The Priest, the Pastor, and the Muslim Ditch-Digger

[elijah23]

A Christian boy was being beaten by a group of gangsters. A Catholic priest came upon the scene and crossed by on the other side of the street. A Protestant pastor did the same. A Muslim ditch-digger came by and tried to rescue the boy, but was beaten to within an inch of his life.

It so happened the priest, pastor, and ditch-digger arrived at the pearly gates at the same moment. The priest pushed his way ahead of the other two and shouted, “I am saved! Open these gates! And while you’re at it, make sure this Muslim ditch-digger burns forever!†St. Peter asked the priest to wait for a moment.

The pastor pushed his way ahead of the Muslim ditch-digger and said the same thing as the priest had said, and St. Peter asked him also to wait.

St. Peter asked the Muslim ditch-digger if he had anything to say. “Forgive these two men for their rudeness, for they have lived difficult lives,†the Muslim said.

“If that is your wish,†St. Peter replied, and all three were allowed into heaven.

Any comments?

 

[Nathan]

Man...I was promised that the Lord Himself would greet me...sounds like none of them made it...

 

[elijah23]

Man...I was promised that the Lord Himself would greet me...sounds like none of them made it...

It’s just a story.

 

[Pard]

It's a cute tale, though I am having a very difficult time finding anything even mildly similar in the Bible. Don't get me wrong, the priest and the pastor were very un-Christian in their actions toward the man getting beat up, and also in their "better-than-thou" attitude, but it does not mean they are unsaved nor does it mean a Muslim is going to be granting them forgiveness... It sounds like a tale MA would be telling me, actually!

 

[elijah23]

It's a cute tale, though I am having a very difficult time finding anything even mildly similar in the Bible. Don't get me wrong, the priest and the pastor were very un-Christian in their actions toward the man getting beat up, and also in their "better-than-thou" attitude, but it does not mean they are unsaved nor does it mean a Muslim is going to be granting them forgiveness... It sounds like a tale MA would be telling me, actually!

Who is MA?

 

[Sinthesis]

The Priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan

Luk 10:25 ¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luk 10:26 - He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luk 10:27 - And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luk 10:28 - And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luk 10:29 - But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Luk 10:30 - And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead.
Luk 10:31 - And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:32 - And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side.
Luk 10:33 - But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him],
Luk 10:34 - And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luk 10:35 - And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luk 10:36 - Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luk 10:37 - And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.​

 

[elijah23]

WHAT?? You think Im some sort of universalist??

In my version of the story - the priest, and the pastor would ask Jesus(AS) to intercede for them before God - and Jesus(AS) would turn his head and state that they are not of his nation.

While the Muslim "ditch-digger" (shouldnt he bee like a computer programer or something, alot of Muslims are immigrants - but they are ussually in the upper income brackets) Would ask Muhamed(SAW) to intercede for him and his rquest would be granted.

@Elijah:
I am MA - Mujahid Andullah

Hi, Mujahid Andullah.

We can make the Muslim a computer programmer, if you wish.

Someday Muslims and Christians will get along, I think.

 

[Nathan]

I do too elijah - We are the only two waiting for the return of Jesus(AS) - so it stands to reason he will unite our two faiths into one.

I am going to have to admit stupidity here. But a great opportunity to learn!!

I have never studied your "faith" in detail. Mainly because there are so many opinions of it. But seeing how you are making a distinction between the faith of Christianity and yours...Would you mind helping a poor ignorant man like me understand what your faith is?

I can believe that there is probably more than what you are wanting to type, but a good basic understanding of what you believe would be great to study more by.

Thanks!!

 

[Pard]

No need to derail the tread - Ill PM you.

Some wanna CC that PM to me?

 

[Pard]

I already sent it, but Ill send it to yoyu too.

Much obliged!

 

[elijah23]

I do too elijah - We are the only two waiting for the return of Jesus(AS) - so it stands to reason he will unite our two faiths into one.

Then you don’t believe that ALL people who love the Lord with all their hearts, minds, and souls, and love their neighbors as themselves will one day be united?

 

[elijah23]

No I dont - the question is not wheather or not they love the LORD - the Question is who is the LORD they love and serve - if its bishnu, they are doomed to be misguided - if it is the AC - they are doomed to be misguided - however if they submit to the One True Creator - they have a chance at guidance.

How do you know exactly who a person is worshiping?

Why should I assume Jews and Muslims are worshiping the wrong God?

We might give God different names, but does that mean we are worshiping different Gods? Doesn’t “a rose with any other name still smell the same?â€

 

[elijah23]

on an individual level you cant read whats in the hearts of men. And we are not the judge of others believes.

But you can investigate and ask questions - now Islam maintains that jews and christians worship Allah - they are doing it wrong and in some cases they worship others along side Allah - but both worship God. this does not make them beleivers - but it gives them a leg up before God as compared to Hidu who worships a cow or something.

Its not our job to know what an individual is worshiping, God knows what lies in the hearts of men, so God knows when a persons heart is dedicated to a cow or a snake or the Sun - and when their heart is dedcated to Him who is worthy of worship.

I thought most of your post was very good.

You say that “Islam maintains …†I might suggest you not let others do your thinking for you.

 

[elijah23]

I take my guidance in matters of religion from those more knowledgable in the religious texts than I - I am a Muqalid
Until I attain the level of knowledge of Mujtahid (jurist) - I will coninue to take my understandings of religion from the Mujtahideen. This is Submission to Allah - This is Islam - Other nations who were sent revelations fell into the trap of self interpretation (Nafsi Ijtihad) - this lead to them falling away from the path of guidance.

You wouldnt atempt to give your child surgery if your not a surgeon - and matters of the hearafterr are much more important, so why would you attempt to go at interpretation on your own without the proper level of knowledge.

No, we need to have personal relationships with our Father in heaven, I believe. Jesus said this:

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. Matt 23:8 RSV

 

[elijah23]

Then strive to become a jurist - strive to attain a level of knwledge and understanding so that you can accurately interpret holy texts.

Without addequete knowledge (ilm), understanding (aql), and Wisdom (hikmah) - your attempts to interpret holy texts will lead you astray

Just as without addeqete knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of surgery - you will kill your patient.

One example of this is your interpretation of the bible leading you to belive in some universalist ideology - that evey person, even those who deny the godhood of Jesus(AS) will enter paradise - when people with much more knowledge than you in matters of religion, language, adn revealation have come to a very opposite conclusion. - Please dont take that as an insult - your views and comments do contain an aspect of wisdom not held by your exclusionist friends.

Even so, the Lord is our teacher.