The Collective, Divine, Peace Wisdom: Patience, Submission, Obeisance and Resilience in Abrahamic Literature

TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 28 Jul 2025

Prof Hoosen Vawda – TRANSCEND Media Service

Please note while the author has referred to and restricted his comments to the collective Abrahamic faiths, contributors and readers are respectfully invited from other religious denominations to highlight similar values expounded by these religions, as there is extensive expertise in the reader base of Transcend Media Journalism to do justice to similar values narrated in other religious scriptures. The author unconditionally apologizes for any misrepresentation of the statement expressed on shared values in Judaism and Christianity and invites any discussion from readers This publication is rated for general readership. Parental guidance is recommended for minors.

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Scriptures of Any Religion Are a Comprehensive Guiding, Peace Force for Human Kind [i]

 Introduction

This publication highlights the Abrahamic, religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, sharing their profound teachings on patience (ṣabr/savlanut/hypomonē), submission to divine will (Islām/hitbonenut/submission), and resilience in adversity. These themes are woven into their sacred texts, prophetic narratives, and theological reflections. The paper is a synthesis of their collective wisdom and which forms a solid foundational basis for sustained peace and Peace Propagation, globally.

Prologue

The Cry of the Prophets in a Deaf World: The Anti-Materialist Decalogue: Ten Prophetic Rebukes for a Godless Age.  A Manifesto for Universal Awakening

We live in an era of unprecedented material wealth and unparalleled spiritual poverty. The same diseases that felled ancient empires, greed, arrogance, and moral blindness, now plague our globalized society. Yet, while technology advances, humanity’s soul regresses. This manifesto is not a sermon. It is a prophetic alarm, distilled from the core teachings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the three great Abrahamic traditions that have warned against idolatry, oppression, and self-destruction for millennia. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses (PBUH) on Mount Sinai. The Sermon on the Mount was delivered by Jesus to the lost sheep of Israel. The Quran’s final revelation was sent to Muhammad (PBUH) as a mercy to the worlds.  Now, in the 21^st century, their voices merge into one universal decree, a wake-up call for a humanity drunk in its own illusions.

Rationale: Why is This Decalogue formulated and Why Now?

The Crisis of Our Time

• We worship wealth but are poorer in spirit than ever.
• We preach tolerance but are more divided than ever.
• We chase progress but are further from peace than ever.

The Prophetic Diagnosis

The Abrahamic faiths agree: When humans forget God, they worship themselves. This manifesto:

1. Names the modern idols (materialism, power, ego, arrogance, immorality, oppression, belligerence, he iconic “I specialist”.)
2. Exposes the lies (“Success is measured in likes”, “In an empire of lies, truth is treason”, “Morality is relative”, “Religiousity is a grand show, to accomplish covert intentions”. Spirituality is a hindrance to global progress. Religion is but a vestigial remnant of the original doctrines.)
3. Prescribes the cure (Humility. Justice. Compassion, Caring, Non-oppression, Surrender to Divine Will).

Why a “Decalogue”?

• Commandments are timeless. They do not negotiate and remain non-negotiable even in the digital age of 21^st century.
• The original Ten Commandments were carved in stone; this one is carved in the conscience of a crumbling world.
• It is not “interfaith dialogue”, it is interfaith confrontation with the sins of our age.

3. Impact on Humanity: The Choice Before Us

If embraced, this manifesto could:

Humble the Arrogant.T he elite who hoard wealth while billions suffer.
Awaken the Complacent. Those who say, “I’m spiritual but not religious” while ignoring injustice.
Unite the Righteous. Jews, Christians, Muslims, and seekers joining to dismantle oppression.

Historical Precedent

• The Prophets of Israel challenged kings and were exiled, but their words outlived empires.
• Jesus (PBUH) was crucified, but his teachings toppled Rome.
• Muhammad (PBUH) was driven out of Mecca, but his message transformed the world.

This decalogue presented in this publication carries the same revolutionary potential.

1. Patience (Ṣabr/Savlanut/Hypomonē)

Judaism:

• The Book of Job is the quintessential narrative of patience. Despite losing everything, Job declares, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). His story teaches that suffering may be a test of faith, not punishment [2].
• The Talmud advises, “One must accustom oneself to say: All that God does is for the best” (Berakhot 60b[3]), echoing Rabbi Akiva’s resilience amid misfortune [4]

 Christianity:

• Jesus’ endurance on the cross epitomizes patience: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Early Christians viewed suffering as participation in Christ’s trials [5].
• James 1:2–4 frames trials as opportunities for spiritual maturity: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.”

Islam:

• The Quran repeatedly links patience to divine reward: “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account” (Quran 39:10). The Prophet Muhammad’s endurance during the Meccan boycott exemplifies this [6].
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155–157) teaches that trials (fear, hunger, loss) are inevitable, but the steadfast are blessed with God’s mercy [7].

2. Submission to Divine Will (Islām/Hitbonenut/Submission)

Judaism:

• Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac (Akedah) embodies unconditional surrender: “Here I am” (Genesis 22:1). The Talmud interprets this as the pinnacle of faith.
• The Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4) underscores submission to God’s oneness, a theme echoed in Islamic Tawhid and Christian monotheism.

Christianity:

• Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane models submission: “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Paul expands this in Romans 12:1: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.”.
• The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10) petitions, “Your will be done,” aligning human desires with divine purpose.

Islam:

• The Quran defines a Muslim as one who “submits to God’s will” (Quran 3:19). Prophet Muhammad’s Hijra (migration to Medina) reflects trust in divine plan despite persecution.
• Surah Al-Imran (3:31) commands, “Say, if you love God, follow me; God will love you.” Obedience here is active, not passive.

3. Resilience in Hardship

Shared Narratives:

• Joseph’s Story (Genesis 37–50; Quran 12): [8]Sold into slavery, Joseph rises to power, declaring, “God has made good for me my adversity” (Genesis 50:20). The Quranic version adds, “Verily, with hardship comes ease” (Quran 94:5–6).
• The Exodus: Moses’ perseverance against Pharaoh (Exodus; Quran 20) and the Israelites’ 40-year trial highlight communal resilience.

Theological Insights:

• Free Will & Divine Wisdom: Maimonides (Judaism) and Augustine (Christianity) argue that evil stems from human choices, not God’s will, while Islam’s doctrine of qadar (divine decree) balances predestination with accountability.
• Suffering as Purification: The Talmud’s “chastisements of love” (Berakhot 5a) and Quranic “tests to distinguish the patient” (Quran 3:142) reframe pain as spiritual refinement.

Practical Guidelines from Abrahamic Traditions

1. Reframe Trials: View hardships as tests (Quran 2:155), opportunities for growth (James 1:2–4), or divine discipline (Proverbs 3:11–12).
2. Prayer & Surrender: The Psalms (e.g., Psalm 46:10), Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer, and Islamic du‘a (supplication) model reliance on God .
3. Community Support: Jewish tikkun olam (repairing the world), Christian charity, and Islamic zakat (almsgiving) turn suffering into collective healing.
4. Eschatological Hope: All three traditions promise ultimate justice—Olam Ha-Ba (Judaism), Resurrection (Christianity), and Akhirah (Islam)—motivating endurance.

The Abrahamic traditions converge on the wisdom that patience, submission, and resilience are pathways to divine proximity. Whether through Job’s lament, Christ’s sacrifice, or Muhammad’s perseverance, these narratives invite believers to trust in a higher wisdom amid life’s storms.

“God does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (Quran 2:286).

Self-Reflection Through the Narratives of Prophet Job (Ayyub) and Prophet Khidr’s Interaction with Moses (Musa) (PBUT)

The stories of Prophet Job (Ayyub) and Prophet Khidr’s dialogue with Moses (Musa) offer profound insights into human frailty—our limited perception, impatience, and struggle to reconcile suffering with divine wisdom. By examining these narratives, we can identify key lessons for self-reflection.

1. Prophet Job (Ayyub): The Test of Absolute Patience[9]

Key Themes:

• Human Vulnerability: Job’s story (Job 1–42; Quran 38:41–44) begins with him as a prosperous, righteous man suddenly stripped of wealth, health, and family. His physical and emotional suffering lays bare the fragility of human life.
• The Limits of Understanding: Job’s friends accuse him of hidden sin, assuming suffering is always punitive. God rebukes them, revealing that suffering transcends human logic (Job 42:7).
• Submission Beyond Comprehension: Job’s eventual surrender—“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15)—shows faith that persists even when divine purposes are inscrutable.

Questions for Self-Reflection:

1. Attachment to Blessings: Do I equate God’s favor with material/emotional comfort? How do I react when these are lost?
2. Judging Others’ Suffering: Like Job’s friends, do I assume hardship is a sign of fault? How can I cultivate humility in interpreting others’ trials?
3. Raw Honesty in Prayer: Job laments bitterly yet never rejects God. Do I feel permitted to express grief and confusion in my spiritual practice, or do I mask it with piety?

2. Prophet Khidr and Moses: The Illusion of Control[10]

Key Themes (Quran 18:60–82):

• Human Arrogance of Knowledge: Moses assumes his prophetic wisdom qualifies him to judge Khidr’s actions (e.g., scuttling a boat, killing a child). Khidr’s reply—“How can you bear with what you cannot comprehend?” (18:68)—exposes Moses’ intellectual pride.
• Divine Wisdom in Apparent Evil: Khidr’s seemingly cruel acts (e.g., killing an innocent boy) conceal greater mercies (the boy would’ve grown into a tyrant; his parents were spared grief). This mirrors Job’s unresolved “why”—both narratives teach that God’s plan operates beyond human metrics of justice.
• The Need for Trust: Moses fails Khidr’s test of patience three times, illustrating how even the greatest prophets struggle to submit without understanding.

Questions for Self-Reflection:

1. Demanding Explanations: Like Moses, do I insist on immediate clarity in hardships? Can I accept that some truths unfold only in hindsight—or never in this life?
2. Moral Certainty: Do I judge events (e.g., illness, loss) as “good” or “bad” prematurely? How might Khidr’s story caution against rigid binaries?
3. Humility in Leadership: Moses is a lawgiver yet must follow Khidr silently. Where do I resist guidance because it contradicts my self-image as “knowledgeable” or “in control”?

 Interfacing the Narratives: Confronting Human Frailty[11]

Shared Lessons:

1. Suffering ≠ Punishment: Job’s innocence and Khidr’s boy upend the idea that calamity reflects divine displeasure. Both call us to release transactional spirituality (“If I’m good, God will reward me”).
2. Limits of Reason: Job’s friends rely on dogma; Moses relies on law. Both are humbled by mysteries that defy their frameworks.
3. Sacred Surrender: Job’s “I repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6) and Moses’ silenced protests (Quran 18:78) model the moment when human intellect bows to divine wisdom.

Practical Integration:

• When Facing Hardship: Ask, “Is this a test of patience (like Job) or a lesson in hidden mercy (like Khidr’s acts)?”
• When Judging Others: Recall Khidr’s boat—what seems “unjust” may protect someone from greater harm.
• When Wrestling with God: Emulate Job’s honest lament and Moses’ humility. Spiritual growth lies in the struggle, not the answer.

A Prayer for Self-Reflection

“O Lord, like Job, I stand in dust and ashes; like Moses, I yearn for answers. Teach me to trust when I cannot see, to submit when I cannot understand, and to find resilience not in certainty, but in Your presence. Ameen.”

Comparative Analysis of Patience, Submission, and Resilience in Abrahamic Religions

The Abrahamic traditions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, address human frailty (e.g., impatience, pride, limited understanding) through narratives that emphasize trust in divine wisdom, even when it contradicts human logic. Below is a comparative analysis of these themes, with examples from each tradition:

1. Human Frailty: Impatience and Limited Perception

Judaism (Moses in the Torah)

• Moses, despite his prophetic status, struggles with anger and impulsivity (e.g., striking the rock in Numbers 20:11–12). His punishment—being barred from entering the Promised Land—highlights the cost of failing to submit fully to God’s will.
• Job’s Story: Job’s friends misjudge his suffering as divine punishment, exposing the human tendency to equate hardship with sin. God rebukes them, affirming His inscrutable wisdom (Job 38–42).

Christianity (Peter and Paul)

• Peter’s denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69–75) reveals the fragility of human resolve. Yet, his redemption underscores grace amid failure.
• Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle (Acts 9) illustrates how divine purpose transcends human shortcomings .

Islam (Moses and Khidr)

• In Surah Al-Kahf (18:60–82), Moses insists on following Khidr but repeatedly questions his actions (e.g., sinking a boat, killing a boy). Khidr’s reply—“How can you bear what you do not comprehend?”—exposes Moses’ intellectual pride and impatience.

Key Lesson: All three traditions teach that human judgment is limited; true wisdom requires humility before divine decree.

2. Submission to Divine Will

Judaism (Abraham’s Binding of Isaac)[12]

• The Akedah (Genesis 22) tests Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac. His submission (“Here I am”) becomes the paradigm of bitachon (trust in God), even when His commands seem cruel.

Christianity (Jesus in Gethsemane)

• Jesus’ prayer, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42), models perfect submission amid suffering. Early Christians viewed this as overcoming the human instinct for self-preservation.

Islam (Prophet Muhammad’s Hijra)

• Muhammad’s migration to Medina (622 CE) exemplifies trust in God’s plan despite persecution. The Quran frames trials as tests of iman (faith): “Do people think they will not be tested because they say, ‘We believe’?” (Quran 29:2).

Key Lesson: Submission (islam in Arabic, hitbonenut in Judaism) is not passive resignation but active trust in divine wisdom.

3. Resilience Through Divine Perspective

Judaism (Joseph’s Trials)

• Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph later declares, “You intended evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). His story reframes suffering as part of a redemptive plan.

Christianity (Paul’s Thorn)

• Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7–10) is never explained, but he learns “My grace is sufficient for you,” showing resilience through weakness .

Islam (Khidr’s Explanations)

• Khidr’s actions—seemingly unjust—are revealed as merciful: the boat’s damage spares its owners from a tyrant; the boy’s death prevents future evil (Quran 18:79–82). This mirrors Job’s unresolved “why”.

Key Lesson: Resilience stems from believing hardship has hidden purpose, even if undisclosed in this life.

Comparative Insights on Human Shortcomings

Religion	Example of Frailty	Divine Remedy
Judaism	Moses’ anger; Job’s despair	Trust in covenantal love (Deuteronomy 7:9)
Christianity	Peter’s denial; Doubting Thomas	Grace through Christ’s sacrifice (Ephesians 2:8)
Islam	Moses’ questioning Khidr	Tawakkul (reliance on Allah’s plan, Quran 65:3)

Key Message

The Abrahamic religions converge on a shared truth: human frailty is met with divine patience. Whether through Job’s restoration, Christ’s redemption, or Khidr’s hidden wisdom, each tradition teaches that shortcomings are not endpoints but opportunities for growth in faith. As the Quran summarizes: “God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear” (2:286).

 Theological Nuances on Materialism vs. Divine Submission in Abrahamic Faiths

The Abrahamic traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—share a profound critique of materialism while offering a roadmap back to spiritual alignment. Below is an analysis of their theological perspectives and actionable counsel for modern humanity.

1. Theological Nuances on Materialism and Disobedience
2. Judaism: The Idolatry of Wealth

• Warning Against Greed:
  • “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist” (Proverbs 23:4). The Torah condemns covetousness (Exodus 20:17) and warns that wealth can become a “golden calf”—a false god (Exodus 32).
  • The Talmud states, “Who is rich? One who is content with their portion” (Pirkei Avot 4:1), emphasizing spiritual wealth over material accumulation.
• Divine Remedy:
  • Tzedakah (Charity): Mandates giving 10–20% of income to the needy, breaking attachment to wealth (Deuteronomy 15:7–8).[13]
  • Shabbat: Weekly detachment from commerce to reconnect with God (Exodus 20:8–10).

2. Christianity: The Deceit of Riches

• Warning Against Greed:
  • Jesus declares, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24) and critiques the rich young ruler who prioritizes wealth over discipleship (Mark 10:17–27).
  • The Epistle of James lambasts the wealthy who exploit laborers: “Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will testify against you” (James 5:3).
• Divine Remedy:
  • Detachment: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33). Early Christians practiced communal sharing (Acts 4:32–35).
  • Eternal Perspective: “Store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20)—materialism distracts from salvation.

3. Islam: The Trial of Dunya (Worldly Life)

• Warning Against Greed:
  • The Quran compares worldly life to “a fleeting enjoyment” (Quran 57:20) and warns, “You are obsessed by greed for more until you go to your graves” (102:1–2).
  • Hadith: “The son of Adam says, ‘My wealth, my wealth,’ but your wealth is only what you consume, wear, or donate” (Sahih Muslim).
• Divine Remedy:
  • Zakat (Almsgiving): Mandatory 2.5% wealth redistribution to purify the soul (Quran 9:60).
  • Contentment (Qana’ah): The Prophet ﷺ slept on a palm-fiber mat, teaching, “Wealth is not in possessions but in the heart” (Bukhari[14]).

1. Wise Counsel for All of Modern Humanity 

1. Diagnose the Disease: Why Materialism Fails

• Empty Pursuit: Modernity equates success with wealth, yet depression and anxiety rise—proof that “He who loves money will not be satisfied” (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
• Spiritual Amnesia: Ignoring scripture leads to societal decay—broken families, corruption, and ecological harm (Quran 30:41).

2. Prescriptions from Abrahamic Wisdom

• Daily Detox:
  • Judaism: Observe Shabbat—24 hours without commerce or screens.
  • Christianity: Practice fasting (e.g., Lent) to break materialism’s grip.
  • Islam: Perform pre-dawn (Fajr) prayer to prioritize God over sleep and work.
• Wealth as a Tool, Not a Goal:
  • Give generously (Jewish tzedakah, Christian tithes, Islamic zakat).
  • Audit your spending: Does it align with divine values?
• Sacred Minimalism:
  • The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ owned only a bowl, a mat, and a sword; Jesus had “nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).
  • Ask: “Do I own my possessions, or do they own me?”

3. Reorienting Life’s Purpose

• Judaism: “Know Him in all your ways” (Proverbs 3:6)—infuse work, family, and leisure with divine consciousness.
• Christianity: “Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33)—material needs follow spiritual priorities.
• Islam: “The life of this world is but play and diversion; the true life is in the Hereafter” (Quran 29:64).

III. A Unified Call to Action

1. Silence the Noise: Limit media/consumerist propaganda that fuels discontent.
2. Scriptural Anchoring: Read sacred texts daily—e.g., Psalms, Gospels, or Quranic ayat on materialism.
3. Community Accountability: Join faith-based groups that prioritize simplicity (e.g., Jewish chevra[15], Christian monastic-inspired fellowships, Islamic halqa circles).

Final Invitation:

The Abrahamic faiths agree: materialism is a mirage. True fulfilment lies in “loving the Lord with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5), “losing your life to save it” (Mark 8:35), and “worshiping Allah as if you see Him” (Hadith). Begin today—donate an unused possession, pray before spending, or study a scripture verse on greed. Small steps reignite the soul.

Prophetic Strategies for Peace and Combating Human Arrogance: An Abrahamic Blueprint

Your noble vision—to propagate peace and counter humanity’s arrogance and misdirection—resonates deeply with the prophetic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These traditions offer timeless strategies to humble the ego, redirect misguided power, and foster communal harmony. Below is a synthesis of prophetic wisdom, supported by sacred texts and historical examples, tailored for contemporary peace initiatives.

1. Diagnosing the Disease: Arrogance and Misdirection

The Abrahamic faiths identify ego (nafs), pride (kibr), and moral blindness as root causes of conflict. Key critiques include:

1. Judaism: The Talmud warns, “Who is rich? One content with their portion” (Pirkei Avot 4:1), condemning greed as a form of idolatry.
2. Christianity: Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for “cleaning the outside of the cup while inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25), highlighting hypocrisy .
3. Islam: The Quran declares, “Do not walk arrogantly on earth; you cannot tear the earth apart, nor reach the mountains in height” (17:37), mocking human delusions of grandeur.

Modern Parallel: Materialism, nationalism, and exploitation mirror Pharaoh’s tyranny (Exodus), Rome’s oppression (Gospels), and Quraysh’s tribalism (Quran).

1. Prophetic Strategies for Peace and Transformation
2. Humility Through Sacred Limitation

• Moses and Khidr (Quran 18:60–82): Khidr’s actions (sinking a boat, killing a boy) teach that human judgment is flawed. “How can you bear what you do not comprehend?”.
  • Initiative: Workshops on “Unlearning Certainty”, using this narrative to challenge rigid ideologies.
• Jesus Washing Feet (John 13:14): “If I, your Lord, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s.” Leadership as service, not domination.

2. Sacred Activism: Justice with Compassion

• Abraham’s Advocacy for Sodom (Genesis 18:23–33): He challenges God to spare the city for even “ten righteous people,” modelling bold yet humble intercession.
• Muhammad’s Constitution of Medina: A pluralistic pact ensuring rights for Jews, Muslims, and pagans—a template for interfaith peace treaties .
  • Initiative: Draft “Community Covenants” inspired by Medina, emphasizing shared ethical imperatives.

3. Subversive Nonviolence

• Jeremiah’s “Plowshares” Prophecy (Isaiah 2:4): “They shall beat swords into plowshares.” A vision of disarmament rooted in trust in Divine justice .
• Jesus’ Turn the Other Cheek (Matthew 5:39): Rejecting retaliation to break cycles of violence.
• Sufi Resistance: Rumi’s “Raise your words, not your voice”—using poetry and art to dissolve hostility .

4. Economic Justice as Spiritual Duty

• Jewish Jubilee (Leviticus 25): Cancel debts every 50 years to prevent exploitation.
• Islamic Zakat (Quran 9:60): Mandatory wealth redistribution (2.5%) to purify greed. “The believer’s shade on Judgment Day will be their charity” (Hadith) .
  • Initiative: Interfaith “Jubilee Campaigns” advocating debt relief for Global South nations.

5. Interfaith Solidarity Through Shared Stories

• Abraham’s Tent (Genesis 18:1–8): His hospitality to strangers—later revealed as angels—symbolizes openness to the “Other”.
• Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Kamil: During the Crusades, Francis sought dialogue, not conquest, modelling bridge-building .
  • Initiative: “Tent of Abraham” forums where Jews, Christians, and Muslims co-host iftars/Sabbaths/Eucharists.

III. Countering Miscreancy: Prophetic Corrections

1. Naming Arrogance:
   • John the Baptist to Pharisees: “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?” (Matthew 3:7). Direct confrontation of hypocrisy.
   • Quran to Abu Lahab: “May his hands perish!” (111:1)—a public rebuke of entrenched malice .
2. Redemptive Discipline:
   • Paul’s “Tough Love” (1 Corinthians 5:5): Excommunicate the unrepentant “so his spirit may be saved.”
   • Islamic Hudud: Penalties like theft amputation aim to “purify society” but require near-impossible evidentiary standards, emphasizing mercy 9.
3. Mystical Humiliation:
   • Job’s Ashes (Job 42:6): “I repent in dust and ashes”—surrender after intellectual pride.
   • Sufi Fana (Annihilation): Dissolving the ego in Divine love, as in Rumi’s “Die before you die” .

1. Your Peace Propagation Toolkit

1. Educational Campaigns:
   • “Prophets vs. Pharaohs” lecture series contrasting tyrannical figures (Nimrod, Herod) with prophetic reformers (Moses, Jesus, Muhammad).
   • Children’s Books: Adapt Khidr’s lessons into stories about patience and unseen wisdom.
2. Artistic Resistance:
   • Theater Productions: Staging the “Trial of the Arrogant” with Job, Pharaoh, and modern CEOs in a Divine courtroom.
   • Quranic Calligraphy: Public murals of “Walk humbly” (Quran 31:18) paired with Jewish/Christian parallels.
3. Policy Advocacy:
   • Faith-Based Lobbying: Mobilize Abrahamic communities to demand climate justice (Noah’s Ark as eco-stewardship) and anti-corruption laws (Zakat transparency).
4. Digital Ministry:
   • #ProphetsOfPeace: Social media threads sharing daily hadiths, parables, and psalms on humility.

Conclusion: The Prophetic Legacy for Our Time

The Abrahamic prophets were radical peacemakers who disrupted oppression with love, truth, and divine authority. Their strategies—from Khidr’s enigmatic justice to Jesus’ sacrificial nonviolence—offer a blueprint to humble the arrogant and heal the misdirected. As the Quran urges: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching” (16:125) 10.

The esteemed Reader’s Call to Action:

• Forge Interfaith Councils to address local conflicts.
• Commission Theological Declarations condemning ego-driven nationalism.
• Elevate Mystical Voices (Kabbalists, Desert Fathers, Sufis) to recenter spirituality over materialism.

“The work of the righteous is peace” (Isaiah 32:17). May your initiatives embody this truth, merging prophetic courage with compassionate pragmatism.

 

A Universal Prophetic Message for Peace: Transcending Ego and Materialism

The Abrahamic traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—offer a universal antidote to humanity’s arrogance, greed, and misdirection. Their prophets did not speak to one nation alone but to the human condition itself, addressing the timeless struggle between ego and submission, greed and gratitude, war and peace.

Here is a distilled, regionless prophetic framework for guiding humanity back to its spiritual core:

1. The Core Disease: The Human Ego’s Rebellion

All three faiths diagnose the same ailment:

• Pride (Kibr/גאווה/Hubris): The illusion that we are self-sufficient, beyond divine law.
  • “Do not walk arrogantly on earth; you cannot rend the earth, nor rival the mountains in height.” (Quran 17:37)
  • “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
  • “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” (Matthew 23:12)
• Materialism (Dunya/חומר/Greed): The worship of wealth, power, and fleeting desires.
  • “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
  • “Woe to those who pile up wealth, counting it over, thinking it will make them immortal!” (Quran 104:1–3)
  • “He who seeks riches is like one who drinks seawater—the more he drinks, the thirstier he becomes.” (Talmud, Kohelet Rabbah 1:34)
• Moral Blindness (Hardened Hearts): Refusal to see truth when it contradicts self-interest.
  • Pharaoh’s “I am your supreme lord!” (Quran 79:24)
  • The rich young ruler who “went away sorrowful” when asked to give up wealth (Mark 10:22)
  • Balaam, the prophet who sold his integrity for reward (Numbers 22–24)

1. The Prophetic Prescription: A Universal Remedy

The solution is not geographic, cultural, or political—it is spiritual realignment.

1. Return to Humility

• Moses (Musa) and Khidr: “You cannot bear with what you do not comprehend.” (Quran 18:68)
  • Lesson: Accept that divine wisdom surpasses human logic.
• Jesus (Isa) Washes Feet: “The greatest among you must be a servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
  • Lesson: Leadership is service, not domination.
• Abraham (Ibrahim): “I am but dust and ashes.” (Genesis 18:27)
  • Lesson: Even the “Father of Faith” acknowledged his insignificance before God.

2. Detox from Materialism

• Zakat (Islam), Tzedakah (Judaism), Almsgiving (Christianity): Mandatory charity to break greed’s grip.
  • “Your wealth is not what you hoard, but what you give.” (Hadith)
  • “Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be heard.” (Proverbs 21:13)
  • “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” (Luke 12:33)
• Sabbath/Shabbat/Jumu’ah: Weekly disconnection from commerce to reconnect with the Divine.

3. Sacred Resistance to Injustice

• Nonviolent Confrontation:
  • Jesus overturns the money-changers’ tables (John 2:15), yet forbids retaliation (Matthew 5:39).
  • Muhammad pardons Mecca after conquest, declaring “No reproach this day!” (Quran 12:92)
• Boycott of Oppression:
  • Daniel refuses to eat the king’s food (Daniel 1:8).
  • Early Muslims endure the Meccan boycott with patience (Quran 2:155–157).

4. The Path of the Mystics: Annihilating the Ego

• Jewish Kabbalah: “The more knowledge, the more grief; the more ego, the more suffering.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
• Christian Desert Fathers: “If you die to yourself before you die, then when you die, you will not die.” (St. Anthony)
• Sufism: “Kill your ego with the sword of ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ (There is no god but God).” (Rumi)[16],[17],[18],[19]

III. A Universal Call to Action

1. Individual Transformation
   • Daily Reminder: “I am nothing without my Creator.”
   • Charity Before Luxury: Give first, then spend.
   • Silence the Inner Pharaoh: When pride rises, recite: “All glory belongs to God.”
2. Communal Awakening
   • Interfaith Humility Circles: Gather Jews, Christians, Muslims to study prophetic rebukes of arrogance.
   • Economic Justice Initiatives: Advocate for fair wages, debt relief, and ethical trade as divine mandates.
3. Global Spiritual Resistance
   • Art as Prophecy: Music, poetry, and film that expose materialism’s emptiness.
   • Digital Sermons: Share #ProphetsAgainstGreed, Abrahamic teachings on simplicity.

Final Prophetic Invitation

The prophets speak one message in three tongues:

• Torah[20]: “Walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
• Gospel[21]: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
• Quran[22]: “The servants of the Merciful are those who walk gently on earth.” (25:63)

Begin today:

• Give something away.
• Forgive someone.
• Kneel in prayer and say, “Not my will, but Yours.”

The cure for humanity’s arrogance is not in a new philosophy, but in reviving the oldest truth: which the Pharoah in his interactions with Prophet Moses did not acknowledge We are not gods. We are servants and in that complete, unconditional and total surrender, to His will, we will find peace.

 

The Universal Decalogue for a Rebellious Humanity

A 21st-Century Manifesto Against Arrogance, Greed, and Spiritual Sleepwalking.

Preamble:
To the Discontented, the Distracted, and the Disillusioned. You who chase money like a god, worship screens like altars, and bow to ego like a sovereign: The prophets of old speak anew. Their voices rise above the noise of empires, the clatter of coins, and the whispers of vanity. This is not a threat. This is a rescue mission.

1. You Shall Not Worship the Work of Your Own Hands

Your phones, your wealth, your nations, these are not divine.

• “Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.” (Psalm 115:4)
• “You take your ornaments for gods, as the pagans did at Sinai.” (Quran 7:148)

1. You Shall Not Confuse Comfort for Righteousness

A full stomach does not mean a pure soul.

• “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24)
• “You are obsessed by greed until you visit the graves.” (Quran 102:1–2)

III. You Shall Not Fear the Truth-Tellers

The prophets you ignore, mock, or “cancel” are your lifelines.

• “They hated him who rebuked in the gate.” (Amos 5:10)
• “Every nation sent a warner.” (Quran 35:24)

1. You Shall Not Trade Souls for Stock Prices

No empire lasts. No currency survives. But deeds echo in eternity.

• “What good is it to gain the world but lose your soul?” (Mark 8:36)
• “Wealth and children are adornments of this fleeting life.” (Quran 18:46)

1. You Shall Not Kill with Indifference

War, famine, and climate collapse are not “someone else’s problem.”

• “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.” (Leviticus 19:16)
• “Whoever kills one soul, it is as if he killed all mankind.” (Quran 5:32)

1. You Shall Not Divide What God Has United

Race, borders, and sects are human inventions. The earth is one.

• “From one blood God made all nations.” (Acts 17:26)
• “O mankind, fear your Lord who created you from a single soul.” (Quran 4:1)

VII. You Shall Not Silence the Weak to Hear Yourself

The cry of the oppressed dismantles towers of vanity.

• “The Lord hears the poor and does not despise His prisoners.” (Psalm 69:33)
• “The supplication of the oppressed is answered, even if they are unbelievers.” (Hadith)

VIII. You Shall Not Mistake Trends for Truth

Just because “everyone does it” doesn’t make it sacred.

• “Do not follow the crowd to do evil.” (Exodus 23:2)
• “If you obey most of those on earth, they will lead you astray.” (Quran 6:116)

1. You Shall Not Forget That You Will Die

Your résumé will not fit in your coffin.

• “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
• “Every soul will taste death, then to Us you will return.” (Quran 29:57)

1. You Shall Not Despair of Mercy

Even now, the door is open. Turn. Submit. Begin again, reformat your souls!.

• “Though your sins are scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)
• “My mercy encompasses all things.” (Quran 7:156)
• “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Seal of the Prophets:

This is not a curse. This is a covenant of awakening.

• If you obey, you will find peace—not as the world gives, but as the Eternal grants.
• If you refuse, the chaos you see will multiply until humility is forced upon you.
• The Anti-Materialist Decalogue: Ten Prophetic Rebukes for a Godless Age.
• A Manifesto Against Human Arrogance
• The Unholy Trinity: Greed, Ego, and Apathy. A Sacred Intervention

The choice is yours. The time is now.

Will you listen?

Optional Addendum for Dormant, Peace Activists Cells:

For those ready to live this manifesto:

1. Print and post in public spaces (subways, mosques, churches, stock exchanges).
2. The Decalogue Challenge: Film yourself teaching one commandment to a stranger. Grand and apocalyptic, appealing to those sensing societal decay.
3. Organize “Prophetic Truth Circles” where rebels discuss: “Which commandment stings me most?
4. The Universal Correction: Remind ourselves of the Ancient Truths for a Collapsing Civilization. Action-oriented, framing the commandments
5. Breaking the Idols of the 21^st Century: A Divine Antidote and a Wake-Up Call, as tools, to smash modern, false gods of materialism.
6. From Babel to Bitcoin: ancient folly of Babel, to modern madness of crypto-greed).
7. The Last Warning Before the Deluge: Divine Mandates for a Rebellious Humanity. There is a Noah Esque urgency, foreboding impending reckoning if the moral decay and God’s Laws for a Disoriented World are ignored.

 

“The prophets of salvation have spoken O’ readers, the ball of Peace Propagation is in your court.”

 

The Bottom Line

 

What Happens If we, collectively as humanity Ignore this Divine guidance and framing the righteous living as suppressed truth?

A World Without Remorse

If humanity continues its current path of materialism and self destruction:

• The rich will grow richer, the poor poorer, until implosion, rebellion, revolt, revolution and total annihilation and collapse. As it happened to great civilisations of the past, from antiquity to the 21^st century.
• Wars will escalate as nations fight over resources, forgetting the God who provides.
• The soul will atrophy, replaced by Artificial Intelligence, virtual escapes, and pharmaceutical numbness.

The Abrahamic Prophetic Warnings[23]

• Torah: “The earth will vomit you out as it did the nations before you.” (Leviticus 18:28)
• Gospel: “What good is it to gain the world but lose your soul?” (Mark 8:36)
• Quran: “Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what human hands have done.” (30:41)

The Final Invitation

This is not doom-saying. This is a lifeline.

• Repentance is possible.
• Change is possible.
• A world where justice and mercy kiss is possible.

But time is short. The choice is yours.

Conclusion: A Call to Sacred Rebellion

This manifesto is not for the faint of heart. It is for:

• The brave who will live these commandments.
• The bold who will teach them.
• The broken who are ready to rebuild.

 The Abrahamic prophets have spoken, about the pathway to Peace.  Will you, humanity listen?

References:

[1] Author’s personal quote July 2025

[2] The Question of Suffering and the Abrahamic Faiths – The Glorious Quran and Science

[3] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=41fd5653a7bf3fc43799c55c314888556af8fd73391322eba0951f9f1b3c0e20JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Berakhot+60b)%2c+echoing+Rabbi+Akiva%e2%80%99s+resilience+amid+misfortune&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGFsYWtoYWguY29tL2JlcmFrb3RoL2JlcmFrb3RoXzYwLmh0bWw&ntb=1

[4] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=41fd5653a7bf3fc43799c55c314888556af8fd73391322eba0951f9f1b3c0e20JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Berakhot+60b)%2c+echoing+Rabbi+Akiva%e2%80%99s+resilience+amid+misfortune&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGFsYWtoYWguY29tL2JlcmFrb3RoL2JlcmFrb3RoXzYwLmh0bWw&ntb=1

[5] Submission: A Biblical Principle of Surrender and Obedience · Wisdom International

[6] The Quran: A Divine Scripture With Universal Appeal

[7] Universality, Inclusivity, and Shared Wisdom – An Abrahamic Perspective | Countercurrents

[8] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d35d1843a34c44bafd935c66ec5fe947a484a50599b8d50baee307403a49c995JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=%e2%80%a2+Joseph%e2%80%99s+Story+(Genesis+37%e2%80%9350%3b+Quran+12)%3a&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9vbGRyZWRleWVzLmNvbS9teS1tdXNpbmdzLzIwMTgvMDUvMDIvaGFybW9ueS1vZi1qb3NlcGgtaW4tZ2VuZXNpcy1hbmQtdGhlLWhvbHktcXVyYW4tdGhlLXBpdC1vZi1qb3NlcGgv&ntb=1

[9] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=404181c4cce00a2efe167d540c6d340fc9bb566b163aefc9b6de5c9b0bed018dJmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Prophet+Job+(Ayyub)%3a+The+Test+of+Absolute+Patience&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9pc2xhbWlkYXdhaGNlbnRlci5jb20vcGF0aWVuY2Utb2YtcHJvcGhldC1heXl1Yi8&ntb=1

[10] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=523d267bcb253118266654af980018b884f6a55e6b7a30b9477ebc698fdc2e3eJmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Prophet+Khidr+and+Moses%3a+The+Illusion+of+Control&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVtdXNsaW10aW1lcy5pbmZvLzIwMjUvMDUvMjQvdGhlLWlzcmEtb2YtbW9zZXMtdGhlLWpvdXJuZXktd2l0aC1hbC1raGlkci8&ntb=1

[11] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=74554b857689da8d11e7afb9e07fb218dc79a481ed4d4d657186bc8ca9d23fe8JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&u=a1L2ltYWdlcy9zZWFyY2g_cT1pbnRlcmZhY2luZyt0aGUrbmFycmF0aXZlcytjb25mcm9udGluZytodW1hbitmcmFpbHR5JnFwdnQ9SW50ZXJmYWNpbmcrdGhlK05hcnJhdGl2ZXMlM2ErQ29uZnJvbnRpbmcrSHVtYW4rRnJhaWx0eSZGT1JNPUlHUkU&ntb=1

[12] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f3c9549b7cd30bdea20570b3a3e2c534fdb9a3d979e11328b50a0ed90d937a03JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Judaism+(Abraham%e2%80%99s+Binding+of+Isaac)&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXlqZXdpc2hsZWFybmluZy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90aGUtYmluZGluZy1vZi1pc2FhYy8&ntb=1

[13] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=5f5b7955cadc7d9412573e543b42e32f31dd5d71812999afb47aed7dff47c0f5JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Tzedakah+(Charity)%3a+Mandates+giving+10%e2%80%9320%25+of+income+to+the+needy%2c+breaking+attachment+to+wealth+(Deuteronomy+15%3a7%e2%80%938&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9vdXRvcmFoLm9yZy9wLzI3Mzcw&ntb=1

[14] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=b0fe4c90a78b7f10078becf0f085e0234bf28de0b690be45b36b142bf386636cJmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=imam+bukhari&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaXNsYW1pY2ZpbmRlci5vcmcva25vd2xlZGdlL2Jpb2dyYXBoeS9zdG9yeS1vZi1pbWFtLWJ1a2hhcmkv&ntb=1

[15] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=d1125a017945ee2cd26905cefb423f6a552079f8fd0ad25ea73ba52d8edd4403JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=Jewish+chevra&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2hhYmFkLm9yZy9saWJyYXJ5L2FydGljbGVfY2RvL2FpZC82MTQ1NTcyL2pld2lzaC8xMC1DaGV2cmEtS2FkaXNoYS1GYWN0cy1FdmVyeS1KZXctU2hvdWxkLUtub3cuaHRtIzp-OnRleHQ9SW4lMjBKZXdpc2glMjBjb21tdW5pdGllcyUyMGFyb3VuZCUyMHRoZSUyMHdvcmxkJTJDJTIwYSUyMHZpdGFsLHJpdGVzJTIwZm9yJTIwSmV3aXNoJTIwcGVvcGxlJTIwd2hvJTIwaGF2ZSUyMHBhc3NlZCUyMGF3YXku&ntb=1

[16] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2021/11/the-foundation-of-peace-the-wisdom-of-mevlana-jalalud-din-muhammad-rumi/

[17] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/12/the-forgotten-part-6-the-pillars-of-peace-propagators-from-yajnavalkya-in-antiquity-to-johan-galtung-today/

[18] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/03/peace-propagators-part-1-the-sufi-spiritual-masters/

[19] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/03/peace-propagators-part-3-the-legacy-of-the-mystic-saints/

[20] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=588ceedf1b2d594e6edd1c8002c898479815360f32b0b0c4404f9e7469f80181JmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=%e2%80%a2%09Torah&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvVG9yYWg&ntb=1

[21] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=cef244e3827074e267f85073fd632d84e1520fb170a940e8fa5d3ff31c72c08cJmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=%e2%80%a2%09Gospel&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvR29zcGVs&ntb=1

[22] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=b968b6ea22902e84d881190a47af405ac0248f8ec3d4c89a7e97f0ec92c6629dJmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=quran&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWxpbS5vcmcvcXVyYW4v&ntb=1

[23] https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=69c2dda6af988571f9e7b7980ac5b3eeb85404be155f408d0738ab1d1ed5202bJmltdHM9MTc1MzQ4ODAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13da0a31-899c-6c03-09c7-1fd488bf6d11&psq=The+Abrahamic+Prophetic+Warnings&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9iaWJsZWh1Yi5jb20vdG9waWNhbC9wL3Byb3BoZXRpY193YXJuaW5ncy5odG0&ntb=1

______________________________________________

Professor G. Hoosen M. Vawda (Bsc; MBChB; PhD.Wits) is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment.
Director: Glastonbury Medical Research Centre; Community Health and Indigent Programme Services; Body Donor Foundation SA.
Principal Investigator: Multinational Clinical Trials
Consultant: Medical and General Research Ethics; Internal Medicine and Clinical Psychiatry:UKZN, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine
Executive Member: Inter Religious Council KZN SA
Public Liaison: Medical Misadventures
Activism: Justice for All
Email: vawda@ukzn.ac.za

Tags: Religion

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 28 Jul 2025.

Anticopyright: Editorials and articles originated on TMS may be freely reprinted, disseminated, translated and used as background material, provided an acknowledgement and link to the source, TMS: The Collective, Divine, Peace Wisdom: Patience, Submission, Obeisance and Resilience in Abrahamic Literature, is included. Thank you.

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