A Bridge for Muslims and Eastern Christians

[yeshua]

Peace,

This thread is for discussion about Mary’s involvement in dialogue with Muslims and Eastern Christians.

I am by no means an expert regarding Islam however much I grew up with my Muslim brothers. If I misrepresent, I ask those latter brothers of mine to correct me.

To preface, a short introduction to Islam’s view of Mary is needed:

Bearing in mind the Jesus in Islam is not seen as divinity but as a member of prophetic lineage, Mary too is not seen in the schema that Christians, especially Eastern Christians, hold her too. This is NOT to say that Mary is not seen with reverence, but a distinction I would make is that Muslims do not see her (or anyone outside of the prophetic lineage) with venerable reverence. It is also important to note that Muslims claim there have been lies regarding the past and person of Mary as believed by Christians.

Mary is one of the few women mentioned in the Quoran, and plays such a prominence that I believe a sudra (or chapter) is devoted to her (name?). Muslims believe in a stainless conception, like the Easterners, an experience like the Annunciation, a virgin birth of Jesus, and a subsequent dignified woman to see as a model and human reference.

So, here is a building block, let discussion commence. Later, I can discuss the historical involvements of Muslims and Eastern Christians regarding Mary, but please know my knowledge is mostly restricted to the Maronites (which should be of no surprise to anyone). If anyone wishes to give a short introduction to the Eastern view of Mary, by all means.

I would ask that there be an air of Christian charity in this discussion, if at all for the respect of Muslims who might venture in. The evangelical element is a part of this issue, though I again would ask that it too be discussed with charity. As a part of the OP, I would ask this is not a place to publicly criticize either the Muslims or Christian stance, but to constructively comment on how this issue could be a bridge for Eastern Christians and Muslims.

Peace and God Bless!

 

[chrisb]

Grace and Peace,

I just wanted to say that I’m very interested in this thread but I don’t really know have much I personally could contribute but I will be following it closely.

Thanks for your contribution and God Bless.

 

[bogoljub]

Peace,

This thread is for discussion about Mary’s involvement in dialogue with Muslims and Eastern Christians.

I am by no means an expert regarding Islam however much I grew up with my Muslim brothers. If I misrepresent, I ask those latter brothers of mine to correct me.

To preface, a short introduction to Islam’s view of Mary is needed:

Bearing in mind the Jesus in Islam is not seen as divinity but as a member of prophetic lineage, Mary too is not seen in the schema that Christians, especially Eastern Christians, hold her too. This is NOT to say that Mary is not seen with reverence, but a distinction I would make is that Muslims do not see her (or anyone outside of the prophetic lineage) with venerable reverence. It is also important to note that Muslims claim there have been lies regarding the past and person of Mary as believed by Christians.

Mary is one of the few women mentioned in the Quoran, and plays such a prominence that I believe a sudra (or chapter) is devoted to her (name?). Muslims believe in a stainless conception, like the Easterners, an experience like the Annunciation, a virgin birth of Jesus, and a subsequent dignified woman to see as a model and human reference.

So, here is a building block, let discussion commence. Later, I can discuss the historical involvements of Muslims and Eastern Christians regarding Mary, but please know my knowledge is mostly restricted to the Maronites (which should be of no surprise to anyone). If anyone wishes to give a short introduction to the Eastern view of Mary, by all means.

I would ask that there be an air of Christian charity in this discussion, if at all for the respect of Muslims who might venture in. The evangelical element is a part of this issue, though I again would ask that it too be discussed with charity. As a part of the OP, I would ask this is not a place to publicly criticize either the Muslims or Christian stance, but to constructively comment on how this issue could be a bridge for Eastern Christians and Muslims.

Peace and God Bless!

God bless!

I was very interested in Islam and the veneration of Christ and the Theotokos in Quran and Islam!

What I know is that the most honored persons in quran are Jesus and Mary ! I have books of muslim Saints and theologians where u can read high praises of Jesus and his Mother . It is a Dogma in Islam that Jesus was born by the Virgin and that he wiill return in the end ! He was not crucified it only was an imagination - Allah/God rescued him and took him alive to heaven ! They also believe that he was the Messias wich the prophets foretelled .
The only difference is that they do not believe that he is the son of God. It is said that Mohammed spend some time with nestorian monks and that he copied many things from christians- like the prayer 5 times a day, the head covering and seperation of the women, the calling of the muezzin on the minarett - from the Stylites of the christian desserrt…and so on, also the prostrations ( the orrthodox prostration is very similar) the kind of prayer to face Mekka with deep bows - christians always prayed facing Jerusalem or the East and bowed unceasingly!

They also have Saints ( St. John the Baptist is honored in Syria) and they believe in Angels like Michael and Gabriel ( they believe that Gabriel gave messages to Mohammed)

I also know many orthodox shrines where also mulims honor the Mother of God and receive healings and experience miracles !

In the last years Christ and the Theotokos worked great miracles in the muslim world . The resurrection of the killed arabian muslim after he was cutted in peaces by robbers ! The Mother of God brought him back to life - it was shown everywhere in arabia, syria, lebanon,…on tv, newspapers, all kinds of medias. This muslim belongs to royal famiily of arabia and converted to christianity after his resurrection !

In CHRIST

 

[ASimpleSinner]

In the last years Christ and the Theotokos worked great miracles in the muslim world . The resurrection of the killed arabian muslim after he was cutted in peaces by robbers ! The Mother of God brought him back to life - it was shown everywhere in arabia, syria, lebanon,…on tv, newspapers, all kinds of medias. This muslim belongs to royal famiily of arabia and converted to christianity after his resurrection !

In CHRIST

I think it is fair to say that this is something we would all be interested in hearing more about.

 

[bpbasilphx]

<< It is said that Mohammed spend some time with nestorian monks and that he copied many things from christians->>

I have also heard that Mahomet was a renegate Nestorian presbyter or bishop. The evidence is so strong that a book marshalling it (I can’t think of the title) was banned in Saudi Arabia.

 

[bogoljub]

I think it is fair to say that this is something we would all be interested in hearing more about.

…Then on the National highway, their car broke down and stopped in the middle of that road. The three men got out to determine why the engine had stalled. Then a passerby stopped to help them but they, afraid that their terrible act would be discovered, pretended that they did not need any help. But as the passerby motorist was leaving, he noticed blood dripping from the rear of the vehicle and he called the police to investigate because the scene and the three men looked suspicious. The police came and they saw the blood under the car and on the pavement so they ordered that the trunk be opened.

****Well, when the opened the trunk, lo and behold, the Saudi Arabian man lifted himself out, obviously and amazingly alive and in good health, saying to them “Just now this PANAGIA finished stitching my neck, right here (showing them the area of his Adam’s Apple), after first stitching up the rest of my entire body”. ****Seeing this, the three criminals immediately lost their minds-becoming like mad. The police handcuffed them and as they were being taken away to an asylum for the insane, the criminals started raving that it could not be possible that the Saudi Arabian man whom they killed, beheaded, and dissected could yet be alive.
The Saudi Arabian went to a medical facility to undergo examination by doctors and medical examiners who confirmed and attested that the stitching was done very recently, thereby validating the miraculous event. The stitches were, and still are, obvious. When the Saudi Arabian came out of the car’s trunk, he had the appearance, literally, of just having been refabricated (put back together) to which he continuously confessed that they PANAGIA had rejoined his body and resurrected him with the help of her Son.
Immediately after this, the Saudi Arabian called his relatives to come to Syria and they all went together to the monastery of Panagia Saidnaya and offered up prayers, praises, and glorification, and instead of the initial gift of $80,000 US (which was promised), he gave $800,000 US to the Theotokos.
**Today, as this man relates the details of that overwhelming miracle, he starts his narration with “When I was a Moslem this happened to me” this indicating he is not longer a Moslem, as neither is his family.

This miracle stunned with awesome surprise the entire Arabic/Moslem nation and all of the Middle East.**

Read the full text :

pigizois.gr

Under “The miracle in Syria”

There are many others - you only have to think of the appearances of the Allholy Theotokos and Evervirgin Mary throughout Egypt “When millions saw the Theotkos” - I know some copts and they showed me fotos and videos and many testimonies of all kinds of people : jews, moslems, christians of all confessions saw her !

It is like God has a "plan " with the orient ! It is also on the Philipins - I know some orthodox there and many great miracles are appearing there !

It is also said that in the Holy Land and especially in Jerusalem many miracles appeared; the bleeding Icon of Christ in the Nativity Church, the bleeding icons and frescos in the Sepulcher Chruch ( Christ is bleeding on all icons), thousends of poeple saw the face of Christ appearing over Jerusalem.

But there are many more througout the whole orthodox world such miracles are appearing ! The Allimmaculate Mother of God appeared in Tiblissi and was seen by thousends of people on the orthodox Christmas ( she was seen for 2 weeks), she also is appearing in ruussia ( she left her hand and footprints in the rock for proof of the truth of the appearance), she also appeared to an orthodox priest and told him to paint an icon called " The Resurrection of Holy Russia" and this icon is went throughout russia for veneration !

On the feastday of St. Seraphim the “sun came down” I saw a foto of this miracle - incredible - it lookd like the sun is covering the tomb of St. Seraphim !

There are many many more !

In CHRIST

 

[yeshua]

Another story, fairly recent, as told to me by a Maronite priest from Lebanon herself:

A Muslim mother was caring for her sick son, and his condition was failing. Prayer after prayer, Imam meeting with Imam, nothing was assiting the health of this dying boy. She was walking on her way home from market, emotionally at her breaking point, and she saw a Maronite shrine to Mary. In the air of what might be said in this country as, “why not?” she walked into the shrine weeping, pleading Mary for some answer. She asked for the mother that she needed to be. When she came home to her ailing son, he was cured, and sitting upright in bed waiting to tell his mother how good he felt. The two reverent Muslims sat on their prayer rugs, and thanked God for the miracle made possible by Mary. The Muslim woman went back to the shrine as it was being tended by the Maronite priest, and donated the market grocery from the night before, all the while asking for continued prayers. The priest agreed so long as prayers were said for him as well.

Peace and God Bless.

 

[srg02]

This was a poll tax payable by hindus for permission to live in their ancestral homes under a muslim sovereign. " This can be corroborated from the Zakhirat ul Muluk by Shaikh Hamadani: “The twenty conditions imposed on hindus are:
a) building no new homes for images and idol temples
b) Muslims are to be respected
c) If zimmis are gathered together in a meeting and muslims appear, they are to be allowed at the meeting.
d) They are not to dress like muslims
e) They are not to ride on horses with saddle and bridles.
f) They are not to build their homes in the neighbourhood of Muslims.
g) They are not to mourn their dead by loud voices.”
(only to mention a few)
The Hindus were under certain legal disbilities in giving testimony in law courts, protection under criminal law and in marriage. At the end of the conditions it is also written that if the zimmis transgress any of these then the Muslims will have all the right in the world to take their lives and possessions.

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