the dancing Shiva. She may also be depicted holding a child sitting on her lap, like Matrikas are often depicted.
Matsya Varahi is depicted as two-armed, with spiral-coiled hair and holding a fish (matsya) and a kapala. The fish and wine-cup kapala are special characteristics of Tantric Shakta images of Varahi, the fish being exclusive to Tantric descriptions.
The vahana (vehicle) of Varahi is usually described as a buffalo (Mahisha). In Vaishnava and Shakta images, she is depicted as either standing or seated on a lotus pitha (pedestral) or on her vahana (a buffalo) or on its head, or on a boar, the serpent Shesha, a lion, or on Garuda (the eagle-man vahana of Vishnu). In Tantric Shakta images, the vahana may be specifically a she-buffalo or a corpse (pretasana). An elephant may be depicted as her vahana. The goddess is also described as riding on her horse, Jambini. Garuda may be depicted as her attendant. She may also be depicted seated under a kalpaka tree.
When depicted as part of the Sapta-Matrika group ("seven mothers"), Varahi is always in the fifth position in the row of Matrikas, and thus is called Panchami ("fifth"). The goddesses are flanked by Virabhadra (Shiva's fierce form) and Ganesha (Shiva's elephant-headed son and wisdom god).
WORSHIP
Varahi is worshipped by Shaivas, Vaishnavas, and Shaktas. Varahi is worshipped in the Sapta-Matrikas group ("seven mothers"), which are venerated in Shaktism, as well as associated with Shiva.
Varahi is a ratri devata (night goddess) and is sometimes called Dhruma Varahi ("dark Varahi") and Dhumavati ("goddess of darkness"). According to Tantra, Varahi should be worshipped after sunset and before sunrise. Parsurama Kalpasutra explicitly states that the time of worship is the middle of the night. Shaktas worship Varahi by secretive Vamamarga Tantric practices, which are particularly associated with worship by panchamakara – wine, fish, grain, meat, and ritual copulation. These practices are observed in the Kalaratri temple on the bank of the Ganges, where worship is offered to Varahi only in the night; the shrine is closed during the day. Shaktas consider Varahi to be a manifestation of the goddess Lalita Tripurasundari or as "Dandanayika" or "Dandanatha" – the commander-general of Lalita's army. The Sri Vidya tradition of Shaktism elevates Varahi to the status of Para Vidya ("transcendental knowledge"). The Devi mahatmya suggests evoking Varahi for longevity. Thirty yantras and thirty mantras are prescribed for the worship of Varahi and to acquire siddhis by her favour. This, according to the scholar Rath, indicates her power. Some texts detailing her iconography compare her to the Supreme Shakti.
Prayers dedicated to Varahi include Varahi Anugrahashtakam, for her blessing, and Varahi Nigrahashtakam, for destruction of enemies; both are composed in Tamil.
TEMPLES
Apart from the temples in which Varahi is worshipped as part of the Sapta-Matrika, there are notable temples where Varahi is worshipped as the chief deity.
INDIA
A 9th-century Varahi temple exists at Chaurasi about 14 km from Konark, Orissa, where Varahi is installed as Matysa Varahi and is worshipped by Tantric rites. The famous Jaganath temple, Puri, is associated with and sends offerings to a Barahi temple, which is a centre of Tantric activities. In Varanasi, Varahi is worshipped as Patala Bhairavi. In Chennai, there is a Varahi temple in Mylapore, while a bigger temple is being built near Vedanthangal. Ashadha Navaratri, in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June/July), is celebrated as a nine-day festival in honour of Varahi at the Varahi shrine at Brihadeeswarar temple (a Shaiva temple), Thanjavur. The goddess is decorated with different types of alankarams (ornaments) every day. Full moon days are considered sacred to Varahi. An ancient Varahi devi temple worshipped as Uttari Bhawani is situated in Gonda District. In Gujarat, there is a Varahi temple in a village named Dadhana where the goddess is venerated as the Gotra-devi of a surname "Dadhaniya" Another temple in Gujarat is located in Talaja town of Bhavnagar district where idol of goddess was brought from hathasani village near palitana The idol of goddess was found by digging in shetrunji river in that area.
Maha Varahi temple is located in peelamedu (118, sowripalayam pirivu), coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. This temple has both Maha varahi and Goddess Dhandanatha(Varthali) - The commander in chief of Goddess Lalitha(Sri Raja rajeshwari's) army. This temple is run by Sri Varahi mantralayam trust. Varahi homam happens here on every panchami. This temple performs Dasamahavidhya homam(the 10 cosmic forms of goddess). Homa for Goddess bagalamukhi and Goddess Dhumavathi(Dhumra Varahi) are done on amavasai(new moon) and pournami(full moon).
NEPAL
A Barahi temple is situated in the middle of Phewa Lake, Nepal. Here, Barahi, as she is known as in Nepal, is worshipped in the Matysa Varahi form as an incarnation of Durga and an Ajima ("grandmother") goddess. Devotees usually sacrifice male animals to the goddess on Saturdays. Jaya Barahi Mandir, Bhaktapur, is also dedicated to Barahi.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Devi Varahi Ambika Homam is done at the Parashakthi temple in Pontiac, Michigan, USA on every Amavaasya(New moon) night. Devi Varahi was installed at the Temple in February 2005 by Yanthra Prana prateeshta. Varahi was installed in Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman temple Lunas, Kedah on 21 February 2014. That is the only Varahi Amman temple in the Malaysia.
IN BUDDHISM
Vajravarahi ("vajra-hog" or Buddhist Varahi), the most common form of the Buddhist goddess Vajrayogini, originated from the Hindu Varahi. Vajravarahi is also known as Varahi in Buddhism. Vajravarahi inherits the fierce character and wrath of Varahi. Both are invoked to destroy enemies. The sow head of Varahi is also seen as the right-side head attached to the main head in one of Vajravarahi's most common forms. The hog head is described in Tibetan scriptures to represent the sublimation of ignorance ("moha"). According to Elizabeth English, Varahi enters the Buddhist pantheon through the yogatantras. In the Sarvatathagatatattvasamgaraha, Varahi is described initially as a Shaiva sarvamatr ("all-mother") located in hell, who is converted to the Buddhist mandala by Vajrapani, assuming the name Vajramukhi ("vajra-face"). Varahi also enters the Heruka-mandala as an attendant goddess. Varahi, along with Varttali (another form of Varahi), appears as the hog-faced attendant of Marichi, who also has a sow face – which may be an effect of the Hindu Varahi.
WIKIPEDIA