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Somali Bible Society (SBS)Newsletter
October 2024 |
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| | Our Mission……is to enable and facilitate opportunities for the holistic development of the illiterate masses, impoverished families, and fatherless children. We aim to evangelize the lost and disciple the believers in Somalia and beyond. We will achieve this mission by producing, distributing, and teaching biblical and contextualized resources in partnership with local churches. |
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| THIS MONTH’S FEATURED THEME: “THE JESUS OF THE HADITH” |
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Muslims and Christians alike should read carefully the contents of this newsletter!
Hi << Test First Name >>
Last month we found that the Qur’an (the most authoritative source for Muslims) clearly teaches that Jesus is the most unique prophet in all of history. This month we are taking a look at the Hadith and seeing what this collection of Islamic teachings has to say about Jesus. The Hadith is the second most authoritative source in Islam.
I will be referring to various Hadith which speak of Jesus as the most powerful and most pious prophet of all.
Before approaching this very sensitive subject for Christians and Muslims alike, I want to put forth three disclaimers:
Disclaimer #1 - I am in no way giving the Hadith the status of being an authoritative source of truth. I am using this collection of writings because it is an authoritative source of truth for all Muslims, and it’s to Muslims that I am primarily publishing this newsletter, although Christians that would desire to be more effective in witnessing to Muslims will benefit also. I am personally convinced that the Bible is the only inspired Word of God.
Disclaimer #2 - I am using references from the Hadith in this newsletter to indicate what the Hadith teach Muslims, not what I believe.
Disclaimer #3 - I am not a Hadith scholar by any means. In fact, I have just recently read through the Hadith to see what it says about Jesus.
I recommend that Muslims who read this newsletter investigate for themselves each of my Hadith references and conclusions drawn. Listen to the Hadith and think for yourselves. |
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|  | The Hadith The Sahih al-Bukhari Collection (in English) |
| My purpose for this newsletter is not to aggravate, anger, or hurt in anyway my Somali Muslim friends. I call them friends because I truly love and appreciate those that I have met and in some cases have developed close relationships. I have been in many of your homes. Your hospitality is amazing and I have so enjoyed getting to know you.
My purpose is to draw attention to what your second most authoritative source, the Hadith, says about Jesus as being the most powerful and pious prophet of all, and to encourage you to go to the Injil (the Gospel) and discover who this Jesus really is.
I encourage Christians reading this newsletter to think through the material presented and to discover ways that you can more effectively share Jesus with Muslims that you encounter. |
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| The Hadith portray Jesus as the most powerful and most pious prophet.
Let us look to the Hadith and study its teachings about Isa al-Masih (Jesus, the Messiah).
(All quotes from the Hadith are from the Sahih al-Bukhari Collection because all the Hadith in this collection are authentic. I have provided URL links to all Hadith quoted so that my Muslim friends can easily check out my quotes for themselves. All words in bold print in quotations below were made bold by me for emphasis). |
| THE HADITH PORTRAY JESUS AS THE MOST PIOUS OF ALL PROPHETS |
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In the eight hadith that follow (and there are more) Jesus is seen as a holy, righteous prophet, the most pious of all.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You will be gathered (on the Day of Resurrection) and some people will be driven (by the angels) to the left side (and taken to Hell) whereupon I will say as the pious slave (Jesus) said:- - "And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them...the ALMIGHTY, the All Wise."
Book 65, Hadith 148USC-MSA web (English) reference Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 150 URL Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 4626
In this hadith Jesus is referred to as pious (some translations follow the Qur’an in referring to Jesus as sinless).
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When any human being is born. Satan touches him at both sides of the body with his two fingers, except Jesus, the son of Mary, whom Satan tried to touch but failed, for he touched the placenta-cover instead."
Book 59, Hadith 95USC-MSA web (English) reference Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 506 URL Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 3286
This hadith indicates that Jesus is the only human ever born who was not touched by Satan at birth. (i.e., Born of a Virgin Birth)
It was narrated from Umar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: `Do not praise me as the Christians praised 'Eesa bin Maryam [Jesus]. I am no more than the slave of Allah and His Messenger.`
Book 2, Hadith 71 URL Reference: Musnad Ahmad 154
In this hadith Muhammed indicates that he himself should not be worshipped, while admitting that Jesus was worshipped by Christians.
'Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, that 'Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished".
Introduction, Hadith 412 URL Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 412
In this hadith Jesus is identified as God’s Word and God’s Spirit that God breathed into Mary in the Virgin Birth.
Abdullah b. Sa'id reported: The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) led us in the morning prayer in Mecca and began Sarat al-Mu'minin (xxiii ) but when he came to the mention of Moses and Aaron (verse. 45) or to the mention of Jesus (verse 50), a cough got the better of him, and he bowed. 'Abdullah b. Sa'ib was present there, and in the hadith narrated by Abd al-Razzaq (the words are): He cut short (the recitation) and bowed.
Book 4, Hadith 184USC-MSA web (English) reference Book 4, Hadith 918 URL Reference: Sahih Muslim 455
In this hadith Muhammed declares that he bowed when he mentioned Jesus’ name.
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "On the Day of Resurrection you will be assembled barefooted, naked and uncircumcised". He then recited: "As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it," and continued: "The first to be clothed on the Day of Resurrection will be (Prophet) Ibrahim. Then some of my Companions will be taken to the left, (i.e., towards Hell-fire) and when I will say, 'They belong to my Ummah, O my Rubb!' It would be said: 'You do not know what they invented after you had left them.' I shall then say as the righteous slave [i.e., 'Isa (Jesus (ﷺ)] said: 'And I was a witness over them while I was amongst them, when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them and You are a Witness to all things. If you punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.' I shall be told: 'They continued to turn on their heels since you parted from them".
Introduction, Hadith 165 URL Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 165
In this hadith Jesus is referred to as righteous.
Hanzala al-Aslami reported: I heard Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) as narrating from Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) who said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life. Ibn Maryam (Jesus Christ) would certainly pronounce Talbiya for Hajj or for Umra or for both (simultaneously as a Qiran) In the valley of Rauha.
Book 15, Hadith 237USC-MSA web (English) reference Book 7, Hadith 2877 URL Reference: Sahih Muslim 1252a
In this hadith Muhammed appears to be saying that his life is in the hand of Jesus.
‘Awf said: I heard al-Hajjaj addressing the people say: The similitude of ‘Uthman with Allah is like the similitude of Jesus son of Mary. He then recited the following verse and explained it: “Behold! Allah said: O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehood) of those who blaspheme.” He was making a sign with his hand to us and to the people of Syria.
Book 42, Hadith 46 English translation Book 41, Hadith 4624 URL Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 4641
In this hadith it appears that Allah and Jesus are being put on the same level, and that Allah will raise Jesus to be with him.
Jesus is the Most Pious of all prophets! Again, Jesus is seen as the sinless one, while Muhammed is asked to repent of his sins.
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| THE HADITH PORTRAY JESUS AS THE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL PROPHETS |
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In the six hadith (and there are more) that follow Jesus is seen as a returning conquerer to set all things right in the latter days.
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The Last Hour would not come until the Romans would land at al-A'maq or in Dabiq. An army consisting of the best (soldiers) of the people of the earth at that time will come from Medina (to counteract them). When they will arrange themselves in ranks, the Romans would say: Do not stand between us and those (Muslims) who took prisoners from amongst us. Let us fight with them…They will then fight and a third (part) of the army would run away, whom Allah will never forgive. A third (part of the army) which would be constituted of excellent martyrs in Allah's eye, would be killed and the third who would never be put to trial would win and they would be conquerors of Constantinople...Certainly, the time of prayer shall come and then Jesus (peace be upon him) son of Mary would descend and would lead them. When the enemy of Allah would see him, it would (disappear) just as the salt dissolves itself in water and if he (Jesus) were not to confront them at all, even then it would dissolve completely, but Allah would kill them by his hand and he would show them their blood on his lance (the lance of Jesus Christ).
Book 54, Hadith 44USC-MSA web (English) reference Book 41, Hadith 6924 URL Reference: Sahih Muslim 2897
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, surely (Jesus,) the son of Mary will soon descend amongst you and will judge mankind justly (as a Just Ruler); he will break the Cross and kill the pigs and there will be no Jizya (i.e. taxation taken from non Muslims). Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it, and a single prostration to Allah (in prayer) will be better than the whole world and whatever is in it." Abu Huraira added "If you wish, you can recite (this verse of the Holy Book): -- 'And there is none Of the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians) But must believe in him (i.e Jesus as an Apostle of Allah and a human being) Before his death. And on the Day of Judgment He will be a witness Against them." (4.159) (See Fath-ul-Bari, Page 302 Vol 7)
Book 60, Hadith 118USC-MSA web (English) reference Vol. 4, Book 55, Hadith 657 URL Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 3448
'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Dajjal (the Antichrist) will appear in my Ummah and he will stay in the world for forty. I do not know whether this will be forty days or forty months or forty years. Allah will then send (Prophet) 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). 'Isa will pursue him and slaughter him…
Book 18, Hadith 3 URL Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1810
Hudhaifa b. Usaid al-Ghifari reported: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to us all of a sudden as we were (busy in a discussion). He said: What do you discuss about? They (the Companions) said. We are discussing about the Last Hour. Thereupon he said: It will not come until you see ten signs before and (in this connection) he made a mention of the smoke, Dajjal, the beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of Jesus son of Mary (Allah be pleased with him), the Gog and Magog, and land-slides in three places, one in the east, one in the west and one in Arabia at the end of which fire would burn forth from the Yemen, and would drive people to the place of their assembly.
Book 54, Hadith 51USC-MSA web (English) reference Book 41, Hadith 6931 URL Reference: Sahih Muslim 2901a
An-Nawwas bin Sam`an (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One morning the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made a mention of Dajjal, and he described him to be insignificant and at the same time described him so significant that we thought he was on the date-palm trees (i.e., nearby). When we went to him (the Prophet (ﷺ)) in the evening, he perceived the sign of fear on our faces. He said, "What is the matter with you?'' We said: "O Messenger of Allah, you talked about Dajjal this morning raising your voice and lowering it until we thought he was hiding in the palm-trees grove: He said: "Something other than Dajjal make worry about you. If he appears while I am with you, I will defend you against him. But if he appears after I die, then everyone of you is his own defender. Allah is the One Who remains after me to guide every Muslim…and it will be at this very time that Allah will send `Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) who will descend at the white minaret in the eastern side of Damascus, wearing two garments lightly dyed and placing his hands on the wings of two angels. When he will lower his head, there would fall drops of water from his head, and when he will raise it up, drops like pearls would scatter from it. Every disbeliever who will find his (i.e., `Isa's) smell will die and his smell will reach as far as he will be able to see. He will then search for Dajjal until he will catch hold of him at the gate of Ludd (village near Jerusalem), and will kill him. Then the people, whom Allah will have protected, will come to `Isa son of Maryam, and he will wipe their faces and will inform them of their ranks in Jannah, and it will be under such conditions that Allah will reveal to `Isa these words: `I have brought forth from amongst my slaves such people against whom none will be able to fight, so take these people safely to the mountain.' …''
Book 18, Hadith 1 URL Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1808
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you people (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig and abolish the Jizya (a tax taken from the non-Muslims, who are in the protection, of the Muslim government). Then there will be abundance of money and nobody will accept charitable gifts.
Book 34, Hadith 169USC-MSA web (English) reference Vol. 3, Book 34, Hadith 425 URL Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 2222
Over and over again the Hadith show that Jesus is the invincible warrior who will descend in the latter days to bring an end to the Antichrist, the false Messiah (Dajjal), and the beast, and the enemies of God (Gog and Magog). Jesus will serve as a powerful and just ruler. According to the Hadith it is only Jesus who will bring the final victory against all of God’s enemies.
Jesus is the Most Powerful of all prophets!
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This month we find that the Hadith clearly portray Jesus as the most powerful and pious prophet of all time. Last month in the September Newsletter we saw that the Qur’an clearly teaches that Jesus is the most unique prophet in all of history. Jesus is the most unique, most powerful, and most pious person who ever lived.
No one is like Him, not Muhammed, not any other prophet, not anyone who ever walked on this earth, not anyone but Jesus!
Jesus deserves to be investigated further by every person who seeks truth and the knowledge of God.
I invite my Somali Muslim brothers and sisters to go to the Gospel of Jesus (Injil) included in the Somali New Testament and the entire Somali Bible, and further investigate Jesus, this most unique, most powerful, most pious prophet. And before you dismiss the Gospel of Jesus as corrupted, read below what the Qur’an teaches about the Gospel of Jesus (Injil) and then click the RED button SOMALI NT and begin a journey of knowing this Jesus. Further investigation can take place in the SOMALI BIBLE button below. |
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THE GOSPEL (INJIL) The Uncorrupted Word of God
Many Muslims believe that the Gospel that was given to Jesus has been corrupted and cannot be trusted. This belief, however, contradicts the Qur’an.
Surah 5:46 - We made Jesus, son of Mary, follow in the footsteps (of the earlier Prophets) and confirm what existed in the Torah in his time. We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, as a confirmation of the Torah and instruction and advice for the pious ones.
And again in, Surah 3:3-4 - He has sent the Book (Quran) to you (Muhammad) in all Truth. It confirms the original Bible. He revealed the Torah and the Gospel before as a guide for the people and now He has revealed the criteria of discerning right from wrong. Those who reject the revelations of God will face the most severe torment. God is Majestic and capable to revenge.
The Qur’an proclaims that the Gospel (Injil) is the Word of God.
Surah 18:27 - Read whatever is revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. No one can change His words and you can never find any refuge other than Him.
The Qur’an verifies that the Word of God cannot be corrupted.
If you choose to discredit the testimony of Christians when they affirm that the Gospel (and the Bible) is the trustworthy Word of God, then you must also discredit the teachings of the Qur’an, because the Qur’an teaches that the Injil (Gospel) is the Word of God and that it cannot be corrupted.
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| IS GOD CALLING YOU TO SERVE? |
| | Is God Calling You? << Test First Name >>, the Somali Bible Society is currently recruiting missionaries to serve in various countries around the globe. We need missionaries in the major cities of the USA and in most world regions outside of the USA. If you, or someone you know, would like to discuss the possibility of involvement in a mission to the Somali people in some region of the world, or even somewhere in the USA, email me:
howie@somalibiblesociety.org |
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| IS GOD CALLING YOU TO GIVE? |
| Changing Lives by Giving to Somali Bible Society (SBS) Projects:
<< Test First Name >>, all Somali Bible Society projects are listed on the Somali Bible Society Network web page. This page can be accessed by clicking the “SBS PROJECTS” (RED) button (below). |
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| | My Fathers Work, DBA Somali Bible Society Network is a 501c3 non-profit organization that partners with the Somali Bible Society (SBS), and is actively raising funds for SBS Projects and routing those funds to the SBS Project of your choice. My Fathers Work will send you a tax deductible receipt for your gift to the Somali Bible Society. Gifts of any size are welcomed and appreciated. |
| | | ORGANIZE A FUNDRAISER
You may wish to support one of the SBS Projects but do not have sufficient funds to donate as much as you would like. Consider hosting a fundraiser in your community or online to raise funds for one of our projects. Especially consider raising funds for the Good Samaritan Center which will become the artery through which all SBS ministries will flow. Whether it is a church mission project, bake sale, charity run, or virtual event, your fundraiser can make a significant difference in leading Somali Muslims to Jesus Christ!
Email howie@somalibiblesociety.org and let us know about any fundraiser that you are considering. We will be praying for you in this endeavor. |
| | PRAYER REQUESTS
Currently our #1 priority: Pray for funds for the Good Samaritan Center (Project # 102852). This ministry center will become the artery through which all SBS ministries will flow. We have made a $20,000 down payment on the building site, but owe a balance of $230,000 to complete the purchase. Pray for our SBS leaders who are working hard at following up on the extremely large number of Somalis who are contacting our info line. There is a significant backlog of people waiting for our response. Pray for the security and safety of our leaders. Our open platform is reaping a harvest of souls but is also increasing the risk of persecution for our leaders. Pray for the protection and safety of our translators and other volunteers involved in the work of the Somali Bible Society. Anyone involved in ministry to Somali Muslims are at risk of severe persecution. Pray for the encouragement and strengthening of Somali Christians who face persecution and opposition for their faith. Many Somali Christians are suffering because of their faith in Jesus. Pray for healing from the trauma they are experiencing. Pray for the hearts of the Somali people to be open to receiving and understanding the message of the Bible. We are working hard at reaching the Somali people, but it is God’s intervention in this extremely Gospel-resistant country that will make the difference. Pray for favor and opportunities for the Somali Bible Society to engage with government and community leaders to advocate for religious freedom. We are using an open platform so that we can engage in meaningful dialogue with the Somali people and their leaders. Pray for the provision of resources and funding for the translation and distribution of the Bible in the Somali language. We are now actively working on the translation of the Old Testament. This is a huge project needing resources. Pray for the effective distribution of the translated Bibles to reach individuals and communities in Somalia and among the Somali diaspora. We want to have the Bible available to every Somali throughout the world in a secure manner. Pray for the establishment of more local Somali-speaking congregations and fellowships that can support and guide new believers. Many are coming to Christ but we need to connect every believer with a local house church. Pray for the training and equipping of pastors and church leaders in Somalia to effectively teach and preach from the Bible. Every house church needs a trained and well-equipped pastor. Pray for the Somali Bible Society leadership to have wisdom, discernment, and unity as they carry out their mission. Satan wants to destroy the SBS ministry and the movement of God among the Somali people. Pray for the overall impact of the Somali Bible Society's work to bring about spiritual transformation and renewal in Somali communities. Our vision is to see the Somali people become Christ-like disciples through the Word of God. There are SBS leaders traveling to Canada and Norway to attend important meetings and conferences. Pray for their safe travel and gatherings of great impact. SBS is organizing a major Somali Christian Conference in November 2024. Pray for meetings that will inspire and equip. Also pray for all of the travel and logistics involved.
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PRAISE REPORTS
SBS just received a $25,000 grant for their Trauma Healing Ministry. We praise God that more traumatized Christians will be getting the biblical counseling and therapy that they need to better function in life and ministry. Many Somali Muslims and seekers are contacting SBS to know more about Jesus. The Church is on the move in Somalia. The ministry of the SBS is being expanded to Somalis in the diaspora. We are reaching Somalis around the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The impact of the Somali Bible Society on Church growth in Somalia and its diaspora is being noticed by Somali sheikhs and other Muslim leaders. Although this increases the possibility of persecution of our leaders, it is also a testimony to our effectiveness. SBS continues to grow its leadership and staffing in critical operations of the organization. Did you know that all of our leaders and staff serve as volunteers? The SBS ministry throughout the Somali Peninsula is growing rapidly. We are reaching Muslims in the Somali heartland. The second edition of the Somali NT is in its final stage. The SBS is involved in so many ministries, yet we remain faithful to making the Word of God available in the native and contemporary language of the Somali people. The SBS is distributing the Word of God not only in book format, but also in soft formats that are available for smart phones, ipods, computers, and other audio options. This is extremely important in an Islamic society where people can own and use a Bible that is password protected for security reasons.
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See detail immediately below to schedule Dr. Howie for a speaking engagement. |
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| | | | | | AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS |
| Dr. Howie Shute is available to speak in Mission Conventions, Faith Promise Services, Local Church Missionary Meetings, Sunday Services, and Breakfast/Lunch Meetings to raise awareness of the exciting possibilities in the mission to Somalia.
If you would like to schedule Howie for a speaking engagement in your church or district assembly, email him at howie@somalibiblesociety.org or scan QR Code for Howie’s Contact Info. |
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