Continuation of my Contentions Series.

Link to Shaykh Abd al Hakim Murad’s Contentions part 1.

40. The Paraclete was indeed the Comforter. We were in a state of ascetical panic about ourselves.

Terms: Paraclete

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Paraclete, Comforter (L. Consolator; Gr. parakletos), an appellation of the Holy Ghost. The Greek word which, as a designation of the Holy Ghost at least, occurs only in St. John (xiv, 16, 26; xv, 26; xvi, 7), has been variously translated “advocate”, “intercessor”, “teacher, “helper”, “comforter”. This last rendering, though at variance with the passive form of the Greek, is justified by the Hellenistic usage, a number of ancient versions, patristic and liturgical authority, and the evident needs of the Johannine context. According to St. John the mission of the Paraclete is to abide with the disciples after Jesus has withdrawn His visible presence from them; to inwardly bring home to them the teaching externally given by Christ and thus to stand as a witness to the doctrine and work of the Saviour.

This contention is again in the theme of Chistianity, as Paraclete was the term found in the New Testament which Muslims such as Shaikh Ahmad Deedat held referred to Muhummad (S). I remember that Shaikh Ahmad Deedat often referred to this reference of “Paraclete” in his pamphlet/books as well as speeches.

Although I have learned since that discussing the polemic debate over what such things actually reference is somewhat futile with Christians, but it is definately good to be aware of as a Muslim. I find that sincerity and iklhas, not such debate, is usually the best Dawah, as the other post from Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad shows.

The second sentence of the contention indicates that the Parcalete, in our case Muhummad (S), was a comforter of a phase of an “ascetical panic“.

I find that asceticism and “panic” are two contrary words, since one often views asceticism in terms of patience, self-denial and self discipline. So one word naturally denies the other, most ascetics wouldn’t be “panic-prone”, in my opinion.

So if we take it a level above, then it may be that it is the result of their panic over the nature of God’s instructions for us that led the religious people of the time to an extreme lifestyle of asceticism, celebacy, etc.

So in this way, Muhummad(S), can be viewed as a comforter for us that he indeed brought a sense of calmness to our nature, allowing Muslims to live worldy lives with religious meaning.