Arif Khan's Blog

The Journey

Knowledge is a fascinating thing - the progress of the human race relies upon knowledge being gathered and then shared and passed on. How does one generation learn from the last, how does one set of people learn from another, how does someone embarking on a journey learn from someone who just completed a similar journey? Knowledge transfer. Teaching. Learning. Contemplating and pondering.

5 years ago I had my diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma and the journey of the last 5 years has changed me. This blog is part of the process of documenting and sharing the thoughts, ideas, fears and hopes that I experienced during this time.

Are the ideas I now think about - things nothing to do with lymphoma - also worth expressing and sharing with others? Now I have almost completed documetning the 'Cancer Journey' should this blog still remain? Does it still hold relevance?

In this age of sharing and networking and the availability of information I feel there is always value in sharing - and so I will make this blog a repository of my thoughts, idaes and feelings.

Will it be of use to everyone? Probably not. But I think (and hope) every single post  will be of use to at least someone and that makes it worthwhile for me.

More coming soon.

New 'Jesus in India' Books

The following new books are out this month on the topic of 'Jesus in India' and other related items:

1. Atika Sadiqa - Jesus The Travelling Prophet:

 http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Traveling-Prophet-Atika-Sadeeqa/dp/1453804188

2. Asad Farooq - Jesus and Moses in India:



http://jesusandmosesinindia.com/now_available

 

Both are from Ahmadi authors who have self-published these texts. I'll write up more information about them shortly.

The Shroud of Turin

The Shroud of Turin is a subject I've been interested in for about 8 years. I did a lot of reading about it around 2003. I bought many books on it. I was very fortunate to become friends with arguably the most expert Shroud researcher - Barrie Schwortz - via email and have been in touch with him ever since.

For me the real fascination is around the theory that the Shroud of Turin actually is the burial cloth of Jesus Christ and also provides proof that he survived the Crucifixion.

Of course over the years there have been those have argued this both ways.

I've been fortunate enough to be involved in two recent projects on the Shroud:

1. MTA - Turin Shroud - The Real Truth : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlJb3LIguG0

I was able to provide specific bits of research and information for sections of this short documentary. The production team took the material and produced something really special.

2. The Review of Religions - The Shroud of Turin : http://www.reviewofreligions.org/2451

Given the recent interest and press coverage of the Shroud of Turin I wrote a detailed article summarising the main features of the Shroud, main research done to date, and a section on if it proves Jesus survived the Crucifixion.

For more articles I've written on the past view this page:

http://www.arifkhan.co.uk/articles.html

Radio Interview - Voice of the People Radio

I was interviewed by November Hanson for the Voice of the People Radio station.

The interview was approximately 2 hours and we covered a whole range of topics including:

- The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

- The Tomb of Jesus Website

- The Rozabal Tomb in Kashmir

- Did Jesus Survive the Crucifixion?

- Islamic Beliefs on Jesus

- 2nd Coming of Jesus and the Latter Days

The entire interview is availble for download here

Judiasm, Christianity and Islam - The Quran

The Quran takes time to explain the relationship between the Arabamic faiths. The Quran shows great reverance for the faiths and scriptures of Judaism and Christianity while at the same time explaining where these faiths have deviated from 'the right path'.

The interfaith relations between these three Abrahamic faiths is a complex matter that has evolved over centuries - yet the Quran summarises so many complex issues in the most eloquent and succinct manner. Here are a selection:

1. Chapter 2 - Al Baqarah - Verse 112-114

[2:112] And they say, ‘None shall ever enter Heaven unless he be a Jew or a Christian.’ These are their vain desires. Say, ‘Produce your proof, if you are truthful.’

 

[2:113] Nay, whoever submits himself completely to Allah, and is the doer of good, shall have his reward with his Lord. No fear shall come upon such, neither shall they grieve.

 

[2:114] And the Jews say, ‘The Christians stand on nothing;’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews stand on nothing;’ while they both read the same Book. Even thus said those who had no knowledge, like what they say. But Allah shall judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they disagree.

2. Chapter 2 - Al Baqarah - Verse 112-114

[2:121] And the Jews will by no means be pleased with thee, nor the Christians, unless thou follow their creed. Say, ‘Surely, Allah’s guidance alone is the guidance.’ And if thou follow their evil desires after the knowledge that has come to thee, thou shalt have, from Allah, no friend nor helper.

3. Chapter 2 - Al Baqarah - Verse 136

[2:136] And they say, ‘Be ye Jews or Christians that you may be rightly guided.’ Say: ‘Nay, follow ye the religion of Abraham who was ever inclined to God; he was not of those who set up gods with God.’

3. Chapter 2 - Al Baqarah - Verse 141

[2:141]  Do you say that Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and his children were Jews or Christians? Say, ‘Do you know better or Allah?’ And who is more unjust than he who conceals the testimony that he has from Allah? And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

These verses are contained within a couple of sections of the 2nd Chapter of the Quran. I felt once I had read the first 5 chapters of the Quran that I had a full appreciation for the interconnection between the Abrahamic faiths and Islam's response to them.

I have read numerous books related to these topics and many articles and papers online and the outline and overview given in the Quran gives the jist. It presents the key issues and the key points without going in to the details of Biblical scholarship, textual crticism, J.E.P.D., various codices and debates about scripture.

The explanations, even today, appeal greatly to the rational thinking mind and also help us understand the facts we observe around us. These are two key elements for a believable tradition and faith.

Islam & Other Religions

During interfaith discussions a topic that comes up frequently is what one particular religion teaches about other faiths. It is a sad fact that Islam is seen as possessing a very narrow view on truth, when in fact Islam is the only religion that gives details information about other faiths.

The Holy Quran gives many details about exactly where the truth lies in other religous belief systems and also where they have erred.

The Holy Quran mentions directly figures such as Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus. All are mentioned as truthful messengers of God and a Muslim must believe in all these prophets.

The Holy Quran is a detailed interfaith guide book. To give a flavour of some of the verses that highlight this inclusive feature of Islam I present the following quotes from the Holy Quran:

Al-Baqarah Chapter 2 : Verse 63

[2:63] Surely, the Believers, and the Jews, and the Christians and the Sabians — whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds — shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.

Aal-e-`Imran Chapter 3 : Verse 65

[3:65] Say, ‘O People of the Book! come to a word equal between us and you — that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partner with Him, and that some of us take not others for Lords beside Allah.’ But if they turn away, then say, ‘Bear witness that we have submitted to God.’

The final judgement between the different groups is left to God himself as it states int he Quran:

Al-Hajj Chapter 22 : Verse 18

[22:18] As to those who believe, and the Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians, and the Magians and the idolaters, verily, Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection; surely Allah is Witness over all things.

Under the leadership of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him) the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has expanded this inclusive religous teaching further. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him) also taught that Buddha (peace be upon him) and Krishna (peace be upon him) were also prophets of God and that Baba Guru Nanak - founder of the Sikh faith - also taught from the same Universial Spring of Truth that is God.

While the Jews teach of one chosen people of God, and the Christians talk of a single way to salvation through Christ, it is only Islam that talks about all the deep truths in all faith traditions.

Promised Messiah (as) on Calamaties and Sin

Consider the quote below:

"I do admit that the Prophets and the other truthful persons have also, at times, to pass through grave hardships (what can be termed as calamities) but to think that that happens to them because of some of their sins is a great mistake and a sin. There is a vast difference between the calamities that befall the truthful persons and the dear ones of God and those who disobey Him and are sinners. The truthful persons are granted patience which makes these calamities and hardships a source of sweetness. They enjoy them; because they, are cause of their spiritual upliftment for, the calamities are most conducive to their advancement - They are like a ladder for them."

Now the question is that how can a 'calamaty' lead to spiritual advancement?

The qualities of a believer include submitting to Allah's will and in effect detaching yourself from the outcome of things. If you submitt yourself to accepting what happens to you then your reaction to such things is different to others.

How can this submission be tested if you do not - then - have to experience things that will test it. Testing our resolve, and testing our response to it is what life is all about.

For the non-religious you can call such experiences as 'character building' if you dont want to use the term 'spiritual advancement'. Things, such as cancer, can occur at any time to anyone. How we react and respond to these trials is what really defines who we are and our character.

Thus, in a completely non-masochistic way, trials and tribulations can bring a form of 'sweetness' for a believer as it allows him to show and demonstrate forbearance and patience thus advancing him along the spiritual ladder.

A good message for me to listen to.

Ramadhan 2007 - Going to be a strange one..

Its Ramadhan. The usual Ramadhan timetable is packed with extra prayers, daily visits to the mosque, and the fasting from sunrise to sunset. Its a special time, a time for focusing on your faith whilst spending much time in contemplation, meditation and deep supplication.

But for me this Ramadhan will be very different - and its not easy at the moment.

I cannot fast this year. Its hard because right now i feel well enough to - but its not something i should even consider whilst undergoing chemotherapy. The Quran has an injuction for those who are sick to fast when they are better instead. I will do this i guess, but its like i missing out on a huge chunk of what Ramadhan is all about.

Also i cannot really go to the mosque for prayers. As my immune system is lowered during the treatment i have been told to avoid crowded places to minimise the risk of picking up any sort of illness / infection as this can be quite serious.

This is quite suffocating really - but its the best way to go at the moment, i dont think ignoring the medical advice would benefit me in the long run.

What is sad is that it does not feel like Ramadhan. Its normally so busy and exciting and intense and spiritually charged, but not this time. Others in the home are not fasting either, in fact out of 6 of us there's just my two brother's that are fasting today. Strange.

Even if i cannot partake in the visits to the mosque and the fasting i can still benefit from this special time through spending more time in studying the Quran and religious books. As i am fascinated by this material anyway it sounds like an excellent plan.