Mary: Islam’s Faithful Example
To better understand the Moslem mind with regard to Mary, the Catholic News agency Zenit: The World Seen From Rome, interviewed Iranian Muslim scholar and theologian Sherazade Hushmand. What follows is their question and answer session which sheds even greater light onto why Muslims venerate and admire Mary:
Question: Of what significance is the figure of Mary to Muslims?
Hushmand: She is very present in the Koran, which presents her, specifically, as Mary Immaculate. In the third sura, beginning with verse 34 and subsequent ones, the Koran speaks about this aspect of Mary, about her total purity. Speaking about Mary, one of the verses talks about freedom. The woman of Hemram, who is Mary’s mother, prays to God saying: "God, I dedicate to you the one I have in the womb, and I dedicate her so that she will be free, absolutely free." This word is used only once in the Koran, and only for Mary. This freedom is an absolute freedom from all what might be seen as sin, evil, failure, weakness. Mary is pure of all this. Then comes God’s affirmation: "I accept her."
Question: Do all followers of Islam believe this?
Hushmand: In Chapter 66, the last verse, 12, the Koran says: "Do you want me to give you a faithful example to follow, valid for all the world’s believers?" Mary is proposed there as the example. This is very strong – because not only is Mary an example and a symbol for Christians to follow, but also in the Koran, Mary becomes a symbol and model for all believers, also for Muslims themselves (Zenit News Service, The World Seen From Rome, Virgin Mary Seen as Model for All Muslims, Online posting: http://www.zenit.org, December 10, 2001).
(From: Jim Tetlow, Queen of All, Chapter Three: Queen of Islam, Eternal Productions, 2006).
Paul warns all people not to be deprived of the freedom which is in Christ. Too many people are deceived by liars who claim they “worship angels.” In other words, they claim revelation through angels and place this false vision on the same level as that of the Bible. Paul makes it very clear in Galatians 1:8 that no message – even from and angel can be opposed to the Gospel and still be true.
Lord Jesus, help us to stick to sound doctrine, and keep us away from deceitful liars who make unfounded claims rather than sticking to the Gospel of Grace. Amen.
Vain Teachings…
Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Colossians 2:18, 19 (NKJV)
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Elizabeth,
I had often ponder upon the thought of why Catholics seemed to worship Mary more so than they did Jesus! Would this not actually fall into Idolatry since they were not truly proclaiming Christ! I have been sort of lost on that whole issue! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Have a wonderful and blessed day my friend!
Greg
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Hi Greg, Hope you are doing really, really well!
The only thing I can say is what the Bible says. Here are a few pertinent verses:
At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:19 Therefore ONLY God is to be worshipped. As God is triune (Father Son and Holy Spirit) then only prayer to God is acceptable. Paul gives us the example – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7. Paul never ever – nor does any of the New Testament – acknowledge Mary in any capacity other than the physical mother of Jesus. Things are done "through Jesus Christ" or "in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit" but never with consideration of Mary. This is a Church doctrine and not a biblical one, and in fact, it is idolatry. Any acknowledgement of a created being in prayer or petition removes what belongs solely to God and passes it on to His creation. One more verse – For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5. No "Mary" or "Pope" in this verse!
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"Mary" could be the link that ties opposing beliefs under a one world religion as predicted in Revelation.
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