What Muslims can learn from the Jewish Maccabees

By Solomo Kitenge

Muslims across the globe are currently facing several tribulations in regards to Islamic observance. Despite the fact that Islam is more than ‘just a religion’ but a complete and finalized divine way of life and government, it does not negate several individuals, organizations and government institutions from pressuring and deceiving the Muslim that the Shariah, or the divine law revealed to the prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is not to be implemented. In this book, I will bring to light the overlooked Hebrew victory by the priest Mattathias of the second century BCE, over the disbelievers of Allah to the Muslim world. So that they can perhaps benefit from the wisdom, courage and zealotry of the Maccabees.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781470948795

Book preview

Contents

PREFACE

A Dutch Poem

The Validity of the Tanach (Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim)

Kanaim (Zealots)

God, the Jealous One

Phinchas the Zealot

The Prologue to a Jewish Jihad

Introduction to Matityahu HaKohen ben Yochanan

The oppression the Jews faced by the Seleucids and the fitnah they dealt with

The Maccabean Revolt: The Beginning of a Jewish Jihad

The Heartbreaking Cry of Mattathias and his Household

Mattathias’ Bravery

The Wisdom of Mattathias

Islam is a Religion of Communal Responsibility

Allah is with the Believers

Enjoin the good and forbid the evil

Allah Alone is the Lawgiver

Be Zealous, O Muslim!

Copyright © 2022, Solomo Kitenge

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher.

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful

But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.

Chapter (4) sūrat l-nisāa (The Women) verse 65

PREFACE

The Muslims across the globe are currently facing several tribulations in regards to Islamic observance. Despite the fact that Islam is more than ‘just a religion’ but a complete and finalized divine way of life and government, it does not negate several individuals, organizations and government institutions from pressuring and deceiving the Muslim that the Shariah, or the divine law revealed to the prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is not to be implemented. The Children of Israel of whom I am among of, since my mother is of Jewish descent hence my first name, which traditionally has been passed down generation after generation, also faced similar trials as the Muslims are currently being confronted and challenged with. Whenever I have conversations with fellow Muslims, I always emphasize the fact that Islam used to be with the Children of Israel prior to the coming of the prophet Muhammad, and that thus, we can learn a lot from their failures and successes. We should reflect on the history of the Israelites and ponder on it, see what can be derived from it in terms of wisdom. One of the successes the Israelites achieved was by the hand of Matityahu HaKohen ben Yochanan, also known as Mattathias, who was a Kohen (Priest) from the line of the prophet Harun (Aaron) peace be upon him, the brother of the prophet and messenger of Allah Musa (Moses) peace be upon him. In this book, I will bring to light this overlooked Hebrew victory over the disbelievers of Allah to the Muslim world. I ask Allah to forgive me for all my shortcomings and I pray that the readers will find some benefit in this book.

A Dutch Poem

Wat voor soort betekenis heeft het leven, als ik niet fanatiek kan zijn voor de leer van mijn Heer?

Keer me terug tot U, als Uw dienaren niet