UCLC News

   It is a holy time for worshipers in Lycoming County. No fewer than three religions have been or will be observing holy days in the coming month. This week, Christians of both Protestant and Catholic traditions observe Holy Week in preparation for Easter. Earlier this month, the Islamic fast of Ramadan began, and it will continue into next month. And in late April, the Jewish community will celebrate Passover.

   This week, articles describing each of these holy times have appeared in this publication, written by representatives of the Christian (both Catholic and Protestant), Islamic, and Jewish communities of the Williamsport area. My purpose, however, is to make the case that it is important for us to learn about one another.

   Given that these religious observances are quite different from one another (for example, one is a fast, the other a feast), can we find any sort of common ground, other than the fact of their nearness to one another in the calendar?

   The short answer to this is yes. One commonality is all three of these faiths claim the same roots. All three claim to worship the same God who created Adam and Eve, saved Noah from the flood, and promised descendants to Abraham.

   Yes, there are some differences in belief among the three that are difficult to reconcile, but doing so is not the intent of this article. There are many beliefs upon which followers of all three can agree. For example, our dependence on God, a concern for the poor, and God’s expectation that we love our neighbor.

   In the Christian tradition, this is perhaps best illustrated in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan. In that story, Jesus lifts up a religious outsider (the Samaritans were no friends of the Jewish people in those days) as the model of what it means to love one’s neighbor. This bears additional significance when Jesus affirms that loving one’s neighbor is one of the most important expectations God has of us. You can read the whole parable in Luke 10:25-37.

   I am not aware of a similar story in either Judaism or Islam, but I do know that both have very similar teachings regarding the principle on which the story was made: God wants us to love one another.

   So, given that we really do have a lot in common, particularly a command to love one another, I would suggest that it is important for us to learn from each other. To learn about Holy Week is to learn about a God whose love for us knows no bounds. To learn about Passover is to learn about the goodness of God who delivers from bondage. And to learn about Ramadan is to learn of the dedication of those who seek to do God’s will.

   And, perhaps most importantly, to learn about one another’s tradition is to learn how to love one another. Given the state that the world is in today, I can think of few things more important.

   And so, whether you will be observing Holy Week, Ramadan, Passover, something entirely different, or nothing at all, I wish you blessings during this holy time in Lycoming County.

   This article is an attempt to highlight the basic tenets and beliefs in Islam. Sometimes, people may use religion to justify their actions, whether it is permissible within the religion or not, so it is very important to read authentic books on Islam, and other religions, before making a judgment. It is also impossible to capture the breadth and nuances of an entire religion in this article; thus, only key tenants of Islam are highlighted.

   Islam is a religion of peace and submission to Almighty God. [The translation of God in Arabic is Allah (SWT)]. It is a continuation of monotheistic belief and was preached by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (PBUH), who lived from 629–632 CE. The Quran clarifies that Allah (SWT) is the same God who Jews and Christians believe in, and states, “And say to the Jews and the Christians: We believe in what is sent down to us and sent down to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him we submit (ourselves)” (29:46). Muslims believe that Muhammad’s (PBUH) Prophethood was foretold in the original Biblical and Judaic texts.

   The revelations from Allah (SWT) took 23 years to completion and became the Holy Quran, which still is in its original Arabic text. The Holy Quran contains a complete code of life for humankind. It came at a time when Arabia was passing through dark ages: tribal warfare and the killing of female children at birth were the norm. The Quran teaches Muslims to have the utmost respect to those who may follow other religions. It states, “There is no compulsion in religion,” (2:256) and forbids insulting non-Muslims, declaring “Insult not those whom disbelievers worship besides Allah (SWT), lest they insult Allah (SWT) wrongfully (6:108). Respecting people of other faiths is repeated in other places in the Quran (29:46).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

   Though the Prophet (PBUH) did not receive any formal education, he was highly respected within his community. In fact, even prior to Prophethood, he was called al-Amin (the trusted one in Arabic) among his community. God was his teacher through the angel Gabriel. The Quran informs about previous prophets from Adam all the way to Prophet Jesus (peace be upon them) and their teachings. Muslims are supposed to revere and believe all prophets equally. The Quran declares, “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the believers all believe Allah (SWT), all His angels, all His books that He revealed to the various prophets and all His messengers that He sent. They believe in such messengers without making any distinction between them” (2:285). The teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) are derived from the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims believe is the word of Allah (SWT).

Islam and Science

   The Quran contains various knowledge that was unknown to humanity at the time of revelation; we will highlight a few verses that pertain to human biology and astronomy. Pertaining to biology, we know now that most living things are made from water. The Quran states, “Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (21:30). The realization that living organisms are predominantly composed of water only dawned upon humanity with the advent of the microscope (nearly 1,000 years later). In the arid landscapes of Arabia, one would least expect that all life be made of water. The Quran also describes the embryologic process of human development (23:12-14), which was not known to scientists for centuries later. Pertaining to astronomy, the Quran provides clear evidence of our heliocentric solar system, which was “discovered” by scientists in 1543 CE, noting: “And it is He [Allah (SWT)] who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming” (Quran, 21:33). The Quran also describes the expansion of the universe, “And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander” (Quran, 51:47). Perhaps one lesser known fact, to most people, is that all iron on earth comes from meteorites; this was also described in the Quran, “We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great might and benefits for the people” (57:25). Allah (SWT) challenges those who may doubt that the Quran is the word of God, by asking them to attempt to replicate it; in Surah Baqarah, “And if you are in doubt as to that which we have revealed to Our servant, then bring a Surah the like of this, and do call your supporters other than Allah (SWT), if you truly think you can” (2:23).

Islam: The Basics – Five Pillars of Islam

   There are five basic Pillars of Islam: believing in One God, praying five times daily, fasting one month (Ramadan), paying obligatory poor dues, and going on Pilgrimage once in a lifetime if one has the financial ability. These rituals help Muslims practice complete submission to the will of God. Praying five times a day purifies the heart and reminds one constantly about God. During Ramadan, which started on March 11th this year, Muslims do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset! Not only do they need to abstain from eating and drinking, they have to abstain from evil talk or thought or any unlawful act, which may nullify the fast.

   At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with feasting and giving donations to the poor and gifts to friends and family. Those able give 2.5% of their annual savings to the needy, besides other optional charity. Islam is complete submission to the will of Allah (SWT). Muslims believe that we, as humans, are insignificant when it comes to the will of Allah (SWT). In the past, populations were put through various trials; the Divine Books (Torah, Bible, and Quran) all include testimonials to these. For example, in the times of Prophets Moses and Noah (peace be upon them), their people were tested through trials and tribulations in order to help guide the people on the straight path and to test their iman (faith).

Islam and Philosophy

   We believe that Allah (SWT)’s decree is the most powerful. In Sura Fil (105: 1-5), the story of Abraha is narrated. King Abraha came with an army of elephants to destroy the Kabba but was thwarted when the elephants refused to move forward, and Allah (SWT) sent a fleet of birds, who dropped pebbles on the army, killing the enemies and saving the Kabba. Here we see that small birds can stop a mighty army! We can think of this incident as a lesson to human beings. No matter how powerful we may seem, we are truly helpless and so insignificant in the sight of Almighty God.

   We often question why bad things happen to good people and vice versa. Surah Taha (20:129) answers this, stating: “Had a period of respite not been already decreed by Allah (SWT), the wrongdoers would have faced judgment quickly while in this world.” This underscores the hidden repercussions of our actions, advising against the arrogance of believing that one can escape the consequences of wrongdoing. Simultaneously, it offers comfort to those confronting challenges, assuring them that hardships are transient and necessitate patience. At the same time, Islam teaches us of Allah (SWT)’s mercy. The Quran states, “O my servants who have transgressed against their soul, do not despair of Allah (SWT)’s mercy” (39:53). It has been repeated throughout the Quran and Islamic tradition to repent for any wrongdoing.

Islam and Peace

   Islam is a religion that promotes peace and the avoidance of violence, and it encourages its adherents to approach others with the highest level of kindness. While a prevalent notion in Western media suggests that Islam spread through force, examining the countries with the largest Muslim populations, such as Pakistan, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh, reveals that Islam predominantly disseminated in these regions through the positive influence of Muslim traders and commercial interactions. Islam advocates the principle of “Repel evil with that which is better” (13:22; 23:96; 28:54; 29:46) and that if one is faced with aggression and intolerance, he/she should respond with peace. In the Quran, we are told “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:63).

Islam and Humanity

   Muslims believe that Islam teaches that humankind is held to the highest standard, and is the most honored of all of God’s creations. The Quran states, “Mankind is the best of creation. Allah (SWT) has honored the children of Adam” (95:4). We have been given countless blessings by God, from the alveoli in our bodies that help us with respiration, to the shade of trees on a hot day. The Quran states, “And if you should count the favors of Allah (SWT), you could not enumerate them” (16:18). If we are given such a high rank, we must be responsible with our actions. We should, at the very least, not oppress nor harm others.

   The Quran states, “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah (SWT) is the most righteous among you” (49:13). This conveys the message that people’s value comes not from their race, ethnicity, or gender, but from their righteousness. The Prophet (PBUH) said to his followers, “Allah (SWT) will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to humankind” (Sahih Al-Bukhari), and that “Nobody can be a good Muslim unless he /she checks whether their neighbor has something to eat before going to bed.” In the current climate of increased Islamophobia and Antisemitism, it is important to emphasize these teachings of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility. To illustrate with examples from various traditions, one significant teaching in Islam is the strong prohibition against unlawfully taking human lives. The Prophet (PBUH) explicitly forbade his followers from killing children, women, or the elderly during times of confrontation or warfare. Moreover, there is a strict injunction against destroying places of worship and cutting down fruit trees. These lessons are pertinent to modern times more than ever.

The Final Sermon of Muhammad (PBUH)

   The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) final sermon can be used to broadly highlight Islam’s teachings. Interestingly, he addresses all of humankind in his last sermon, contrary to other sermons which are addressed specifically to Believers and Muslims. The sermon imparts essential lessons, stressing the significance of refraining from causing harm, steering clear of usary, recognizing the influence of Satan, eradicating racism, and treating women with respect. Additionally, it promotes worship, fosters unity among Muslims, and advocates adherence to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

   To learn more about Islam, please access valid web sites like https://yaqeeninstitute.org/ or the various podcasts of https://www.qalam.institute/. The authors acknowledge this article is not an exhaustive exploration of Ramadan nor Islamic principle, but rather a high level view. Any good that comes from this is from Allah (SWT), and any mistakes are from ourselves (4:79).

   Acronyms: PBUH=peace be upon him; SWT=SWT is an abbreviation of the Arabic phrase “Subhanahu wa Ta’ala,” which means “Glory be to Him, the Exalted.” Please note that all in-text citations refer to the (chapter in the Quran: verse within the chapter).

   During Holy Week, the week before Easter, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and, according to their faith, His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

   The week includes six days of special significance.

   The first day is Palm Sunday, which observes Jesus’ humble and triumphal entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem to observe Passover. According to the Gospel account, Jesus was greeted by crowds of people who spread their cloaks, waved and laid palm leaves in His path, and proclaimed Him the Son of David, with shouts of Hosannas (Matthew 21:7-9)! It is a reminder to Christians to welcome Jesus or renew Him coming into their hearts, by being willing to follow Him. In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated with a blessing and procession of palms.

   Holy Wednesday is set aside to commemorate the “Bargain of Judas” as a secret spy among the disciples. It is also the day that a woman anointed Jesus’ head and feet with a costly oil, which the disciples were indignant about, thinking she should have sold the expensive oil, and given the money to the poor (Matthew 26:7-10, Mark 14:3-6).

   Maundy Thursday marks Jesus’ foundational preparation of His death at His Last Supper, thereafter, establishing the central elements of bread and the cup for Christian Communion and confession of sins. Jesus replaced the traditional servant’s work to wash the feet of His Twelve Disciples at the Last Supper and did the washing Himself to show His love. Jesus also identified the disciple who had betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver, though Jesus knew the whole time who the betrayer would be (John 13).

   Good Friday has the worship service called Tenebrae, meaning “darkness.” It commemorates Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, after carrying His own cross to Golgotha, a hill outside Jerusalem. It is traditionally a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting. Many Christian churches have worship services from 12:00-3:00 p.m., the time of Jesus’ taking His last breath on earth (John 19).

   Holy Saturday is the traditional end of Lent. Today it is a time for the children’s egg hunts. There just may be a reason for that. Early Christian Churches prohibited the eating of eggs during Holy Week, but chickens continued to lay eggs during that time. The belief of specially identifying those as Holy Week eggs brought about their decoration. The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell.

   Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, according to the Gospels, on the third day after His crucifixion. The day celebrates the defeat of death and the hope of salvation for all who believe in the Trinity: Father God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Many churches have sunrise services, celebrating when the awakening sun opens the day. It is a day of celebration, singing Easter hymns, and shouting “Hallelujahs” and “He is Risen” in the worship experiences. It is not the end, but the day of the beginning for all of us (John 20).

   Happy Holy Week and Easter to all.