If Christians knew what the bells say …

Part 2

 

Reading the beautiful Hadiths of part 1 of this writing may bring this question to mind that since bells have been used in christian churches and the bell-ringers themselves were followers of the Prophet Jesus (SBUH), why those churchmen said that they had read in Torah of Moses (Moosa) and in hand written documents from Aaron (Haaroon) the minister and executor of Moses (SBUT), that the very Last Prophet of God (SBUH & HP) would present the interpretation of what the bells say?! One may expect that they should have said that they had seen in Gospel or writings from Jesus (‘Eesa) or perhaps Simon (Sham’oon) the Successor of Jesus (SBUT) that the Last Prophet would present the interpretation of what the bells say.

 

Let us explore this issue:

 

 

In today’s world the sound of shofars is heard in synagogues of the jews, and bells in churches of christians.

 

But where did these traditions originate?

 

The Wikipedia provides some information regarding the shofar, using sources such as "Jewish prayer-book" from the Cambridge Digital Library, and …; for instance:

 

“A shofar is an ancient musical horn typically made of a ram's horn, used for Jewish religious purposes. The shofar is blown in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and at the very end of Yom Kippur, and is also blown every weekday morning in the month of Elul running up to Rosh Hashanah.”

 

“The shofar is mentioned frequently in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and rabbinic literature. In the first instance, in Exodus 19, the blast of a shofar emanating from the thick cloud on Mount Sinai makes the Israelites tremble in awe.”

 

“The Torah describes the first day of the seventh month (the first of Tishrei, or Rosh Hashanah) as a zikron teruˁah (Hebrew:זכרון תרועה, lit. 'memorial of blowing'; Lev. 23:24) and as a yom teruˁah (Hebrew: יום תרועה, lit. 'day of blowing'; Num. 29). This was interpreted by the Jewish sages as referring to the blowing of the shofar. … The Rabbi's created the practice of the Shofar's sounding every Yom Kippur rather than just on the Jubilee Year (once in 50 years) …”

 

Thus it generally seems that blowing the shofar is a tradition that the jewish leaders started and developed throughout centuries based on their interpretation of their scriptures; i.e. according to the jews themselves blowing the shofar in jewish prescribed times is not a direct command of God or Moses the Prophet of God, nevertheless it seems that the shofar has some basis in what has been presented as the Torah.

 

What about church bells?

 

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume 3 states:

 

“Bells are usually cup-like in shape, and are constructed so as to give one fundamental note when struck. The term does not strictly include gongs, cymbals, metal plates, resonant bars of metal or wood, or tinkling ornaments, such as e.g. the “bells” upon the Jewish high priest’s dress (Exodus xxviii. 32) …”

 

“… It has been maintained with somewhat more reason that Pope Sabinianus (604) first used church bells; but it seems clear that they were introduced into France as early as 550.”

 

“The earliest bells were probably not cast, but made of plates riveted together …”
 

So it seems that throughout centuries different types of sound making instruments were considered as bells, including that which was upon the special garment of the high priest, namely Aaron (Haaroon SBUH), as stated in what is called the old testament of the bible, book of Exodus chapter 28. And it also seems that it was about 6^th century CE when bells were, for the first time, used in some churches.

 

But do church bells have any basis in the collection of books called the bible?

 

Since the only place in this bible that bells are mentioned is in regard to Aaron’s clothing when entering the Holy of Holies (which according to jews it was the most sacred space in the old testament tabernacle and temple, housing such items such as the ark of the covenant), many christians suggest that church bells are related to Aaron’s bells:

 

For instance in an article titled “What Is the Origin and Purpose of Church Bells?” in Christianity.com it is stated:

 

“The Bible neither requires nor forbids the ringing of church bells … Bells are first mentioned in the Bible during a description of the high priest’s robe … Although the ancient Hebrews didn’t use bells as a common part of their daily worship, Christians began the tradition of using bells as part of their worship …”

 

Thus indeed it seems that church leaders of early centuries got the idea of using bells in churches from the bells which were on Hazrat Haaroon (SBUH)’s Holy garments; so it is no wonder that the churchmen mentioned in the foretold Hadiths said that they had seen in (the original or less distorted) Torah and writings from Hazrat Haaroon (SBUH) that the final Prophet (SBUH & HP) would interpret what the bells say; i.e. indeed this itself was another sign for followers of Moses and Jesus (SBUT) to recognize the Last Prophet (SBUH & HP) when meeting him in the future.

 

Furthermore let us pay attention that they had also recognized Hazrat ‘Ali (the last Prophet’s brother, cousin and Successor SBUT) as the kin of the last Prophet and the possessor of  his Knowledge; let us remember that similarly Hazrat Haaroon, the God-appointed minister of Hazrat Moosa (SBUT) was his brother, and Hazrat Yusha’, the Successor of Hazrat Moosa after the martyrdom of Hazrat Haaroon (SBUT), was Moses’ cousin, and also Sham’oon the Successor of Hazrat ‘Eisa (SBUT) was Jesus’ cousin. I.e. Successors of all Prophets were of the kin of Prophets (SBUT). Please refer to the E-book “Ghadir: Declaration of the Truth, from creation to eternity” in this site: kindfather.com

 

Now let us read about the above mentioned bells upon the special holy garment of the high priest, namely Aaron (Haaroon), stated in the old testament of the bible, book of Exodus chapter 28:

 

KJV (King James Version)

 

 

Exodus 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 28:32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent. 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and BELLS of gold between them round about: 28:34 A golden BELL and a pomegranate, a golden BELL and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. 28:35 And it shall be upon AARON to minister: and his* (ITS) SOUND shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

 

*Many English translations assert that the sound in statement 35 refers to the sound of the bells; let us look at a few versions:

 

NIV New International Version

35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

 

ESV (English Standard Version)

35 And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the LORD, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.

 

NLT (New Living Translation)

35 Aaron will wear this robe whenever he ministers before the LORD, and the bells will tinkle as he goes in and out of the LORD ’s presence in the Holy Place. If he wears it, he will not die.

 

It is important to pay attention that the statement is suggesting that the sound of the bells were very vital, so much so that Aaron’s life, a Prophet of God, depended on it!

 

Surely the sound of the bells meant something important that its declaration in presence of God was accepted by God.

 

What the bells said was so important that the original Torah, i.e. prior to centuries of distortions, and also Hazrat Haaroon (SBUH) in his writings had emphasized that the lord of all Prophets, the very Last Prophet of God would interpret it ... let us read together again what the bells say:

 

“No deity but Allah: It is true, true, it is right, right.

 

“Indeed the world has deceived us;

And has preoccupied us;

and has enchanted us;

and has deviated us.

 

“Slow down! Slow down! O son of the world!

Strike! Strike! O son of the World!

Take away! Take away! O son of the world!

 

“Century by century, the world passes away;

Not a day passes unless one of our foundations rots away.

 

“The eternal abode, we’ve destroyed;

and the transient abode, we’ve taken as home.

 

“How much we’ve underdone in this world, we don’t know;

Unless indeed when we die(, then we’ll know).”

 

 

Another very important point:

 

Remember in previous writings of this site such as in part 4 of the revised “Zebh ‘Azim” as chapter 5 of the E-book “Mourning”  we mentioned the possibility that everything on Hazrat Haaroon’s holy garment was an indication of the Prophet Mohammad and his holy AhlulBayt (SBUT); we are going to look at what we said there; keep in mind that God gave the command of consecrating Haaroon and his sons during the extra ten days that Moses remained on the top of Mount Sina, i.e. during the first ten days of the lunar month of DhylHajjah, and the allegiance was sought on the 18^th of DhylHajjah i.e. on the everlasting Day of Ghadir (as discussed in the E-book “Ghadir: Declaration of the Truth, from creation to eternity”):

 

“Since from the beginning of the creation the only Path to Salvation has been the acceptance of the Wilayat of these 14 jewels of creation, it seems that the hopeful and glad Tidings regarding the future coming of the lords of humankind was a major part of even religious ceremonies. Thus distorting the facts regarding such holy ceremonies and rites would surely have been part of Shaitaan’s plan for covering the Truth …

 

“As a sample: Hadrat Haaroon (Aaron, SBUH), like all Divine Prophets and Successors (SBUT), was obligated to accept the Wilayat of the Last and most Exalted Prophet of Allah and his twelve Successors (SBUT) and to keep the hope of their ever-Promised coming, alive in the hearts of Believers until the final victory at the hand of the Last Successor, i.e. Hadrat Mahdi (SBUH) …

 

“Thus it seems that even on the holy garments which Haaroon and his sons were to wear, the names of twelve lords were engraved; of course if this is so, it again needs to be kept in mind that the issue of Ta’wil (other applications) of statements has always been a part of prophecies, and that also due to all Shaitanic distortions, the original versions of such commands are not openly available; let us read what God commanded Prophet Moses (SBUH):

 

“Exodus 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office ... 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office ... 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office ... 28:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone ... 28:12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial … and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial … 28:21 And the stones shall be … twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet … 28:29 And Aaron shall bear the names … in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually …

 

“Now let us read what Dr. Thomas McElwain, a biblical language expert, has said in one of his lectures about Imam Hosain (SBUH):

 

“The word Hoosen is found in Exodus 25:7; 28:4,15,22,23,24,26,28,29,30; 29:5; 35:9,27; 39:8,9,15,16,17,19,21; and Leviticus 8:8. In every case it refers to the article of clothing worn by the ministering high priest on his chest, and containing twelve stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes and the Urim and Thummim, oracular stones used to ascertain the divine will. No other word is used in the Hebrew Scriptures from the same root at all.”

 

“Therefore the word HOOSEN in the bible is used to refer to a holy symbol of the God-chosen priest, bearing the names of twelve special ones before God.

 

“If the holy breastplate with twelve holy names and stones was, prior to distortions, an either implicit or explicit indication to the twelve holy Imams (SBUT) … and if this holy breastplate of judgment called HOOSEN was in fact a special memorial and reference to the future martyr Imam HUSEIN (SBUH) from whom the last nine Infallible Imams (SBUT), including the Savior of humankind, were to come … Allah Knows Best …”

 

And in this article we have explored the issue of the bells on Hazrat Haaroon (SBUH)’s holy garment which again pointed humankind toward the last Prophet and his Successor (SBUT) …

 

At the end once again we bow our heads down before the magnificence and preciseness of the words of the fourteen Infallible Ones (SBUT) … in this case pointing to Torah and Aaron’s writing as the origin of bells in christian churches … and we implore Allah from the bottom of our broken hearts to hasten the Appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (SBUH) when the everlasting Truth shall appear …

 

AAMEEN …