A Time Slip to Love
Imagine for a moment that two of the world’s most pivotal figures, Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad, were to step onto modern soil through a surreal time slip, witnessing the world today grappling with violence and extremism, sometimes purportedly carried out in their names. Would they recognise the acts being done? How would they respond to the historical records of the actions of the Inquisition and the Puritan crusades? What would they think about violent so-called Christian cult leaders, like David Koresh, or the recent abuse cover-ups in the church? How dismayed would they be, by the rise of the Taliban and the current atrocities committed by ISIS?
The prospect is both intriguing and unsettling. For followers of Christianity and Islam alike, the teachings of Jesus and Muhammad are fundamentally centred around principles of love, compassion, and justice. Yet history is marred by the exploitation of these very teachings to justify acts of violence and inhumanity.
Jesus: A Message of Love and Forgiveness
Jesus, whose life and teachings emphasised unconditional love and compassion, would likely find the violence committed in his name profoundly troubling. His Sermon on the Mount captures his ethos succinctly: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This simple yet profound message starkly contrasts the actions of groups like the Inquisition, which, under the guise of righteousness, perpetrated brutal violence against those deemed heretics.
Jesus often reached out to the marginalised and oppressed, reminding us to embrace those society casts aside. His call for love was radical, as demonstrated in his plea: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Such a message stands in stark contrast to the ideologies of groups that resort to violence and discrimination in the name of faith.
Muhammad: Compassion and Mercy
Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad preached a message of compassion, mercy, and social justice. His final sermon emphasised these ideals: “All mankind is descended from Adam and Eve…Do not do injustice to one another…Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord” (Hadith). Such sentiments would likely inspire dismay in Muhammad if he were confronted with the actions of extremist groups like the Taliban and ISIS, who distort his teachings for their agendas.
In the Quran, Allah commands this principle of compassion through the verse: “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” (Quran 21:107). This notion of mercy and empathy runs counter to any form of violence that seeks to impose belief systems or punish individuals for their choices.
The Distortion of Faith
Both Jesus and Muhammad would undoubtedly be troubled not just by the violence, but also by the distortion of their messages that these groups perpetuate. Extremist factions have historically cherry-picked verses from their respective scriptures to rationalise acts of aggression, creating a narrative that clouds the core tenets of their faiths.
For instance, the Inquisition justified its brutalities through selective interpretation of scripture, claiming to protect the faith while executing thousands. Meanwhile, ISIS uses a radicalised interpretation of Islam to wage war and terror, resulting in horrific violence against innocents, including other Muslims.
A Reflection of Humanity’s Flaws
In witnessing these acts, Jesus and Muhammad would recognise not just the violence itself, but a reflection of humanity’s struggle with power, fear, and misunderstanding. Rather than advocating for violence, both leaders emphasised the need for community, understanding, and reconciliation. Islamic principles of forgiveness, encapsulated in the Quranic verse, “If you pardon and overlook and forgive, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” (Quran 64:14), would resonate strongly against the historical backdrop of fanaticism.
Healing and Unity
If Jesus and Muhammad were to walk among us today, their primary message would be a call to heal rather than divide. They would urge the world to return to the fundamental teachings of their faiths, promoting dialogue, understanding, and care for one’s neighbour. Perhaps they might quote: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and “The best of people are those that bring the most benefit to others” (Hadith).
In a deeply polarised world, this message of love and unity is as crucial now as it was centuries ago. If Jesus and Muhammad were here, they might implore us to lay down our weapons, resolve our conflicts through dialogue, and embrace our shared humanity.
In the face of history, it is imperative for modern believers to reflect on the true messages of Jesus and Muhammad. By embodying the love, compassion, and mercy they championed, adherents can counteract the narratives of violence and hatred that have, through the ages, misrepresented their faiths. It invites a deeper conversation about faith, responsibility, and the urgent need to foster a world steeped in understanding rather than division. Wouldn’t that be a time slip worth celebrating?
Worldwide Temple of Aurora 