Om Namo Bhagavate

(Mother spoke about mantras that have come to her)

      But what is going to come now?  I constantly hear the Sanskrit mantra:

OM NAMO BHAGAVATE

      It is there, all around me; it takes hold of all the cells and at once they spring forth in an association.  And Narada's mantra, too:

      Narayana, Narayana...

(it is actually a Command which means: now you shall do as I wish), but it does not come from the heart.

     What will it be?

     It will simply spring forth in a flash, all of a sudden, and it will be very powerful.  Only power can do something.  Love vanishes like water running through sand: people remain beatific..and nothing moved!  No, power is needed -- like Shiva, stirring, churning...

      When I have this mantra, instead of saying hello, good bye, I shall say that.  When I say hello, good-bye, it means"Hello: the Presence is here, the Light is here." "Good-bye: I am not going away, I am staying here.'

       But when I hae this mantra Om Namo Bhagavate. I believe something will happen.

(silence)

      For the moment, of all the formulas or mantras, the one that acts most directly on this body, that seizes all the cells and immediately does this (vibrating motion) is the Sanskrit mantra:  OM NAMO BHAGAVATE.

       As soon as I sit for meditation, as soon as I have a quiet minute to concentrate, it always begin with the mantra, and there is a response in the body, in the cells of  the body: they all start vibrating.

OM NAMO BHAGAVATEH 

       The first syllable of  NAMO is pronounced with a short 'a', as in nahmo.  The final word is pronounced BHA-GAHVA-TEH.

       This is how it happed:  Y had just returned, and he brought back a trunk full of things which he then proceeded to show me, and his excitement made tight, tight little waves in the atmosphere, making my head ache; it made... anyway, it was unpleasant.  When I left, just after that had happened, I sat down and went like this (gesture of sweeping out) to make it stop, and immediately the mantra began.

       It rose up from here (Mother indicates the solar plexus), like this:

Om Namo Bhagavate  OM NAMO BHAGAVATE.  OM NAMO BHAGAVATE.

It was formidable.  For the entire quarter of an hour that the meditation lasted, everything was filled with Light!  In the deeper tones it was of golden bronze (at the throat level it was almost red( and in the higher tones it was a kind of opaline white light: OM NAMO BHAGAVATE, OM NAMO BHAGAVATE, OM NAMO BHAGAVATE.

      The other day (I was in my bathroom upstairs), it came; it took hold of the entire body.  It rose up in the same way, and all the cells were trembling.  And with such a power!  So I stopped everything, all movement, and I left the thing grow.  The vibration went on expanding, ever widening, as the sound itself was expanding, expanding and all the cells of the body were seized with an intensity of aspiration ... as if the entire body were swelling -- it became overwhelming, I felt that it would all burst.

      I understood those who withdraw from everything to live that totality.

      And it has such a transformative power!  I felt  that if it continued, something would happen, something like a change in the equilibrium of the body's cells.

       Unfortunately, I was unable to continue, because... I don't have the time; it was just before the balcony darshan and I was going to be late.  Something told me, 'That is for people who have nothing to do.'  Then I said, 'I belong to my work,' and I slowly withdrew.  I put on the brakes, and the action was cut short.  But what remains is that whenever I repeat this mantra... everything starts vibrating.

      So each one must find something that acts on himself, individually.  I am only speaking of the action on the physical plane, because mentally, vitally, in all the inner parts of the being, the aspiration is always, always spontaneous.  I am referring only to the physical plane.

       So for these mantras, everything depends upon what you want to do with them.  I am in favour of short mantra, especially if you want to make both numerous and spontaneous repetitions - one or two words, three at most.  Because you must be able to use them in all cases, when an accident is about to happen, for example.  It has to spring up without thinking, without calling: it should issue forth from the becoming spontaneously, like a reflex, exactly like a reflex.  Then the mantra has its full force.

      For me, on the days when I have no special preoccupations or difficulties (days I could call normal, when I am normal), everything I do, all the movements of this body, all, all the words I utter, all the movements of this body, all, all the words I utter, all the gestures I make, are accompanied and upheld by or lined, as it were, with this mantra:

OM NAMO BHAGAVATE... OM NAMO BHAGAVATE

... all, all the time, all the time, all the time.

       That is normal state.  It creates an atmosphere of an intensity almost more material than the subtler physical; it's like... almost like the phosphorescent radiations from a medium.  And it has a great action, a very great action: it can prevent an accident.  And it accompanies you all the time, all the time.  

       But it is up to you to know what you want to do with it.

Satprem:  To sustain the aspiration - to remember.  We so easily lapse into forgetfulness.  To create a kind of automatism.

      You have no mantras that have come to you, that give you a more living feeling?... Are there mantras long?

Satprem: Yes, they are long.  And he has no given me any mantra of the Mother, so... They exist, but he has not given me any... I don't know, they don't have much effect on me.  It is something very mental.

     That is why, it should spring forth from you.

(Silence)

       This one, this mantra, OM NAMO BHAGAVATE, came to me after some time, for I felt... well, I saw that I needed to have a mantra of my own, that is, a mantra consonant with what this body has to do in the world.  And it was just then that it came.  It was truly an answer to a need that had made itself felt.  So if you feel the need - not there, not in your head, but here (Mother points to the cener of her heart), it will come.  One day, either you will hear the words, or they will spring forth from your heart...And when that happens, you must hold onto it.

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Source: Mother conversation with Satprem, Disciple during September 16, 1958

Vol.1. Page 194 The Mother's Agenda

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THE JOY OF YOGA - Yoga sequences in Indian Culture

B.K.S. Iyengar

Krishnamacharya

Sukhasana

1.  Sit with legs extended forward.

     Legs together and straight, 

     back straight, palms on the lap, 

     shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, chin down. 

2.  Cross legs and place palms on knees.  

     Arms relaxed.

     Back erect.

Brahmasana

1.  Sit with legs extended forward.

     Legs together and straight,

     back straight, palms on the lap, 

     shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, chin down.

2.  Place left ankle on the right thigh and right foot under the left thigh, 

     place palms on the knees. Arms relaxed.  

     Back erect.

Uttanasana

1.  Stand in samasthiti.

     Feet together, legs straight, back straight, 

     palms touching the sides of the legs,

     weight on both feet, buttocks relaxed, shoulders relaxed, 

     chin down, eyes open.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the front.

     Straight arms across ears, palms facing front.

3.  On exhale, bend forward and place palms by the sides of the feet.

     Weight only on the legs, arms relaxed.

4.  Inhale in this posture with hands on the floor, allow the back to arch.

5.  On exhale, bend further towards the legs.  

     Weight still on the legs.  Forehead on the legs.

6.  On inhale, move trunk away from legs without lifting palms.

7.  Exhale in this posture.

8.  On inhale, come up.  Arms must lead the trunk.

9.  On exhale, lower arms from the front, back to samasthiti.

Adhomukha Svasana

1.  Stand in samasthiti.

     Feet together, legs straight, back straight, 

     palms touching the sides of the legs, weight in both feet, 

     buttocks relaxed, shoulders relaxed, 

     chin down, eyes open.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the front.  

     Straight arms across ears, palms facing front.

3.  On exhale, bend forward and place palms by the sides of the feet, 

     head touching legs.

     Legs straight and together, forehead on the legs, 

     palms on the floor facing forward, weight on the legs only, 

     chin down, eyes open.

4.  While holding breath shift weight onto the hands and throw legs back.  

     Body horizontal and balancing only on the palms and toes.  

     Knees, chest and stomach off the floor, 

     elbows bent, feet together, no chin down.

5.  On inhale, lift chest up, while straightening elbows.  

     Body balanced only on the palms and toes, chest forward, 

     straight legs, shoulders relaxed.

6.  On exhale, lift hip up, while lowering head and chest.  

     Legs straight, crown of the head on the floor, 

     weight only on legs and hands, heels near the floor, chin down.

7.  While holding breath, shift weight onto the hands and 

     throw legs forward and place feet in between palms.

8.  On inhale, raise arms and come up.  Arms must lead the trunk.

9.  On exhale, lower arms from the front, back to samasthiti.

Tadakamudra

1.  Lie down on the back.  Legs together and straight, 

     palms on the floor along the body, elbows straight,

     chin down, eyes closed.

2.  Lock fingers and turn them out.  Arms relaxed.

3.  On inhale, raise arms and place them on the floor above the head.

     Straight arms across the ears.

4.  Exhale and while holding after exhale, contract the abdomen.

5.  Relax the abdomen, and then inhale.

6.  On exhale, lower the hands.

7.  Release fingers and place palms on the floor.

Apanasana

1.  Lie down on the back.  Legs together and straight, 

     palms on the floor along the body, elbows straight, 

     chin down, eyes closed.

2.  Bend knees and place feet on the floor,  close to the buttocks.

3.  Lift feet off the floor and place palms on the knees from the side.

     Knees and feet together, shoulders relaxed.

4.  On exhale, contract abdomen and bring knees closer to the chest.  

     Elbows bent, hips still on the floor.

     Arms must not pull the legs.

5.  On inhale, move knees away from the chest.

6.  Place feet and hands on the floor along the body.

7.  Extend legs.

Urdhva Prasrta Padasana

1.  Lie down on the back.  

     Legs together and straight, palms on the floor along the body, 

     elbows straight, chin down, eyes closed.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the front and place on the floor above the head.

     Palms turned up, straight arms on the floor.

3.  On exhale, while lowering arms, lift straight legs to vertical position.

     Legs together and vertical, hips on the floor, 

     arms alongside the body, palms on the floor.

4.  On inhale, while raising arms above the head, 

     lower straight legs to the floor.

5.  On exhale, lower palms to the floor along the body.

Janusirsasana

1.  Sit with legs extended forward.  

     Legs together and straight, back straight, palms on the lap,

     shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, chin down.

2.  Bend right leg and place sole against the left thigh.  

     Body facing left leg, right knee on the floor, right heel touching groin, 

     palms on either side of the leg.

3.  On inhale, raise arms above the head.  Straight arms across ears, 

     palms facing front.

4.  On exhale, bend forward and hold left foot.  Arms relaxed.

5.  Inhale in this position.  With hands in position, allow back to arch.

6.  On exhale, bend further towards the left leg.

     Forehead on the leg.  Don't use arms to pull trunk to leg.

7.  On inhale move trunk away from leg, while continuing to hold foot.

8.  Exhale in this position.

9.  On inhale, raise arms and come up.  Arms must lead the trunk.

10. On exhale lower arms from the front.

11. Extend right leg forward.

Note: - This asana is to be done on both sides.

Upavistakonasana

1.  Sit with legs extended forward.  Legs together and straight, back straight,
     palms on the lap, shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, chin down.

2.  Spread the legs.  Place palms on the floor, in between the legs.

3.  On inhale, raise arms from the front, above the head.
     Straight arms across ears, palms facing front.

4.  On exhale, bend forward.  Palms on the floor, arms relaxed.

5.  Inhale in this position.  With hands in position, allow back to arch.

6.  On exhale, bend further towards the floor.  Forehead on the floor.

7.  On inhale, move head and trunk away from floor.

8.  Exhale in this position.

9.  On inhale, raise arms and come up.  Arms must lead the trunk.

10. On exhale, lower arms from the front.

11. Bring legs together.

Pascimatanasana

1.  Sit with legs extended forward.  Legs together and straight, back straight,
     palms on the lap, shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, chin down.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the front, above the head.
     Straight arms across ears, palms facing front.

3.  On exhale, bend forward and hold feet.  Arms relaxed.

4.  Inhale in this position.  With hands in position, allow back to arch.

5.  On exhale, bend further towards straight legs.  Forehead on the legs.
     Don't use arms to pull trunk to legs.

6.  On inhale, move trunk away from legs, while continuing to hold feet.
     Knees and feet together, shoulders relaxed.

7.  Exhale in this positions.

8.  On inhale, raise arms and come up.  Arms must lead the trunk.

9.  On exhale, lower arms from the front.

Navasasana

1.  Sit with legs extended forward.  Legs together and straight, back straight,
     palms on the lap, shoulders relaxed, eyes closed, chin down.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the front, above the head.
     Straight arms across ears, palms facing front.

3.  On exhale, while lowering straight arms to shoulder level,
     lean back and lift straight legs, legs and arms straight,
     palms across legs (but now holding them),
     body balanced on the buttocks.

4.  On inhale, lower legs to the floor while raising arms.

5.  On exhale, lower arms from the front.

Tadasana

1.  Stand in samasthiti.  Feet together, legs straight, back straight,
     palms touching the sides of the legs, weight on both feet, buttocks relaxed,
     shoulders relaxed, chin down, eyes open.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the side while arising heels.
     Balance on the balls of the feet, arms across the ears,
     elbows straight, palms together.

3.  On exhale, lower arms from the side,
     while lowering heels to the floor, back to samasthiti.

Ardha Uttanasana

1.  Stand in samasthiti.  Lock fingers and turn them out.
     Feet together, legs straight, back straight, weight on both feet,
     buttocks relaxed, shoulders relaxed, chin down, eyes open.

2.  On inhale, raise arms above the head.  Straight arms across ears.

3.  On exhale, squat half way.  Knees together,
     thighs nearly horizontal, back relaxed.

4.  On inhale, arch the back.

5.  On exhale, relax the back.

6.  On inhale, come up.  Movement to begin from the arms.

7.  On exhale, lower arms, unlock fingers and release hands,
     back to smasthiti.

Ardha Uttanasana 

1.  Stand in samasthiti.  Feet together, legs straight,
     back straight, palms touching the sides of the legs,
     weight on both feet, buttocks relaxed, shoulders relaxed,
     chin down, eyes open.

2.  On inhale, raise arms from the front.
     Arms across ears, palms facing front.

3.  On exhale, bend forward half way, palms facing down.

4.  On inhale, arch the back.  Arms and trunk in horizontal position.

5.  On exhale, relax the back.

6.  On inhale, come up.  Arms leading the trunk.

7.  On exhale, lower arms from the front, back to samasthiti.

Virabhadrasana

1.  Stand in samasthiti.  Feet together, legs straight, back straight,
     palms touching the sides of the legs, weight on both feet, buttocks relaxed,
     shoulders relaxed, eyes open.

2.  Take a big stride forward with the left leg.  Face the front.
     Legs straight, back foot slightly turned out.

3.  On inhale, raise arms from the front, while bending the front knee and
     maintaining the vertical axis of the spine.  Bach arched.  Front knee bent.
     Weight on both legs.  Straight arms across the ears, palms together,
     eyes open and and focussed on the horizon.

4.  On exhale, lower arms from the front, while straighten the front leg.

5.  Bring back the front foot, to samasthiti.

Note: - This asana is to be done on both sides.

Supta Baddhokonasana

1.  Lie down on the back.  Legs together and straight,
     palms on the floor along the body, elbows straight, chin down, eyes closed.

2.  Bend knees and place feet close to the buttocks.
     Knees together, feet together.

3.  Open knees and place soles of the feet against each other, lock fingers and
     turn them out Heels close to the groin, knees on the floor.

4.  On inhale, raise arms and place them on the floor above the head.
     Arms straight and across the ears.

5.  On exhale, lower arms.

6.  Bring knees together, unlock fingers and place on the floor
     alongside the body.

7.  Extend legs.

Dvipadapitham

1.  Lie down on the back.  Legs together and straight,
     palms on the floor along the body,
     elbows straight, chin down, eyes closed.

2.  Bend knees, place feet close to the buttocks and hold ankles.
     Knees together, feet together, palms wrapped around ankles.

3.  On inhale, raise hips.

4.  On exhale, lower hips to the floor.

5.  Release ankles and extend legs.

Bhujangasana

1.  Lie down on the stomach.
     Forehead on the floor, legs together and straight, toes turned out,
     straight arms along the body, palms turned up, eyes closed.

2.  Bend elbows and place palms on the floor, near the navel.
     Elbows parallel, fingers pointing forward.

3.  On inhale, lift chest and then head.
     No weight on the palms, head up.

4.  On exhale, lower head and then chest to the floor keeping
     the shoulders relaxed.

5.  Place arms along the body.

Ardha Salabhasana

1.  Lie down on the stomach.  Forehead on the floor,
     legs together and straight, toes turned out, straight arms along the body,
     palms turned up, eyes closed.

2.  On inhale, sweep right arm above the head,
     while raising chest, head and right leg.
     Legs and arms straight, right arm across ear,
     head up, right knee off the floor.

3.  On exhale, sweep the left arm back to the floor along the body,
     while lowering head,
     chest and left leg to the floor.  Relax shoulders.

Note:  This asana is to be done on both sides.

Salabhasana

1.  Lie down on the stomach.  Forehead on the floor,
     legs together and straight, toes turned out,
     straight arms along the body, palms turned up, eyes closed.

2.  On inhale, sweep both arms above the head,
     while raising the chest, head and both legs.
     Legs and arms straight, arms across ear, head up, knees off the floor.

3.  On exhale, sweep both arms back to the floor along the body,
     while lowering head, chest and both legs to the floor.

Dhanurasana

1.  Lie down on the stomach.  Forehead on the floor,
     legs together and straight, toes turned out, straight arms along the body,
     palms turned up, eyes closed.

2.  Bend knees and hold ankles.  Forehead on the floor, grip ankles,
     feet and knees together and arms straight.

3.  On inhale, pull the feet back and raise the chest while lifting the head up.
     Knees off the floor.

4.  On exhale, lower head, chest and knees to the floor.
     Relax shoulders.

5.  Release ankles, place hands on the floor along the body
     and straighten legs.

Ustrasana

1.  Kneel down and sit on closed heels.  Heels and knees together,
     toes turned out, back straight, palms on the knees, eyes closed.

2.  On inhale, while raising arms from the front, raise on knees.
     Straight arms across ears, palms elbows bent. Facing the front.

3.  On exhale, lower arms from the front and place hands on waist.

4.  On inhale, arch back and hold heels with the hands, drop head.

5.  On exhale, release hands, come back to the vertical position
     and place hands on waist.

6.  On inhale, raise arms from the front.

7.  On exhale, lower arms and sit on the heels.

Cakravakasana

1.  Kneel down and sit on closed heels.
     Heels and knees together, back straight, palms on the knees,
     toes turned out, eyes closed.

2.  On inhale, while raising arms from the front, raise on knees.
     Straight arms across ears, palms facing the front.

3.  On exhale, bend forward and place palms on the floor.
     Buttocks away from the heels, head and elbows off the floor.

4.  On inhale, while moving forward and arching back, extend left leg up.
     Lift leg straight (not rotated), head up, keep eyes closed,
     relaxed shoulders, arms straight.

5.  On exhale, bend down while bring left leg to the floor.

6.  On inhale, raise arms and come up on knees.

7.  On exhale, lower arms and sit on the heels.

Note: - This asana is to be done on both sides.

Uthita Trikonasana (Parsva)

1.  Stand in samasthiti.  Feet together, back straight, legs straight,
     palms touching the side of the legs, weight on both feet,
     buttocks relaxed, shoulder relaxed, chin down, eyes open.

2.  Take a stride sideways.  Legs straight, feet parallel.

3.  On inhale, raise arms from the sides to shoulder level.

4.  On exhale, bend laterally and place left hand
     on the floor outside the left foot.
     Right arm extended up.  Turn head and look up.
     Weight on feet only, eyes looking at right hand.
     Left palm on the floor, facing forward.

5.  On inhale, turn head down and come up.

6.  On exhale, lower arms from the sides.

7.  Bring feet together, back to samashthiti.

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Source: Internet Articles from Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram

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Why Do Muslim celebrate Ramadan?

Origin

       At the time of  Muhammad's birth in 570 CE, Mecca was both the religious and the commercial center of the vast Arabian peninsula.  The Arabs were mostly nomads, with herds of camels and they came to Mecca both to worship at its Grand Mosque, and to buy the few luxuries that they could afford.  Mecca had many wealthy merchants, who sent caravans northwards to buy and sell goods in such cosmopolitan cities as Jerusalem and Damascus; and it also had body of hereditary religious leaders who exercised power in both spiritual and civil affairs.

A folio from an early Quran, written in Kufic script - period 8th - 9th century.

       Muhammad's family was related to the religious leadership, and had the minor role of supplying water for pilgrims to the Grand Mosque.  His father died before he was born, and his mother died when he was aged eight, so an uncle raised him.  As a young man he caught the attention of a widow, Kadija, who was a wealthy merchant; and she employed him to lead a caravan to Jerusalem.  On this journey, he met many Christians and Jews, including a Christian monk, whose ideas made a deep impression on him.  

       After his return to Mecca he and Khadija married, and he continued to lead caravans for her.  But at the age of forty he abandoned this work, and spent much of his time thinking about religious matters.  Then, while he was alone for a month on a mountain outside Mecca, he had a vision of angel Gabriel, who gave him a series of messages from God, and ordered him to convey them to his people.  At first he dreaded the ridicule he would encounter; but eventually he felt compelled to start reciting the messages.

TEACHINGS

      The messages received by Muhammad on the mountain from the Quran.  Its central theme is that there is one God, and that everyone must submit to him.  Thus, true religion is called as Islam, which means 'submission' to God, and a person embracing Islam is a Muslim. Muhammad believed that God sends messages to every nation in every age, and he recognized the teachings of both Moses and Jesus as divine. He also believed that the traditional Arabian religion was divinely inspired, but had been corrupted by hypocrisy; so he saw himself as a reformer.

       The primary religious discipline, prescribed by Gabriel, is to pray five times a day; and Gabriel gave Muhammad the words that people should use in prayer.  In addition people should fast during Ramadan, the month that Muhammad spent on the mountain; they should neither eat nor drink during day light hours.  And they should make a pilgrimage as frequently as they can afford; and the main place of pilgrimage is the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

       The moral disciplines are equally simple and rigorous.  People should be as generous to the poor as their means allow.  They should care for their sick neighbors and welcome strangers into their homes.  They never speak harshly, and should readily praise the achievements of others.  They should be faithful and tender in marriage.  They should cherish all living beings as God's creatures.  And they should be indifferent to power and wealth for their own sake, but desire only to do God's will.

THE CHRISTIAN MONK'S WORDS

       Mecca was the commercial center of the Arabian peninsula.  Caravan arrived each day to sell their cargoes of precious goods.  One of the richest merchants in the city was a widow called Khadija; and she organized caravans to take goods to and from Jerusalem.

       She heard people speak well of the intelligence and honesty of a young man called Muhammad, and she invited him to lead one of her caravans; he accepted.  As the caravan was approaching Jerusalem, Muhammad saw a monk sitting in a cave near the road.  He stopped the caravan, and went to the cave.  The monk was Christian and Muhammad asked him many questions about his faith.  The monk's answers impressed Muhammad.  The monk then said to Muhammad:  'I can see that you are a messenger from God.'

       When he reached Jerusalem, Muhammad sold the good that he had brought from Arabia and purchased other goods.  and when he returned to Mecca, he handed these goods to Khadija, who sold them at twice the price he had paid.  On seeing him again Khadija found herself feeling great love for Muhammad and she asked him to marry her.  He accepted, and his uncle Abu Talib arranged the wedding.

      Muhammad thought deeply about the monk's words, wondering if they might be true; and after the wedding he related them to Khadija.  She then went to a cousin, a Christian who had studied deeply the teachings of Jesus Christ, and asked whether the monk's words might be true.  'I have long expected God to send a messenger to our people,' the cousin said,' and I believe that your husband is that person.'  (Source: Ibn Ishaq).

THE ANGEL'S FIRST APPEARANCE

       For several years Muhammad continued to lead caravan for Khadija, and she had three sons by him, all of whom died in infancy, and four daughters.  But when he reached the age of 40 Muhammad grew weary of travelling to and from Jerusalem, and began to spend much of his time alone.  He frequently walked out of Mecca to remote hills and valleys; and he felt that every stone and tree was saying to him, 'Peace to you, messenger of God.'

       One day, as he was sitting under a tree, he heard a voice.  "Muhammad", the voice said, 'to each nation and to each generation I send a messenger, who speaks my words.  Will you be my messenger to this nation at this time?'  Muhammad know that the voice was God's and without hesitation he replied, "I will."

A depiction of Muhammad receiving his first revelation from the angel Gabriel.

       Some time later Muhammad decided to spend the month of Ramadan on Mount Hira.  When he was half way up, night fell, and he lay down to sleep.  At midnight an angel came, and shook him.  When he awoke the angel said: 'I am Gabriel.'  Then Gabriel unfolded a piece of cloth on which some words were written.  'Read!' Gabriel said.  'What shall I read?'.  Muhammad asked. 'Read the words that are written on this cloth.'  Gabriel said, Muhammad looked at the cloth, and could see the words:  'God created all living beings, and he is full of compassion.  He will write words that you are to remember, and then dictate to others, these words will conveys truths which the people have forgotten.'

      As soon as Muhammad had read these words, Gabriel departed.

19th year depiction titled "Muhammad Preaching" (1840-1850) by Russian Artist Grigory Gagrin.

DIVINE MESSAGES

       At first Muhammad was overjoyed at Gabriel's visit.  But then he reflected on its implications.  He had seen in Mecca several men who had declared themselves to be the messengers of God, and were in a permanent state of ecstasy.  Each one had spoken nonsense - and had been treated by most people with contempt.  "If I return to Mecca,' thought Muhammad ' and say that I am God's messenger, people will treat me with contempt.'  This prospect caused him such distress that he decided to go to the top of the mountain, and hurt himself off.

       He ran upwards, but when he was about the kill himself, he heard a voice from the sky.  'Muhammad,' the voice said, 'you must not betray God.'  He looked up and saw Gabriel, with his feet on either end of the horizon.  Muhammad gazed at him for several minutes.  Then he turned round; and in every direction he saw Gabriel, with his legs astride the horizon.  His heart filled with fear, and he begged God to forgive him.

       As he had intended, Muhammad remained on the mountain for a month.  Gabriel came many times, and each time fresh words were written on his cloth.  Muhammad memorized these words; and he repeated them constantly to himself, so he would not forget a single syllable.

       At the end of the month he went back to Mecca, and wrote down what he had heard.  He recited the words to Khadija, who knew at once that God was the author.  But despite her encouragement, he did not dare recite them to anyone else.  [Source: Ibn Ishaq]

The Muslim profession of faith, the Shahadah, illustrates the Muslim conception of the role of Muhammad: - There is no god except the God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

GOD'S LOVE

       The following year Muhammad again spent the month of Ramadan on Mount Hira, expecting the angel Gabriel to him again.  For many days and nights the angel did not appear, and Muhammad wondered if God was angry with him for not having recited his message publicly.  Then on the final night of the month, Gabriel came and sat beside Muhammad. 'Do not be anxious, Muhammad,' Gabriel said, 'having once loved you, God will never turn against you.  On the contrary, year by year God will draw you closer to himself, so the future will always be better than the past.  Eventually God will enter your heart, and then you will have the courage to recite his words to the people.'

      For several minutes Gabriel sat in silence.  Then he said: 'Your father died before you were born, and your mother died when you were a small child, did they not?  'Yes,' Muhammad replied.  Your uncle Abu Talib raised you as if you were his own son, did he not?'  Gabriel asked.  'Yes', Muhammad replied.  Your wife provides you with every material comfort, does she not?'  Gabriel asked.  'Yes,' Muhammad replied.   "Remember', said Gabriel, 'that God arranged all these things, out of his love for you.

       For several minutes Gabriel sat in silence   Then he said: 'when you are recognized as God's messenger, do not become proud of your position.  Never be harsh to those weaker than yourself.  And always give thanks to God for his kindness to you.'

       Gabriel now disappeared Muhammad returned to Mecca, but still spoke to no one apart from Khadija about his encounters with Gabriel.  [Source: Ibn Ishaq]

HOW TO PRAY

       The following year Muhammad again spent the month of Ramadan on Mount Hira.  The angel Gabriel arrived on the mountain at dawn two days before the end of the month, and demonstrated to Muhammad how to pray.

Cave Hira in the mountain Jabal - al Nour where according to Muslim belief, Muhammad received his first revelation.

       First Gabriel taught Muhammad the words that should be used.  'In the name of God, who is compassionate and merciful.  All praise belongs to God, the lord of all being.  He is compassionate and merciful, and he is our judge.   We worship only you; in you alone we seek refuge.  Guide us along the straight path, the path of those whom you have blessed - not the path of those who have incurred your wrath, not the path of those who have gone astray.  Gabriel said each phrase, and Muhammad repeated it, until Muhammad knew it by heart.

       Then Gabriel told Muhammad that the prayer should be offered five times a day: at dawn, between the time when the sun begins to rise and it has fully risen; at noon, as the sun is beginning to decline; in the evening, when a person's shadow is equal in length to the person's height; at sunset, between the time when the sun starts to set and when it has fully set; and at night when a third of the night has passed.

       Gabriel showed Muhammad the posture for prayer; he had mat on the ground, and knelt down with his hands on the ground.

       For two days and nights Gabriel prayed alongside Muhammad.  Then he disappeared, and Muhammad returned to Mecca.   [Source: Ibn Ishaq] 

The last ayah from the sura An-Najm in the Quran: "So prostrate to Allah and worship (Him). "Muhammad's message of monotheism (one God) challenged the traditional order.

TRUE RELIGION

       These are the words that Muhammad recited:

       Your God is one God.  There is no god but him.  He is merciful and compassionate.

       There are many signs of God for men and women who open their eyes to them.  There is the creation of the earth and the sky.  There is the alternation of day and night.  There are the ships sailing the ocean with cargoes that bring pleasure.  There is the gift of sleep, by which God revives weary bodies and minds.  There is the rain that God sends down from the sky, by which he revives the barren earth and nourishes the creatures living on the earth.  And there are the changing winds, which drive the clouds through the atmosphere between earth and sky.

      Religion does not consist in whether you face east or west during worship.  True religion consists in this: trusting God and praying to him; obeying his commandments; sharing your wealth with your relatives, with orphans, and with the poor; caring for the sick; welcoming strangers into your homes; ransoming slaves; keeping your premises; and remaining steadfast in times of diseases and adversity.  By practicing true religion you honor God.

       True religion consists in upholding justice; always telling the truth, even if it puts you in a bad light; showing equal respect to the rich and poor; controlling your emotions; speaking gently, and never using harsh words; and forgiving those who have wronged you.  Remember, God knows all that you think and do. [Source: Quran].

DEVOUT PEOPLE - Ramadan

     
       Devout people have always fasted, as a means of guarding themselves against evil; and you too must fast.  You should fast throughout the month of Ramdan, eating and drinking nothing from dawn and dusk. The month of Ramadan was the time when God revealed his messages to his messenger.  But if you are sick, or on a long journey, you may fast the same number of days later on; God does not want to make you ill or weak through fasting, but desires your health and comfort. Set aside the food that you save during the month of fasting and give it to the poor.  Fasting does you great good - but helping others does you even greater good.

       Devout people have always made pilgrimages, as a means of reminding themselves of the truth, and you too must be pilgrims.  Whatever you live, you should strive to make a pilgrimage each year; so you can meditate on God and his messages.  When you begin the pilgrimage, shave your head; and during the pilgrimage abstain from sexual intercourse, obscene language and quarreling   Provide well for the journey, so that you are not burden of those you pass; but the best provision is devotion to God.  If sickness or any other cause prevents you from making the pilgrimage, then give the fruits of a month's work to the poor.

       Devout people always pray at the times specified for prayer.  They stop whatever they are doing, kneel down, and say the prayer which God himself has taught.  And when they finished praying, they rise up and resume whatever they were doing. (Source: Quran)

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, part of the Al-Haram ash-Sherif Complex in Jerusalem, is believed to be "farthest mosque" to which Muhammad travelled in his night journey.  The al-Haram ash-Sharif is the third holiest place on earth for Muslims.

MORAL DISCIPLINES - GENEROSITY

     If you use your wealth in the service of God and other people, you are like a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, each of which bears a hundred grains.  God is abundantly generous to those who are generous; he knows all.

       If you use your wealth in the service of God and other people, do not mar your generosity with reproaches and rebukes.  The giver is not superior to the receiver, and so has no right to pass judgement on the receiver.  Do not mar your generosity with pride.  The giver of the size of the gift, and is eager for gratitude and admiration, is no better than a miser.  And do not mar your generosity with resentment   The resentment giver puts a burden of guilt on the receiver, while joyful giver makes the receiver joyful - and thus bestows a double gift.

       A kind of word of encouragement, or a selfless word of praise, or a gentle word of forgiveness, is worth far more than a material gift accompanied by insults.

       Be generous with your wealth and your words from a desire to please god and to please others - then you will like a orchard that yields abundant fruit.  Men and women who give generously with sincere hearts, and ask nothing in return, will be repaid double by God, they will enjoy perfect happiness for all eternity.

     Be wise and shrewd in your generosity, so the receivers enjoy the greatest benefit.  And do not be so generous that you reduce yourself to penury, and thus depend on the generosity of others - as that will cancel all the good you have done.  (Source: Quran).

                Mausoleum Muhammad

GOD'S CREATION

      It is God who created human beings from dust and divided them into men and women.  No woman conceives without his knowledge and approval.  No one grows old and dies, except in accordance with his decree.  How can you turn away from him?
Mausoleum Muhammad
       It is God who turns night into day, and day into night.  He kindles the light of dawn; and at dusk he extinguishes the light so that we can rest.  How can you turn away from him?

       It is God who put the stars in the sky at night, to give light and guidance to those who travel.  It is God who makes the moon wax and wane, so that we can count the months.  How can you turn away from him?

       It is God who causes the grain and the fruit stone to germinate.  It is God who sends rain from the sky, causing the grain to swell, the palm tree to yield dates, the vines to yield grapes, and the olive trees to bear olives.  How can you turn away from him?

       It is God who makes the rivers and lakes fresh and sweet, and the sea salty and bitter.  It is God who fills them with fish that you can catch and eat.  How can you turn away from him?

      It is God who told the bees to make their homes in the hives that you build, and to feed on every kind of blossom, so that they provide honey to nourish you and heal you from sickness.  How can you turn away from him?

       No mortal eye can see him, but he created all that you see.  (Source: Quran).

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Mosque of the Prophet) in Medina, Saudi Arabia, with the Green Dome built over Muhammad's tomb in the center.

INJURY AND FORGIVENESS

       God sees all that happens, he hears all that is spoken, and he discern every thought.  If three people talk in secret, he is the fourth.  If people plot some evil deed, not a single detail is hidden from him.  If malice and hatred stir people's heart and inspire their actions, they cannot deceive him into believing that their motives are pure.  So only use words of which God approves; only make plans that accord with his commandments; and act only with the intention of doing good.

       When someone injures you or a member of your family, you may retaliate.  But it is far better to go to that person, ask for an apology, and offer forgiveness.  Then their guilt and grief will be so great that they will mend their ways.  Retaliation is a means of protecting yourself, but forgiveness ensures that no protection is needed.

       When you cause injury, whether deliberately or by accident, go immediately to your victim, and seek forgiveness; offer compensation in a spirit of humility and friendship, and strive to make amends.

      To endure suffering with fortitude, to forgive those who have wronged you, and to put right the wrongs which you have done - these are the marks of a true follower of God.

       To God belongs the earth and all the live on it, the ocean and all that swim in it, and the atmosphere and all that fly through it.  He creates whatever he wishes, and destroys whatever he wishes.  He bestows male offspring as he chooses, and female offspring as he chooses.  God is mighty, and controls all; he is wise, and understands all.  (Source: Quran).

DECISION TO DIE

       throughout Arabia people had been waiting for the outcome of Muhammad's conflicts and the religious leaders in Mecca, before making up their minds about Islam.  When they heard of his triumph, they concluded that his claim to God's messenger must be true; and leaders came from every part of Arabia to pledge their allegiance to Muhammad and the divine messages that he had revealed.

       Muhammad ruled in Mecca for two years.  Although all the people were now Muslim, they still had disputes and quarrels, and they asked Muhammad to resolve them.  Then at the age of sixty-two he began to suffer severe aches in his head.  One evening, as he lay on his bed, an angel came to him and said:  'God is giving you a choice.  You may survive into old age, and continue to bear the burden of ruling Arabia or you may die, and enter the realm of eternal peace and happiness immediately.  My task as God's messenger is complete, Muhammad replied, 'and I am weary of ruling.  so let me die now.'

       He called his wife Aisha.  'Would it distress you if you were to die before me, so that I might wrap you in a shroud, pray over you and bury you? he asked her.  she was perplexed by the question, but replied:  'If I were to die before you, then you would quickly find yourself a new wife and forget about me.  But if you were to die before me, then I should remember you and mourn for you until the day of my own death.

       Muhammad embraced her, and said:  'You are a truly good person, whereas I am merely someone who does God's will.  May you live until you are old and be inspiration to many.' (Source: Ibn Ishaq).

The tomb of Muhammad is located in the quarters of his third wife, Aisha. (Al-Masjid an-Nabwi, Medina.)

MUHAMMAD'S DEATH

       Although his head was aching so badly that he could barely think, he went to the Grand Mosque to speak to the people for the last time.

'When I am dead,' Muhammad said, 'do not turn me into an object of worship.
Worship God alone; he will never die.
Give honor to god in all you do, praise god for all you see and hear,
and thank God for everything happens to you.
Remember that God created all living beings from dust, and he has ordained their destinies.
God is one;
God is eternal.
He gives birth to all, but no one gave birth to him.
He has no rivals.'

      With these words Muhammad felt silently.  He walked slowly from the Mosque, with Aisha supporting him.  When he lay on his bed, he said to Aisha: 'My soul is now to leave my body.' Then he lost consciousness.  She held his head in her arms, and a few moments later he died.  (Source: Ibn Ishaq)

The Kaab in Mecca long held a major economic and religious role for the area.  Seventeen months after Muhammad's arrival in Medina, it became the Muslim Quibla, or direction for prayer (salat).  The Kaaba has been rebuilt several times; the present strcuture, built in 1962, is reconstruction of an earlier building dating to 683.

EXPRESSION

       Muhammad convinced many people in Mecca that he was God's messenger; but the religious leaders were violently opposed to him, seeing him as a threat to their positions.  Muhammad and his fellow Muslims were eventually forced to flee to the city of Medina in northern Arabia, where he won many more followers. He now turned himself into a military leaders, and waged a war against the religious leaders of Mecca that lasted several years; and finally he marched into Mecca unopposed, and became ruler of Arabia.

       He died two years later in 632 CE.  Political and religious leadership now passed to a series of deputies (caliphs); and the Arabs, united by Islam, because one of the most powerful and energetic military forces that the world has seen.  Within a decade of Muhammad's death they had created an empire that controlled most of the Middle East from Palestine to Iran; and this soon extended westwards across north Africa into Spain, and eastwards into the Indian subcontinent.  Guided by the principles of the Quran, and the example of Muhammad, Muslim Political rule was generally benign and just, although often ruthless.  Many in the conquered lands converted to Islam, and those refusing to convert merely had to pay an additional tax.

       The caliphs that ruled from Baghdad, from the eighth to the thirteenth century, also encouraged scholarship and the arts.  They commissioned Christian, Jewish and Greek scholars to translate the great works of philosophy into Arabic and to engage in scientific research.  And they commissioned craftsmen to build mosques sublime beauty.

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Source: Excerpts from the book "366 Readings from World Religions" by Robert Van De Weyer.
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