"Is the United States a Christian nation?

Question: "Is the United States a Christian nation?"

Answer: It may seem intuitive, at first, to attempt to answer this question by focusing on government. But the best way to determine whether or not the United States is a Christian nation is to compare the philosophy of its people to the Word of God.

The Declaration of Independence states that every person has these God-given, inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This philosophy is what we could call the “American Worldview,” and it drives everything about the nation— from its economic and foreign policy to the private lives of its people. This is the atmosphere in which most of us have grown up. But can this American Worldview be called a Christian Worldview? Can we really call the United States a Christian nation?

Life
First, what does “life” mean to a Christian? Most Americans would say we have a right to be alive, just by virtue of having been born. Most Americans would say we have the right to do with our lives as we choose, because our lives belong to us. Christianity agrees that we have the “right to life” and recognizes that life comes from the Creator, just as the Declaration says. However, the Christian (biblical) view is that the right to live does not exist by virtue of being born, but by virtue of being created first in the mind of God (Jeremiah 1:5). Acts 17:25 says that God “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” The Bible is saying here that the life of man is sustained by God, and as such, it belongs to Him. But Americans generally believe that we are free to do with our lives just as we please because we believe our lives belong, primarily, to us. For a Christian, God’s law is the absolute truth, and the final authority. It tells the Christian “Thou shalt not murder” and “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” But the United States shows, both by the lives of her citizens and the laws passed in her courts that she does not recognize the authority of God, nor respect His laws.

Liberty
What does “liberty” mean to a Christian? Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and the freedom to bear arms are some of the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights. All of these freedoms are good things valued greatly by Americans. Today, however, our nation has, for the most part, rejected the Bible as the standard of right and wrong. So, now liberty has an additional meaning to our citizens: it means that we are ultimately free to do whatever we want. It means that we control our own destiny—or that we should—and that nobody can tell another person what is right or what he should value. This mindset has had disastrous results. In America now, everything is subjective. In the face of the monstrous tragedy of abortion, Americans echo the words of Pontius Pilate: “What is Truth?” Our personal choice has become the only thing we truly value. We are tolerant above all, but only because to put down another person’s freedom is to endanger our own liberty. Practically speaking, since such a wide variety of religions are now represented among our citizens, how can we say “America is a Christian nation” without obliterating the Christian faith? A Christian individual will not kill or hurt someone of another religion who refuses to convert. However, the Bible is clear: we are not to tell people that all roads lead to heaven. There is one Way, and His name is Jesus Christ. The Bible informs Christians that freedom and liberty are good and right. But, it also gives us the context of that freedom: we have freedom as Christ’s followers, because we trust in His righteousness, instead of our own. We were slaves to this world, and to sin. Now we are slaves to Christ – and that is a Christian’s definition of freedom. That doesn’t sound much like the definition of Liberty that is held by the government or the citizens of America.

The Pursuit of Happiness
Now, the Pursuit of Happiness: what is it, to a Christian? In the Bible, happiness is an emotion that is welcomed, but not to be sought after. We seek God, and joy is a result of closeness to Him. But joy is different from happiness. Joy is a spiritual contentment and pleasure that comes from the Holy Spirit. A person must be in fellowship with the Spirit to experience joy, and it transcends circumstance. The apostle Paul said that he had “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11), and Paul’s circumstances were hardly the sort to produce happiness: beatings, stoning, shipwreck, hunger, thirst and danger. But his joy and peace were from God, not from his circumstances. In contrast, Americans tend to believe we are to pursue, at all cost, happiness in our lives here in this world. Pursue happiness, the American is told, at the cost of all else. If it makes you happy to leave your wife and children, do it. If it makes you happy to devote your life to stardom at the expense of friends and family members, you should follow your dream. If you are a man but you think being a woman will make you happy, have a sex change. Play video games 10 hours a day? Drink yourself to death? Get married to your dog? Sure, if it makes you happy! Perhaps when the Constitution was framed, the Judeo-Christian ethic of “love thy neighbor” was understood as a foundational principle upon which to base our right to pursue happiness. But it has changed over the years to mean a right to pursue individual pleasure, no matter how strange the means, without being judged by your fellow man and without regard to how that pursuit affects the other person’s rights or freedoms, or affects the fabric of society itself.

But consider Mark 8:36: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” For the Christian, this thought is central: nothing is gained from pursuing comfort and happiness here on earth. Nothing is really gained, for a Christian, by “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The Christian person pursues other things: “Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19). “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Christians are concerned with the spiritual – because they belong to another country; they are citizens of a spiritual country, the Kingdom of Heaven.

So, is the United States a Christian nation? No. Not in its philosophy, or in what it loves, or in what it does. Despite its Judeo-Christian roots and heritage, and the beliefs of some of its founders, the United States today is a nation that follows other gods, and lives a lifestyle that is not compatible with Christianity.

HIVI UNAJUA KUWA MAJINI (MASHETANI )NI NDUGU ZA WAISLAMU? (JINNIE (EVIL SPIRITS) HAVE SPIRITUAL RELATION WITH MUSLIMS)

HIVI UNAJUA KUWA MAJINI (MASHETANI )NI NDUGU ZA WAISLAMU? (JINNIE (EVIL SPIRITS) HAVE SPIRITUAL RELATION WITH MUSLIMS)

UTANGULIZI:
Majini ni viumbe visivyoonekana kwa macho ya kawaida ya wanadamu. Hii ni kwa sababu viumbe hivi viko katika asili ya roho ya kutokuonekana. Majini huitwa pia Ibilisi, Shetani, Pepo mchafu au Joka la zamani.

ASILI YAO:
Majini yalikuwa ni malaika kabla ya kuungana na yule Muasi Mkuu wa Mungu, yaani Lucifer aliyemuasi Mungu mbinguni na kutaka ukubwa wa kufanana na Mungu, na ndipo akatupwa huku duniani yeye pamoja na malaika zake, na huku wakiwa wamenyang’anywa utukufu waliokuwa nao hapo awali. Vita hiyo iliongozwa na Malaika Mkuu wa Mungu wa Mbinguni yaani Jehova kumtupa chini huyo malaika muasi pamoja na malaika zake. Viumbe hivyo vilivyotupwa ndivyo leo vinavyoitwa MAJINI au MASHETANI au PEPO WACHAFU au IBILISI au JOKA LA ZAMANI.

Uf. 12:7-12 “ Kulikuwa na vita mbinguni, Mikael na Malaika zake wakapigana na yule joka, yule joka naye akapigana nao pamoja na malaika zake, nao hawakushinda, wala mahala pao hapakuonekana tena mbinguni. Yule joka akatupwa yule mkubwa nyoka wa zamani aitwaye Ibilisi na shetani audanganyaye ulimwengu wote, akatupwa hata nchi, na malaika zake wakatupwa pamoja naye. Nikasikia sauti kuu mbinguni ikisema sasa kumekuwa wokovu, na nguvu na ufalme wa Mungu wetu kwa maana ametupwa chini mshtaki wa ndugu zetu yeye awashtakiye mbele za Mungu wetu. Mchana na usiku. Nao wakamshinda kwa damu ya mwanakondoo na kwa neon la ushuhuda wao ambao hawakupenda maisha yao hata kufa. Kwa hiyo shangilieni enyi mbingu, nanyi mkaao humo. OLE WA NCHI NA BAHARI! Kwa maana yule Ibilisi ameshuka kwenu mwenye ghadhabu nyingi akijua ya kuwa ana wakati mchache tu”

Hivyo kwa mistari au aya hizo unaanza kupata taswira ya kile tunachijifunza kuliusiana na majini.

Ki- Biblia Malaika ni viumbe walio katika hali ya roho ila wanaweza kuonekana kwa umbile la mwanadamu Mw. 18:1-18, Lk 1:26-28, Kut 3:1-6

Katika Ebr 1:13-14 “ Yuko Malaika aliyemwambia wakati wowote uketi mkono wangu wa kuume hata nitakapowaweka adui zako chini ya nyayo zako? Je, hao si ROHO watumikao wakitumwa kuwahudumia wale watakaourithi wokovu?
Biblia inazidi kubainisha namna ya kuumbwa kwao
Mw. 2:1 “ Basi mbingu na nchi zikamalizika na JESHI LAKE LOTE”

Ni katika jeshi hilo ambapo tunawapata hawa viumbe vya kiroho.

Na katika Kol 1:1:16 “ kwa kuwa katika yeye vitu viliumbwa vilivyoko mbinguni na vilivyo juu ya nchi. Vinavyoonekana na visivyoonekana……”

Jeshi hilo ni huru linaweza kujiamulia lolote na ndiyo maana 1/3 ya hao roho yaani malaika waliasi na kufanya machukizo mbele za Mungu na wakafukuzwa (Uf 12:7-12) na wengine wamefungwa.

Katika Yuda 6 “ Na malaika wasioilinda enzi yao wenyewe, lakini wakayaacha makao yao yaliyowahusu amewaweka katika vifungu vya milele chini ya fiza kwa hukumu ya siku ile kuu”

Tunasoma pia katika 2 Petro 2:4
“ Kwa maana ikiwa Mungu hakuwaachilia malaika waliokosa, bali aliwatupa shimoni akawatia katika vifungu vya giza walindwe hata ije hukumu”

kwa hiyo Majini ndiyo mashetani na mashetani ndiyo majini.Katika kitabu Lawi 17:7

“Wala hawatatoa tena sadaka zao kwa wale MAJINI ambao huwafuata ili wafanye uasherati nao, sheria hii itakuwa sheria ya milele kwao kizazi baada ya kizazi”.

Kwa sababu majini hayo tangu yalipotupwa toka mbinguni wana wa Israel hawakuwa na ufahamu wa kutosha kuyahusu baadhi yao walijikuta wakiyatolea sadaka huku wakiamini kuwa wamemtolea Mungu sadaka. Na kumbuka kuwa mara nyingi wana wa Israel walipotoa sadaka zao nyingi zilikuwa za wanyama na hivyo kutakiwa kuchinja na kutoa damu ambayo ni sehemu kubwa ya chakula cha majini.

Katika Zaburi 106:34-40.

“ Hawakuwaharibu wtu wa nchi kama BWANA alivyowaambia, bali walijichanganya na mataifa wakajifunza matendo yao, wakazitumikia sanamu zao nazo zikawa mtego kwao naam walitoa wana wao na binti zao kuwa dhabihu kwa MASHETANI wakamwaga damu isiyo na hatia, damu ya wana wao na binti zao walio watoa dhabihu kwa sanamu za Kaanani. Nchi ikatiwa unajisi kwa damu.

Ndivyo walivyotiwa uchafu kwa kazi zao, wakafanya uasharati kwa matendo yao. Hasira ya Bwana ikawa juu ya watu wake akauchukua urithi wake.

Hivyo kutokana na kutokuonekana kwao hayo majini yaliwahujumu wana wa Israel hata yakawasababishia wamwasi Mungu kwa kuyatolea sadaka kinyume cha Mungu wa mbinguni aliyehai.

Katika Kumb. 32:17-20.
“ walitoa sadaka kwa Pepo si Mungu, kwa miungu wasioijua, kwa miungu mipya iliyotokea siku zilizo karibu ambayo baba zetu hawakuiogopa,
Humkumbuki muumba aliyekuzaa Mungu aliyekuzaa humkumbuki. Bwana akaona akawachukia kwa sababu ya kukasirishwa na wanawe na binti zake. Akasema nitawaficha uso wangu nitaona mwisho wao utakuwaje maana ni kizazi cha ukaidi mwingi watoto wasio Imani ndani yao.

Pia katika Math 12:43-45

“ Pepo Mchafu amtokapo mtu hupitia mahali pasipo maji akitafuta mahali pa kupumzikia asipate. Halafu husema nitarudi nyumbani kwangu nilikotoka hata akifa aiona tupu imefagiwa na kupambwa, mara huenda akachukua pamoja naye pepo mengine saba walio waovu kuliko yeye mwenyewe, nao huingia na kukaa humo, na mtu yule hali yake ya mwisho huwa mbaya kuliko ya kwanza.

Katika Biblia tunaona kipindi Yesu alipotwaa mwili na kuja duniani, hao majini, au mashetani au Ibilisi au Mapepo wachafu yalimfahamu na yalianza kulalamika mbele zake.

Math 8:28-31 “ Naye alipofika ng’ambo katika nchi ya Wagerasi, watu wawili wenye pepo (Majini) walikutana naye, wanatoka makaburuni wakali mno, hata mtu asiweze kuipitia njia ile. Na tazama wakapiga kelele wakisema tuna nini nawe mwana wa Mungu? Je, umekuja kututesa kabla ya muhula wetu………………. (MK 5:1-9).

Majini hayo yanafahamu kuwa Yesu ndiye atakayewahukumu ila yalichoshangaa ni kwamba mbona amewahi kabla ya kipindi chenyewe cha yeye Yesu kuyahukumu kwenda Jehanamu ya Moto?

Yesu alikuja duniani ili kumwokoa mwanadamu kutokana na mateso ya hayo majini au mashetani kwa sabahu katika Uf. 12:12 Malaika Mikael alipokuwa anawafukuza hao malaika waasi yaani hao majini au mashetani alisema OLE WA NCHI NA BAHARI ndiyo maana Yesu ilibidi aje duniani kupambana na huyo shetani, Joka, Ibilisi kwa niaba yetu maana sisi tusingeweza na wale, majini walisema kumuambia Yesu ukitutoa tuache tukawaingie nguruwe na ngurume wale wapatao 2000 waliona bora kufa baharini kuliko kuishi na viumbe hivi majini au mashetani miilini mwao na hivyo kutimiza ujumbe wa malaika Mikaeli “ Ole wa nchi na bahari”. Baharini ni sehemu mojawapo ambapo majini huishi.

Unabii wa kuangushwa mji mkubwa uliojisifu sana (Babeli) ulipotolewa, ilitabiriwa kuwa, hayatakuwa tena makazi, bali patabaki yatafanya makazi huko.

Isaya 13:12. lakini huko watalala hayawani wakali wa nyikani na nyumba zao zitajaa bundi, mbuni watakaa huko, na majini atacheza huko.

Ndipo tunaposoma katika Yoh 12:31, Yesu anasema “ sasa hukumu ya ulimwengu huu ipo, sasa Mkuu wa ulimwengu huu atatupwa nje”.

Na katika 1 Yoh 3:8
“ atendaye dhambi ni wa Ibilisi kwa kuwa Ibilisi hutenda dhambi tangu mwanzo. Kwa kusudi mwana wa Mungu alidhihirishwa ili azivunje kazi za Ibilisi.

Kama tulivyosoma toka sura na aya mbalimbali ndani ya Biblia kuwa majini hayo yanasubiri adhabu Biblia inatueleza atakaye yahukumu.

Math 25:31, 41 “ Hapo atakapokuja mwana wa Adamu pamoja malaika watakatifu pamoja naye…………… Kisha atawaambia na wale walioko mkono wake wa kushoto ondokeni kwangu mliyolaaniwa mwende katika moto wa milele aliyowekewa tayari Ibilisi na malaika zake”.

Hivyo kwa mujibu wa Biblia Majini yaani mashetani ni Adui yetu na ndiyo maana alipokuja Mohammad yalianza kukanusha kuwa Mungu hana mwana ili kuwavuruga waislamu wasiijue kweli (Soma Quran 112:1-4, Al- Kahf, 18:3) ya kumwamini mwana wa Mungu Yesu.

Kwa bahati mbaya sana mambo yahusuyo majini katika imani ya Kiislamu ni tofauti sana na vile tulivyosoma katika Biblia. Ingawa Quran na Hadithi za Muhammed, Mtume wa Waislamu, Vinatutaka sisi wakristo tumwamini allah S.W. mungu anayeabudiwa na Waislamu Misitikini.

Katika Suratul Waqia 51:56.

“ Sikuwaumba majini na watu ila wapate kuniabudu” katika Quran Suratul Al- Ankabut (Buibui), 29:46-47) “ Wala msibishane na watu waliopewa kitabu (kabla yenu) ila kwa yale (majadiliano) yaliyo mazuri isipokuwa wale waliodhulumu miongoni mwao na semeni tunaamini yaliyoteremshwa kwetu na yaliyoteremshwa kwenu na Mungu wetu na Mungu wenu ni mmoja nasi ni wenye kunyenyekea kwake”.

Waliopewa kitabu kwa mujibu wa Quran ni Wayahudi na Wakristo. Je, hoja kuwa Mungu wetu na Mungu wao wanayemwabudu kuwa ni mmoja je ni sahihi?. Tuchunguze kuhusiana na mafundisho ya Allah S.W. wa misikitini kuhusu majini ndipo tutajua ni mmoja au la!.

Muislam yeyote ili imani yake ikamilike ni lazima aamini yanayoonekana na yasiyoonekana katika Suratul Al- Baqarah (Ng’ombe Jike la Njano), 2:1-3.

“ Alif Lam Mym. Hiki ni kitabu kisichokuwa na shaka ndani yake ni uongozi kwa wamchao mwenyezi Mungu ambao huyaamini yasiyoonekana (maadaam) yamesemwa na mwenyezi Mungu na Mtume wake) husimamisha sala na hutoa katika yale tuliyowapa.

Quran peke yake ukiichunguza utaona kuwa majini yamechukuliwa kama ni viumbe tofauti na mashetani, wanasema hivyo kwa sababu katika uislamu majini yamepewa hadhi kubwa sana na ya kipekee. Hadhi hiyo ni kwa sababu majini waliamini Quaran.

Tusomapo katika Quran Suratul al- Ahqaf, (Kichuguu cha mchanga) 46:29

“ Na (wakumbushe) tulipokuletea kundi la majini (kuja kwako) kusikiliza Quran. Basi walipoihudhuria walisema (kuambiana):- “ Nyamazeni (msikilizeni maneno ya Mwenyezi Mungu)” Na ilipokwisha (Somwa) walirudi kwa jamaa zao wakiwaonya”.

Na ndani ya Quran kuna sura nzima inayoitwa sura ya majini (Mashetani) hiyo ni sura ya 72. katika sura hiyo inasema 72:1-3, 14. “ Sema: imefunuliwa kwangu ya kuwa kundi moja la majini liliisikia (Qurani) likasema hakika tumesikia Qurani ya ajabu inaongoza katika uongofu. Kwa hivyo tumeiamini wala hatutamshirikisha yoyote tena na Mola wetu na kwa hakika utukufu wa Mola wetu umetukuka kabisa. Hakujifanyia mke wala mwana……………………. Nasi wamo miongoni mwetu na wamo miongoni mwetu waliokengeuka waliosilimu hao ndiyo waliotafuta uwongofu.

Kwa hiyo aya hizi zinaonyesha kuwa Quran ilipokuja ndipo majini waliposilimu. Kumbuka kuwa Quran imeanza mwaka 610 B.K kipindi ambacho Biblia tayari ili kuwepo kwa karibu karne 6.

Akifafanua asili ya majini Mwanazuoni mkubwa wa kiislamu aitwaye Abdalllah Saleh Farsy aliye kuwa Kadhi Mkuu Zanzibar, kisha akawa Kadhi Mkuu Kenya katika kitabu alichoandika kiitwacho “ Maisha ya Nabii Mohammad” ule Uk. 31 anasema “ Katika safari yake ya kurejea Taif ndipo walipomjia majini wakasilimu kama inavyoonesha haya katika Suratul Jinn. Majini ni viumbe vyepesi vinavyokaa angani. havina viwiliwili kwa hiyo haviwezi kuonekana na wanadamu ila vinapojibadili kwa umbo lenye kiwiliwili. Na vina uwezo huo wa kujibadili kwa sura ya kuweza kuonekana. WAO NA MASHETANI WANA ASILI MOJA. Kwa hiyo asili ya majini ni shetani.

Suala linalohusu malaika linawasumbua sana waislam hata hawana uhakika wake.

Tumesoma ndani ya Biblia kuwa kuna kundi la malaika waliokosa ambao ndiyo wanaoitwa majini lakini tusomapo Quran inatoa maelezo tofauti.

Quran suratul As- Sajdah, (kusujudu) , 32:13 “ Na tungelitaka tungempa kila mtu uwongofu wake (kwa lazima kama tulivyowapa malaika lakini binadamu amepewa huria ya kufanya alitakalo- lililo jema na baya).

Katika ulimwengu wa Kiislamu Malaika wote ni8 wema na wanamwabudu mungu.

Hapa ndiyo tatizo linapoanzia. Quran iliyokuja baadaye inasema malaika wote ni wema wakati biblia kitalu kilichoitangulia Quran kinasema kuna malaika walioasi na wakafukuzwa katika utukufu wa Mungu.

Katika Quran Suratul, al- Kahf, (Pango) 18:50 “ Na (Kumbukeni) tulipowaambia Malaika, Msujudieni Adamu. Basi wakamsujudia isipokuwa Ibilisi yeye alikuwa miongoni mwa majini na akavunja amri ya mola wake……..”

Katika aya hiyo tunaona ibilisi akilaumiwa kwa kutomsujudia Adamu ingawa amri ya kusujudu walipewa malaika kumbe kwa mujibu wa Quran Ibilisi alikuwa miongoni mwao hao malaika yaani na yeye akiwa malaika.

Kwa sababu Quran haina habari kuhusu malaika walioasi yaani majini ndiyo maana wanapata tabu kuhusu jambo hilo. Na ndiyo maana pamoja na kujua kuwa hayo majini ni mashetani, Muilsamu amehiari kushirikiana nayo kwa kuswali nayo msikitini. Na hata mwislamu huyu anapomaliza kusali husalimia kulia na kushoto akiwasalimia watu malaika na majini (mashetani) waliokuja kushiriki naye katika Ibada yake, soma katika (Irshadul Muslimiin, Sheikh Said Musa, Uk. 38).

Katika Tafsiri ya Quran ya Iman Jalalaini Uk. 6:151 anasema kuhusu majini “ Hao ni watoto wa Ibilisi”

Hii ndiyo sababu hata wanawake wa Kiislamu wakiwa katika kipindi cha hedhi hawaendi msikitini kwa sababu kuna majini na chakula cha majini ni damu. Tafakari kwa hiyo sifa ya hayo majini au mashetani kwa ujumla ni kuwa “ hujaribu kwa bidii sana kuwa karibu na waamini wale wanaosali, kufunga na kusoma Qurani “ (Asili ya majini, Dk. Ahmed H. Sakr Uk. 28) ndiyo maana baadhi ya waislam wao binafsi wasingependa kuwa waislamu lakini majini huwashurutisha kwenda kuswali.

Kwa sababu wao waislamu hawajui kupambanua kati ya majini ambayo ni roho chafu na wale malaika watakatifu wa Mungu Jehova, ndiyo maana hata akiwa katika sala yake hana uhakika kwa sababu huyo jinni (shetani) amemteka na anamfanyia atakavyo na yeye ni mtumwa wa huyo jinni (shetani)

Katika kitabu kiitwacho Mkweli Mwaminifu cha Sheikh Said Moosa Mohamed Al- Kindy wa Muscut Oman, juzuu 1-2 Uk 42 Hadithi Na. 74.

“ Anamwijia mmoja wenu shetani (Jini) katika sala basi anapuliza (anampuliza) katika matako yake, basi (yule mtu) inamuijia fikra ya kuwa umemtoka upepo (kafusa) naye haukumtoka, basi akiona namna hiyo asiondoke (kwenye sala}) mpaka asikie sauti ( ya kutoka upepo) au anuse harufu ( ya huo upepo uliyomtoka, ndio aondoke).

Huyo shetani, au jinni anayekuwa karibu sana na huyu mwamini wa kiislamu hamchezei tu mwislamu katika matako yake kama tulivyosoma hapo juu bali pia anapofanya tendo la ndoa .

Katika kitabu kiitwacho Asili ya Majini, cha Sheikh Dr Ahmad H. Sakr Uk. 116 anasema “ Hadithi ya Mtume inathibitisha jambo hili kuwa majini (mashetani) na watu wanaweza kuoana aliposema kwamba iwapo mtu ataingia katika uhusiano wa kindoa na mkewe anatakiwa ataje jina la Mwenyezi Mungu ajilinde kwa Mwenyezi Mungu dhidi ya shetani aliyefukuzwa mbali na rehema. Vinginevyo shetani hujiviringisha katika dhakari (sehemu ya siri za mwanaume) ya mtu huyo na atashirikiana naye katika tendo hilo. Tafakari yetu kuwa hiyo jinni anayeshiriki naye tendo la ndoa pamoja naye kwa mkewe ametumwa na huyo huyo Mungu wao. Hiyo ni kesi ya ngedere kumpelekea nyani! Utashindwa tu!

• Huhakikisha haweki wazi utambulisho wake vinginevyo watu wanaweza kumkwepa au hata kukimbia. Jina lake linawatisha watu wengi. Hivyo ni vyema asijitambulishe kama ni shetani , jini.
• Huwapotosha watu kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu ili waende naye Jehanamu, badala ya kwenda peke yake. (Kumbuka hukumu ya Yesu kwa Ibilisi na Malaika zake (Math 25:41)
• Huwakatisha watu tamaa kwa sababu hana cha kuwapa ila matumaini ya uongo (Mf Q. 52:20)
• Huhakikisha kwamba watu wanamheshimu kumfuata shetani maana yake ni kuwa mtu wa namna hiyo amejisalimisha (Kumbuka waislamu wanapowasalimia majini kulia na kushoto katika sala (Irshadul Muslimin Uk 38).
• Huhakikisha kuwa hadhihirishi jina lake kama shetani lakini kama rafiki aliyejificha anayewatakiwa mema.
• Huanzisha vurugu vinginevyo maisha yake huwa ya taabu. Huwa anafurahia kuona watu wakipigan wao kwa wao.

Katika kipengele hiki tunaposoma katika Quran, Suratul – Al- Maidah, (Meza) 5:14.

“ Na kwa wale waliosema sisi ni Wakristo tulichukua ahadi kwao, lakini wakaacha sehemu (kubwa) ya yale waliyokumbushwa kwa hivyo tukaweka baina yao (wenyewe kwa wenyewe) uadui na bughudha mpaka siku ya kiama na mwenyezi Mungu atawaambia waliyokuwa wakiyafanya”

allah S.W. ndiye anayewaletea uadui na bughudha wakristo. Yeye atakuwa nani?
Tafakari.

• Hufundisha uchawi watu wanapaswa watoe kiapo cha utii kwake kabla ya kufundisha uchawi wa aina yoyote. Elimu ya uchawi ni kuwadhuru watu wengine hasa hasa waume na wake.

Katika sehemu hii tumwangalie huyo shetani au jinni anayeruhusu na kufundisha uchawi.

Katika Suratul, al- Bagarah, (ng’ombe jike), 2:102 “ Wakafuata yale waliyoyafuata mashetani wakadai kuwa yalikuwa katika ufalme wa nabii suleimani na Suleiman hakukufuru bali mashetani ndiyo waliokufuru, wakiwa fundisha watu uchawi waliokuwa wakiujua wenyewe tangu zamani. Na uchawi uliteremshwa kwa malaika wawili Haruta na Maaruta katika mji wa Babeli wala malaika hao hawakumfundisha yeyote mpaka wamwambie hakika sisi ni mtihani wa kutazamwa kutii kwenu basi usikufuru wakajifunza kwao ambayo waliweza kumfarakisha mtu na mkewe na mengineyo wala hawakuwa wenye kumdhuru yeyote kwa hayo ila kwa idhini ya Mwenyezi Mungu……………………

Katika aya hiyo inaeleza kuwa uchawi ni kazi ya Allah na ndiye anaye idhinisha. Yeye atakuwa nani? Na pia kuna waganga wa kienyeji wa kiislamu ambao hutumia Quran katika uganga wao. Hiyo Quran na majini na uchawi, ulioletwa na Allah S.W. vina uhusiano gani? Tafakari

“ Juhudi kubwa anayoifanya shetani (Jini) ni kuleta mfarakano baina ya waume na wake. Kwa kufanya hivyo huhakikisha kuwa wanachukiana wao kwa wao. Kwa ajili hiyo huishia, katika talaka. Kwa hiyo matatizo yanajengwa katika familia hiyo. Utengano au talaka inapotokea, watoto hawawezi kulelewa kisawasawa na mzazi mmoja. Watakosa uimara katika utu wao, shetani (jinni) anapata urahisi kuingia ndani ya mioyo na akili za watoto. Atawaongoza kuelekea mahali pasipofaa na hapo anawafanya wawe wahalifu katika jamii (Asili ya majini, sheikh Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr Uk 39)

Kwa mujibu wa Quran na vitabu vya kiislam huyo anayeamuru talka ni allah. S.W. Mungu wanayemuabudu waislamu.

Katika suratul, Ahzab(Makundi), 33:49.
“ enyi mulioamini mtakapowaona wanawake wenye kuamini, kisha mkawapa talaka kabla ya kuwagusa hamna eda juu yao mtakayohesabu. Wapeni cha kuwauliza na muachane muachano mzuri”

Katika Suratul al- Baqarah, (Ng’ombe) 2:230.
“ Na kama amempa talaka ya tatu basi mwanamke huyo si halali kwake baada ya hapo mpaka aolewe na mume mwingine, na mwanamume huyo mwingine akimwacha basi hapo hapana dhambi kwao mume yule wa kwanza na mwanamke huyo kurejeana wakiona watasimamisha mipaka ya Mwenyezi Mungu.”

Kama shetani (jinni) huleta faraka ili talaka zitokee, basi Allah S.W. yeye ameamrisha talaka kwa wafuasi wake bila kujali athari za watoto zitakazotokea. Tafakari yeye ni nani?

Kumuabudu shetani (Jini)

Katika Suratul Sabaa, 34:40-41
“ Na kumbuka siku atakayowakusanya wote, kisha atawaambia malaika, “ Je hawa walikuwa wakikuabuduni?” waseme umeepukana na kila upungufu! Wewe ndiwe kipenzi chetu si hao bali walikuwa wakiwaabudu MAJINI; wengi wao waliwaamini hao majini”

“ Shetani anapoamuru watu wamfuate pia anawaamuru wafanye madhambi na wakose maadili. Huwataka waseme uongo kuhusu Mwenyezi Mungu kutokana na kutokujua kwao. Wanaweza kusema kuwa sisi wanaadamu tumeumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu. Mungu alijifanyisha na kuwa umbile la kibinadamu. Mungu amezaa, na mwanaye niwa pekee. Zaidi ya hayo mwanaye si mtoto tu bali ni Mungu pia. Huyo mwana ni Bwana Yesu. Asiyeamini hivyo huchukulika kuwa ni kafiri au muasi hivyo ameangamia na atakwenda jehanamu” (Asili ya Majini, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr Uk 54)

Hapa ndipo sura halisi ya huyu shetani yaani jinni inapojitokeza. Yesu alipokuwa duniani kabla Muhammad hajazaliwa, wala Uislamu haujaanzishwa na Mohamed wala Quran haijaandikwa na wale waarabu wanne Seyidna Abubakar, Omar, Othuman na Ally, Majini yaani mashetani yalipomuona Yesu yalimwita “ Mwana wa Mungu tuna nini nawe? Je, umekuja kututesa kabla ya muhula wetu? (Math 8:28-31) Mwaka 610 B.K majini hayo hayo yakaanza kuwadanganya waislamu kuwa Mwenyezi Mungu hana mwana (Quran 72:1-3) Na bila kuitafakari. Nao wao wanaamini tu kuwa Quran ni maneno ya Mungu bila kupambanua huyo ni Mungu yupi!!.

Katika Suratul An- Nisaa (Wanawake) 4:120

“ Shetani hawaahidi ila uwongo…………..”

Hii ndiyo sababu Mohammad mtume wa waislamu katika kitabu “ Wakeze Mtume Wakubwa na Wanawe kilichoandikwa na Sheikh Abdallah Saleh Farsy Uk. 12, Mohammad anasema:-

“ Najikhofia nafsi yangu kuchezewa na mashetani na kuni haribu akili yangu na kunizuga………………”

aliyasema maneno hayo baada yakubanwa na shetani (jinni) kule pangoni alikokuwa na baada ya hapo akaanza kujiita mtume. Hoja yetu ni mtume wa nani?

Katika Kitabu cha Ibn Ishaq 132-133
“ Kama huyu shetani (jinni) ambaye amekupagaa wewe ni yule ambaye huwezi kumtoa, tutamtafuta mganga na tutatumia vyote tulivyonavyo kukutibu kwa kuwa mara kwa mara shetani (jinni) humpagaa mtu. Lakini anaweza kuondolewa. Mtume alikuwa akisikiliza kwa makini”

Kisha baadaye na yeye Mohammad katika Sahihi Muslim Juzuu 4 Hadithi na. 2814 kasema
“ Wala hakuna yeyote katika nyinyi isipokuwa amepewa nguvu zinazotokana na majini. Wakasema (maswahaba) hata wewe mtume wa allah? Akasema hata mimi isipokuwa allah hunirahisishia juu yake hunyenyekea wala hayaniamrishi ila yaliyo mazuri”

Kwa hiyo majini ni ndugu za waislam Q. 46:29- ufafanuzi wake. Katika kitabu Asili ya Majini cha Sheikh Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr Uk 80 anasema “ Imepokewa na Khalid Ibn Walid kuwa kuna wakati alipatwa na ukosefu wa usingizi basi mtume (S.A.W) akamwambia “ Nikufundishe maneno ambayo ukiyasema utapata usingizi? Sema Ewe mola! Wewe ni mola wa mbingu saba na kile kilichofunikwa nazo. Nawewe ni mola wa ardhi na kilichomo humo. Nawe ni mola wa mashetani (majini) na maovu yao. Nakuomba uwe mlinzi wangu dhidi ya viumbe vyako vyote………..”

Hadithi hii inaonesha jinsi allah S.W. alivyo na uhusiano wa karibu na mashetani. Je, yeye ni nani?. Pia katika Q: 21:82, 34:12, 38:37 zinaeleza Allah alivyomtishia majini suleiman na yeye akiwa mlinzi wao hata kuwaadhibu wasiofanya vizuri.

Katika Quran 19:83 “ Je, huoni ya kuwa tumewatuma mashetani juu ya makafiri wanaowachochea kufanya mabaya?”

Katika Sahihi Muslim vol. IV H. 2667, Sahihi Al Bukhari Vol Vii H. 6243, Sunan Abuw Daud Vol II H. 2152.

“ Hakika Allah amemkadiria kila mtu kipimo chake cha zinaa, ambavyo haikosi kutimia kwake”

Tumeona kuwa majini au mashetani au pepo mchafu au Ibilisi walikuwa malaika walioasi walipotupwa chini huku duniani walitaka kurudi huko mbinguni lakini walishindwa.

Katika Q 72:8-10 (majini) majini yanasema

“ Nasi tulizigusa mbingu (tulikwenda mbinguni) tukaziona zimejaa walinzi wenye nguvu na nyota (zing’arazo) na hakika tulikuwa tukikaa humo katika baadhi ya makao ili kusikiliza lakini anayetaka kusikiliza sasa atakuta kimondo (kijinga cha moto) kinamvizia. Nasi hatujui kama wanatakiwa shari wale wanaokaa katika ardhi au mola wao anawatakia (heri).

Moja kati ya majina ya Allah ni AL-MUQADIM yaani, wa zamani (majina 99 ya Allah) majini yanajieleza kuwa hayajui Mungu wao ana watakia mazuri au mabaya wale wakaao duniani.

Mungu wa mbinguni anasema katika Biblia kitabu kilichokuweko kabla ya Quran.

Yer. 29:11 “ Maana nayajua mawazo ninayowawazia ninyi asema BWANA ni mawazo ya mani wala si ya mabaya kuwapa nyinyi tumaini siku zenu za mwisho.

Majini (mashetani) yanajua tu kuwa Yesu atayahukumu na hayajui lolote kuhusu mpango wa Mungu kumwokoa mwanadamu toka kwa shetani (majini)

Mtume Paul katika 2 Kor 11:14 “ Wala si ajabu shetani mwenyewe hujigeuza awe mfano wa malaika wa Nuru…………..” Pia katika 1 Tim 4:1 “ Basi roho anena wazi wazi ya kwamba nyakati za mwisho wengine (waislamu) watajitenga na imani wakisikiliza roho zidanganyazo na mafundisho ya mashetani (majini)” Tafakari Kuu: Allah katuma mashetani (majini) wako katika dini yake ya uislamu, yeye mwenyewe pamoja na wafuasi wake walikuwa wakifanyia kazi Suleiman wa ndani ya Quran na yeye allah S.W. akiwa msimamizi (Foreman) wao, mwisho wao wote pamoja na allah S.W. mwenyewe ni katika Jehanamu ya moto.

Yeye Allah atakuwa nani??? Tafakari wewe ndugu yangu Mkristo shika sana ulichonacho asije mtu akakunyang’anya!!!.

Na wewe rafiki yangu mwislamu okoa roho yako. Nenda kanisani ukajisalimishe upate nusura ya Mwenyezi Mungu!!

MOHAMMAD S.A.W MTUME WA WAISLMU, HAJAWAHI, SIYO , NA WALA HATAKUWA MTUME NA NABII WA KWELI

MOHAMMAD S.A.W MTUME WA WAISLMU, HAJAWAHI, SIYO , NA WALA HATAKUWA MTUME NA NABII WA KWELI

Nimesoma kwenye blog ya jamii forums na kuona Waislamu wakiwashawishi watu wengine wamuamini Mohammad kuwa naye ni miongoni mwa manabii na mitume wa Mungu aliye hai, jambo ambalo si kweli.Fuatilia…..

WAJUE MANABII WA UONGO
Na Mwalimu Daniel Mwankemwa

UTANGULIZI:
Suala linalohusu kuwajua manabii wa uongo , limekuwa linaleta shida sana kwa watu wengi, kwa sababu manabii hao wa uongo wanapokuja kwa watu kuleta ujumbe wao hudai “ tumetumwa na Mwenyezi Mungu kuleta ujumbe wake na hivyo kuwataka wanadamu kuupokea, kuuamini na kuufuata”. Inapotokea nabii amekuja kwa mtindo huo na akakutana na watu wasiojua kuwapambanua manabii na mitume kwa misingi ya Neno la Mungu, ndipo ukengeufu hutokea, na makundi ya aina mbalimbali ya imani za uongo hujitokeza.

Kwa hapa kwetu Tanzania,unaposoma katika Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania,Ibara ya 19 (i-iii) utakutana ma maelezo kuwa ,mfuasi wa dini yoyote anao uhuru wa kubadili dini yake ya awali na kujiunga na dini nyingine anayoona yeye kwake inamfaa. Lakini pamoja na uhuru huo si kila dini (njia) inafaa zingine zinaishia kwenye mauti ya milele.
Mith 14:12 “Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa machoni pa mtu, Lakini mwisho wake ni njia za mauti”. (Angalia pia Mith 16:25).

Miongoni mwa wanadamu wanaoitwa nabii na mtume, ni mtu aitwaye Muhammad s.a.w ibn Abdullah,ibn Abdu Mutallib, ambaye ni mtume na nabii katika dini ya Kiislamu.

Pengine wewe msomaji wa somo hili unaweza kushangaa ni kwa vipi sisi ambao si Waislamu bali Wakristo tuanze kuhoji habari za Muhammad s.a.w mtume wa Waislamu?. Jibu lake ni kwamba kitabu cha Qur’an kinachotumiwa na Waislamu kimetutaja sisi Wakristo mara 62 kikitutaka kuupokea ,kuuamini na hatimaye kuufuata ujumbe wa Muhammad s.a.w kwa madai ya kuwa yeye ni nabii na mtume wa mwisho hata kwetu Wakristo, aliyetumwa na Mungu.

Tunasoma hayo ndani ya Qur’an katika Suratul, Baqarah, (ng’ombe jike wa manjano), 2: 62 “Katika walioamini (Mitume ya zamani huko ) na Wayahudi na Wakristo na Wasabai, yoyote miongoni mwao atakayemwamini Mwenyezi Mungu (Sasa kama anavyosema Nabii Mohammed ) na akaamini siku ya mwisho na akafanya vitendo vizuri basi watapata thawabu zao kwa Mola wao, wala haitakuwa khofu juu yao wala hawatahuzunika”.

Kwetu sisi kama Wakristo japo katika aya hii tumetajwa , kuna swali ambalo tunajiuliza kuhusu unabii na utume wa Muhammad nalo ni hili “ HIVI MWENYEZI MUNGU ALISAHAU NINI KATIKA KAZI YAKE YOTE KAMILIFU YA KUMKOMBOA MWANADAMU KUTOKA KATIKA DHAMBI MPAKA AMLETE MUHAMMAD S.A.W?”.

Nabii ni mtu gani? Nabii ni mtu aliyeteuliwa rasmi kwa vigezo vya Kiungu ili kuleta ujumbe wa Mungu kwa wanadamu, kwa maneno mengine nabii ni msemaji wa siri za Mungu.
Nabii: Ni mtu ambaye ni msemaji wa Mungu (a mouthpiece of God) .Husimama kati ya Mungu na binadamu, mwenye jukumu la kupeleka ujumbe wa Mungu kwa watu. Nabii anapokuwa msemaji wa Mungu, huvuviwa na Roho wa Mungu, bila ujumbe wake kuwa na makosa. Nabii hujizuia kabisa utashi wake, nafsi yake,,na mawazo yake, anapokuwa anatoa ujumbe wa Kinabii toka kwa Mungu. Wakati mwingine Mungu mwenyewe hutia maneno yake vinywani mwao (Kum 18:18, Yer 1:9). Nabii ni mtumishi wa Mungu (Zekaria 1:6) na mjumbe wa Mungu 2 Nyak 36:15). Unabii wao umegawanyika katika makundi matatu: Unabii unaoelezea hatima ya Waisrael, Nabii zinazohusiana na ujio wa Masihi, na nabii zinazoelezea mambo yajayo (Eschatological prophets). Kwa hiyo Sheria na Manabii inahusiana na Torati (Pentateuch) yaani Mwanzo, Kutoka, Mambo ya Walawi, Hesabu na Kumbukumbu la Torati. Na manabii ni vile vingine vyote visivyo kuwa Torati.
Kitabu cha nabii Amos 3:7 “Hakika Bwana MUNGU hatafanya neno lolote, bila kuwafunulia watumishi wake manabii siri yake”Neno nabii asili yake ni katika lugha ya Kiebrani na maana yake mwonaji. 1Sam 9:9 “ Hapo zamani katika Israel, mtu alipokwenda kuuliza neno kwa Mungu, husema hivi, Haya! twende kwa mwonaji; maana mtu aitwaye sasa Nabii hapo zamani aliitwa mwonaji”.
Katika mstari huo hapo juu unatuonesha kuwa manabii wa kweli wa Mungu ni lazima chanzo cha ufunuo au ujumbe wao kiwe Mwenyezi Mungu mwenyewe (Roho Mtakatifu), au ndoto kutoka kwake, au maono kutoka kwake (Hes 12:6), au kupitia malaika watakatifu (Dan 8:15-21) . kinyume na hapo ni nabii wa uongo .

Tahadhari ya Bwana Yesu: Bwana Yesu alipokuwa hapa duniani alituonya kuhusu kuwatambua manabii na mitume wa uongo kabla Muhammad hajazaliwa (amezaliwa 570 B.K), wala kabla Uislamu haujaanzishwa na Muhammad mwaka 610 B.K, wala kabla ya kuwepo kitabu kinachoitwa Qur’an. Tunayasoma maonyo hayo ya Bwana Yesu katika

Mathayo 7:15-16 “Jihadharini na manabii wa uongo, watu wanaowajia wamevaa mavazi ya kondoo, walakini kwa ndani ni mbwa mwitu wakali, mtawatambua kwa matunda yao”.

Mathayo 24:11-13 “Na manabii wengi wa uongo watatokea na kuwadanganya wengi na kwasababu ya kuongezeka maasi, upendo wa wengi utapoa. Lakini mwenye kuvumilia mpaka mwisho, ndiye atakayeokoka”.

Mitume wa Bwana Yesu walisisitiza sana wakikazia kuhusu onyo la Yesu juu ya kuwajua manabii na mitume wa uongo .
1Yohana 4:1-3,15 “Wapenzi msiamini kila roho, bali zijaribuni hizo roho, ya kwamba zimetokana na Mungu kwa sababu manabii wa uongo wengi wametokea duniani.Katika hili mwamjua Roho wa Mungu; kila roho ikiriyo kwamba Yesu Kristo amekuja katika mwili yatokana na Mungu. Na kila roho isiyomkiri Yesu haitokani na Mungu. Na hii ndiyo roho ya mpinga Kristo ambayo mmesikia kwamba yaja na sasa imekwisha kuwako duniani. 15 “ Kila akiriye ya kuwa Yesu ni Mwana wa Mungu, Mungu hukaa ndani yake naye ndani ya Mungu”

Vigezo hivi tulivyopewa na Biblia Takatifu kuwajua manabii na mitume wa uongo ni muhimu sana tukavichunguza katika maisha ya wale wanaoitwa nabii au mtume .

Nabii wa kweli hupata ufunuo wake kwa njia ya Roho Mtakatifu:- 2Petro 1:20-21.” Mkijua neno hili kwanza,ya kwamba hakuna unabii katika maandiko upatao kufasiriwa kama apendavyo mtu fulani tu.Maana unabii haukuletwa popote kwa mapenzi ya mwanadamu;bali wanadamu walinena yaliyotoka kwa Mungu,wakiongozwa na Roho Mtakatifu”.

1 Petro1:10-11 “Katika habari ya wokovu huo manabii walitafuta tafuta na kuchunguza chunguza ambao walitabiri habari za neema itakayowafikia ninyi. Wakatafuta ni wakati upi na wakati wa namna gani ulioonywa NA ROHO WA KRISTO ALIYEKUWA NDANI YAO ambaye alitangulia kuyashuhudia mateso yatakayompata Kristo na utukufu utakaokuwako baada ya hayo…..” (maneno ya msisitizo kwa herufi kubwa ni ya mwandishi)

Ufunuo 19:10 “Nami nikaanguka mbele ya miguu yake, ili nimsujudie; akaniambia, Angalia, usifanye hivi; mimi ni mjoli wako na wa ndugu zako walio na ushuhuda wa Yesu. Msujudie Mungu. Kwa maana ushuhuda wa Yesu ndiyo roho ya unabii”

Hivyo manabii walisema ndani yao wakiongozwa na Roho wa Kristo mwenyewe, kabla hajaja ulimwenguni katika mwili. Je Muhammad s.a.w ni miongoni mwao hata tuuamini ujumbe wake?

Muhammad hakujua kusoma wala kuandika
Qur’an 7:157
Ambao wanamfuata mtume nabii aliye ummy (asiyejua kusoma wala kuandika) na juu ya hivi atafundisha mafundisho hayo ya ajabu ya uislamu……….

Na ushahidi mwingine unapatikana katika kitabu cha Maisha ya nabii Muhammad uk 8 kilichoandikwa na Sheikh Abdallah Saleh Al-Farsy, tunasoma kama ifuatavyo katika kipengele cha kujifunza kwake;-

Habari ya kusoma haijakuwako katika nchi ya hijazi, hivyo mtume aliondokea kama Makureshi wengine bila ya kujua kusoma wala kusoma kilichoandikwa. Elimu yao ilikuwa kujifundisha mambo yanayohusu maisha yao ya kibedui, kama vita, kutunga mashairi ya kujisifu ushujaa wao na kutunga hotuba zinazoweza kuharakisha watu wapigane bila ya kufikiri.

Hivyo basi Muhammad katika maisha yake hakujua kusoma wala kuandika na ndivyo alivyoishi katika maisha yake yote.

Je Yesu alijua kusoma na kuandika? Luka 4:16-17. HOJA ya Waislamu wanasema katika Yoh 7:14 Yesu akiwa Yerusalemu watu wakashangaa kuwa amepataje elimu ambaye hakusoma? Ukweli ni kwamba Yerusalemu siko alikokulia Yesu. Yeye Yesu amekulia Nazareti ambako wanamfahamu kuwa anajua kusoma na ndiyo sababu alipewa chuo cha nabii Isaya ili akisome.

JINSI MUHAMMAD (S.A.W) ALIVYOPATA UTUME NA WAHYI (UFUNUO) WAKE

Ufunuo aliokuja nao Muhammad s.a.w , mtume wa Waislamu, ni tofauti sana na mitume wote walioishi kabla yake wanaotajwa ndani ya Biblia Takatifu. Tofauti yake ni kwamba manabii na mitume wote waliotajwa ndani ya Biblia Takatifu, wameandika watu mbalimbali wapatao 40 kwa miaka mingi sana inayokaribia 1500, lakini ufunuo wao ni wa aina moja (it has comformity). Ule unabii wa Agano la Kale umetimizwa katika Agano Jipya. Hii ni kwa sababu chanzo cha ufunuo huo ni kimoja, Roho Mtakatifu.

Lakini kwa upande wa Muhammad s.a.w , mtume wa Waislamu yeye chanzo cha ufunuo na hatimaye utume wake ni masuala yenye utata sana ambao hata wafuasi wa dini hiyo na wao hawajui kwa hakika ukweli ni upi.

Hebu tuangalie kwa ufupi utata huo.

Muhammad s.a.w alipotimiza umri wa miaka 38 alihama toka nyumbani kwake, akahamia katika mapango yaliyokuwa hapo karibu na mji wa Makka. Alipofikisha umri wa miaka 40 siku moja alitokewa na kiumbe ambacho Waislamu leo wanakiita Malaika Jibril.

Wahyi (ufunuo) uliokuja kwa Muhammad alisikia makengele,uso kuwa mwekundu,jasho kumtoka. Katika Bukhar, Hadithi na 2, Juzuu na 1,Al-Lu’lu Kitabu cha 3.Uk. Na.874 Hadithi na 1505 “Hadithi ya Aisha r.a mama wa waumini amesema, kuwa Al Harith ibn Hisham r.a alimuuliza mtume wa Allah s.a.w ‘ Ewe mtume wa Allah hivi wahyi (ufunuo) hukujia vipi?’ mtume wa Allah s.a.w akajibu, “ Wakati mwingine hunijia kama mlio wa kengele, na aina hiyo ndiyo ngumu zaidi kwangu, inaondolewa hali hiyo kwangu wakati tayari nimeshapata wahyi. Na nyakati nyengine malaika anakuja kwangu akiwa katika mfano wa mtu, kwa hiyo ananieleza na ninayazingatia aliyoyasema.” Aisha r.a alisema , Na hakika nilimwona unamshukia wahyi siku ya baridi kali na ilipomuondoka hali hiyo, paji lake la uso lilichuruzika jasho.”

Qurani 53:2 – 6 Suratul Najm (Nyota) “Kwamba mtu wenu huyu Nabii Muhamad (hakupotea kwa ujinga) na wala hakukosa (Na hali ya kuwa anajua). Wala hasemi kwa matamanio (ya nafsi yake). Hayakuwa haya (anayosema) ila ni wahyi (ufunuo) uliofunuliwa (kwake). Amemfundisha (malaika) mwenye nguvu sana. Mwenye uweza na yeye (huyu Jibril) akalingana sawa sawa.

Huyu malaika Jibril ndiye Waislamu wanasema alimtokea Muhammad kule pangoni na kwamba yeye huyo malaika Jibril ndiye Roho Mtakatifu. Tunaposoma ufafanuzi wa aya ya 2:87 ya Suratul Baqarah, uliyomo ndani ya Qur’an unasema “Kwa Waislamu Roho Mtakatifu ni Malaika Jibril si yule wanaodai Wakristo kuwa ni mmoja wa asili ya utatu (Trinity)”.

Jambo ninalopenda ulijue ni kwamba Waislamu wote hawakubahatika kupewa elimu ya Roho. Hii ni kuanzia mtume na nabii wao Muhammad . Tunasoma hayo katika Qur’an 3:7 “Yeye ndiye aliyekuteremshia kitabu (hiki Qur’an) ndani yake zimo aya Muhkam (nyepesi kufahamika) ambazo ndizo msingi (asili) wa kitabu (hiki) na ziko nyingine Mutashabihat (zinababaisha kama habari za akhera,za peponi na motoni na mengine ambayo yamekhusika na Roho).Wale ambao nyoyoni mwao mna upotofu wanafuata zile zinazo babaisha kwa kutaka kuwaharibu watu na kutaka kujua hakika yake vipi; na hakuna ajuaye hakika yake vipi ila Mwenyezi Mungu. Na wale waliozama katika ilimu husema:”Tumeziamini,zote zimetoka kwa Mola wetu.”Na hawakumbuki isipokuwa wenye akili.”

Qur’an 17:85 Suratul Ban Israil (Wana wa Israeli). “Na wanakuuliza habari ya roho.Sema roho ni jambo lililohusika na Mola wangu (Mwenyezi Mungu),Nanyi hamkupewa katika ilimu (ujuzi) ila kidogo kabisa.(Nayo ni ilimu ya vitu visivyokhusika na roho”).

Hivyo katika Uislamu elimu ya Roho hawana kwa mujibu wa Qur’an. Hii ndiyo sababu mara nyingi wao hushughulikia sana mambo ya nje (externalistics) zaidi kuliko ya Rohoni k.m kutawadha na kupandisha maji puani wakiamini wamemtoa Shetani aliyekuwa ndani ya pua. Katika kitabu kiitwacho Al-Lu’lu’ wal-Marjan, Juzuu 1. Hadithi na 183 uk. 96 inasomeka hivi “Amesimulia Abu Huraira (r.a), Mtume (s.a.w) alisema, “Mmoja wenu anapoamka kutoka usingizini, basi atawadhe na apandishe maji puani na apenge mara tatu, kwa sababu Shetani alilala ndani ya tundu za pua yake”. (Bukhari, Hadithi, Na.516 Juzuu 4)

Baada ya kufahamu jinsi Waislamu wasivyokuwa na elimu ya Roho, ndipo tunapoanza kuhoji huyo malaika anayeitwa Jibril ni nani ? Je ni malaika wa Mungu wa Kweli YEHOVA?.

Biblia Takatifu inaeleza juu ya malaika walioasi mbinguni kisha wakafukuzwa na kutupwa huku chini. 1Petro 2:4 “Kwa maana ikiwa Mungu hakuwaachia “malaika waliokosa” bali aliwatupa shimoni akawatia katika vifungo vya giza walindwe hata ije siku ya hukumu”.

Kwa mafundisho haya ya Biblia yanatuonesha kuwa kuna kundi moja la malaika liliasi na likafukuzwa na hadi sasa kundi hilo linasubiri hukumu. Kundi hilo leo linaitwa Shetani,Majini au Mapepo wachafu.

Lakini tusomapo kitabu cha Qur’an , kitabu kilichokuja baadaye sana karne ya 7 (610 B.K) ,baada ya kitabu cha Biblia, ndani yake tunapata taarifa tofauti kuhusu malaika.

Qurani 32:13 Suratul As – Sajdah (Kusujudu) “Na tungalitaka tungempa kila mtu uwongofu wake (kwa lazima kama tulivyowapa malaika…”

Ufafanuzi wa aya ya 13 ulio ndani ya Qurani unasomeka hivi:.
“Angetaka Mwenyezi Mungu angemuumba binadamu kama malaika hawezi kufanya mabaya, maumbile yake ni kufanya mema tu; kwa hiyo halipwi kwa mema yake hayo kwani hayaonei taabu katika kuyafanya. Lakini binadamu ameumbwa kwa uweza wa yote mawili sawasawa na raha yake zaidi ni kufanya mabaya”

Aya hii na ufafanuzi wake, vinaeleza kuwa malaika wote wa Mungu wa Muhammad ni wema hakuna aliyekosa, na kuwa miongoni mwa malaika hao mmojawao ndiye aliyemtokea Muhammad na kumpa utume na ufunuo wa Qur’an. Sasa hebu tuchunguze kule pangoni alikokuweko Muhammad ili kupata utume alitokewa na kiumbe gani?. Tutaongozwa na vitabu vya dini ya Kiislamu.

Katika kitabu kiitwacho: Maisha Ya Nabii Muhammad s.a.w uk 16-17 kilichoandikwa na Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Al-Farsy, tunasoma kama ifuatavyo;-

Hata siku moja- katika mwezi wa Ramadhani mwezi 17, Jumatatu katika mwaka wa 40 ½ wa umri wake- mtume alimwona mtu kamsimamia mbele yake bila ya kumwona wapi katokea, akamwambia; “soma”. Mtume akamjibu; “Mimi sijui kusoma kwani sijapata kujifundisha kusoma.” Akaja akamkamata akambana, akamwambia tena; “soma,” Mtume akamjibu jawabu yake ileile. Hata mara ya tau akamwambia; “soma- Iqraa Bismi Rabbik.” Akamsomea sura hiyo ya 96 mpaka kati yake. Kisha mtume akaisoma kama alivyosomewa. Hii ndiyo sura ya kwanza kushuka katika Qur’an, ingawa haijawekwa mwanzo.

Mara, yule mtu (Malaika) akaondoka machoni mwake- asimwone kenda wapi. Na mtume naye akarejea kwake-khofu imemshika. Alipofika nyumbani, Bibi Kadhija alidhani ana homa, akamfunika maguo gubigubi na akakaa mbele yake akimsikiliza anavyoweweseka. Hata homa ilipomwachia alimweleza Bibi Kadhija yote yaliyomtokea; na Bibi Kadhija akamtuliza moyo wake, akamyakinishia ya kuwa hapana lolote baya litakalomzukia. Mara bibi huyu akaondoka akenda kwa jamaa yake – Bwana Waraqa bin Naufal- akampa habari yote iliyompata mumewe. Naye akamwamrisha amwite. Na mtume akenda akamweleza habari yake yote. Bwana Waraqa akamwambia; “ Huyo ndiye Jibril aliyemshukia Nabii Musa na Nabii Isa. Basi jibashirie kuwa wewe ni mtume wa umma huu, nami natamani kuwa hai nikuone unavyosimama kuwatengeneza jamaa zako; Inshaallah nitakuwa mkono wako wa kulia” Wakarejea kwao na khofu yote imemtoka”.

Alipokuwa pangoni alichezewa na Shetani: Katika kitabu kiitwacho “ Wakeze Mtume Wakubwa Na Wanawe” kilichoandikwa na Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Al Farsy uk.12 tunasoma maneno haya

“Basi Mtume akafanya hofu akarejea kwa mkewe akamhadithia; na pale pale homa kubwa kabisa ikampanda akataka afunikwe maguo. Mara akawa anatetemeka kwa nderema na anaweweseka na kusema “Najikhofia nafsi yangu kuchezewa na shetani na kuniharibu akili yangu na kunizuga”. Bibi Khadija palepale alimdakiza akamwambia; “ Wacha hayo; Siyo yatakayokuwa hayo. Wewe huwezi kuchezewa na mashetani. Shetani hawezi kumchezea mtu mwenye sifa zako. Wewe unatazama vyema jamaa zako, unachukuwa mizigo ya hata watu wasiokuwa wako, unawadhihirishia watu sifa zako nzuri ambazo hakuna mwenye nazo. Unafanya hivi na unafanya hivi. Furahi ndugu yangu. Tua moyo wako, Wallahi! Mimi naona umekwishakuwa mtume”.

Katika tukio hili lililompata Muhammad akiwa pangoni , ndipo Waislamu wote ulimwenguni wanapolieleza kuwa hapo ndipo Muhammad s.a.w alipoletewa wahyi (ufunuo) na kupewa unabii na utume. Lakini unapotafakari juu ya ujumbe huo utaona kuwa hata yeye mwenyewe hajui nini kilichokuwa kimemtokea kule pangoni. Ndiyo maana tunasoma kuwa alipofika nyumbani kwake mkewe Bi. Khadija alimfunika nguo mumewe akidhani ana homa. Muhammad alimweleza mkewe kilichomtokea kuwa ni “Shetani” hakumsema malaika yeyote kama Waislamu wanavyotaka kutuaminisha leo. Kwa sababu kama angekuwa ni malaika kama tunavyosoma ndani ya Biblia ,asingesita kujitambulisha kwa Muhammad kuwa yeye ni nani. Hii ni hoja ya kwanza.

Hoja ya pili tunaona kuna mtu anaitwa Waraqah ibn Naufal, binamu yake na mke wa Muhammad s.a.w Bi Khadija. Yeye Waraqah anamwambia Muhammad huyo aliyekutokea ni malaika Jibril. Basi jibashirie kuwa wewe ni mtume wa umma huu !!!!! Je alikuweko pangoni wakati Muhammad s.a.w akitokewa na kiumbe asichokijua?.

Hoja ya tatu tunaona hata huyo mkewe Muhammad anamwambia mumewe utume huo !!!!!!! Je na yeye alikuweko pangoni? Kama hakuweko ni nani aliyemwambia kuwa yule ni malaika Jibril ikiwa Muhammad mwenyewe aliyetokewa alisema nimetokewa na Shetani? Tafakari

Katika kitabu kiitwacho Tafsir Al-Kashif, cha Muhammad Jawad Mughniyyah, uk74 paragrafu ya 7 inasomeka“ Hakuna njia ya kumjua Iblis, Shetani na Jini, isipokuwa kwa njia ya wahyi (ufunuo) tu”

Qurani Suratul Sad 38:69 Muhammad amenukuliwa akisema “Sikuwa na ilimu ya viumbe watukufu(Malaika)…

Kwa sababu ya Muhammad s.a.w kutowajua malaika kwake yeye anasema unapomwona punda akilia basi kamwona Shetani. Katika Kitabu kiitwacho Mkweli Mwaminifu, Juzuu 3-4 Hadith 789 uk 38 “ Punda akilia kamwona Shatani”

Jambo hilo ni tofauti na jinsi Biblia Takatifu inavyoeleza kuhusu punda. Mungu anaweza kumtumia hata punda kuongea na wanadamu ili kuwajulisha ujumbe wake. Katika kitabu cha Hesabu 22:22-31 tunasoma habari ya Balaamu jinsi Mungu alivyomtumia punda kumwambia Balaamu asiendelee na safari yake , baada ya punda huyo kumwona malaika wa Bwana akiwa ameshika upanga na amesimama mbele yao akiwa amezuia njia aliyotakiwa kupita. Punda alimwambia Balaamu ule msitari wa 30-31 “ Yule punda akamwambia Balaamu, Je mimi si punda wako, nawe umenipanda maisha yako yote hata leo? Nimezoea kukutenda hayo? Akasema La!. Ndipo Bwana akafunua macho ya Balaamu, akamwona malaika wa BWANA amesimama njiani, ana upanga mkononi mwake, umekwisha kufutwa; naye akainama kichwa, akaanguka kifudufudi”

Inaonekana kwa tukio hili lililomtokea Balaamu, Mungu alimfunua macho yake akamwona malaika. Lakini kwa Muhammad yeye anachokiona ni Shetani tu. Na ndiyo maana anasema punda akilia amemwona Shetani

Kwa hiyo kama ufunuo wa Muhammad unaanza na Shetani kama vitabu sahihi vya dini ya Kiislamu vinavyoeleza, kwa mujibu wa ufafanuzi wa kitabu hicho cha Tafsir Al Kashif, inaonesha kwamba ufunuo, unabii na hata utume wa Muhammad una walakini mkubwa ukilinganisha na ujumbe wa manabii na mitume waliotajwa ndani ya Biblia Takatifu.

Katika Biblia shetani ametajwa kuwa anaweza kujigeuza awe mfano wa malaika wa nuru.
2 Wakorintho 11:13-15 “Maana watu kama hao ni mitume wa uongo, watendao kazi kwa hila wanaojigeuza wawe mfano wa mitume wa Kristo. Wala si ajabu, maana shetani mwenyewe hujigeuza awe mfano wa malaika wa nuru. Basi si neno kubwa watumishi wake nao wakajigeuza wawe mfano wa watumishi wa haki, ambao mwisho wao utakuwa sawasawa na kazi zao”.

Muhammad akiwa Medina aliulizwa na Wayahudi ikiwa ufunuo wake umetoka kwa Mungu wa Kweli kwa kumtaka atoe sifa za manabii. Akijibu swali hilo alisema:
Mkweli Mwaminifu Juzuu 3-4 Uk.63.Hadithi Na. 880. “Kasema Mtume (s.a.w):- (Mambo) mane ya sheria za mitume (Kuwa na) na haya,na kujipaka mafuta mazuri,na kuowa (wake),na kupiga mswaki.

Hizi si sifa za Ki-Mungu kwa nabii na mtume bali ni za kibinadamu tu.

Manabii na watu mbalimbali katika Biblia hawakuona haya. Soma Isaya 50:7 “ Maana Bwana MUNGU atanisaidia; kwa sababu hiyo sikutahayari, kwa sababu hiyo nimeukaza uso wangu kama gumegume, nami najua ya kuwa sitaona haya”. Zaburi 34:5 “ Wakamwelekea macho wakatiwa nuru, Wala nyuso zao hazitaona haya” Zab 119:46 “ Nitazinena shuhuda zako mbele ya wafalme, Wala sitaona aibu” Warumi 1:16 “ Kwa maana siionei haya Injili; kwa sababu ni uweza wa Mungu uuletao wokovu, kwa kila aaminiye kwa Myahudi kwanza , na kwa Myunani pia” 1Petro 4:16 “ Lakini ikiwa kwa sababu ni Mkristo asione haya, bali amtukuze Mungu katika jina hilo.

Zaidi ya hayo tunaona Muhammad alirogwa. Kurogwa ni hali ya mtu kuathirika na nguvu za giza yaani uchawi.. Je nabii au mtume wa Mwenyezi Mungu wa Kweli anaweza kurogwa?

Katika Qur’an Suratul Ban-Israel, 17:47 “ Tunajua sana, sababu wanayosikiliza, na wanaponong’ona, wanaposema hao madhalimu. Nyinyi hamfuati isipokuwa mtu aliyerogwa”
Pia katika Suratul Falaq, 113:1-5 “ Ninajikinga kwa mola wa ulimwengu wote na shari ya Alivyoviumba, na shari ya giza la usiku liingiapo, na shari ya wale wanaopulizia (vivia) mafundoni (wakavunja) mashikamano yaliyo baina ya watu yaani shari ya mafatani, Na shari ya hasidi anapohusudu”

Tunasoma tukio hilo katika ufafanuzi wake uliyomo ndani ya Qur’an chapa ya nane uk.977 unaofafanua Sura ya 113-114 “Athari ya uchawi juu ya mtume (s.a.w). Swali la pili lijitokezalo kuhusu sura mbili hizi ni kwamba kwa mujibu wa hadithi uchawi ulifanywa dhidi ya mtume (s.a.w) naye akawa mgonjwa, na ili kuiondoa athari hiyo ya uchawi Jibril (a.s) alikuja na kumpa maelekezo Mtume (s.a.w) ya kusoma sura mbili hizi. Watafiti wengi zamani na wa sasa wamelifanyia upinzani jambo hilo, kwamba ikiwa hadithi zitakubaliwa, basi mfumo wote wa sharia utakuwa ni wa kutiliwa shaka, kwa sababu kama mtume (s.a.w) aliweza kuathirika kwa uchawi, na kwa mujibu wa hadithi hizi kweli uchawi huo ulionesha athari yake, basi hatuwezi kukaidi au kukana hadi kiwango gani maadui waliweza kumfanya Mtume (s.a.w) aseme na atende mambo kwa nguvu ya uchawi, na katika mafundisho yake mambo mangapi yatoka kwa Allah na mangapi yatokana na athari ya uchawi juu yake. Si hiyo tu, bali pia wasema kuwa baada ya kuyatambua hayo kuwa ni kweli katu haitawezekana hata kule kukaidi kuwa (s.a.w) alishawishiwa kudai utume kwa mauzauza ya kinjozi kuwa alimjia malaika. Pia wanasema hadithi hizi zapingana na Qur’an, na kama ilivyo katika Qur’an kuwa tuhuma hiyo batili kwa makafiri ilivyotajwa kuwa mtume s.a.w amerogwa naye ameathirika na uchawi: wanaposema hao madhalimu, ‘Ninyi hamumfuati isipokuwa mtu aliyerogwa’.” (17:47), lakini hadithi hizi zinathibitisha madai ya makafiri kuwa kwa kweli aliathirika na kuongozwa na uchawi……Kadri historia inavyohusika,ukweli kuwa kiasi fulani cha athari ya uchawi juu ya Mtume (s.a.w) ni hakika iliyothibiti; na kama kwa ustadi wa ubishi inawezekana kuthibitisha kuwa kweli.Limesimuliwa jambo hilo na Bukhari, Muslim, Nasai, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, ‘Abdur Razzaq, Humaid, Baihaqi, Tabarani, Ibn Sa’d, Ibn Marduyah, Ibn Abi Shaibah, Hakim, Abd bin Humaid na Muhadithina wengine toka kwa Bi. ‘Aisha (r.a), Zaid bin Arqam, Ibn ‘Abbas kupitia silsila nyingi mno kiasi kwamba jambo lenyewe limefikia hali ya ufululizo kamili, isipokuwa kila Hadithi, yenyewe ni ripoti kamili.

Hii ni uthibitisho mwingine mzito unaoonesha kuwa utume wa Muhammad una utata. Ikiwa na wao Waislamu kwa mujibu wa hadithi hizi hawajui ni mambo mangapi Muhammad aliyoyasema yanatoka kwa Allah na mangapi aliyasema akiwa ameshinikizwa na wachawi , Je ufunuo na utume wake utakuwa umetoka kwa Mungu wa Kweli? Tafakari !!1
Ndani ya Biblia Takatifu hakuma kurogwa kwa mtu wa Mungu. Hesabu 23:23 “ Hakika hapana uchawi juu ya Yakobo, Wala hapana uganga juu ya Israel. Sasa habari za Yakobo na Israel zitasemwa , Ni mambo gani aliyoyatenda Mungu!”

Kwa mujibu wa kitabu cha Biblia Takatifu, manabii na mitume wa kweli wa Bwana Mungu wanatoka katika taifa la Israel.
Kitabu cha Ezekiel 13:9 “ Na mkono wangu utakuwa juu ya manabii wanaoona ubatili, na kutabiri uongo;hawatakuwa katika mashauri ya watu wangu, wala hawataandikwa katika maandiko ya nyumba ya Israel, wala hawataingia katika nchi ya Israel; Nanyi mtajua ya kuwa mimi ndimi Bwana MUNGU” .

Pia kwa mujibu wa kitabu cha Qur’an manabii na mitume ni lazima watoke kwa Yakobo ambaye ni mtoto wa Is-haqa ambaye naye ni mtoto wa Ibrahim. Qur’an Suratul Al-Ankabuut, (Buibui), 29:27 “ Na tulimpa (kumzaa nabii) Is-haqa na (kumjukuu nabii) Yakubu na tukauweka katika kizazi chake unabii na (kupata) kitabu, na tukampa ujira wake katika dunia; naye katika akhera kwa yakini atakuwa miongoni mwa watu wema”.

Aya hii, inaendelea kusisitiza kuwa ni kupitia kizazi cha Yakobo ndiko uliko unabii na kupata kitabu. Kwa bahati mbaya Muhammad ibn Abdullah, hatoki katika kizazi hicho wala kwa Ishmael kama wanavyodai Waislamu . Kwa sababu Ishmael ni Mwebrania kama baba yake mzee Ibrahim alivyo Mwebrania (Mwanzo 14:13) na Muhammad ni mwarabu kutoka kabila la Maqureysh. Kwa kutambua hilo ndipo tunamwoma Muhammad akiwaonya watu wengine wajiepushe na watu wa kabila lake.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.1.Hadithi Na. 801 na Al-Lu’lu Kitabu cha 3. Uk.1089.Hadithi Na.1846 inasomeka“Hadithi ya Abu Huraira (r.a) amesema ,“Mtume wa Allah (s.a.w) amesema,Kabila hili la Makuraish litawateketeza watu.’ Wakauliza, ‘Unatushauri nini?’ Akasema, Nashauri watu wajitenge nalo.”

Kumzamisha nzi kwenye kinywaji
Bukhar vol. 4 Hadith 537 “ Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said: If a house fly falls in the drink of any one of you, he should dip it (in the drink) for one of its wings has a disease and the other has the cure for the disease”

Tafsiri: Ilisimuliwa na Abu Huraira: Nabii alisema kama nzi akiangukia ndani ya kinywaji cha mmoja wenu, anapaswa kumzamisha kabisa (ndani ya kinywaji) kwa kuwa bawa lake moja lina ugonjwa na bawa lake jingine lina dawa

Mitume wa Yesu ndani ya Biblia Takatifu walikwisha kutuonya kuhusu uchafu huo. Katika 2 Kor 7:1 “Basi, wapenzi wangu, kwa kuwa tuna ahadi hizo, na tujitakase nafsi zetu na uchafu wote wa mwili na roho, huku tukitimiza utakatifu katika kumcha Mungu”

Miongoni mwa mafundisho ya Muhammad ni kwamba kuna mambo kumi yanayokamilisha Uislamu nayo tunayasoma katika kitabu kiitwacho Mkweli Mwaminifu , Kilichoandikwa na Sheikh Said Moosa Al-Kindy wa Muscut, Juzuu 3-4 Uk 63.Hadithi Na.880 “ Kasema Mtume (s.a.w) (Mambo) kumi ya Uislamu (yanayokamilisha Uislamu):Kukata masharubu,na kuziweka ndevu,nakuziweka ndevu (kutozinyoa) ndevu,na kupiga mswaki,kusafisha ndani ya pua kwa maji,na kukata kucha,kuosha mikono baina ya vidole,na kung’oa (au kunyoa) nywele za kwapani,na kunyoa nywele za mbeleni (mavuzi),na upungufu wa maji. La kumi,kasema sahaba aliepokea hadithi hii kuwa nimesahau,lakini kasema bila shaka la kumi ni “kutahiriwa.”

Kwa mujibu wa Biblia manabii na mitume wanathibitishwa kwa njia ya miujiza.
Kutoka 14:21” Musa akanyosha mkono wake juu ya bahari,BWANA akaifanya bahari irudi nyuma kwa upepo wa nguvu utokao mashariki,usiku kucha,akaifanya bahari kuwa nchi kavu”.

Matendo 19:11-12 “Mungu alifanya kwa mikono ya Paulo miujiza ya kupita kawaida . Hata wagonjwa wakaletewa leso na nguo zilizotoka mwilini mwake magonjwa yao yakawaondokea, pepo wachafu wakawatoka”. Tazama pia Matendo 16:16-18, 20:7-12 na Matendo 13:6-12.

Qur’an nayo inathibitisha kuwa manabii na mitume ni lazima wafanye miujiza.

Qurani 40:78 Suratul Al-Muumini [Waumini] inasomeka “Na kwa yakini tumewatuma mitume kabla yako wengime katika wao tumekusimulia (majina yao na habari zao) na wengine hatukukusimulia na haikuwa kwa mtume yoyote kuleta muujiza wowote ila kwa idhini ya Mwenyezi Mungu”

Muhammad hakupewa kufanya muujiza wowote ili kuthibitisha madai ya unabii na utume wake.
Qur’an 29:50 Suratul Al-Ankabuut (Buibui). “Na walisema “Mbona hakuteremshiwa miujiza kutoka kwa Mola wake? Sema miujiza iko kwa Mwenyezi Mungu tu (akitaka atakuteremshieni na kama hataki basi),nami hakika ni mwonyaji mbainishaji (dhahiri tu).” (Taz. Qur,an 6:35-37 13:7,)

Katika Qur’an iko aya ambayo tunapaswa tuitafakari wote kwa pamoja.Katika Surat An-Nisaa, (wanawake), 4:79 “Wema uliokufikia unatoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu na ubaya uliokufikia unatoka nafsini mwako, mwenyewe umefanya mambo hata yakakufika hayo. Nasi tumekupeleka kwa watu kuwa mtume na Mwenyezi Mungu ni shahidi wa kutosha (hapaitajiwi shahidi mwingine)”

Aya hii inaonesha kuwa Muhammad mtume wa Waislamu, alipelekwa kwa watu kuwa mtume, huku Mwenyezi Mungu akiwa shahidi tu. Siku zote shahidi si mtendaji bali ni mwonaji tu wa tendo lililotendeka.Hoja yetu tungependa kuwajua hao watu waliompeleka Muhammad kwa watu ni akina nani?. Kwa sababu tumeona kule nyuma baada ya Muhammad kutoka pangoni, mkewe Bi. Khadija anamwambia Muhammad kuwa “utume huo!!!!!!! Na Bwana Waraqah ibn Naufal akimwambia Muhammad kuwa “ basi jibashirie kuwa wewe ni mtume wa umma huu” kabla ya Qur’an .Je hao si wale “Nasi tumekupeleka” wanaotajwa kwenye aya hiyo hapo juu? Tafakari!! .

Waislamu hudai kuwa Muhammad ametumwa na Mwenyezi Mungu wao, ambaye ni Mfalme wa Wafalme . Lakini tusomapo Biblia Takatifu katika kitabu cha Ufunuo 17:14 “ Hawa watafanya vita na Mwanakondoo, na Mwanakondoo atawashinda, kwa maana Yeye ni Bwana wa Mabwana, na Mfalme wa Wafalme; na hao walio pamoja naye ndiyo walioitwa na wateule, na waaminifu”

Katika Ufunuo 19:11-16 “ Kisha nikaziona mbingu zimefunuka, na tazama, farasi mweupe, na yeye aliyempanda, aitwaye Mwaminifu na Wa-kweli, naye kwa haki ahukumu na kufanya vita. Na macho yake yalikuwa kama mwali wa moto, na juu ya kichwa chake vilemba vingi; naye ana jina lililoandikwa, asilolijua mtu ila yeye mwenyewe. Naye amevikwa vazi lililochovywa katika damu, na jina lake aitwa Neno la Mungu. Na majeshi yaliyo mbinguni wakamfuata, wamepanda farasi weupe na kuvikwa kitani nzuri, nyeupe, safi. Na upanga mkali hutoka kinywani mwake ili awapige mataifa kwa huo. Naye atawachunga kwa fimbo ya chuma, naye anakanyaga shinikizo la mvinyo ya ghadhabu ya hasira ya Mungu Mwenyezi. Naye ana jina limeandikwa katika vazi lake na paja lake, MFALME WA WAFALME NA BWANA WA MABWANA “

Yesu Kristo ndiye Mfalme wa Wafalme na Bwana wa Mabwana.Lakini tunaposoma Hadithi sahihi za Kiislamu zinaeleza kuwa adui mkubwa wa Allah (s.w) Mungu wanayemwabudu Waislamu, ni yule anayeitwa Mfalme wa Wafalme.
Sahih Al- Bukhari, Vol.8.Hadithi Na.225, Al-Lu’lu Wal-marjan,Juzuu ya 3,Hadithi Na.1385 “Hadithi ya Abu Huraira (r.a) amesema,Mtume wa Allah (s.a.w) amesema,”Majina yaliyo dhalili mno na mabaya mbele za Allah ni mtu kujiita,Malikil-Amlaak (Mfalme wa Wafalme).”

Hivyo, ufunuo aliopokea Muhammad, ambao anatutaka na sisi Wakristo tuuamini haujatoka kwa Mungu tunayemwamini sisi Wakristo, yaani, Yesu Kristo.Bali kama alivyonukuliwa katika vitabu vya Kiislamu, unatokana na kuchezewa na Shetani, na kwa sababu hiyo kwetu anakuwa nabii na mtume wa uongo’

Biblia Takatifu imetuonya kuwachunguza mitume na manabii. Katika kitabu cha Ufunuo 2:1-2 “ Kwa malaika wa kanisa lililoko Efeso andika; Haya ndiyo anenayo yeye azishikaye hizo nyota saba katika mkono wake wa kuume, yeye aendaye katikati ya vile vinara saba vya dhahabu. Nayajua matendo yako, na taabu yako, na subira yako, na ya kuwa huwezi kuchukuliana na watu wabaya, tena umewajaribu wale wajiitao mitume, nao siyo ukawaona kuwa waongo”
Kwa mujibu wa aya hizi Muhammad s.a.w hastahili kuitwa nabii na mtume wa Mungu wa Kweli, bali anaangukia katika kundi la manabii na mitume wa uongo. Hatufai

SEVENTH DAY SABBATH AND THE OLD LAW;

SEVENTH DAY SABBATH AND THE OLD LAW;

Should we observe Old Testament laws of Moses (seventh-day Sabbath,
circumcision, Ten Commands)? Or did Jesus remove or abolish that law
so we should keep and obey the New Testament?
Seventh Day Sabbath & the Old Law: Keeping Holy Days Today?

Old Testament
Laws:
Must We Observe the Law of
Moses and the Sabbath Today?

Should we observe Old Testament laws of Moses (seventh-day Sabbath,
circumcision, Ten Commands)? Or did Jesus remove or abolish that law
so we should keep and obey the New Testament?

Should Christians today keep Old Testament laws, such as the seventh-day
Sabbath, circumcision, animal sacrifices, and holy days, or did Jesus remove or
abolish
that law so that we should only obey New
Testament commands? What is the difference between moral and ceremonial laws,
the Law of Moses and the Law of God? What day is the "Christian Sabbath"
according to the gospel of Christ?
Are the Law of Moses and the Ten Commands abrogated or still in
effect? What law should we
observe today? Should we today "remember the Sabbath day to keep it
holy?"

Click here to listen to this material as free audio Bible
study lesson.

Click
here for a more in-depth study of the Sabbath Day or First Day of the Week

Introduction:

The Old Testament includes many commands not found in the New
Testament, such as the Sabbath (seventh day), animal sacrifices,
the Levitical priesthood, circumcision, special holy days,
burning incense, tithing, instrumental music, and dancing in
worship. Many people wonder whether we today should observe these
commands.

A few people try to keep all Old Testament laws. Others keep
only New Testament laws. Still others try to keep the Ten
Commands, the Sabbath on the seventh day, or parts of the Law of
Moses, but disregard other laws. To please God and to be united
religiously we must determine which Old Testament laws, if any,
apply to us today. The purpose of this study is to address these
issues.

Consider some introductory questions:

A. Does God Intend for People Today to Obey
Every Command God Has Ever Given?

People sometimes talk as if they believe that we today must
observe every command God ever gave and must keep "holy"
everything God ever told people to keep holy. But consider a few
Bible examples:

Noah's ark (Gen. 6:13-7:5) - With Noah God made
a covenant (6:18) which involved commands Noah had to obey (6:22;
7:5). After the flood, God promised He would never again destroy
all flesh by a flood (9:11-17). Must we today still build arks? (Cf.
Gen. 22:1-19.)

Circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14) - Circumcision was
both a covenant and a command given by God to Abraham and his
descendants (cf. 21:1-4; Lev. 12:3). God now says this command no
longer applies (I Cor. 7:18-20; Gal. 5:1-8; 6:12-16; Acts 15:1-29).

Levitical priesthood (Ex. 40:12-16; 29:1-9) -
Under the covenant made at Mt. Sinai, only Aaron and his
descendants could serve as priests (Num. 3:10; 18:1-7; 16:40).
But today Jesus is High Priest, though He was not a descendant of
Aaron. This proves there has been a change in the law (Heb.
7:11-18; cf. I Pet. 2:5,9).

Animal sacrifices (Num. 15:1-6) - Throughout the
Old Testament God commanded people to offer animal sacrifices (cf.
Gen. 4:1-5; Lev. chap. 1-7). But today animal sacrifices have
ceased to be offered because Jesus is our perfect sacrifice (Heb.
10:1-18).

Holy days (Ex. 12:1-28; 13:3-10; Lev. chap. 23)
- God commanded Israel to keep various holy days, but we today
should not keep them (Col. 2:14-17; Gal. 4:10,11). Note that,
when God commands a certain day to be a holy day of rest, He can
later change and no longer require men to keep it.

Undeniably, God has given different laws to different people
at different times. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever
(Heb. 13:8), but this refers to God's character and nature, not
to His laws for men. The above Scriptures clearly prove that God
Himself has made changes in the laws He has commanded people to
keep.

B. Why Are These Commands No Longer Binding?

There are at least two possible reasons why we may not be
required to obey a command given by God:

1. God gave some commands to specific people,
never intending them to apply to all people everywhere. Obvious
examples are the command to Noah to build the ark and
circumcision for all male descendants of Abraham. If God intended
certain commands to be limited to certain people, but we teach
other people they must also obey those commands, then we are not
demonstrating faithfulness to God. Rather, we are perverting His
will. (Cf. Rom. 3:19.)

2. God intended some commands to be temporary.When they fulfilled
their purpose, they were no longer needed
so God removed them. This is true of all the examples listed
above.

Please note that people have no right to annul God's
laws on their own authority. Only God can decide this. If
He intends a law to apply to us, we are unfaithful if we do not
obey it. But we are equally unfaithful if we condemn people for
not following a law, when God Himself does not require those
people to follow that law.

The question before us then is what is God's intent regarding
the Old Testament commands in general.

Did God Intend for Old Testament Laws
to Be Binding Today?

The laws revealed in the Old Testament were unquestionably
decreed by God Himself. He alone has the right to determine who
must obey those laws and how long they should remain in effect.
What was His intent regarding these Old Testament laws?

A. God Intended the Laws Given through Moses
to Be Binding Only for the Nation of Israel.

The Ten Commands were given only to Israel.

Deuteronomy 4:1,44,45 - The Ten Commands were given to the
children of Israel after they came out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 5:1,6 - Moses spoke to Israel and gave them the
Ten Commands to observe. God brought them out of the land of
Egypt.

Exodus 34:27,28 - The Lord made a covenant with Israel writing
on tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

1 Kings 8:9,21 - The two tablets of stone contain the covenant
the Lord made with Israel, when they came out of the land of
Egypt.

Deuteronomy 4:7-13 - No other nation had such a great law as
the Ten Commandments.

The Sabbath was given only to Israel.

Deuteronomy 5:15 - Israel (v1) was a slave in the land of
Egypt, God brought them out and commanded them to keep the
Sabbath day.

Exodus 31:13,16,17 - The Sabbath was a sign between God and
Israel like circumcision was (Gen. 17; Rom. 4:11). How could it
have been a sign between God and Israel if He had given the same
law to other nations too? Would a ring be a sign of a man's
special relationship with his wife, if he gave similar rings to
many other women?

Today people need not keep the commands revealed through
Moses, including the Ten Commands and the Sabbath, for the same
reason we do not need to build arks like Noah or sacrifice sons
like Abraham. God did not address these commands to us.

B. God Removed the Old Testament Laws Because
They Fulfilled Their Purpose.

These laws were in effect throughout Israel's
generations

God repeatedly told Israel that various provisions of the law
were to last "throughout their generations." This is
said regarding:

Genesis 17:9,10 - Circumcision

Exodus 12:14; Leviticus 23:21,31,41 - Holy feast days

Exodus 29:42; 30:10 - Animal sacrifices

Exodus 30:8 - Incense

Exodus 30:31 - Holy anointing oil

Exodus 31:13-17 - Sabbath observance

Exodus 40:15; Numbers 18:23 - Levitical priests in the tabernacle.

[Cf. Num. 15:38; Ex. 30:21; Lev. 7:36; Num. 10:8; 35:29]

All these practices were to endure for the same length of time
- throughout Israel's generations. If any of them has ceased,
then they must have all ceased since they were all to endure the
same length of time. But we have already proved that many of them
have ceased, therefore they must have all ceased.

These all continued as long as Israel's special relationship
to God continued, and all would end when that special relation
ended. That special relationship ended when the gospel came into
effect. There is no more Jew or Gentile in God's plan (Gal. 3:28).
[Cf. Eph. 2:11-18; Acts 10:34,35; 15:7-11; Rom. 10:12; Col. 3:11]

Hebrews chapters 7-10

7:11-14,18 - The law allowed priests only of the tribe of
Levi, but it predicted a time when Christ would be a priest of
the tribe of Judah. This meant the law would be changed (v12),
disannulled (v18).

8:6-13 - These verses quote Jeremiah 31:31-34 which predicted
God would make a new covenant different from the one He made with
Israel when He led them out of Egypt. Christ has now enacted this
new covenant, hence the first one is made old and is vanishing
away (v13). Again, this fulfills God's word in the Old Testament.

10:1-18 - Animal sacrifices offered under the first covenant
could not completely remove sin. Jesus' death is the sacrifice of
the new covenant which can completely forgive. So Christ took
away the first will (covenant) and established the second. This
was done in harmony with God's will, not contrary to it (v9,10).

The law was "weak and unprofitable" in that it told
men they were sinners but could not permanently forgive them (7:11,18;
8:6,7). This does not mean God made a mistake in giving the law.
It had a purpose, but that purpose was temporary. When the new
law came, the old had accomplished its purpose so it was removed.

2 Corinthians 3:6-11

As in Hebrews, the Old Covenant (v14) is contrasted with the
New (v6). The old was a ministration of death because it proved
men deserved death. Yet it came with glory. The new covenant is a
ministration of righteousness and is more glorious (v9).

Note v11 - That which was with glory (the old
covenant - v7) was done away so that which has more glory
(the new covenant) may remain. It is not just the

glory
that was done away, but that which was glorious - the Old
Testament itself - was done away.

Galatians chapters 3-5

As in Hebrews, the law resulted in man's being under a curse
because it showed men were sinners, but it could not completely
remove the guilt (3:10; 2:16). This is contrasted with salvation
by faith in Christ under the gospel (1:11,12; 3:26-28).

3:24,25 - The law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
Now faith has come, so we are no longer under the schoolmaster

.

To be "under" a law means to be subject to it or
under obligation to obey it - note 4:4,21 (cf. I Cor. 9:20,21;
Matt. 8:9; Rom. 3:19.) We are not just freed from condemnation of
the law, but we are free from the law itself, which was the
schoolmaster. [Cf. 3:16,19]

5:1-6 - Since we are no longer under the law (5:18),
circumcision no longer matters. Those who follow the old law are
entangled in a yoke of bondage. Christ profits them nothing and
is of no effect to them. They are fallen from grace.

Romans 7:1-6

Again the gospel is contrasted with the Old Testament ("the
law"). The law showed men they were guilty of sin (3:20,23).
This brought condemnation of death (5:12; 6:23), but the law
could not permanently remove that guilt. (This does not prove the
law was bad, but only that the people were bad - 7:7-24; cf. 7:5.)
Nevertheless, God did not want all men lost, so He offered the
gospel (1:16).

7:2,3 - Illustration: a woman is bound to her husband as long
as he lives. If she marries another man she is an adulteress. She
may remarry only if her husband has died.

7:4-6 - Likewise, we are dead to the law and delivered from
it, just as the woman was released from the law of the first
husband (v2). Note that we are not just free from the
condemnation of the law or traditions about it, but we are free
from the law itself. [cf. 6:14]

Just as the woman could then be joined to a different man, we
are now joined to Christ. We are not to follow both the Old
Testament and the law of Christ at the same time. To do so would
be spiritual adultery like the woman having two husbands at once!

We have a different law, just as the woman has "another man."

Ephesians 2:12-16

Gentiles had formerly been separated from the covenant
relationship enjoyed by the Israelites. By His death, Jesus made
peace between Jew and Gentile. To achieve this, He had to

abolish
the law of commandments that was a wall of partition between
Jew and Gentile. It had been given only to the Jews and thus
signified their favored position. To grant favor to men of every
nation, God had to remove that law (cf. Gal. 3:28; Acts 10:34,35;
Matt. 28:19; etc.).

If we bind the Old Testament today, we are rebuilding the wall
of partition Jesus died to destroy. That would defeat Jesus'
death!

Colossians 2:13-17

This is a parallel to Ephesians 2. Christ blotted out
the handwriting of ordinances and took it out of the way,
nailing it to His cross

. So we should not allow people to
condemn us for not keeping the Old Law (v16). (Again the law was
"against" men in the sense that it showed they were
guilty of sin but could not forgive them.)

Matthew 5:17,18

Some say this passage proves the old law is still binding
since Jesus did not come to destroy it, but it would stand till
heaven and earth pass away. If so, then the whole law still
stands since not one jot or tittle would pass away. This includes
the law and prophets (v17), even the least commandments (v19) (animal
sacrifices, circumcision, etc.). Yet we have earlier proved that
many things were removed. Hence this passage cannot prove the law
is still in effect.

The parallel in Luke 16:17 shows that "till heaven and
earth pass away" means "it is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away." So it would be easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for the law to pass away "

till
all be fulfilled

" (v18). But Jesus came to fulfill
it! So the law passed away when Jesus fulfilled it. (Cf. Matt. 24:34).

A contract can be rendered void in one of two ways: illegally
by destroying it (as by tearing it up), or legally by fulfilling
it. For example, if you hire me to build a house for a price, it
would be illegal for you or me to destroy the contract. But if we
fulfilled the contract (I build the house and you pay me), it
would no longer be binding.

Likewise, Jesus did not come to destroy the law (remove it
contrary to its provisions). But He did come to fulfill it and
replace it, completely in harmony with the provisions of the law
itself. He did fulfill the law (Luke 24:44-47; Acts 13:29).
Therefore, it passed away!

All Old Testament laws passed away for the same reason animal
sacrifices, circumcision, etc., passed away. God gave them to
accomplish a purpose for the nation of Israel. They accomplished
that purpose, so God removed them.

Part II: Is Any Part of the
Old Testament Law Binding Today?

Some people agree that many Old Testament laws are no longer
in effect, but they still bind some of these laws such as the Sabbath,
tithing, or instrumental music. Let us consider this
approach.

A. Consider Some Possible Rules for
Distinguishing What Is Binding from What Is Not.

We have learned that the Old Covenant has ceased to be binding.
That should include all Old Testament practices unless it can be
shown by the Scriptures that God intended for certain laws to
continue. So people have offered some rules for proving that
certain laws are still in effect but others are not. Let us
consider these rules.

"Law of God" vs. "Law of Moses";
"Moral law" vs. "Ceremonial"

Some say the Ten Commands (including the Sabbath) are the
"Law of God," the "Moral law" (or "spiritual
law"), and this is still binding. But the other Old
Testament commands are the "Law of Moses," or the
"Ceremonial law," and these were removed.

However: What Scriptural proof is there that
these distinctions in laws are valid? How do we know that what
was done away includes only the law of Moses or ceremonial law,
but not the law of God, etc.? How do we know what laws are
included in the law of God (moral law) and what laws are not? (Note
that the terms "moral law" and "ceremonial law"
are nowhere mentioned in the Bible.)

Some say the Sabbath must continue today because it was one of
the Ten Commands, the "moral" "Law of God."
But the Sabbath is also repeated in parts of the Old Testament
other than the Ten Commands (Ex. 31:13ff, etc.), and it is listed
with laws and feast days that have been done away (see Lev. 23:1-44;
19:3&30). Why doesn't this prove the Sabbath was done away as
part of the "ceremonial" "Law of Moses"?
Wherein is the Sabbath any less "ceremonial" than these
other feasts and Sabbath rests?

Further, modern Sabbath-keepers usually also practice Old
Testament tithing, instrumental music, and even dietary laws.
These laws are not in the Ten Commands, nor are they any more
"moral" in nature than other "ceremonial"
laws that have been done away. Hence, these folks violate their
own rule and contradict themselves.

Actually, the Bible shows that the law of God and the law of
Moses are just different terms for the same law. Further,
the law of God included things that have clearly been done away.
For example:

Nehemiah 8 refers to the "book of the law," and
calls it the book of the law of Moses (v1) and the book of the
law of God (v8,18). God commanded it by Moses (v14), so both
terms refer to the same law.

Luke 2:21-24,39 - The law of Moses (v22) is called the law of
the Lord (v23,24,39). This law included a purification rite and
animal sacrifices. These were clearly done away (cf. Lev. 12:2-8).
Hence, the law of the Lord is the same as the Law of Moses, and
it contains things that were done away.

In 2 Chron. 31:2-4 the law of God included animal sacrifices,
new moons, and feast days, which we know were done away.

There is no distinction between the law of God and the law of
Moses. It was both God's law because He originated it, and Moses'
law because he revealed it (Neh. 10:29). This whole distinction
is a man-made rule having no Divine sanction (Matt. 15:9; 2 John
9-11).

Laws given before Sinai vs. laws given at Sinai

Some say Jesus abolished the laws that were given at Sinai,
but laws given before Sinai were never abolished (including the
Sabbath, which they say was given at creation - Gen. 2:2,3).

Again, where does the Bible say that laws given before Sinai
are still binding? There are many commands that were first given
before Sinai but are not now binding. This includes animal
sacrifices (Gen. 4:4; 8:20; etc.), circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14),
the Passover (Ex. 12), and unclean animals (Gen. 7:2).

Further, there is no proof that God bound the Sabbath on men
from creation. No passage mentions Noah, Abraham, Jacob, or any
patriarch keeping the Sabbath. Ezek. 20:10-12 says God gave
Israel the Sabbath as a sign between Him and them when He led
them out of Egypt, and Deut. 5:15 says it was a memorial of that
event (cf. Neh. 9:13,14; Ex. 31:13-17). How could it be a sign
between Him and one nation if everyone since creation had the
same sign? How could it be a memorial of an event before that
event occurred?

Gen. 2:3 says only that God Himself rested on the seventh day,
then it says that is why He blessed and sanctified it. But
it does not tell

when He began to require men to
keep it, nor who was required to keep it. Remember this
was written by Moses many years after Israel left Egypt and had
been given the Sabbath. He mentions the Sabbath in connection
with Creation so men would see the

purpose of it, not
necessarily to explain when people began to keep it.
Similar language is found in Gen. 3:20 and Matt. 10:4.

Everlasting laws vs. other laws.

Some say the Sabbath is still in effect because Ex. 31:16,17
says it was to be kept "forever," "everlasting,"
"perpetual."

But this passage also says the Sabbath was a sign only between
God and Israel, so why bind it today on other people? And this
"everlasting" law required people to be killed for
violating it. If the law is still in effect today, the punishment
must also be in effect. To fail to keep any part of the law is to
admit the law is not binding.

The Hebrew terms "forever," "everlasting,"
etc., do not necessarily mean a thing has no end. This is proved
by many other practices which God said were "forever,"
but which definitely have ceased.

Examples are: the Passover (Ex. 12:14); incense (Ex. 30:8);
feast days (Lev. 23:14,21,31,41); animal sacrifices (Lev. 16:29-34;
6:19-23; 2 Chron. 2:4); Levitical priesthood (Ex. 40:15; 29:9,26-28;
28:40-43; Num. 25:13; Deut. 18:5); tabernacle worship (Ex. 27:21;
30:8,17-21; Lev. 24:5-9); circumcision (Gen. 17:9-14); all God's
commands (Psa. 111:7; 119:151,152,160). If these practices could
cease though they were "forever," why cannot the Sabbath have ceased?

"Forever" in these passages means something would
last an indefinite period of time - "age lasting." The
context of Ex. 31:13,16 defines this further to mean "throughout
Israel's generations." This expression proves these
practices, including the Sabbath, have all ceased because
Israel's generations as God's chosen nation have ceased (see
notes above).

All attempts to bind parts of the Old Testament today are
doomed to fail. We will confirm this conclusion as we proceed.

B. The Verses Already Studied Prove that All
the Law Was Removed, Including the Ten Commands.

Let us review the passages we used earlier to show the Old
Testament was removed. We will show how each one proves that even
the Ten Commands and the Sabbath were removed.

Hebrews chapters 7-10

Jesus took away the covenant which God made with Israel when
He led them out of Egypt (8:9; 10:9,10). This covenant is viewed
as

one covenant, the first covenant (8:7,13; 9:1,15,18; 10:9).
It was not two covenants, one removed and the other remaining.
What did this first covenant include?

Hebrews 9:18-20 - The first covenant was dedicated by blood
and included every command spoken by Moses. Ex. 24:3-8
explains more fully and shows this included

all the words
the Lord spoke (v3,4,7), including the Ten Commands given in Ex.
20:3-17.

Hebrews 9:1-4 - The covenant which was removed included the tables
of the covenant inside the ark of the covenant. This clearly
means the Ten Commands - Ex. 34:27,28; Deut. 4:13; 5:2,22; 9:9,11.

2 Corinthians 3:6-11

The old covenant would "pass away," in contrast to
the new covenant that would "remain." The covenant that
would pass away was written and engraved on stones (v7). But this
means the Ten Commands, as shown in the verses above.

Further, Moses' face shone so he had to wear a veil when he
delivered this law (v7,13). But Ex. 34:27-35 shows this happened
when he delivered the Ten Commands. So the old covenant that
passed away included the Ten Commands.

Galatians chapters 3-5

The law brought men to Christ, but we are no longer under that
law (3:24,25; 5:4). Which law? The one given 430 years after the
promise to Abraham (3:17). Ex. 12:41 shows this was when Israel
left Egypt. Hence, this is the

one

covenant given at Mt.
Sinai (Gal. 4:24), which we have already proved includes the Ten
Commands.

The law removed includes "all things written in the book
of the Law" (3:10). But Hebrews 9:18-20 and Ex. 24:3-8
showed that this included the Ten Commands.

If we bind part of the law, we are debtors to keep the whole
law (5:3). The law is a whole. You cannot take part and leave
part. You must take it all or none. If we take it, we fall from
grace (5:2,3,4).

Romans 7:1-7

We are discharged from the law like a woman is freed from a
dead husband. So it is spiritual adultery to try to practice both
the old law and the law of Christ. From what law are we freed?
The one that commands "Thou shalt not covet" (v7). But
this is one of the Ten Commands. Hence, we are free from the Ten
Commands.

Ephesians 2:11-18

Jesus abolished the law that was a wall of partition between
Jew and Gentile. We already showed that this law included the Ten
Commands, which were a wall between Jew and Gentile because God
gave them to the Jews but not the Gentiles. Likewise, the Sabbath was
a sign of God's special relation with Israel (Ex. 31:13-17).

Had Jesus left the Ten Commands or the Sabbath in effect, He
would have left a barrier between Jew and Gentile. To accomplish
His purpose, He had to remove the Sabbath and the Ten Commands.

Colossians 2:13-17

Jesus removed the ordinances, so we need not keep the laws
regarding foods, holy days, or the Sabbath (2:16). But the Sabbath was
one of the Ten Commands. Hence, all the Old Testament
laws were removed, including the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

Some claim "Sabbath" here refers only to the annual
feast days because the Greek word is plural. However "Sabbath"
in the plural often refers to the seventh day: Ex. 31:13; Luke 4:16;
23:54; Acts 13:14; 16:13; Matt. 24:20; etc. In Matt. 12:1-14 and
Luke 13:10-17, the plural and singular forms are used
interchangeably referring to the seventh day. The Greek
Septuagint uses the plural in the Ten Commands in Ex. 20:8 and
Deut. 5:12 just like Col. 2:16.

The New Testament refers to the Sabbath 59 times. Not one of
these instances can be shown to exclude the seventh-day Sabbath.

In fact, Col. 2:16 lists the Sabbath separately from the new
moons and the feast days purposely to specify the seventh day in

addition
to the feast days. This is exactly like the Old Testament verses
1 Chron. 23:31; 2 Chron. 2:4; 8:13; 31:3; Neh. 10:33; and Ezek.
45:17.

Col. 2:14-16 specifically identifies the Sabbath as a practice
that has been blotted out. People today must not require us to
keep the dietary laws, the holy days, or the seventh-day Sabbath.

Matthew 5:17,18

Jesus fulfilled the law so that it passed away. What did this
include? It included the law and the prophets, every jot and
tittle. Clearly that includes the Ten Commands and the Sabbath.

There is no proof that any part of the law is binding now. The
law was a unit and could not be partly removed. Jesus had to
remove it all. We cannot go to the Old Law to authorize any
practice now.

Part III: What Law Should We Obey Now?

Some people ask, "If the 10 Commands were removed,
wouldn't that make it all right to steal, lie, murder, etc.?"
So consider what the Bible says about the law we today should
follow.

A. Today We Must Obey the New Testament.

The reason the Old Covenant is not needed now is that
Jesus replaced it with a different covenant, the gospel.

Hebrews 10:9,10 - Jesus took away the first will that He
might establish the second. (cf. Heb. 8:6-9; 7:22; 2 Cor. 3:6)

Romans 7:4 - We are freed from the law to be joined to
Christ.

Galatians 3:24-27 - We are not under the schoolmaster (old law)
because now the gospel faith has come (cf. 1:11,12).

An illustration: The area we now call the United States was
once ruled by Britain, then it was under the Articles of
Confederation, and now we are under the Constitution. Likewise
God provided for man first the patriarchal rule, then the laws at
Sinai, and now the gospel or New Testament. We are no more
subject to the Old Testament laws than we are to the Articles of
Confederation.

This change occurred as a result of the death of Jesus.

Colossians 2:14 - He nailed the first ordinances to His cross.

Ephesians 2:13-16 - He abolished the old law by His blood.

Hebrews 9:16,17 - As with any will or testament, Jesus had to
die to bring His testament into force. The old law was in effect
until Jesus died, then it was replaced by the gospel. (Cf. Gal. 3:13;
Rom. 7:4)

This New Testament contains commands we must obey.

Matthew 28:18-20 - Jesus possesses all authority so we must
obey all His commands.

1 Corinthians 14:37 - The gospel contains the commands of the
Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:20,21 - Though Paul was not under the law of
the Jews, he was not without law but was under law to Christ.

James 1:18,25 - The gospel is the perfect law of liberty, by
which we will be judged (John 12:48; cf. 1 Pet. 1:22-25; Rom. 6:17,18;
Acts 3:20-23; Isa. 2:1-4).

God did not remove the old law so that we might be without law
but so that we would serve Him under the terms of the New
Testament. There are commands for us to obey, but these are the
commands of the New Testament, not those of the Old Testament.

The New Testament will never be replaced by any law on
earth.

Even while the Old Testament was in effect, God planned
eventually to replace it. Will the New Testament also be replaced
by some other system of commands for men on earth?

2 Corinthians 3:6-11 - The first covenant passed away so that
it could be replaced by that which remains (does not pass
away).

Hebrews 12:27,28 (cf. v18-29) - The law given at Sinai was
shaken (removed) that it might be replaced by another (the New
Testament) which will never be shaken but will remain.

The reason the Old Testament had to be replaced was that its
sacrifices could not permanently remove guilt. The New Testament
has the sacrifice of Jesus, which can remove all sins so they are
remembered no more (Heb. 10:1-18; 7:11-28; 8:6-9; 9:11-28; Rom. 1:16;
Mark 16:15,16). So there is no reason for God to remove it.

Jude 3 - The gospel faith was delivered to the saints once
("once for all" - NKJV, ASV). This word "once"
is also used for Jesus' death in contrast to animal sacrifices (Heb.
10:10-14; 7:27; 9:12,25-28). Animals had to be repeatedly offered
because they could not permanently remove guilt. Jesus offered
the perfect sacrifice that need not be replaced by anything else.
Likewise, the gospel is given to men "once." It is
God's last word to man. It is so perfect, it will never be
changed nor replaced by God while the world stands.

B. Some New Testament Commands Are Similar to
Old Testament Commands, but Others Are Not.

Nine of the Ten Commands are repeated in the New Testament.

1. No God but Jehovah - 1 Cor. 8:4; Acts 14:15

2. No graven images - Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:22,23; 1 John 5:21

3. Don't take God's name in vain - James 5:12

4. Remember the Sabbath. This command is the only one of the
ten that is nowhere repeated in the New Testament. The only Sabbath
rest promised in the New Testament is eternal life (Heb.
4:9-11).

5. Honor your parents - Eph. 6:2,3

6. Do not kill - Rom. 13:8-10

7. Do not commit adultery - Rom. 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 6:9,10

8. Do not steal - Rom. 13:8-10; Eph. 4:28

9. Do not bear false witness - Rev. 21:8; 22:15; Col. 3:9

10. Do not covet - Rom. 13:8-10; Eph. 5:3.

We obey the commands that are repeated in the New Testament,
not because they were in the Old Testament, but because they are
in the New Testament.

Many New Testament practices differ from the Old Testament.

OLD
TESTAMENT NEW
TESTAMENT

Animal
sacrifices Sacrifice of
Jesus (Heb. 10:9ff)

Human high
priest Jesus is high
priest (Heb. 9:11f)

Physical
temple Spiritual
temple (1 Cor. 3:16)

Fleshly
circumcision Heart
circumcision (Rom. 2:28f)

Instrumental
music (Psa. 150) Singing (Eph.
5:19; Col. 3:16)

Tithing (Heb.
7:5) Give as
prospered (1 Cor. 16:1f)

Sabbath &
holy days First day (Acts
20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2)

Compare Rom. 7:2-6 - A woman is not subject to the authority
of two husbands at once. If her first husband dies, the
expectations of her second husband may be in some ways different
from, and in some ways similar to, those of her first husband. If
she does things similar to what she used to, it is because of
what the second husband wants, not because of what the first
husband wanted.

Likewise we are under the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant.
The laws are in some ways similar and in some ways different (cf.
Heb. 8:9). But none of the requirements of the First Covenant
have any power now. Wherein the laws are different, we follow the
second covenant, not the first. Wherein the laws are similar, we
obey, not because the first law said to, but because the New
Covenant says to.

C. Specifically Our Special Day of Worship Is
the First Day of the Week, Not the Seventh.

Many major gospel events occurred on the first day of the
week:

Jesus arose from the dead (Mark 16:9; Matt. 28:1,6; etc.).

Jesus first appeared to prove He had been raised (John 20:19;
Mark 16:2,9; Matt. 28:1,6-10; etc.).

The Holy Spirit came on the apostles, the gospel was first
preached, people first obeyed, and the church began, all on
Pentecost, which was a first day of the week (Acts chap. 2; cf.
Lev. 23:15,16).

All these major events occurred on the first day of the week.
What event of major New Testament significance ever occurred on
the seventh day of the week? None. It should not surprise us,
therefore, to see special significance for the first day of the
week in the New Testament church.

In the New Testament, Christians took up the collection
and met for the Lord's supper on the first day of the week.

1 Corinthians 16:1,2 - The church was commanded to take up the
collection on the first day of the week. What passage tells the
church to take up collections on the seventh day?

Acts 20:7 - The church assembled regularly to have the Lord's
supper (Acts 2:42; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:17,18,20). When did they
do so? On the first day of the week. The

time of day is
not the issue here but rather the day of the week

. The
passage says "first day of the week," and cannot
possibly mean the "seventh day of the week."

Some say "break bread" can refer to a common meal.
But the phrase is often used for the Lord's supper (Matt. 26:26;
Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:23,24; Acts 2:42). We
know Acts 20:7 refers to the Lord's supper because the context
clearly shows this was a worship assembly. Paul, who preached on
this occasion, had already taught that only the Lord's supper,
not common meals, should be eaten in the worship assembly (1 Cor.
11:17-34).

The significance of the day is also implied by the fact Paul
waited 7 says to meet on the first day with the disciples (Acts 20:6,7).
But he was in a hurry (v16), so much so that he left at daylight
the next day even though he had been up all night with the church
(v11).

If the church had met on the seventh day of the week to break
bread, Paul could have saved all this trouble and left a day
earlier. If the seventh day is the special day for Christian
worship, and the first day has no significance, why is the first
day mentioned but the seventh day is not? And why did Paul go to
so much trouble to meet with the church on the first day?

The only day authorized for the New Testament church to have
the Lord's supper and the collection is the first day of the week.
No passage anywhere in the Bible authorizes the church to do
these things on the seventh day.

Some claim Jesus and Paul kept the Sabbath.

Jesus lived under the Old Testament law (Gal. 4:4), so of
course He kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16; etc.). As we already
learned, the law was not removed until He died.

He also was circumcised (Luke 2:21), had animals offered for
him (Luke 2:22-24), taught others to offer animals (Matt. 8:4;
Mark 1:44; Luke 2:22ff; cf. Lev. 14:1-32), observed feast days (Luke
2:41f; Matt. 26:17ff), and showed great zeal for the physical
temple (John 2:13-17). He taught others to observe all things
taught by those who sat in Moses' seat (Matt. 23:2,4). Are we
today required to do all these because He did them?

But there is no evidence that Paul or any other inspired man
observed the Sabbath as obedience to Divine commandment after
Jesus' death. The passages used to "prove" he did are
all referring to assemblies of

unconverted Jews (Acts
13:14,42,44; 15:20,21; 16:13; 17:1-3; 18:4f). Not one of these
refers to worship of

Christians like Acts 20:7 and
1 Cor. 16:1,2 refer to on the first day of the week.

The passages say Paul attended Jewish synagogues for the
purpose of teaching the Jews who had assembled (Acts
13:5,14-16ff,42,44; 14:1; 17:1-3; 18:4,5). Jews kept the Sabbath,
as they had for generations (Acts 15:20,21), because they did not
believe the Old Testament had been removed. Their assemblies
offered Paul an opportunity to teach, but no passage says he
thought he was required to observe the Sabbath. We have already
cited several verses showing Paul taught that the law, including
the Sabbath, is not binding.

Using an opportunity to teach is not the same as observing a
religious day. Apostles taught other times and places too (Acts 5:42;
17:17,22; 19:9f; 20:7,31). Does this mean we must observe these
times and places religiously? If Sabbath-keepers will allow us,
we will attend their Sabbath meetings to teach them, but we would
not be observing the Sabbath. (If they attended our assembly on
Sunday to teach us their views, would that prove they were Sunday
keepers?)

Sabbath-keepers sometimes belittle our evidence for the first
day of the week, but we can see the strength of this evidence
when we compare it to the "proof" offered for keeping
the seventh day. If Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor. 16:1,2 mentioned the
seventh day instead of the first day, you can be sure Sabbath-keepers
would consider them to be very convincing verses!

We do not say the first day of the week is the "Christian Sabbath." A
Sabbath is a day of rest and no New Testament
passage tells us to rest on any particular day. There is no
"Christian Sabbath," but the first day is a special day
on which we do acts of worship that are authorized for no other
day.

For a more detailed study regarding the first day of
the week, please go to our Bible Instruction web site at

www.gospelway.com/instruct/
and study there our free article about the day for the Lord's Supper. Or see the
links at the end of this page below.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches that the entire Old Testament law was
removed by God. None of it is binding today as authority for any
religious practice, and that includes the Sabbath and Ten
Commands.

We now live under the New Testament. Every practice for the
church must be authorized by the gospel. If no authority can be
found in the gospel for a practice, then it should be abandoned
regardless of whether or not it was practiced in the Old
Testament.

The New Covenant is a better system,
having a better hope, and built on better promises (Heb. 7:22; 8:6;
9:23; 7:19). Do not become entangled again in the bondage of the
Old Law