Is there a link between Islam and the Samaritans?

[brother_dan_mac]

I have been wondering if anyone knows of a link between Islam and Samaria in the old world? Seems to me that this would make sense, since reportedly, Islam has a great respect for Mary, as well as Jesus. And, furthermore, the Samaritans were to the north of the Israelites, and shared a common faith with them. Also, I can’t help thinking of the “woman at the well” and the many souls added to christianity there.

Could some traditions have been handed down over the 500+ years?
Any help would be appreciated…

 

[ralphinal]

I can see where you would get that. The only issue is that geographically, Samaria is not Arabia. The Samaritans where a mixture of Syrians (assyrians) and the Northern Tribes of Isreal. Due to political, ethnic and geographic issues, they did not worship in the temple and were considered as non-Jews by those who did.

It is my understanding that the connection between Islam and Cristianity has to do with exposure to Christian heretics in the Arabian desert.

 

[inJESUS]

One thing is sure. The Quran did not drop from nowhere neither from heaven. You find paralleles in non-canonical “orthodox” apocrypha, in gnostic apocrypha, in Jewish and Christians legends, in Talmud and Mishna, among others. As to doctrines, they existed before as well, such as the doctrines of the Judaizers who opposed the teachings of the apostles, the gnostics, and Arians in addition to orthodox doctrines…in other words, it’s bits and pieces from here and there and it’s highly possible, Samaritans as well as long as Muhammad used to travel a meet different people and Arabia being a cultural city of different beliefs.

 

[swariffin]

I have been wondering if anyone knows of a link between Islam and Samaria in the old world? Seems to me that this would make sense, since reportedly, Islam has a great respect for Mary, as well as Jesus. And, furthermore, the Samaritans were to the north of the Israelites, and shared a common faith with them. Also, I can’t help thinking of the “woman at the well” and the many souls added to christianity there.

Could some traditions have been handed down over the 500+ years?
Any help would be appreciated…

Dear brother,

The Samaritan has existed long before Mohammad was born. It is also possible that during the life of Muhammad, he met some samaritans and communicate to them.

 

[brother_dan_mac]

I can see where you would get that. The only issue is that geographically, Samaria is not Arabia. The Samaritans where a mixture of Syrians (assyrians) and the Northern Tribes of Isreal. Due to political, ethnic and geographic issues, they did not worship in the temple and were considered as non-Jews by those who did.

It is my understanding that the connection between Islam and Cristianity has to do with exposure to Christian heretics in the Arabian desert.

Thanks for the reply. I know that both Islam and samaritans have had issues with the Jews over their claim to the succession of religious rule, or tradition from their common ancestors, but that’s not what I am after. I am simply looking for a passing on of ideals from the Samaritans to Islam, which was born more than 500 years after Christ, steming from possibly the converts from the well experience.

And could you expand a little on the exposure of chritian heretics? Were these heretics from the islamic religion, or from the christian? I do know that Francis of Assisi went to visit the Sultain in the dessert, to prove the christian religion was the true one…

 

[ralphinal]

Thanks for the reply. I know that both Islam and samaritans have had issues with the Jews over their claim to the succession of religious rule, or tradition from their common ancestors, but that’s not what I am after. I am simply looking for a passing on of ideals from the Samaritans to Islam, which was born more than 500 years after Christ, steming from possibly the converts from the well experience.

And could you expand a little on the exposure of chritian heretics? Were these heretics from the islamic religion, or from the christian? I do know that Francis of Assisi went to visit the Sultain in the dessert, to prove the christian religion was the true one…

I am not the scholar of Islam that some on this site are, but I can say that there is some reason to think that Muhammed, over the course of his life, met some heretics who passed along various myths, legends, and falsehoods. One of these being that Jesus did not die on the cross, another being the story of him speaking as a newborn baby.

Naturally, as Islam grew, so did the contact that it had with other faiths. The heretical contact that I was mentioning really occured before it was formulated.

Sure, Muhammed could have met Sameritans, but I doubt that they were influential in the formation of the Muslim mindset

 

[inJESUS]

Brother, regarding heresies and Muhammad, you find, for example, the gnostic interpretation of the crucifixion in the Quran…and other info about both Jesus and Mary are paralleled in apocrypha written in the third century on…

 

[JMBNH]

There’s a link between Islam and the Ebionites/Nazarenes (i.e. Jewish Christians), the latter who believed Jesus to be a prophet but not God (I think they considered him the Messiah though) and I think had the views Islam has on the crucifixion. They followed Jewish Law still

 

[inJESUS]

There’s a link between Islam and the Ebionites/Nazarenes (i.e. Jewish Christians), the latter who believed Jesus to be a prophet but not God (I think they considered him the Messiah though) and I think had the views Islam has on the crucifixion. They followed Jewish Law still

indeed, actually they started as the ones who opposed the apostles’ teachings and harrassed them from church to church to teach their falsehood …if you knew Arabic, i have 2 great books that trace Quranic beliefs to these people using Islamic and historical documents …

 

[Hesychios]

The Samaritans have generally gotten a bum rap by history.

Jesus seemed to be somewhat sympathetic to them, He seemed to argue against the Jewish bigotry directed towards Samaritans in His parables and His actions. The admission of Samaritans into the Christian following may have been an important preliminary step in the acceptance of gentiles later.

I think they are a wonderful case study, but I wouldn’t attribute anything more to them than being an alternative Hebrew religious denomination. They got hammered by practically everybody.

Quite a few converted to Christianity. They still exist BTW, as a very very small group.

 

[brother_dan_mac]

I am not the scholar of Islam that some on this site are, but I can say that there is some reason to think that Muhammed, over the course of his life, met some heretics who passed along various myths, legends, and falsehoods. One of these being that Jesus did not die on the cross, another being the story of him speaking as a newborn baby.

Naturally, as Islam grew, so did the contact that it had with other faiths. The heretical contact that I was mentioning really occured before it was formulated.

Sure, Muhammed could have met Sameritans, but I doubt that they were influential in the formation of the Muslim mindset

Thanks. And I have read here at C.A. from a muslim that they believe that Jesus was the messiah, but the Father took him back into heaven before the crucifixion, and someone else died in His place. Never heard the one about Him speaking as an infant, though. I do not know if he was of a sect that beleived these things, or if they are tenents of the muslim faith.

 

[brother_dan_mac]

The Samaritans have generally gotten a bum rap by history.

Jesus seemed to be somewhat sympathetic to them, He seemed to argue against the Jewish bigotry directed towards Samaritans in His parables and His actions. The admission of Samaritans into the Christian following may have been an important preliminary step in the acceptance of gentiles later.

I think they are a wonderful case study, but I wouldn’t attribute anything more to them than being an alternative Hebrew religious denomination. They got hammered by practically everybody.

Quite a few converted to Christianity. They still exist BTW, as a very very small group.

Yes, I knew they still exist, and am really curious about them. Perhaps I’ll google it.

And it does certainly seem they have gotten a bum rap, especially since there aparently has not been a whole lot written about them, as seen here so far anyways.

Thanks everyone for posting so far! Forgive me if I don’t reply right away, as I can’t get on line as much as I would like to, as things are quite hectic right now.

 

[Steven_John]

Thanks. And I have read here at C.A. from a muslim that they believe that Jesus was the messiah, but the Father took him back into heaven before the crucifixion, and someone else died in His place. Never heard the one about Him speaking as an infant, though. I do not know if he was of a sect that beleived these things, or if they are tenents of the muslim faith.

I am not a scholar in any way.

The common thread between Christians and Muslims about crucification is both believe non believers can not really kill those who belong to God. They only perceive them dead in this world. Both see Jesus (pbwh) as returning to heaven.

Islamic belief is that Jesus (pbwh)spoke for the cradle, i have pondered and prayed of this much.

for consideration not stated as fact,
2000 years ago Jewish people did not offer mystical religious practice to one under 40 years of age as they were not considered old enough to be wise.

If one had quoted minor when speaking of religion they could have replied “he is still in the cradle” referring that he was not of age to be taken seriously.

Jesus (pbwh) is said to have been found in a temple when he was a boy in serious dialect with Jewish elders.

Could this not be speaking from the cradle?

If Jesus (pbwh) had spoken as a new born surely Christian would have included it in their SS it would support their position as a big miracle.
More over the people around would have known who he was right from day 1.
Then it is unlikely Jews would have ever questioned him and accepted him as blessed or would have used it against him saying it was of darkness.

May God bless and guide us all

 

[Steven_John]

And it does certainly seem they have gotten a bum rap, especially since there aparently has not been a whole lot written about them, as seen here so far anyways.

They are not getting a bum wrap where i live any more.
When have three Catholic schools in or town who have been just brought together under a common administration.

They renamed the schools Samaritan College.

Thats a big statement to name years of Catholic heritage this way.

A step towards unity?

 

[brother_dan_mac]

They are not getting a bum wrap where i live any more.
When have three Catholic schools in or town who have been just brought together under a common administration.

They renamed the schools Samaritan College.

Thats a big statement to name years of Catholic heritage this way.

A step towards unity?

That sounds really good. I think there are some other schools that have ‘Samaritan’ in their name, as well, though I am not sure they are Catholic…

Also, the explanation about the jewish saying “in the cradle” makes a whole lot of sense, and is probably where he got the missinformation from.

God Bless, and sorry for the delay in replying.

 

[jdnrite01]

Sure, Muhammed could have met Sameritans, but I doubt that they were influential in the formation of the Muslim mindset

Frankly, I don’t know if Muhammed would have distinguished Samaritans from Jews, much in the same way that Christians fail to distinguish between Sunni and Shia Islam. How many members of this board recognize that there are Reconstructionist, Reformed, Conservative and a variety of different Orthodox Jewish sects?

Another post in this thread touches on this obliquely:

I think they are a wonderful case study, but I wouldn’t attribute anything more to them than being an alternative Hebrew religious denomination.