Saudi Sermon: Time for Christians and Jews to Convert to Islam

IMRA ^ | March 14, 2004 | FBIS

[yonif]

Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia TV1 in Arabic, official television station of the Saudi Government, carries on February 27, 2004 at 0945 GMT a live sermon from the holy mosque in Mecca.

Shaykh Salih Bin-Muhammad Al Talib delivers the sermon, which he devotes to the story of genesis and the heavenly messages brought by the prophets, beginning with Adam and ending with Prophet Muhammad and the message of Islam. All heavenly religions, he asserts, came with one message -- worship of God.

"Therefore," the imam says, "is it not time the People of the Book [Christians and Jews] pondered and acknowledged that Islam is a continuation of the messages that came before it and that it is the religion that God has chosen for the whole of mankind?" "From the time of Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, until the Day of Judgment, God will not accept any other religion or creed," the imam says and cites the Koranic verse: "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost."

Continuing, the imam says: "Have you not noticed that in the past 15 centuries history has not recorded that one single Muslim religious scholar has entered Judaism or Christianity? On the other hand, history records with letters of light the columns of rabbis and priests who have converted to Islam and linked their messages with its final message, which God has chosen for all mankind."

The imam makes this appeal: "Therefore, from the fountain of the message, the site of its revelation, and the pulpit of the house [ka'bah], which was built by Abraham and to which Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them, made pilgrimage, I make a sincere appeal along with our Prophet Muhammad's message to non-Muslims and say: Embrace Islam so as to be peaceful. Embrace Islam so as to be peaceful. Embrace Islam so that God would reward you twice. Otherwise, you, and those that follow you out of ignorance would have to account for your sin. It is an appeal to accept the truth and study Islam; the correct Islam that the prophet of guidance, Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, has brought; Islam as it really is, free of innovations and distortions; the Islam that is innocent of human violations and the errors made by some of its followers." The imam then reads this Koranic verse: "Say: "O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back, Say ye: Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims bowing to Allah's will)."

The imam continues with the same theme in the second sermon. He says: "What has caused misery to mankind in these times of confused ideas is when some politicians hijacked religions and used them as a means to suppress others and a tool to dominate the followers of other faiths. This is what world Zionism did to Judaism. This is also what the so-called secular governments did to Christianity. They coerced peoples and occupied states by religious motives and claims of religiousness. And, although they deny these motives in their statements, they come out in their slips of the tongue and are unequivocally explained by their statements. The clerics in those religions are called upon to clearly say that they do not approve the behavior of their governments and that what is happening is not advocated by their religions so that their followers who are used in these attacks, those who think they are doing a good thing and getting closer God, would know that they are mere tools in the hands of the politicians serving their reckless whims, which are not curbed by religion or morals. These people's [clerics] silence and shy statements would only lead to the conflict or clash of civilizations. The racial segregation wall, which usurps Muslim lands in Palestine, is one example."

The imam says: "O Muslims, and now a final word on the roots. It is the duty of Muslims to strongly uphold their religion. The nation of Islam must believe that it is the only one on the right path, that Islam is the last of religions, that the Koran is the last of the Books and most importantly, that Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of God be upon him, is the last of the apostles, that the Islamic law [shari'a] is a copy of their laws, and that God will not accept any other religion. Thus, it is impermissible to concede any of that even if at the cost of our lives. We say this at a time when some defeatists have weakened and called for mixing distorted scriptures with Islamic religion under the claim of bringing religions closer to one another. We say it also at a time when some people's faith is so weak as to believe that everyone is correct. This began from the statements uttered by some and the behavior and theses written by others. It is as if they did not hear God's words: "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never it will be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost."

The imam says: "If we are to renew the religious discourse, we must go back to the roots. This means going back to the Koran and the Sunnah. O God, show us the truth and help us to follow it, and show us falsehood and help us to avoid it. Please know ye, may God have mercy on you, that fasting on the 10th day in the month of Muharram [the first month of the new Hegira year, which began on 21 February 2004] atones for the sins of the two previous years. Fast on that day and also on the day before or after it. This is the tradition of your Prophet Muhammad, May the peace and blessings of God be upon him. He fasted on this day to thank God for saving Moses and his people and drowning the Pharaoh and his people. It is a strange paradox that this happy occasion has been transformed by a Muslim faction into continuous mourning and ceaseless wailing, in a picture that clearly shows ignorance of religion and following misleading persons without a good reason. O Ye, correct the path to God and follow the guidance of the prophet."

The imam concludes with a prayer to God to support Islam and Muslims, defeat the tyrants, atheists, and corrupt. He also prays to God to keep this and other Muslim countries safe and secure. He prays: "O God, spare us the evils of sins, earthquakes, and seditions, both the open and secret. O God, whoever wishes Islam and Muslims and their lands evil, busy him with himself, turn his plot against him, and make his plans destroy him. O God, support your religion, Book, the Sunnah of Your prophet, and your faithful subjects. O God, save oppressed Muslims everywhere. O God, support the mujahidin for your sake. O God, support them in Palestine and everywhere." The imam also prays to God to grant success to the king and his brothers in their endeavors for the wellbeing of the country and people.

[PhilipFreneau]

This is what really ticks off the muslim cultists:

"And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year." -- Genesis 17:19-21

[ZULU]

I think its time to sharpen those crusader swords, flush out those feel-good idiot liberal ministers and prest who preach co-exist, and adopt the philosophies of more intelligent individuals who had to deal with the Islamic menace in the past like Charles Martel, Richard the Lion Hearted, Charlemagne, Vlad Tepes, Andrea Doria, Isabella and Ferdinand, Godfrey, Baldwin I - Defender of the Holy Sepulcher and King of Jerusalem, Tancred, etc, etc.
(not to mention such recent heros as Steven Decatur, etc.)

[Old Student]

There is a difference between general ignorance, ignorance of certain facts, and stupidity. I'm seeing quite a lot of all three, but all I can do anything about is the middle one. I'm trying to help some folks see the few facts they missed, and are therefore ignorant of. Anyone who wants to take it as a general condemnation of their intelligence is welcome to do so, if they so choose.

You seem to have missed Torquemada, the Nazis, the Albigensian campaigns in France, both the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the 30 Years War, both the Puritans and Pilgrims, and quite a few others. It has been only in the few years after His crucifixion, and rather recently that most Christians have spent more time trying to be Christ-like and less time trying to insure their neighbors were toeing the line. There are still a whole lot of them, including some members of my church, who are in that mode. Which is kind of silly of them, as the reason my church is based in Utah is because of others who can't seem to remember Christ's message. If more people worried about the beam in their own eye, they'd be less inclined to point out the mote in others eyes.

In case you hadn't noticed, Gaza and the West Bank are in Palestine. I'm going to say this one more time, and a little more explicitly: There are Muslims who are more Christ-like than many so-called Christians, and there are so-called Christians who are more Satan-like than the worst of the Muslims. There are also quite a few Christians whom I'm sure Jesus is quite happy with, including those who got killed this past week, who were Baptists. Condemning all of ANY people because of the actions of a few is sheer stupidity. It is equally stupid to think that all of any people are good because a few are, but I've met quite a few Muslims, so I think I have seen a fairly good sample. The Muslims have heard of Jesus, btw, they just don't think he's the Son of God. They call him Issa, usually, and consider him one of the old-time prophets. They think his message was ignored and lost by the Jews, and misconstrued by his followers who became the Christians.

I still say the Turks are good examples of Muslims. They focus on the parts of the Koran that apply to now, and not to the early days on the Arabian Penninsula, unlike some people.

And as far as my being a good student or not, I don't have to be a good student to know a hatchet job when I see one. Let's see, here, What Would Jesus Do? Teach, or just complain about the beliefs of others?

[Diva Betsy Ross]

"Again, it's all about control. Very Satanic"

Those are the exact words I have heard come out of the mouths of people who have fled Iraq and Iran. Islam is not a religion of peace.

From what I understand, there are some people who follow a "watered down" version of Islam here in the states...but the basic disagreement comes from the desire for freedom and life, vrs. enslavement and death that true Islam offerers.

Given the chance, I am told,by people in the know, many will take freedom, life and harmony with others, if given the opportunity.

I do believe that is the whole idea behind hearts and minds. Once these people taste freedom and choice, many will never go back to the hate and death.

Well lets see, could that be what Al queda is afraid of? I think yes... it is a house of cards.

[ovrtaxt]

It has been only in the few years after His crucifixion, and rather recently that most Christians have spent more time trying to be Christ-like and less time trying to insure their neighbors were toeing the line.

Consider the concept that regular, good, decent people don't make the news. They usually don't make the history books either. You can't possibly believe that statement. There have been large numbers of Jesus's followers who have remained faithful to His teachings throughout history.

[ovrtaxt]

There are Muslims who are more Christ-like than many so-called Christians, and there are so-called Christians who are more Satan-like than the worst of the Muslims. There are also quite a few Christians whom I'm sure Jesus is quite happy with, including those who got killed this past week, who were Baptists. Condemning all of ANY people because of the actions of a few is sheer stupidity. It is equally stupid to think that all of any people are good because a few are, but I've met quite a few Muslims, so I think I have seen a fairly good sample.

Read my previous posts again. I condemn the religion of Islam. Not Muslims. They are simply the primary victims of a suicide cult.

Now terrorists, that's got to be dealt with differently. They are deceived, they think they do God a service, but they must be eliminated for the protection and continuance of civilization. If they get saved first, then good. And the church is reaching out to them with that hope. But the preservation of humanity is too important to hope that they find Christ and do nothing in the meantime while innocents die.

[ovrtaxt]

The Muslims have heard of Jesus, btw, they just don't think he's the Son of God. They call him Issa, usually, and consider him one of the old-time prophets. They think his message was ignored and lost by the Jews, and misconstrued by his followers who became the Christians.

Yes, they have heard of a false depiction of Jesus. But that's not the real Jesus. If He was just a prophet, then He was a false one because He stated that He was the Way the Truth and the Life. And you don't come to the Father except through Him. So was He a liar?

[ovrtaxt]

I still say the Turks are good examples of Muslims. They focus on the parts of the Koran that apply to now, and not to the early days on the Arabian Penninsula, unlike some people.

If parts don't apply to now, then it obviously isn't divinely inspired. Absolute Truth is transcendent.

[ovrtaxt]

What Would Jesus Do? Teach, or just complain about the beliefs of others?

I hope you have learned something, as I have from you. I'm being sincere.

I'm not complaining about anything, but Islam victimizes billions of people, and it will be crushed by the Gospel of Jesus. He plans to set multitudes of Muslims free from the threats of Allah the moon god.

[Old Student]

"I'm not complaining about anything, but Islam victimizes billions of people, and it will be crushed by the Gospel of Jesus. He plans to set multitudes of Muslims free from the threats of Allah the moon god."

I'll accept that you are sincere, easily. So are most of the other people here, inclusive of those who are spouting total nonsense. I don't doubt that the folks who created the website you referred me to are sincere, also. I'm trying to help you understand that Islam is not victimizing billions of people, that it is some people who claim to be of Islam that are doing the victimization. Do you see the difference? Torquemada and his ilk were supported by at least part of the established Christian church at the time (a rather large, important part, in fact), but they were not following the teachings of Jesus. They were not Christians, even though they were running the Western branch of the Christian Church of the time.

It is quite possible to make the case that we don't really know what Jesus taught, because he left us no written records of his testmony. We have it only through the testimony of others. The Koran is in the same boat, really. Mohammed did not leave a written record of his teachings, either. His teachings were recorded after his death, also. I think that the folks who recorded his works either weren't quite as careful about what they recorded, or their work was corrupted more, than Jesus's words, and that has been confirmed to me in prayer, but it isn't something I can prove objectively.

One of the historical facts that I've found is that Ayesha, the youngest of Mohammed's wives,and his daughter, Fatima, were two of those who provided many of the Hadiths that were recorded after his death. You won't find much of what they had to say, however, as later "authorities" despised all women, and changed or discarded much of what they said. They kept only that which was also testified to by other, male, witnesses. Within a hundred years of Mohammed's death, Islam was changed considerably from what he recited to his people, as they absorbed the customs of groups they conquered, kept those they liked, and discarded those they didn't like. Remember that comment of mine about their culture being sick? Mohammed tried to correct that, but he failed there, too.

[Old Student]

Oh, I'm getting really tired, forgot to mention that I'm not so sure that a whole lot of Muslims will be set free of Allah anytime soon. Things could well get worse than they are for all good people, Muslim, Christian, Jew, and pagan. I do believe that all this is a battle between Good and Evil, but I've read the Book of Revelation, too. Things may well get a LOT worse, before they get better. There will be a time when every knee shall bow to Him, but there are going to be some tough times before then. That may be a long ways off, or it may be really soon. The signs, as they say, are all around, but that's been the case for quite a while, too. We don't operate on the same time scale as God does, so I'm not holding my breath waiting, but I'm not certain I've got a while to go, either. Have a good one, perhaps we can continue tomorrow evening. Or maybe not, as I'm supposed to be bailing my wife out the hospital sometime tomorrow, too. Much to do in the meantime.

[Old Student]

and I tripped over something to illustrate my point for you:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/03/20/malaysia.vote/index.html

On the other hand, Al Qaeda is apparently claiming to have bought suitcase nukes in Central Asia, too. What world, what a world...

[Veloxherc]

I am so glad I got up and took a leak over Saudi in a C-130. Which by the way, the pisser is vented to the outside of the aircraft.

[Old Student]

Wanted to, but the commercial liner they chartered to take us home had a holding tank.


I like most Muslims, but I'm not very fond of the Saudis. Arrogant bunch, and gutless at the same time, from the ones I met.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

"Let's get it on........and get it over with, once and for all"

Hi right.. I remembered reading your post last week.. did you see this? Looks like someone else has the same ideas as you!

HERE

[Old Student]

I think for once you and I are in agreement. What do you think of the idea of having IDF start a new recruitment campaign for Hamas: Join Hamas and die for your not-exactly-a-country.

[Hollywoodghost]

Moses was a Hebrew--There were no Jews until later. But did he follow the G-d of Abraham--YES!

[Tribune7]

If the kuffaar do not give people the freedom to cross a red light, how can we give freedom to people to leave Islaam and disbelieve in Allaah when they want to?

Something for Moslems to ponder: If God is all powerful why does He need you to impose His will? Why would you insult God to imply He is too weak to enforce his law?