Ezekiel

In Arabic it means the Power of God. In Israel he was known as the son of the Old Lady. His father died when he was young. When God appointed him Prophet, his mother had grown very old. When God entrusted with the duty of guiding the Children of Israel and other tribes they had gone too deep in pursuit of their lustful life. Transgression, false pride and superiority complex had hardened their hearts and rusted their minds. Self-interest, nepotism, lying, jealousy and double standards had become the way of life for them. They took pride in the shameless activities. They had justification for their ill deeds and injustice. They sought pleasure in ill-treating others. Customs and traditions of their fathers were their Religion. People were divided in many sects; monotheism was replaced with superstitious infidelity and idol worshipping. Their ears had been scaled and their eyes were covered with veils and their heads emptied of God’s true concept.

Ezekiel started preaching the righteousness in these unfavorable situations. Taught them the significance of truth and advised them to refrain from evil deeds and told them to follow the straight path. Addressing his people he said, “Get away from the sinful life and follow the right path otherwise God will inflict you with His wrath.”

People instead of listening to him and giving any consideration to what he said, mocked and ridiculed him and teased him. When it was confirmed that the seal upon their hearts would not break, he informed them of a horrible punishment according to the laws of God.

His prophesy as given in the Book of Ezekiel came true in the era of king Judah:

            “Make a Chain for the [and is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence. Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen and they shall possess their houses; I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease and their holy places shall be defiled. Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief and rumor shall be upon rumor; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet but the law shall perish from the priest and counsel from the ancients. The king shall mourn and the prince shall be clothed with desolation and the hands of the people shall be troubled.‘ I will do unto them after their way and according to their deserts will I judge them and they shall know that I am the Lord ”

 (Ezekiel Ch: 7, 23-27)

Nebuchadnezzar:

In 550 BC, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, which continued for seven years. When the supplies were cut off for the city and the provisions exhausted, famine and epidemics gripped the city. People tried to escape the city but the king’s men chased them and slay them. Jerusalem was destroyed. Judah was arrested and his sons were slain before his eyes. Judah was blinded and was taken to Babylon in chains.

Abdullah Bin Abbas says; a large group of Israelis refused to tight for the cause of God and fearing the death took shelter in a far away valley. God did not like that and death prevailed upon them.

When Ezekiel happened to pass that inhabitation, he felt sad and prayed for those dead. God heard his prayer and restored them to life.

Didst thou not turn by vision to those who abandoned their homes, though they were thousands (In number) for fear of death? God said to them: "Die": Then He restored them to life. For God is full of bounty ‘O mankind, but Most of them are ungrateful.

(S: 2, V: 243)

            Exekiel also prophesied about the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Which can be seen in the Gospel of Barnabas. He spent his last days in Babylon and died there. He was buried near the river Tigris.

Point to Note:

When we compare the present’ era with that when evil crimes were punished with the wrath of God, we find it no different than that. Jealousy, covetousness, distrust, greed for worldly riches without any discretion of right or wrong, haughtiness, and false pride, usurping others rights, violence, every new diseases, insecurity, terrorism, differences resulting in feuds, desecration of religious norms, slaughtering of innocent people in the mosques, disobedience to the parents and seniors, bribery, adulteration, black marketing and hoarding of provisions and brazenness are more than ever before. Now no prophet would come to warn us from the punishment. But, the system of God is perfect and comprehensive; it does not alter or change. No doubt our Prophet (PBUH) is full of mercy and he would recommend forgiveness for the sinners but he follows the system of God.

Today the situation of all the religions of God on earth and the manner in which teachings of Islam are desecrated by elaborated justifications, that tantamount to invite the wrath of God openly. It is the duty and moral obligation of all the scholars, religious leaders, intellectuals and people of vision, to first correct themselves and then their family members and then they should invite their fellow beings in their towns, city and country towards the fact that history repeats itself. We have to mend our ways, lest the wrath of God catches us and we won’t be able to save ourselves.

God may forgive us for our sins and we have no other way but to turn to Him.