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The
disciples stood in great amazement at the rebellion of the angels.
Then said Jesus:
'Verily I say unto you, that he who maketh not prayer is more wicked than Satan, and shall
suffer greater torments. Because Satan had, before his fall, no example of fearing, nor
did God so much as send him any prophet to invite him to repentance: but man-now that all
the prophets are come except the messenger of God who shall come after me, because so God
willeth, and that I may prepare his way-and man, I say, albeit he have infinite examples
of the justice of God, liveth carelessly without any fear, as though there were no God.
Even as of such spake the prophet David: "The fool hath said in his heart, there
is no God. Therefore are they corrupt and become abominable, without one of them doing
good."
'Make prayer unceasingly, O my
disciples, in order that ye may receive. For he who seeketh findeth, and he who knocketh
to him it is opened, and he who asketh receiveth. And in your prayer do not look to much
speaking, for God looketh on the heart; as he said through Solomon: "O my servant,
give me thine heart. ' Verily I say unto you, as God liveth, the hypocrites make much
prayer in every part of the city in order to be seen and held for saints by the multitude:
but their heart is full of wickedness, and therefore they do not mean that which they ask.
It is needful that thou mean thy prayer if thou wilt that God receive it. Now tell
me: who would go to speak to the Roman governor or to Herod, except he first have made up
his mind to whom he is going, and what he is going to do? Assuredly none. And if man doeth
so in order to speak with man, what ought man to do in order to speak with God,
and ask of him mercy for his sins, while thanking him for all that he hath given
him?
'Verily I say unto you, that
very few make true prayer, and therefore Satan hath power over them, because God willeth
not those who honour him with their lips: who in the temple ask [with] their lips for
mercy, and their heart crieth out for justice. Even as he saith to Isaiah the prophet,
saying: "Take away this people that is irksome to me, because with their lips
they honour me, but their heart is far from me." Verily I say unto you, that he that
goeth to make prayer without consideration mocketh God.
'Now who would go to speak to Herod
with his back towards him, and before him speak well of Pilate the governor, whom he
hateth to the death? Assuredly none. Yet no less doth the man who goeth to make prayer and
prepareth not himself. He turneth his back to God and his face to Satan, and speaketh well
of him. For in his heart is the love of iniquity, whereof he huetpeiath not
repented.
If one having injured thee, should with
his lips say to thee, Forgive me and with his hands should strike thee a blow how wouldest
thou forgive him? Even so shall God have mercy on those who with their lips say:
"Lord, have mercy on us, and with their heart love iniquity and think on fresh
sins.'
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An Islamic Perspective and Commentary
by
Ishaq Zahid
The foremost act of a Muslim is daily prayer. In fact, Muslims are instructed to pray
five times daily at different times during the day and night. In the Holy Quran, God
Almighty says,
020.014 "Verily, I am God: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and
establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise."
According to a saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), prayer is a deciding
boundary between Belief and Unbelief.
The following verses from the Holy Quran describe the expected behavior in prayer and
ask for the rememberance of God. There is a strong warning to those who pray to show off.
007.205 And do thou Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and
in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of
those who are unheedful.
So woe to the worshippers. Who are neglectful of their prayers, Those who (want
but) to be seen (of men), But refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs. (The Quran,
107:4-7)
A believer should submit himself or herself completely in the service of God, as stated
below:
Say: "Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a way that is straight,- a religion of
right,- the path (trod) by Abraham the true in Faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods
with God." Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my
death, are (all) for God, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I
commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will. (The Holy Quran, 6:161-163)
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NOTE: We have added chapter headings to the Gospel of Barnabas
according to the main theme of each chapter. They are not part of the original text of the
Gospel.
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