WHO SPOKE TO MUHAMMAD IN THE CAVE?

 

Well, who spoke to Muhammad in the cave of Hira? Was it Gabriel? Or was it a demon impersonating the angel Gabriel? Islamic sources admit that Muhammad did not know who the cave spirit was until some years later. It was about three years after the encounter in the cave that Muhammad began to associate the spirit with the angel Gabriel. We will now look into the most authentic Hadith in the Muslim world and examine Muhammad’s first encounter with the spirit in the cave.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3:

The Prophet added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read?)’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, ‘Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (96.1, 96.2, 96.3)

Then Allah’s Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that happened and said, “I fear that something may happen to me.”Khadija replied, “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.”

Something really distressing occurred in the cave that day. Muhammad ran back to his wife terrorized. In total panic he told her, “I fear that something may happen to me.” And just as children hide under the covers when they are afraid, Muhammad had his wife wrap him in a blanket. He did not want to see the cause of that terror again. That supernatural confrontation in the cave was more demonic than divine.

Had the spirit been Gabriel, it would have reassured Muhammad and calmed his fears. However, the spirit left him in extreme distress. The encounter by Muhammad stands in stark contrast to the gentle nature of angelic encounters recorded in the Bible. The true Gabriel and other angels almost always begin their conversation with the comforting phrase, “Do not be fearful.” The following

Biblical accounts are just a few out of the many examples of comforting encounters that worshippers of the true God had with angels:

Matthew 28:5: The angel said to the women: “Do not be fearful, I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified.”

Luke 1:13: However, the angel Gabrielsaid to him: “Zechariah, have no fear, God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John.”

Luke 1:26-30: In the sixth month after Elizabeth became pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He was sent to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel greeted her and said, “The Lord has given you special favor. He is with you. Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be. So the angel said to her: “Have no fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

And even the Qur’an admits to this gentle encounter with the angels when it recalls the Bible’s account of the Angelic visitation to Abraham:

Surah 51:24-30:Has the story reached you, of the honored guests (three angels; Gabriel along with another two) of Abraham? When they came in to him, and said, “Salam!” He answered: “Salam” and said: “You are a people unknown to me.” Then he turned to his household, so brought out a roasted calf. And placed it before them, saying: “Will you not eat?” Then he conceived a fear of them when they ate not. They said: “Fear not.” And they gave him glad tidings of an intelligent son, having knowledge. (Hilali-Khan)

In contrast, Muhammad’s encounter with the spirit deeply troubled him. This proves that the spirit could not have been the angel Gabriel but a demon impersonating him. In order to confirm the identity of this impersonating spirit with certainty, we need to analyze the messages that this spirit conveyed to Muhammad. Are the messages given through this spirit reliable? Are they in harmony with the earlier inspired Scriptures of God?

TEST THE SPIRIT

More than five-hundred years before the Qur’an was revealed, the inspired Scriptures that were given to the Christians warned them against the dangers of being misled by deceptive spirits:

Galatians 1:8: “But should we or an angel from Heaven preach to you any other Gospel than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”

So what sort of messages did this impersonating spirit transmit to Muhammad? Are they in harmony with the revealed will of God? In one of the messages delivered to Muhammad, we find the following statement:

Surah 9:30: “The Christians call Christ the son of God. That is a saying from their mouth; in this they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to day. God’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!” (Yusuf Ali)

The above Qur’anic verse denies the Sonship of Jesus Christ. However, centuries earlier when Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her:

Luke 1:35: The holy spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And for that reason the one who is born will be called holy, God’s Son.

Clearly, these are two contrasting messages. Can they really come from the same Gabriel? Which one of them is then the true message from God? Is it the message in the Bible or the one in the Qur’an? The Book of Luke is part of the Gospel. Carefully notice what is said about the Gospel in the Qur’an.

Surah 5:46: “And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was revealed before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was revealed before it in the Torah – a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off evil.” (Pickthall)

The Qur’an recognizes the Gospel as one of the inspired Scriptures of God. And very significantly it adds that there is “guidance and a light” in the Gospel. Can the Scripture which is given by God as “guidance and a light”for mankind contain an erroneous teaching in it? Absolutely not! Therefore, the teachings in the Gospelregarding the identity of Jesus as the “Son of God”must be absolutely true. And it must remain absolutely true for all eternity. This is because the Qur’an guarantees that no one can change the Word of God.

Surah 10:64: “None can change the Words of Allah. This is indeed the Supreme Triumph.” (Pickthall)

Since the Qur’an itself identifies the Gospel as the Word of God, it means that the Gospel cannot be changed in any way by any one. It is not supposed to. Otherwise, the above Qur’anic verse becomes false the very instant the Gospel is changed. This essentially rules out the claim by Muslims that the Christians corrupted the identity of Jesus as the “Son of God” in the present Gospel. Muslims cannot hold on to their claim without falsifying their Qur’an. Either the Qur’an is wrong in its claim that “none can change the Word of God”or the Qur’an is right in its claim that “none can change the Word of God.” If the Qur’an is right, then the identity of Jesus as the “Son of God” in the Gospel must be absolutely true. And it must remain absolutely true for all eternity. That is why the commandment of Allah for the Christians to “observe the Gospel” can still be found in the Qur’an today. And this means believing that Jesus is the “Son of God.”

Surah 5:68: Say: “O followers of the Bible! You have no valid ground for your beliefs – unless you truly observe the Torah and the Gospel, and all that has been bestowed from on high upon you by your Sustainer!” (Asad)

The dilemma for Muslims is that even when the Qur’an is right it is wrong. This is because while the Qur’an recognizes the Bible as the eternal Word of God, it denies the Sonship of Jesus. It is a lose, lose situation for Muslims. What is important for Muslims to note is the fact that even Muhammad is commanded in the Qur’an to follow the guidance given to the earlier messengers of God. And this includes the guidance given through Jesus in the Gospel.

Surah 6:84-90: And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed We guided David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good. And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias. Each one of them was of the righteous…, Those are they unto whom We gave the Scripture and Command and Prophethood…, Those are they whom Allah guideth, so follow their guidance. (Pickthall)

While admitting that the Gospel contains “guidance and a light,” the Qur’an at the same instant contradicts the fundamental messages of the Gospel. Does not this tell us that something is seriously wrong with the messages transmitted by the spirit which spoke to Muhammad in the cave? Who then is this impersonating spirit who brought these contradictory messages to Muhammad? The Bible provides us with a vital piece of information:

Jude 1:6: “And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them in everlasting bonds under darkness, waiting for the great Day of Judgment.”

The Bible tells us that because of acts of revolt against God, some angels lost their heavenly position and joined Satan in his rebellion. These rebellious angels became demons. In vengeance these demons turn mankind away from the teachings of the true God. One way they achieve this is by inspiring misleading inspired messages–messages that contradict God’s Word. And Muhammad was a victim of these misleading demons. The deceptive spirit that brought contradictory messages to Muhammad is either Satan himself or one of his fallen angels. The Bible lovingly cautions Christians:

1 John 4:1: Beloved, do not accept as true every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

The true God encourages his worshippers to “test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God.” Since Muslims consider it blasphemous to critically analyze the Qur’an, they accept the demonic teachings of Islam unquestioningly. In fact, they are commanded not to ask any questions regarding the tenents of Islam.

Surah 5:101-102:“O ye who believe! Ask not questions about things which if made plain to you, may cause you trouble…, Some people before you did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith.” (Yusuf Ali)

There are many dangers lurking in the religion of Islam. And one of the subtle dangers of the Qur’an is the existence of partial truths in it. The worst kinds of lies are half-truths because they are often hard to detect. Note for example how the Qur’an accurately teaches that the Bible, which consists of the Torah and the Gospel, is the revealed Word of God.

Surah 3:3-4: “He sent down the Law(of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind.” (Yusuf Ali)

Yet at the same time, the Qur’an contradicts the vital teachings of the Bible. The Qur’an denies not only the unique position of Jesus as the Son of God but it also denies the atoning value of his sacrifice for the redemption of mankind from sin and death. Since the Qur’an confirms the Bible as the Word of God, while contradicting its fundamental teachings, the Qur’an is misleading. It must be rejected because such conflicting teachings prove the existence of inconsistencies within its pages. Conflicting truths cannot exist in the inspired Word of God.

As Muhammad was illiterate, he was thoroughly deceived by the spirit masquerading as Gabriel. Instead of seeking enlightenment through the divine light of the Holy Bible, Muhammad’s illiteracy led him to seek enlightenment in the darkness of a cave. What an irony! The inspired Word of the true God would have greatly provided him with the necessary wisdom to distinguish truth from error. As for Muslims, there is still hope for them if they turn to the true God for salvation. Here is a vital clue for Muslims.

For a sincere Muslim to gain salvation, it is absolutely vital for him or her to take in deep spiritual knowledge of God. Without this spiritualknowledge a Muslim simply cannot become a spiritual person. And true spiritualityis attained only when we build our lives around this knowledge of God. Therefore, to gain salvation, it is vital for us to become a spiritual person.

Let’s say you are interested in learning how to play golf. And you went to the bookstore and bought yourself a book on golf. Later, as you read through the pages of that book, you find that not once the word “golf” is mentioned in the entire book. How would you react? It is the same with the Qur’an.

It is absolutely important for Muslims to note that the words “spiritual” and “spirituality” cannot be found in the entire Qur’an. How can the Qur’an then provide spiritual guidance to Muslims when it that does not even mention it at all? Spirituality is often related to the deepest values by which a God-fearing person determines to live. As such, an individual’s spirituality is crucial for the attainment of his or her salvation. How can Muslims then seek spiritualguidance from the Qur’an when it does not speak on this vital issue at all? Can a book that does not contain the word “spiritual” or “spirituality” comprehend the deep spiritual things of God? We do not think so.

There are many Qur’an Concordances available on the Internet. A concordance will help you to find out the number of times a particular word appears and where it appears in the Qur’an. All you have to do is enter the keyword. For example, if you key in the word “Hell,” every occurrence of this word in the Qur’an will be shown to you. And you can also see in which Qur’anic verses this word appears. However, you will find no reference whatsoever in the Qur’an for the terms, “spiritual” and “spirituality.” Can you comprehend the full implication of what this means?

In contrast, in numerous passages of the Bible we can find the term “spiritual” and “spirituality” mentioned within its pages. It also highlights the importance of being a spiritual person. For the benefit of our Muslim readers, we will cite just one example from the Bible:

1 Corinthians 2:11-15: No one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God. Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit, as we combine spiritualmatters with spiritual words. But a physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man.

Muslims, only when you examine spiritual matters spiritually, you can gain salvation. For that, you need to study the Holy Bible.

SURAH 33:56 – WHO IS ALLAH PRAYING TO?

 

Many will be surprised to learn that Allah actually prays. The Quran not only admits that Allah prays but it also reveals the very objective of his prayers. It reveals that Allah prays onthe Prophet. In other words, Allah prays for Muhammad. And the Angels join him in praying for Muhammad. We encourage our readers, especially Muslims, to digest the information provided here carefully. Let us begin by first reading this vital Quranic verse:

Surah 33:56: Surely Allah and His Angels shower Serenity (Literally: shower prayers) on the Prophet. O you who have believed, pray for benediction on him, and submit in full submission. (Muhammad Ghali)

The Arabic word used here in Surah 33:56 is “yusalloona.”The above Muslim translator is fully aware of the true meaning of this Arabic word. He knows that it should be translated literally as “shower prayers.” Therefore, Surah 33:56 should be correctly translated as: “Surely Allah and His Angels shower prayers on the Prophet.” Since he understands the accurate meaning of this Arabic term, why does he not translate it correctly right away? Why does he choose to reveal the correct meaning only in parenthesis?

This is because Muslim translators such as the above and many others like him are horrified by the implications of this Quranic verse. Therefore, they deliberately mistranslate this Quranic verse. Most of them translate this verse to mean: “Allah and his angels shower blessings on the prophet.”The problem is that the Arabic word for “blessings” is “baarika.” And this word does not appear anywhere in this Quranic verse. The Arabic word used in Surah 33:56 is “yusalloona” which is a verbal form of the word “salah” or “salat.” The meaning of “salah” or “salat” is prayer or worship.The plural of “salat” is “salatwat.” Compare now the following translation:

Surah 33:56: Allah sends His Salat on the Prophet and also His angels too. O you who believe! Send your Salat on him and greet him with the Islamic way of greeting. (Hilali-Khan) Personal commentary of the Translator in parenthesis omitted.

Therefore, the correct translation of Surah 33:56involves the prayer of Allah for Muhammad. This Quranic verse is absolutely damaging for Islam. To whom is Allah praying to? Is there another deity above him to whom he supplicates? The very suggestion that God prays is totally absurd. In fact, we are told in the Quran that not only does Allah pray for Muhammad but he also prays for his worshippers. In view of their importance, we have provided three different translations of the following Quranic verses:

Surah 2:156-157:Who, when an affliction afflicts them, say, “Surely we belong to Allah, and surely to Him we are returning.”Upon those are the prayers from their Lord, and mercy; and those are they who are the right-guided. (Muhammad Ghali)

Who, in adversity say: “We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.” On those will be prayers and mercy from their Lord, those are guided. (Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah)

Those who if a disaster or any other thing hated struck them they said: “We are to God, and we are to Him returning.”Those, on them are prayers from their Lord and a mercy, and those are the guided. (Samira)

The Arabic word for “prayers” in the above Quranic verses is “salawatun.” These verses clearly testify that Allah’sprayers are upon those who return to him in faith. This proves that Allah prays. In concurrence with the teachings of the Quran, both the Hadiths and the Tafsirsalso confirm that Allah prays. Let us consider now the Hadith of a renowned Muslim scholar.

The “Meadows of the Righteous” (Arabic: Riyadh as-Salihin) is a compilation of important verses from the Quran by renowned Muslim scholar, Al-Nawawi (1233–1277). The “Meadows of the Righteous” is a collection of vital Quranic with commentary from authentic Hadiths to clarify their true meaning. Al-Nawawidocumented the following details under the heading, Book of Knowledge, 241. Chapter: The Excellence of Knowledge:

1387. Abu Umama reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allahand His angels and the people of the heavens and the earth, even the ants in their rocks and the fish, pray for blessings on those who teach people good.” (At-Tirmidhi)

And

2685. Abu Umamah al-Bahili narrated: “Two men were mentioned before the Messenger of Allah. One of them a worshipper, and the other a scholar. So the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like my superiority over the least of you.’ Then the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Indeed Allah, His Angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earths – even the ant in his hole, even the fish – say Salat upon the one who teaches the people to do good. (Hasan) — English Translation of Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Compiled by Imam Hafiz ‘Eisa Mohammad Ibn ‘Eisa At-Tirmidhi, From Hadith no. 2606 to 3290, translated by Abu Khaliyl

The above Hadith is categorized as “Hasan”which means it is recognized as authentic by Muslim scholars. Read carefully the words of Muhammad in the above Hadith once again. He is clearly testifying that Allah, like the rest of the creations, “say Salat (prayer)upon the one who teaches the people to do good.” We will now consider the Tafsir of another renowned Muslim scholar.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Surah 33:56:  

The people of Israel said to Moses: “Does your Lord pray?” His Lord called him saying: “O Moses, they asked you if your Lord prays. Say to them: ‘Yes, I do pray, and my angels pray upon my prophets and my messengers,’” and Allah then sent down on his messenger: “Allah and His angels pray . . .” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Q. 33:56; translated from the Arabic online edition)

Of course, the true “Lord” of Moses does not pray. Since God is Almighty, it is impossible for Him to pray. Allah the impostor who praysis claiming to be the God of Moses. This clearly proves that Allah is not the true God. The Quran reveals that Allah is a fellow-worshipper along with the rest of the angels. This is clearly polytheism. Sadly for Muslims, they pray to a god who prays. And they follow a prophet who has the authority to interrupt their prayers to Allah. And this authority comes at a great cost to Muslims because it empowers Muhammad to prevent Allah from listening to the prayers of those whom he interrupts. Muhammad has to be greater or equal in authority with Allah to prevent him from listening to your prayers. When Muhammad calls, Muslims must stop whatever they are doing and respond to his call. And this includes their prayers. Muslims, we are not the ones saying this but your Prophet:

Surah 8:24: “O you who believe! Answer the call of Allah and His Apostle when he calls you to that which gives you life; and know that Allah intervenes between man and his heart, and that to Him you shall be gathered.” (Shakir)

Carefully consider now how the Prophet of Islam clarified both the meaning and the application of the above Quranic verse.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 226:  

Narrated Abu Said Al-Mualla: While I was praying, the Prophet passed by and called me, but I did not go to him till I had finished my prayer. When I went to him, he said, “What prevented you from coming?” I said, “I was praying.” He said, “Didn’t Allah say” “O you who believe Give your response to Allah and to His Apostle.” (Surah 8:24)

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 1:

Narrated Abu Said bin Al-Mu’alla: While I was praying in the Mosque, Allah’s Apostle called me but I did not respond to him. Later I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I was praying.” He said, “Didn’t Allah say – Give your response to Allah (by obeying Him)and to His Apostle when he calls you.”(Surah 8:24)

This proves that Muslims must respond to the call of Muhammad even while they are praying. They are required to honor Muhammad above Allah. Why do we say that? On the surface it may appear that Muhammad was only demanding the Muslims to recognize his right to interrupt their prayers. However, there is more to this. It is important to note that each time Muhammad interrupts the prayer of a Muslim, he simultaneously interrupts Allah from receiving the prayer of that Muslim. This means that Muhammad has the authority to even interrupt Allah from receiving the prayers of his worshippers. Does not this exalt Muhammad to a position equal or even greater than Allah? Is this not polytheism? Can you then deny that in reality Islam has two gods?

The true God is identified by this divine name in the Holy Bible. His divine name is Jehovah. He is God Almighty. As such, it is impossible for Him to pray. On the other hand, Allah prays. This clearly proves that he is not the true God. He is but an impostor.

Before we conclude this article, we want to clarify an important fact. We want our Muslim readers to understand that true Christians do not worship Jesus. The Holy Bible does allow for this. However, we firmly believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God. And we sincerely obey all the teachings of Jesus Christ which are recorded in the Holy Bible. One such teaching is the profound statement of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus clearly stated:

Matthew 4:10: For it is written: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to himalone you must render sacred service.”

This teaching of Jesus Christ rules out the worship of anyone else besides Jehovah.In obedience to his teaching, we worship Jehovah alone. He is the only true God.

SI MAPENZI YA MUNGU TUWE MASIKINI - MWL CHRISTOPHER MWAKASEGE

Utangulizi

(Namna ya mkristo kuishi katika hali ngumu ya uchumi bila kumkosea Mungu)

Kati ya mambo yaliyotabiriwa kutokea katika siku hizi za mwisho ni dhiki katika mataifa, pamoja na hali ngumu ya uchumi. Soma mwenyewe katika Luka 21:25-26 na Ufunuo wa Yohana 6:5-6.

Pia, tunasoma kutoka katika biblia ya kuwa biashara na uweza wa kuuza na kununua utafuata mfumo fulani uliojaa dhuluma, ambao utatawaliwa na kundi fulani ulimwenguni. Watu hawatauza wala kununua bila ya kupatana na watu wa kundi hilo, na hasa kiongozi wao. Na asomaye na afahamu. Soma kitabu cha Ufunuo wa Yohana sura yote ya 13.

Si hivyo tu, bali Biblia inaeleza wazi kabisa kuwa katika siku hizi za mwisho kutakuwa na uhusiano mkubwa sana kati ya utajiri na uasherati na pia kati ya biashara na uasherati. Soma kitabu cha Ufunuo wa Yohana sura za 17 na 18. Lakini pia unaweza kuwa na utajiri na ukafanya biashara bila kujihusisha na uasherati na mambo mengine yaliyo kinyume na maadili ya Mungu.

Tutawezaje kupona katika hali ya namna hii tusimkosee Mungu wetu aliyetuita katika utakatifu ndani ya Mwana wake mpendwa Yesu Kristo? Kwa nini wakristo wengi wanaishi katika hali ngumu kiuchumi kama vile kuna mtu aliyewawekea vikwazo vya uchumi wasifanikiwe?

Watu wengi wanapenda kuishi maisha matakatifu na wengi pia wanapenda kuokoka na kudumu ndani ya kristo, lakini swali linalowasumbua ni wafanyeje katika hali ngumu hii ya uchumi wapate chakula, malazi na mavazi kihalali bila kumkosea Mungu?

Ni watu wachache wanaofahamu uwezo wa mawazo katika kuongoza maneno na matendo yao ya kila siku. Ni budi ufahamu ya kuwa maneno yako na matendo yako ni matokeo ya jinsi unavyowaza. Kwa maneno mengine naweza kusema ya kuwa maisha ya mtu yanategemea mtazamo wa mawazo yake.

Kwa ufafanuzi zaidi ni kwamba jinsi ulivyo ni matokeo ya jinsi unavyowaza; kwa kuwa unayowaza ndiyo unayoyasema na kuyafanya.

Watu wengi wamekuwa wakifikiri ya kuwa Mungu ndiye aliyewapangia kuwa maskini. Na hata wakristo wengine kudiriki hata kuuona umaskini kama sehemu ya utakatifu na unyenyekevu.

Lakini Biblia haisemi hivyo, wala haifundishi mawazo hayo. Ni lengo langu kukueleza katika ujumbe huu ya kwamba *SI MAPENZI YA MUNGU TUWE MASKINI.*

Nataka ufahamu pia ya kuwa nitakapokuwa natumia neno wakristo katika ujumbe huu, ujue namaanisha wakristo wale wanaomkiri Yesu Kristo ya kuwa Bwana na Mwokozi wao; ambao pia humwabudu Mungu katika Roho na Kweli.

Ni maombi yangu kwa Mungu katika Jina la Yesu Kristo kuwa atakuwezesha kusoma na kuelewa somo hili, ili wote tulio wakristo tusimame katika haki zetu zote zilizopatikana pale msalabani. Nia hasa ni kukupa mafundisho ya msingi ya kukusaidia uweze kuishi hata katika hali ngumu ya uchumi bila kumkosea Mungu. Kila wiki nitakuwa nakuwekea sura mojawapo ya mafundisho haya.

Mafundisho ninayotarajia kukufundisha yatakuwa na mfululizo wa masomo kama yafuatayo:

· Kwa nini si mapenzi ya Mungu tuwe maskini?

· Mafundisho manne yasiyo sahihi unayopaswa kuyatambua

· Nani anaupenda wokovu wa kimaskini?

· Utajiri wake Kristo usiopimika

· Uchumi wa ufalme wa mbinguni

· Tofauti ya zaka na dhabihu

· Ukitoa tegemea kupokea

· Sadaka na wokovu

· Natoa lakini sipokei – nifanyeje?

· Ufanyeje katika hali ngumu ya uchumi?

Haya ni mafundisho ambayo nitayaweka kwa namna ambayo yatakupa changamoto ya kuyasoma zaidi wewe binafsi na kuyaweka katika matendo. Kwa hiyo usitegemee kupata majibu ya maswali yote uliyonayo juu ya mambo niliyoorodhesha hapa juu, bali tegemea mwongozo wa changamoto itakayokusaidia katika kujifunza zaidi juu ya utajiri na mkristo.

KWA NINI SI MAPENZI YA MUNGU TUWE MASKINI?

Napenda kuanza kukuambia ya kuwa si mapenzi ya Mungu uwe maskini. Kwa sababu tangu kuwekwa misingi ya ulimwengu huu, Mungu hakupanga kuwa watu wake aliowaumba wawe maskini; bila kujali rangi, kabila, wala taifa.

Nafahamu ya kuwa katika Mathayo 5:3, Yesu Kristo alisema; “Heri walio maskini wa roho; maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao.” Watu wengi wanapousoma mstari huu, wanadhani Yesu Kristo alisema “Heri walio maskini wa mahitaji ya MWILI; maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao.” Lakini Kristo hakusema hivyo.

Mtu maskini maana yake ni mtu mhitaji. Yesu Kristo aliposema “Heri walio maskini wa roho …….” Alikuwa ana maana ya kusema ‘Heri walio wahitaji wa mambo ya rohoni; maana ufalme wa mbinguni ni wao. Ndiyo maana aliongeza kusema, “Heri wenye njaa na kiu ya haki; maana hao watashibishwa" (Mathayo 5:6).

Mtu aliye maskini wa mambo ya mwili ni yule aliye mhitaji wa mambo ya mwili. Na mambo ya mwilini ninayoyasema ni mavazi, chakula na mahali pa kulala. Yesu Kristo hakusema heri wale walio na mahitaji ya chakula, mavazi, afya na malazi.

Ninaposema mahitaji ya mwili usije ukachanganya na matendo ya mwili yaliyoandikwa katika Wagalatia 5:19-21 ambayo ni uasherati, uchafu, ufisadi, ibada ya sanamu, uchawi, uadui, ugomvi, wivu, hasira, fitina, faraka, uzushi, husuda na ulevi. Mimi siyazungumzii hayo ninaposema juu ya mahitaji ya mwili. Mahitaji ya mwili ninayoyasema ni mavazi, chakula, nyumba na matibabu.

Kwa hiyo si sawa kabisa kwa mtu kuhalalisha umaskini wa mwili, yaani ukosefu wa chakula, mavazi, matibabu na nyumba, kwa kutumia maneno ya Bwana Yesu Kristo yaliyo katika Mathayo 5:3:

Nataka kurudia tena; si mapenzi ya Mungu mtu awe maskini.

Unaweza ukaniuliza na kusema, “Bwana Mwakasege kama si mapenzi ya Mungu mtu awe maskini, mbona basi kuna matajiri na maskini, je! Mungu hakuwaumba wote?

Ni kweli kwani hata imeandikwa katika Mithali 22:2, kuwa “Tajiri na maskini hukutana pamoja; Bwana ndiye aliyewaumba wote” . Lakini fahamu ya kuwa ingawa matajiri na maskini waliopo wote waliumbwa na Mungu; tangu mwanzo wa uumbaji Mungu hakuyaweka matabaka haya mawili.

Hapo mwanzo Mungu alipomuumba mtu, hakuweka ndani yake utajiri na umaskini pamoja. Wala hakuumba watu wengine wawe matajiri na wengine wawe maskini.

Tunafahamu ya kuwa mtu aliumbwa kwa mfano wa Mungu na kwa sura ya Mungu. Na naamini ya kuwa utakubaliana nami nikisema Mungu wetu si maskini kwa hiyo hatukuumbwa kwa mfano wa kimaskini wala sura ya kimaskini.

Kwa nini nasema na kusisitiza ya kuwa si mapenzi ya Mungu tuwe maskini?

Ninazo sababu nne ambazo ningependa kukushirikisha:

1. Mungu ndiye atupaye nguvu za kupata utajiri

“ Bali utamkumbuka Bwana , Mungu wako, maana ndiye akupaye NGUVU ZA KUPATA UTAJIRI; ili alifanye imara agano lake alilowapa baba zako, kama hivi leo” (Kumb. 8:18).

Si mapenzi ya Mungu tuwe maskini kwa kuwa yeye mwenyewe ndiye atupaye nguvu ili tupate utajiri! Kama basi Mungu anatupa nguvu za kupata utajiri, ina maana ni wazi kwamba Mungu hapendi tuwe maskini wa mambo ya mwilini.

Lakini fahamu ya kuwa si matajiri wote waliopo duniani wameupata utajiri kutokana na nguvu walizopewa na Mungu. Wengi wamepata utajiri kwa njia ya dhuluma. Na ndiyo maana sehemu nyingi katika Biblia matajiri wa jinsi hiyo wamekemewa. Soma Amosi 5:11, 12. Kwa sababu hii Mungu hayuko upande wa matajiri hawa. Hii pia haimaanishi kuwa Mungu yuko upande wa KILA maskini aliopo duniani. La hasha! Mungu yuko upande wa yule ayafanyaye mapenzi yake awe tajiri au maskini (Mathayo 7:21)

Watu wengi wametajirika kwa njia ya rushwa na kutokusimamia haki pamoja na uchoyo. Na hii si sawa hata mbele za Mungu. Ni dhambi zilizo wazi kabisa. Na wote wafanyayo hayo wanahitaji kutubu!

Ngoja nikueleze jambo muhimu: Mungu anapokupa nguvu za kupata utajiri, anakupa akiwa na lengo na kusudi muhimu.

Ni lengo gani hilo?

Imeandikwa, “………. Ili alifanye imara agano lake alilowapa baba zako,

kama hivi leo”

Na Yesu Kristo alisema, “ ……. Kikombe hiki ni AGANO JIPYA KATIKA DAMU YANGU, inayomwagika kwa ajili yenu” (Luka 22:20).

Mungu akikupa nguvu za kupata utajiri ni kwa ajili ya kulifanya imara agano lake katika damu ya Yesu Kristo. Na hii ina maana utajiri utakaokuwa nao kutoka kwa Mungu ni kwa kueneza injili! Ni kwa ajili ya kueneza habari njema ya ukombozi kutokana na dhambi, mauti, magonjwa na umaskini. Habari njema hii inatakiwa kuenezwa kwa maneno na kwa matendo.

Kwa kuwa tu kuna matajiri wasio wa haki basi haimaanishi kuwa matajiri wa haki hawapo. Ni budi tuweze kutofautisha utajiri ulio wa haki na utajiri usio wa haki.

2. Mungu ndiye atufundishaye kupata faida

Muungu wetu tunayemwabudu na kumtumikia katika Kristo Yesu si Mungu wa hasara bali Mungu wa faida. Imeandikwa hivi;

“Bwana, Mkombozi wako, Mtakatifu wa Israeli, asema hivi;Mimi ni Bwana, Mungu wako, nikufundishaye ili upate faida, nikuongozaye katika njia ikupasayo kuifuata” (Isaya 48:17).

Ndiyo maana kila mtu ndani yake ameumbiwa kupenda kufundishwa ili apate faida katika mambo anayoyafanya. Mungu akikufundisha kupata faida; njia utakayotumia kupata faida itakuwa njia ya haki. Na faida hiyo haitakuwa kwa ajili yako mwenyewe, bali utawashirikisha na wengine pia faida hiyo .

Watu wengine kwa kutokuwa wavumilivu, na kutokujali mafundisho ya Mungu; wameamua kujipatia faida kwa kuwadhulumu, kuwakandamiza na kuwanyonya wengine. Na inasikitisha jinsi wanavyomshirikisha Mungu katika faida najisi namna hiyo waposema ya kuwa ni Mungu aliyewasaidia ‘kudhulumu na kunyonya’. Ni wazi ya kuwa Mungu hakuwasaidia kupata faida kwa njia ya udhalimu.

Si mapenzi ya Mungu tuwe maskini, ndiyo maana anatufundisha ili tupate faida ya halali. Kwa ajili hiyo imeandikwa; “Mwibaji asiibe tena; bali afadhali afanye juhudi, akitenda kazi iliyo nzuri kwa mikono yake mwenyewe, apate kuwa na kitu cha kumgawia mhitaji” (Waefeso 4:28).

Je! Si jambo la kushukuru hili, la kuwa na Mungu ambaye hapendi tupate hasara?

Kama Mungu asingekuwa anapenda tufanikiwe katika mahitaji yetu ya mwili, basi ingeandikwa wazi katika Biblia. Lakini badala yake naona maneno kama yafuatavyo; “Mpenzi, naomba ufanikiwe katika mambo YOTE na kuwa na afya yako, kama vile roho yako ifanikiwavyo”

(3 Yohana 1:2).

Kwa maneno mengine anatuombea ya kuwa kwa kadri roho inavyofanikiwa basi tufanikiwe vivyo hivyo katika mahitaji ya mwili – yaani tuwe na chakula, mavazi, n.k.

3. Vitu vyote vyema ni mali ya Bwana, na vyote vya Bwana ni vyetu ndani ya Kristo

Katika Zaburi 24:1 imeandikwa; “Nchi na vyote viijazavyo ni mali ya Bwana; Dunia na wote wakaao ndani yake”

Na pia ukisoma katika Hagai 2:8 unaona imeandikwa hivi “Fedha ni mali yangu, na dhahabu ni mali yangu, asema Bwana wa majeshi”

Ngoja nikuulize swali; Je! unadhani vitu vyote hivi Bwana amemwekea nani? Unadhani alimwekea shetani na watu wanyonyaji wachache?

La hasha!

Mungu aliviweka vitu hvi vyote na mali hii yote kwa ajili ya watu wake wote, ili itumike katika usawa. Kwa nini? Kwa kuwa Mungu hapendi watu wake wawe maskini. Ndiyo maana mtu alipoumbwa aliwekwa awe wakili wa mali yote ya Mungu hapa duniani.

Utajiri uliomo duniani umetawaliwa na watu wachache na nchi chache siku hizi kwa sababu ya dhambi za uchoyo, ubinafsi, uonevu,unyonyaji, unyang’anyi na dhuluma zilizoingia ndani ya mwanadamu.

Na hii imefanya watu wengine kufikiri ya kuwa Mungu ndiye aliyegawa matabaka haya mawili, ambavyo si kweli. Na si vizuri kumsingizia Mungu katika jambo ambalo mwanadamu mwenyewe amejiletea uharibufu.

4. Yesu Kristo alikuwa maskini ili sisi tuwe matajiri

“Maana mmejua neema ya Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo, jinsi alivyokuwa maskini kwa ajili yenu, ingawa alikuwa tajiri, ili kwamba ninyi mpate kuwa matajiri kwa umaskini wake” (2 Wakorintho 8:9).

Je! unafahamu kwa nini Yesu Kristo aliamua kuwa maskini? Ni “…….. ili kwamba ninyi mpate kuwa MATAJIRI kwa umaskini wake”.

Najua kuna wengine watashangaa kuusoma mstari huu; lakini ndivyo ilivyo.

Nimewahi kusikia mkristo mmoja akisema:

“ Mimi ni maskini kwa kuwa Yesu Kristo alikuwa maskini”.

Na mwingine alisema; “ Napenda kuwa maskini kwa kuwa Yesu Kristo alikuwa maskini”.

Nadhani kuwa kuna wakristo wengi ambao wana mawazo kama haya. Ni kweli kwamba Yesu Kristo alipokuwa hapa duniani alikuwa maskini. Lakini hakuwa maskini ili sisi tuwe maskini; bali alikuwa maskini ili sisi tuwe matajiri! Kama alikuwa maskini ili sisi tuwe maskini kama wengine wanavyodhani, basi kazi hiyo haina faida kwetu. Lakini Yesu Kristo asifiwe kwa kuwa alikuwa maskini ili sisi tuwe MATAJIRI.

Na ndiyo maana alisema katika Luka 4:18a ya kuwa; “Roho wa Bwana yu juu yangu, kwa maana amenitia mafuta kuwahubiri MASKINI habari njema.”

Je! kuna habari njema kwa maskini zaidi ya kumwondoa katika umaskini wake?

Injili ni habari njema. Na injili ni uweza wa Mungu uuletao wokovu kwa kila aaminiye (Warumi 1:16). Kuokoka si kuenda tu mbinguni; bali kuokoka maana yake ni uokolewe usiende motoni bali uende mbinguni ukifa, PAMOJA na kuokolewa kutoka kwenye matatizo ukiwa hapa duniani ambayo ni pamoja na umaskini.

Petro aliposema “Bwana niokoe” alipokuwa anazama katika maji unafikiri alikuwa anataka wakati huo aokoke aende mbinguni? La hasha! Yeye Petro alitaka aokoke ASIZAME KATIKA MAJI. Na Yesu akasikia kilio chake akamwokoa. Hivi leo kuna watu wengi mijini na vijijini wanalia Yesu awaokoe kutokana na njaa, kukosa mavazi, magonjwa, maonezi, nakadhalika. Kanisa kama mwili wa Kristo linatakiwa kuwa mstari wa mbele kuwasaidia watu hao, kwa kuwa kazi hii ni sehemu ya utume wake.

Wakristo wengine utawasikia wakisema; hapa duniani hawahitaji kitu bali thawabu yao wataipata mbinguni. Lakini matamshi ya namna hii yanaeleza ukweli nusu na usiokamilika. Kuwa mkristo kuna thawabu duniani na kuna thawabu mbinguni.

Kama hakuna thawabu yoyote tunayoipata tukiwa hapa duniani kwa kumfuata Yesu Kristo; basi ukristo wetu hauna maana na hauna msaada wowote kwa mwanadamu. Ukristo usiotatua matatizo ya mwanadamu ya kila siku, ni ukristo usio na uhai.

Mtume Petro naye aliwahi kusumbuliwa

sana na jambo hili, hata ikabidi amuulize Bwana Yesu.

“Ndipo Petro akajibu, akamwambia, tazama, sisi tumeacha vyote tukakufuata, TUTAPATA NINI BASI?” (Mathayo 19:27)

“Yesu akasema, Amini, nawaambiaeni, hakuna mtu aliyeacha nyumba, au ndugu waume, au ndugu wake, au mama, au baba, au watoto, au mashamba, kwa ajili yangu, na kwa ajili ya Injili, ila atapewa MARA MIA SASA WAKATI HUU, nyumba, na ndugu waume, na ndugu wake, na mama, na watoto, na mashamba, pamoja na udhia; na katika ulimwengu ujao uzima wa milele” (Marko 10:29,30).

Majibu haya ya Bwana Yesu, yanazidi kutudhihirishia ya kwamba si mapenzi ya Mungu tuwe maskini. Yesu Kristo ameeleza wazi kabisa ya kuwa atakayemwamini na kufuata maagizo hayo atapata MARA MIA SASA WAKATI HUU akiwa bado duniani. Na kati ya vitu atakavyopewa ni pamoja na nyumba na mashamba!

Ni kweli Bwana Yesu Kristo alipokuwa hapa duniani alikuwa maskini, lakini baada ya kufufuka alirudishiwa utajiri wake. Ndiyo maana Mtume Paulo anazungumzia juu ya “….. utajiri wake Kristo usiopimika”. (Waefeso 3:8). Na katika Wafilipi 4:19 tunasoma hivi; “Na Mungu wangu atawajazeni kila mnachokihitaji kwa kadri ya utajiri wake, katika utukufu, ndani ya Kristo Yesu”.

Kumbuka ya kuwa; Yesu Kristo alichukua dhambi zetu na magonjwa yetu , na kwa kupigwa kwake sisi tumepona (Isaya 53:5; Mathayo 8:16,17; 1Petro 2:24). Na kwa kujua hili kanisa linajihusisha na kuombea wagonjwa na kutoa huduma za afya kwa wagonjwa.

Kumbuka ya kuwa; Yesu Kristo alichukua dhambi zetu na akafanyika dhambi kwa ajili yetu,

“ Ili sisi tupate kuwa haki ya Mungu katika Yeye” (2Wakorintho 5:21). Na kwa kujua hili kanisa linahubiri habari za ondoleo la dhambi kwa yeyote atakayemwamini Kristo.

Kumbuka ya kuwa; Yesu Kristo alikuwa maskini, ingawa alikuwa tajiri, ili kwa umaskini wake sisi tupate kuwa matajiri (2 Wakorintho 8:9). Na kwa kujua hili kanisa linajihusisha na miradi mbalimbali ya kimaendeleo ili mtu aondokane na umaskini.

Somo litaendelea...