Musings on a selection from the Koran

[The Koran is considered by the Muslims to be Allah’s words given to Mohammed.]

47: 37. The life of this world is but a sport and a pastime, and if you believe and be righteous, HE will give you your rewards, and will not ask of you your wealth.

Source: Internet History Sourcebooks, excerpts from The Koran

The above passage seems to imply that man’s righteousness will earn him rewards, and ensure that he will keep his wealth. When I read this passage, I couldn’t help but compare it to Yahweh’s principles. See the Bible verses below …

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Mathew 5:10-12, NKJV (emphasis mine.)

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Mark 10:29-30, NKJV (emphasis mine.)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Mathew 6:19-21, NKJV (emphasis mine.)

So, what’s the difference?

Whereas Islam teaches that a man’s righteousness will lead to gaining and retaining earthly wealth, Yeshua teaches that righteousness entails earthly poverty, but rewards in heavenly treasures that will last beyond death.

Source: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/koran-sel.asp

Procopius’ summary of Justinian’s character

According to Procopius, there was no greater depravity than Justinian. He was the epitome of evil … there was no good in him whatsoever. To summarize a few of Procopius’ points, Justinian is described as one who was cruel, untrustworthy, a liar and a sneak, twisted and changed the laws to his own advantage, and a grievous murderer.

My teacher Tom Woods describes Justinian as “full of ambition”, but Procopius is of the opinion that this ambition would be better described as a thirst for blood, looting, and the glory of the conquer.

From what we know about the 532 AD Insurrection from Procopius’ “History of the Wars”, Justinian was cowardly enough to think of fleeing rather than fighting. His wife’s advice that he and his council defend themselves rather than run likely saved them from either death or ruin.

No Roman emperor truly knew God … therefore, no emperor could ever be as perfect as our One True King. No emperor was completely moral, unselfish, or acted solely in the best interests of the Roman people. Some were better than others, and some we know less about because of scholarly and historians’ prejudices. That being said, were I to merely take into account the selections I have read from Procopius, I would gather that Justinian was a murderer. Perhaps other historians have a different opinion than that of Procopius.

Thanks for reading,

Makayla

Source 1: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/procop-anec1.asp

Source 2: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/procop-wars1.asp

Advertisement