Thank Pastor

Lords Prayer Exposure to Christianity Introductions

Handels Messiah
Sermon on the Mount

Good Morning Everyone

courage and tolerance on his part - to use his words:
We are happy to learn about our neighbors' faith. Understanding is the basis of friendship and
peace

Thank Pastor &

Audience
Introduction
Lords Prayer
Sermon on the
Mount

I couldnt agree more. Thank you Pastor Houck and thank you everyone for coming.
My name is Farrukh Ali and I am an American Muslim.
I came to the US as a freshman at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. When I came here from Pakistan in the mid 70s,
not many people knew where Pakistan was? If I said I was from Pakistan they would say Oh Hackettstown? I know
where that is! Not many people knew about Islam? I may have been the only Muslim on campus. I too didnt
know much about Islam myself. It was a religion I was born in and that was what I knew.
I had exposure to Christianity at my boarding school in England where my father sent me when I was 10 years old.
We attended chapel every day and where I heard the Lords Prayer - before long I had memorized it:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
I loved the Lords Prayer; it didnt conflict with anything I knew its meaning fit perfectly with my beliefs. Around
Christmas I was moved when the choir sang Handel's Messiah and the Hallelujah Chorus. I could feel the faith
when the choir reached the high notes with King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; I never forgot The Sermon on
the Mount. To this day I remain a strong believer in its 8 blessings:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

These 8 ideals of the Sermon on the Mount could have come from the Koran. The Koran talks about righteousness,
peace and Gods mercy.

Page 1 of 10

Story of Adam
Guidance &
Messengers
I would like to start my talk about Islam from the very beginning. According to the Koran, the first
man Adam had no father or mother, who God created out of dust, then said to him: "Be" and he was.

Story of Adam

When your Lord said to the angels, I am placing a successor on earth. They said, Will You place in it someone
who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we declare Your praises and sanctify You? He said, I know
what you do not know.
God taught Adam the names of all things; then He presented the things to the angels and said to the angels:
"Tell Me the names of these if what you say is true?"
"Glory to You," the angels replied,
"We have no knowledge except what You have taught us: in fact You are the One who is perfect in knowledge and
wisdom."
God said:
"O Adam! Tell them the names." When Adam told them the names, God said: "Did I not tell you that I know the
secrets of the heavens and the earth and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?"

No Suffering No original sin

When God ordered the angels: Prostrate before Adam in respect, they all prostrated except Iblees (Satan) who
refused in his arrogance and became a disbeliever.
To Adam God said:
"Dwell with your wife in Paradise and eat anything you want from its bountiful food from wherever you wish, but
do not approach this tree, or you shall both become transgressors."
But Satan tempted them with the tree to disobey Gods commandment and caused them to be expelled from
Paradise.
Then God said:
"Get down from here, there is for you on earth an abode and provisions for a specified period."
Then Adam received appropriate words from his Lord and repented, and God accepted his repentance.
Muslims believe that there is no original sin that Adam repented and was forgiven. Muslims also believe that God
did not place Adam in a state of suffering on earth.

Messengers

Guidance

God said at the time of Adams departure from Paradise.

"Henceforth there shall come to you guidance from Me, those who accept and follow it shall have nothing to fear or
to regret.
Muslims believe that guidance that God promised came in the Torah, the Gospel and the Koran.
Muslims believe the Koran is Gods final book. It completed Gods message.
Muslims believe God created the world and sent messengers to guide humanity.
There are many messengers mentioned in the Koran among them are Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Jesus, Isaac,
Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, Lot, Aaron, David, Solomon, Zachariah, John the Baptist, Jonah, Elisha, Elijah and Job.
Peace be upon all of them. Koran expects Muslims to respect each messenger equally with no discrimination.
Peace be upon him (abbreviated pbuh) is an expression Muslims use as a mark of respect after the name.

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Koran 600 0verses

Mohd Messenger
Last Book & Messenger
Religion completed
Korans message
Bismillah

Koran
Mohammed
Islam Religion
Bismillah

The Koran is little shorter than the New Testament at 329 pages vs. 357 pages. By comparison,
there are 33,000 verses in the Old Testament, 8,000 in the New Testament and 6,000 in the Koran.
The 300 page Koran is easy to read; you can read it in a week. Some people have memorized all
6,000 verses.
Muslims believe the Koran is Gods last message to humanity. It was revealed by the angel Gabriel to Gods last
Messenger (or Rasul) Muhammad (peace be upon him) starting in 610 AD until his death in 632 AD over a 22
year time span. His role is restricted to that of a messenger. I would like to read a verse from the Koran:

3:144. Muhammad is no more than a messenger. Many messengers passed away before him. If he died or were slain,
will you then turn back on your heels?
Muhammad (pbuh) is a messenger; he is not a prophet in the Biblical sense making prophesies. He does not occupy
in Islam the same spot as Jesus (pbuh) does in Christianity. He is simply a messenger a transmitter. There is very
little in the Koran about the messenger. Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned only 5 times in the Koran whereas Moses
(pbuh) is mentioned 176 times and Jesus (pbuh) is mentioned 59 times. Muslims dont worship Muhammad if they
did they would be elevating Muhammad (pbuh) to Gods level which is considered a sin in Islam.
How many people have heard the term Mohammedanism? This has been a label for Islam since the Middle-Ages.
Muhammad (pbuh) is not a messiah. God did not make a deal or covenant with Muhammad (pbuh) and Muslims are
not a chosen people. Anyone can become a Muslim.
Muslims believe the Koran completes the message God has been sending through the ages and Mohammed (pbuh) is
the last of a series of messengers sent by God. He is the seal of the messengers but is not authorized to add any
content or modify the Koran. Its Gods religion and God completed it in the Koran.
I would like to read a verse from the Koran:
5-3 This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your
religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, God is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most
Merciful.
Muslims believe, Gods last messenger transmitted Gods final message in the Koran. Gods last word to mankind.
The religion is completed which makes it easy for a person to understand Islam. All one has to do is read the Koran.
The Koran is not a book in a traditional sense its not chronological, its a recitation (what Koran stands for).
One can read any chapter and its fine. The Koran is primarily focused on the future. It is not centered on this world
or the messenger. He is an ordinary man with no miracles and cannot alter Gods message.
So what is Gods message in the Koran?
Let me read the Muslim version of the Lords Prayer
It happens to be the first Surah or chapter in the Koran: The Opening or Beginning (Arabic: Surah Fatiha)
As you know the Torah is in Hebrew and Jews read it in the synagogue in Hebrew; the original New Testament was
in Aramaic but since the King James Bible we read it in Church in English. The original Koran is in Arabic and
Muslims read it in Arabic during prayers. I would like to demystify Islam by reading the Muslim Lords Prayer in
Arabic and translate it into English so you get a real feel of Islam first hand. How it really feels to be a Muslim.
Name in Arabic is ism and God in Arabic is The God or Allah
In the name of God translates into Bismillah

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Surah Fathia
& Explanation
Day of Judgment
In Arabic Rahman means beneficent and Rahim means merciful. If you put the whole sentence
together it reads
Bismillah Ar-Rahman-i-Rahim => In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
This sentence rings through the Koran. The Koran has 114 Surahs or chapters and 113 begin with this sentence.
Muslims use it when they start something some say it before they eat a meal.
Now let me read the Muslim Lords Prayer. Muslims pray to their creator.

Day of Judgment

Deeds

Straight Path

Islams Lords Prayer

English

Arabic

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil aalameen

Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
Iyyaaka nabudu wa Iyyaaka nastaeen
Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
Siraatal-lazeena anamta alaihim
Gghayril-maghdoobi alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds;

Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
Show us the straight path,
The path of who you have blessed with your grace
Not the path of those who have gone astray.

These 7 verses are the heart of the Koran and are recited 5 times a day during prayer and at every major occasion in
life from birth-to-death.
So what is the straight path in Gods Prayer? It is the middle path that leads a Muslim to heaven.
This idea of middle course, the idea of the golden mean, the idea of moderation is intrinsic to the Korans message.
God expects moderation in our behavior. He expects moderation in our outlook. He expects moderation in all
aspects of our daily life. Gods message of moderation is key to being a Muslim.
So how does a Muslim achieve heaven and everlasting life? Its through deeds.
The Koran describes the Day of Judgment (Yom id-Dn - "Day of Religion") as a day when humanity will be raised
from their graves and face God for a final judgment. Those who have been dead will think that no time has passed
since they died it will happen in a twinkling of an eye.
According to the Koran:
Judgment Day is a Day when all mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds.
The Day of Judgment is established, to reward those who have believed and done good deeds; it is them for whom
there is forgiveness and an honorable sustenance.
On Judgment Day when the Hour of Judgment will be established, mankind will be sorted out. Those who have
embraced the faith and have done good deeds shall be made happy in a garden of paradise. And those who have
rejected Faith, denied Gods revelations and the meeting of the hereafter shall be presented for punishment.
On the Day of Judgment We shall set up scales of justice so that no one will be dealt with unjustly in any way;
even if someone has an act as small as a grain of a mustard seed, We will bring it to account, and sufficient are We
to settle the accounts
On Judgment Day men shall proceed in sorted out groups to be shown their Book of Deeds. Then, whoever has
done an atoms weight of good shall see it there, and whoever has done an atoms weight of evil shall see it there.

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Deeds Recorded

According to the Koran the record of the righteous, their good deeds, are recorded in the book called
Illiyeen. The record of the wicked is in the Sijjeen.

Getting into
Heaven
5 fold path
Principles

If you do commit a wrong deed you can seek forgiveness and according to the Koran God is there to forgive you.
God forgives those who turn to Him.

Scales

If anyone does evil or wrongs his own soul and then seeks Gods forgiveness, he will find God Forgiving,
Merciful.
Whoever repents after committing a wrong and reforms his conduct, God will surely turn to him with forgiveness.
God is Forgiving, Merciful.
If the good deeds outweigh the bad ones you enter paradise. Better yet, good deeds offset bad deeds.

Principles

No Intermediary

Becoming a Muslim

Straight Path 5 fold Path

11-114. Perform the prayer at the borders of the day, and during the approaches of the night. The good deeds take
away the bad deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember.
Then there is Gods mercy, he can forgive your sins. Gods forgiveness is the core belief of Islam.
All the divisions in Islam such as being a Sunni or Shia are technically irrelevant as the goal of every Muslim is the
same - the hereafter; and it is through an accounting of ones deeds that one gets there. There is no intermediary
once a person dies no one can help him - only God can forgive him.
A person can determine their fate with their deeds and Gods grace, forgiveness and blessings.
So what is on the straight path leading to heaven - the goal of all Muslims?
The straight path can be defined as the 5-fold path or 5 pillars of Islam: 1. belief, 2. prayer, 3. charity, 4. fasting and
5. pilgrimage.
To become a Muslim takes seconds - all one has to do is recite the profession of faith:
I declare There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God this is the 1st pillar of Islam.
You can become a Muslim by yourself there is no ceremony, no witnesses, no ritual bath.
You dont have to change your name to become an American-Muslim. Islam is open and welcomes everyone!
Technically speaking, you dont convert to Islam, you return to Islam
There is no intermediary between believer and God - one does not need to consult a scholar or an Islamic Mullah or
Imam to achieve salvation. Islam is a simple portable religion. It requires no infrastructure one can pray almost
anywhere the verses one has memorized like the 1st Surah. It does not require a mosque or a church. A mosque is
bare, has no furniture, or bells or music. We can pray right here in this room. Anyone can lead the prayer. There is
no priesthood or monkhood or central authority in Islam. Remember the religion was completed in the Koran. Its
a simple religion devoid of symbols, statutes, images and icons. Even the crescent & star are not Islamic; they are
Turkish.
The principles espoused in the Koran are:
Humility - respect for people and differences in beliefs
Non materialism non attachment to possessions this is a temporary life
No hoarding of wealth shared with community through charity (no stinginess)
No Anger but forgiveness

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Principles
5 Pillars

No Pride but humility and simplicity

No Deceitfulness but openness
No Greed but contentment
No Arrogance but kindness
No Haughtiness or walking proudly on earth
No Ostentation but simplicity
No Wrongdoing but righteousness

Principles &
break
Compulsion
Tolerance

Prayer should be focused on the hereafter and break the attachment to worldly dunya free ones soul washing
before prayers: when you rise to pray, wash your faces and your hands and arms to the elbows, and wipe your
heads, and your feet to the ankles.
Charity Social welfare with means and in person within reason.
Fasting self control and clear the mind of clutter; eat and drink until the white streak of dawn can be distinguished
from the black streak. Then complete the fast until nightfall. Eid at end of month.

Not a book of Laws

Love thy neighbor

Tolerance

No Compulsion

Pilgrimage. Eid at end of Haj. Sacrifice commemorating Abrahams sacrifice of the lamb.

**********Break for Questions & Answers ***********

Muslims are not a chosen people nor is there a special covenant between God and Muslims.
There is no compulsion in religion either - this is an important point. Religion is not to be forced on anyone.
(2:256) Let there be no compulsion in religion: The right path has become clear from the wrong: whoever rejects
evil and believes in God has firmly taken hold of a strong handle that never breaks. And God is all hearing and
knowing.
The Koran prescribes tolerance for other religions. Surah 109 reads:
(109:1) Oh you who reject the truth,
(109:2) I dont worship what you worship,
(109:3) and you dont worship what I worship.
(109:4) You wont worship what I worship,
(109:5) and I wont worship what you worship.
(109:6) You have your religion and I have mine.
Be good to your neighbor
4:36 and be good to the parents, and the relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and the neighbor next door, and the
distant neighbor, and the close associate, and the traveler, and your servants. God does not love the arrogant
showoff.
How many people think the Koran is a book of laws or a law book?
Thats what people think!

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Pursuit of Happiness few injunctions

Moral Guidance vs Legal isms
Sulaiman
Sharia implementation spotty
Violent Verses

The Koran is not a law book out of the 6000 verses only 250 deal with legalistic issues. Or less
than 5%. Unlike the Jews, the daily life of a Muslim is not governed by laws or mitzvahs (there are
613 mitzvahs in the Torah).
Its focused on the straight path the middle path the 5-fold path. There is no Sabbath in Islam.
Friday prayers are the only congregational prayers after which one can go and pursue happiness.

Not a law book

Prohibitions
Sharia
Violence

62:10 And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of God and
celebrate the Praises of God often: that ye may prosper.
I read this to mean life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on the middle path of moderation.
Like I said less than 5% of the Korans verses deal with legal issues. They are sprinkled across many Surahs.
The prohibitions in the Koran are few they deal with: Food & Drink. Food no pork, halal or kosher meat; drink no
alcohol or do any intoxicants; and no gambling. There are rules on inheritance of property, protection of property
of orphans; prohibited relationships; adultery; stealing and being a false witness. Less than 5% of total verses.
There is no neat listing of commandments like the 10 Commandments in the Koran. The Koran does not say
anything about stoning adulterers or killing apostates. It requires 4 witnesses for adultery which is near impossible.
For those who leave the faith they face judgment just like anyone else.
The Koran is more concerned with moral guidance than legal instruction, and with principles and values.
In fact, only 80 of the Korans 6,236 verses are about specific legal injunctions. The Koran is not a Sharia book or
Law book. Sharia was derived by humans by reading the biographies of the messenger (written 200 years after his
death) which are not reliable. These biographies together are known as the Hadiths.
Because the sources are unreliable so is the Sharia.
Like I said Koran is not a law book and cannot be implemented as law; only its religious practices on prohibitions
which are few.
Like the Bible, the Koran does not forbid slavery. It recommends freeing slaves as meritorious deed.
Like the Bible the Koran mentions an eye-for-an eye but recommends forgiveness and compensation.
In other words the relatives for the harmed person can be compensated or the family can forgive the harmer.
Forgiveness, both Gods and a persons rings through the Koran.
It cannot operate in the West as it asks the person committing the crime to be a witness against himself in other
words not be able to plead the 5th.
Through history, Sharias existence is spotty. The Caliphate as run by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent
also know in Turkey as Kanuni or law giver did away with Sharia in the 1500s. This was around the time of Martin
Luther. Kanun were a complete and independent set of laws more important than the Sharia. The Ottoman Empires
was tolerant of its multi religious population. So was Muslim Spain where Maimonides wrote the Jewish Scriptures.
In fact after the Spanish Inquisition in 1492 many Jews fled to Muslim lands.
The Caliphate was outlawed by Ataturk and the Sultan exiled in 1924. Most Muslim countries have civil law with
Sharia for only family law. That too differs from country to country. Extreme interpretations of Sharia are applied
only in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Somalia and 12 states in northern Nigeria.
There are violent verses in the Bible and the Koran.
Most of the violent verses in the Koran are in Surah 9 and they call for self defense against oppression and self
preservation especially from expulsion and annihilation but do not propose offensive or evil warfare. Self-defense
and oppression only reasons given; Korans prevalent message is one of peace and brotherly love. Unlike Moses

Page 7 of 10

Holy War

(pbuh) and Jesus (pbuh), Muhammad (pbuh = alayhi as-salam) had no miracles to convince people
and have a following. Few converted to Islam. There was opposition to the Koran once the locals
found Islams monotheism to be a threat to their pilgrimage business to the Kaaba - the cubical
shrine in Mecca. The Muslims were forced to flee to Medina. Many have not read the Koran.

Holy war
marriages and
vieling

Marriage

For those who die in a holy war of self preservation or jihad, the Koran says they are provided for.
To preserve the faith, Islam prefers a Muslim to marry believers. In the Koran there are two verses on this:
2-221. Do not marry idolatresses, unless they have believed. A believing maid is better than an idolatress, even if
you like her. And do not marry idolaters, unless they have believed. A believing servant is better than an idolater,
even if you like him.

Modesty

Veiling

Respects differences

International Religion

Guidance applies equally to men and women

5-5. This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto
you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers,
but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time, when ye give them their due dowers,
and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the
Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
Islam is an international religion and overtime has taken on cultural practices of the countries in which it resides.
Like Islam, Muslim culture is also international; it has been shaped by geography and history. Muslims of Africa
and Muslims of Asia eat different food, wear different clothes and speak different languages. Climate, geography
and economic development influence diet and attire. Muslims look different from country to country.
The Koran respects differences and does not mention many cultural practices observed by Muslims. According to
the Koran O mankind, We have created you male and female, and appointed your races and tribes, that you may
know one another. There is no standard Muslim by appearance or ethnicity. Muslims are not expected to judge
others. I am reminded of Jesus (pbuh) when he said Let he amongst thee who is without sin cast the first stone.
This is in complete agreement with the Koran which does not allow Muslims to judge others only God can.
2-62. Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the
Sabians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord;
on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Which brings me to veiling. In Islam veiling is tied to modesty in outlook and in dress it does not call for covering
ones face or hair. I will quote the Koran. There are only 5 verses out of the 6,000 that talk about this topic!
So what does the Koran say? Even with the very few verses, the Koran is not very specific on this and that opens it
up to interpretation. There is no firm ruling on dress code. The chapter most quoted is in Surah Nur.
You decide what is the Korans intent:
24-30. Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater
purity for them: And God is well acquainted with all that they do.
This is similar to:
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already
committed adultery with her in his heart.

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Modesty in outlook and veiling

24-31. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should
not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof;
24-31. That they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their family
It definitely does not tell one to cover one face or hair. Modesty is the intent.
33-58. And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring
sin.
33-59. O Messenger! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer
garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not
molested. And God is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Modesty and protection is the intent here and not subjection.
There is no racial segregation, racial discrimination or apartheid in Islam. There is no mention of the cultural
practice of segregation in everyday life of men and women in the Koran. No evidence in the Koran. This is a cultural
practice that is an anachronism in the era of TVs, computers, cell phones and iPads. Just like slavery is an
anachronism with no human rights basis so is officially sanctioned gender segregation.
++++++++++++++++++++
I would be remiss if I didnt read the dedicated Surah for Mary (peace be upon her) in the Koran.
For comparison I will first read Mathew 1: 16-26 and then Surah 19 Marium
Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,
but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had
in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 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.
21 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.
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means God with
us).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
________________________________
Surah Marium - 19th Surah
(19:16) When you read the Quran, remember the story of Mary. From her family, she secluded herself in a place to
the East to pray to Me.
(19:17) She placed between her and them a wall of separation. Then I sent to her Angel Gabriel looking like a
beautiful person.

Page 9 of 10

(19:18) When she saw him she said, In Gods great mercy, I seek His protection. Fear His punishment, if you have
evil intentions.
(19:19) He said, God sent me to give you the news that a pure son you will carry.
(19:20) She said, How can I have a son when I have kept myself pure and in marriage no man has touched me?
(19:21) He responded, It will happen. Your Lord says It is easy for Me. I will make him a sign of My power for
people and a mercy from Me. This has been decided. It is your destiny.
(19:22) So she became pregnant and went far away where no one would see.
(19:23) The labor pain drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. In her anguish she cried, I wish before this I had died. I
wish I had been something worthless, discarded, and forgotten; this is my wish deep inside.
(19:24) Then from under her the newborn called to her, Oh Mother, do not cry. God has given you a small stream
nearby.
(19:25) Push on the palm tree to get dates to drop for you ripe and tasty.
(19:26) Then eat and drink and dont be upset or worry. If you see anyone say: I am not talking to anyone out of
thanks for Gods mercy today.
(19:27) Then she carried him to her family. They said, You have done something terrible and for you,
extraordinary.
(19:28) We thought you were like Prophet Aaron in piety. Your father was not a bad person, and your mother is
known for her purity.
(19:29) She pointed to him silently. They said, How can we talk to a newborn baby?
(19:30) Then Jesus spoke saying, I worship God only. He will give me His book, make me His messenger,
(19:31) and everywhere I go make me a blessing to humanity. As long as I live, God commanded me to pray and to
do acts of charity.
(19:32) I will be good to my mother Mary, and God will protect me from ever acting arrogant or disobediently.
(19:33) I had peace on my birth day, and I will have peace on the day I pass away. And I will have peace on the day
I am brought back to life for all eternity.
(19:34) They dispute and argue, but this is the true story of Jesus son of Mary.
(19:35) All glory belongs to Me. It is beneath Me to have children. When I decide something, I command and it
happens.
(19:36) And Jesus said, God is my Lord and your Lord so worship Him. This is the true path to salvation.

Islam is the only religion other than Christianity that formally honors Mary (peace be upon her) and Jesus Christ
(alayhi as-salam). No other religion does that.

Islam provides salvation by grace through faith achieved through good works.
Good works, prayers and the grace of God lead to heaven.
Gods forgiveness and personal forgiveness play a pivotal role.

A Muslim must strive to serve this world with compassion, social justice, trustworthiness, and affection for all of
God's creation.
I would like to end by leaving you with a verse from the Koran.
The verse I like from the Koran is a prayer that I use a lot when I am alone, while driving or traveling which I repeat
using my rosary. It is a verse I first heard from my father and it is repeated at the end of every prayer.
"Our God give us happiness in this world and happiness in the hereafter."
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