Who is Warren Buffett?

Warren Buffett, known as the "Oracle of Omaha," is one of the most renowned investors in the world and one of the wealthiest individuals of our time. As the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett has demonstrated a highly successful and unique approach to investing, which has earned him widespread admiration and respect. Buffett is celebrated not only for his business acumen but also for his humble lifestyle, philanthropy, and wisdom, making him a role model for aspiring investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists globally.

Early Life and Background

Warren Edward Buffett was born on August 30, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Howard Buffett, a stockbroker who later became a U.S. Congressman, and Leila Buffett. From an early age, Buffett displayed a remarkable aptitude for numbers and an interest in business. At the age of 11, he made his first investment, purchasing three shares of Cities Service Preferred at $38 per share. Although the stock initially fell to $27, Buffett held on and eventually sold the shares at $40. This experience taught him the importance of patience in investing, a lesson that would become a core component of his future strategy.

Buffett’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident throughout his childhood. He engaged in numerous business ventures, including selling chewing gum, Coca-Cola bottles, and newspapers door-to-door. By the time he was in high school, he was already earning a substantial income through his various businesses. Buffett graduated from high school at 17 and went on to study at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania before transferring to the University of Nebraska, where he completed his undergraduate degree in business administration.

Education and Early Career

After earning his undergraduate degree, Buffett applied to Harvard Business School but was rejected. Instead, he enrolled at Columbia Business School, where he studied under Benjamin Graham, a professor who became Buffett’s mentor and deeply influenced his investment philosophy. Graham, widely regarded as the father of value investing, emphasized the importance of investing in undervalued stocks with a strong margin of safety. This approach had a profound impact on Buffett and became the foundation of his investing philosophy.

Upon graduation, Buffett worked briefly for his father’s brokerage firm and later joined Graham’s investment firm, Graham-Newman Corp., in New York. Working under Graham gave Buffett hands-on experience in value investing, and he quickly established himself as a talented analyst. In 1956, when Graham retired and dissolved his firm, Buffett returned to Omaha and began managing investment partnerships with his friends and family.

The Birth of Berkshire Hathaway

In the early 1960s, Buffett began investing in Berkshire Hathaway, a struggling textile company. By 1965, he had gained control of the company and became its CEO. While the textile business continued to decline, Buffett gradually shifted Berkshire Hathaway’s focus to insurance and other industries. He saw insurance as an ideal business due to the “float” it generates, or the premium money that insurance companies collect upfront and hold until they are paid out in claims. Buffett used this float to fund investments in other businesses, creating a unique capital base for Berkshire.

Over the years, Buffett transformed Berkshire Hathaway into a multinational conglomerate by acquiring and investing in a wide range of companies across different sectors, including utilities, railroads, manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Today, Berkshire Hathaway holds a portfolio of wholly-owned subsidiaries, such as GEICO, BNSF Railway, and Dairy Queen, as well as significant stakes in companies like Coca-Cola, Apple, and American Express.

Investment Philosophy

Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy centers around the principles of value investing, as taught by Benjamin Graham. Buffett looks for companies that are undervalued relative to their intrinsic worth, meaning their stock price does not reflect the actual value of the company’s assets, earnings, and growth potential. He seeks businesses with strong fundamentals, competent management, and long-term growth potential, which he can hold indefinitely.

Buffett is also known for his focus on “economic moats.” An economic moat refers to a company's ability to maintain a competitive advantage, allowing it to protect its market share and profitability over the long term. This might be due to factors like brand reputation, cost advantages, or network effects. Coca-Cola, for example, enjoys a significant economic moat due to its brand value and global presence, making it one of Buffett’s favorite investments.

One of Buffett’s famous principles is the concept of "buy and hold," which means that he prefers to invest in companies he believes in for the long run rather than trading frequently. He has often stated that his favorite holding period is "forever." This approach has led to remarkable returns for Berkshire Hathaway and underscores Buffett’s philosophy of investing in businesses rather than just stocks.

Personal Traits and Humility

Despite his immense wealth, Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle and down-to-earth personality. He continues to live in the same modest house in Omaha that he purchased in 1958 for $31,500. Buffett’s unpretentious lifestyle and witty wisdom make him a popular figure not only in financial circles but also in the public eye. He drives himself to work, enjoys fast food, and is known for his love of Coca-Cola.

Buffett’s humility and integrity have played a crucial role in his success. Known for being straightforward and honest, he regularly communicates with Berkshire Hathaway shareholders through annual letters that have become legendary for their wit, insight, and transparency. In these letters, he shares his views on the economy, investing, and Berkshire’s performance, often offering valuable advice and lessons for investors worldwide.

Philanthropy and The Giving Pledge

Warren Buffett is also one of the most generous philanthropists in history. In 2006, he made a historic pledge to give away more than 99% of his wealth to charitable causes, mainly through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded by his close friends Bill and Melinda Gates. Since then, Buffett has consistently donated large portions of his Berkshire Hathaway stock to the foundation.

In 2010, Buffett co-founded The Giving Pledge with Bill and Melinda Gates, a campaign encouraging the world’s wealthiest individuals to commit at least half of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Buffett’s commitment to philanthropy reflects his belief that wealth is best used to improve society rather than to accumulate material possessions or pass down to heirs.

Legacy and Influence

Warren Buffett’s impact on the world of investing and finance is profound. Known for his timeless wisdom, he has been a mentor and inspiration to countless investors and business leaders. His quotes and investment principles are widely cited, and he is revered as a sage who values patience, discipline, and ethical behavior in business.

Through his investment decisions and philanthropic endeavors, Buffett has demonstrated a clear commitment to long-term thinking and social responsibility. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the fields of finance and philanthropy for generations to come.

Moreover, his annual shareholders’ meetings, sometimes called the "Woodstock for Capitalists," draw thousands of investors, media, and admirers from around the world to Omaha each year, where Buffett and his long-time partner, Charlie Munger, share their views on various aspects of life, business, and investing.

Conclusion

Warren Buffett’s journey from a young, ambitious boy in Omaha to one of the world’s wealthiest and most respected investors is an extraordinary tale of determination, intelligence, and humility. His disciplined approach to investing, emphasis on ethics, and commitment to giving back to society have set him apart as more than just a businessman—he is a global icon whose values resonate far beyond the world of finance.

Buffett’s life and work serve as a blueprint for those who aspire to succeed in business while maintaining a sense of responsibility and compassion for society. Through his words and actions, Buffett reminds us that success is not only measured by financial gain but by the positive impact one leaves behind. As a self-made billionaire who is widely admired for his integrity, Warren Buffett remains an unparalleled figure in both the financial and philanthropic worlds, embodying the values of wisdom, humility, and generosity.

Who is Carlos Slim Helu?

Carlos Slim Helú, a Mexican business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, is one of the richest individuals in the world. Known for his immense fortune, his diverse investments, and his enduring influence in various industries, Slim has carved out a legacy as a titan of business. His story is not just about accumulating wealth but also about strategic thinking, deep-rooted family values, and an ongoing commitment to improving the society he inhabits.

Born on January 28, 1940, in Mexico City, Carlos Slim’s rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the wealthiest men in the world has been characterized by a combination of business savvy, entrepreneurial spirit, and calculated risk-taking. His ventures span across telecommunications, real estate, media, mining, and more, showcasing his ability to diversify and adapt to market demands. But who exactly is Carlos Slim Helú, and what are the defining features of his remarkable career?

Early Life and Family Background

Carlos Slim was born into a Lebanese-Mexican family, with his father, Julián Slim Haddad, emigrating from Lebanon to Mexico in the early 20th century. His father was a successful businessman who built a fortune by opening a variety of businesses, including a dry goods store. From an early age, Carlos was exposed to the world of business and commerce, developing an entrepreneurial mindset through his father’s influence.

Carlos was a disciplined and determined student, excelling in mathematics and engineering, subjects that would lay the groundwork for his future endeavors. He attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where he earned a degree in civil engineering. His strong technical and analytical background would later prove to be invaluable in his business ventures, especially in industries such as telecommunications and real estate.

Growing up in a family that prioritized education, Slim learned early the importance of hard work, resilience, and self-sufficiency. These principles would go on to shape his approach to both life and business, serving as the foundation for his future accomplishments.

Beginnings in Business

Carlos Slim’s entrepreneurial journey began soon after he graduated from university. In the early 1960s, he started working as a stock trader, and by 1965, he founded his first company, a trading firm focused on stocks and bonds. He quickly made his mark in the business world, and by the 1970s, Slim expanded his interests into real estate, building a portfolio of properties throughout Mexico.

It was during the 1980s, however, that Slim made the moves that would lead to his extraordinary rise. After the Mexican government devalued the peso in 1982, many businesses faced severe financial difficulties. Slim, seeing an opportunity in the economic crisis, began acquiring distressed companies at bargain prices. He took control of a variety of firms, ranging from retail to manufacturing to construction, making shrewd investments that would prove to be highly lucrative.

One of his most significant early acquisitions was that of Telmex, a national telecommunications company in Mexico. In 1990, Slim, through his company Grupo Carso, acquired Telmex for a fraction of its true value. This marked the beginning of Slim’s dominance in the telecommunications sector and his ability to capitalize on deregulated markets.

The Rise to Power in Telecommunications

Carlos Slim’s path to becoming one of the richest men in the world was closely tied to his success in the telecommunications industry. In 1990, the Mexican government decided to privatize Telmex, and Slim, through a series of investments and negotiations, took control of the company. Under his leadership, Telmex was modernized, and its operations expanded. Slim’s management of the company allowed Telmex to become the dominant telecommunications provider in Mexico, offering both landline and internet services across the country.

Slim’s success with Telmex is a prime example of his ability to turn underperforming companies into profitable enterprises. Through a mix of cost-cutting measures, increased efficiency, and expanding service offerings, Telmex became one of the most profitable companies in Latin America. Slim also expanded Telmex’s reach internationally, acquiring telecommunications companies in other countries in Latin America and the United States.

Today, Telmex is part of América Móvil, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, with millions of customers across North, South, and Central America. The success of Telmex and América Móvil solidified Carlos Slim’s reputation as a business genius and one of the most influential figures in the global telecom industry.

Diversification into Other Industries

While telecommunications became Carlos Slim’s primary source of wealth, he was also an expert in diversification, spreading his investments across a range of sectors to build a resilient and diversified empire. His conglomerate, Grupo Carso, includes companies in industries such as retail, real estate, mining, construction, energy, and media. Some of his most notable investments include:

• Retail: Through Grupo Carso, Slim has acquired and developed retail chains such as Sears Mexico and the commercial brand Sanborns, which has expanded into a wide variety of retail outlets across Mexico.
• Mining and Construction: Slim has invested in the mining industry through his holdings in companies like Grupo Carso and Southern Copper Corporation. He has also been involved in various construction and engineering projects, including the development of infrastructure for airports and railroads.
• Media: In the media sector, Slim owns significant shares in Mexico’s largest media company, Grupo Televisa. He also has investments in the New York Times Company, positioning himself as a key player in both Mexican and international media markets.

Slim’s ability to move between diverse sectors and make strategic investments is a testament to his business acumen and his deep understanding of how to identify valuable opportunities. His diverse portfolio has insulated him from downturns in individual industries, allowing him to maintain his wealth even in times of economic instability.

Philanthropy and Social Impact

Beyond his business empire, Carlos Slim has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts. Through the Carlos Slim Foundation, he has donated billions to causes related to education, health, arts, and culture, primarily in Mexico but also in other parts of the world. His charitable initiatives focus on providing access to education, healthcare, and technology, as well as improving the lives of disadvantaged populations.

In particular, the Carlos Slim Foundation has funded projects in the fields of education, providing scholarships and building educational infrastructure, and health, focusing on programs for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer prevention. The foundation has also invested in arts and culture, supporting museums, libraries, and initiatives to preserve the cultural heritage of Mexico.

Slim’s commitment to philanthropy reflects his belief in giving back to the community and helping to address some of the world’s most pressing issues. His charitable contributions have earned him a place among the world’s leading philanthropists, and he has pledged to continue his philanthropic work in the coming years.

Leadership Style and Business Philosophy

Carlos Slim’s leadership style has been described as hands-on and deeply involved. He is known for his sharp attention to detail, his analytical approach to decision-making, and his ability to identify valuable opportunities in volatile markets. Slim’s success can also be attributed to his ability to form strong relationships with key business partners, governments, and other influential figures. His focus on long-term growth, rather than short-term gains, has also been a significant factor in his sustained success.

Slim is also known for his ability to make tough decisions, often taking calculated risks that have paid off over time. For example, he made significant investments during the 1994 Mexican peso crisis, acquiring valuable assets at depressed prices. His strategic foresight has helped him navigate economic downturns and emerge even stronger.

Additionally, Slim is an advocate for low-cost operations, a value that has been central to the management of his various businesses. He often emphasizes the importance of keeping expenses low while still delivering high-quality products and services.

Conclusion

Carlos Slim Helú is a remarkable figure whose success can be attributed to his business acumen, strategic thinking, and ability to adapt to changing market conditions. From his humble beginnings in Mexico to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, Slim’s story is one of perseverance, vision, and calculated risk-taking. His diversified empire spans multiple industries, and his investments continue to shape the economic landscape of Latin America and beyond.

Through his philanthropic efforts, Slim has also demonstrated a commitment to giving back and making a positive impact on society. His legacy is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and the importance of social responsibility in building a lasting and meaningful impact. Whether in business or philanthropy, Carlos Slim Helú remains a towering figure in the world of global finance.

The Genius of Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, is widely regarded as one of the greatest geniuses in history. His contributions to the worlds of art, science, engineering, and anatomy have left an indelible mark on human civilization. Da Vinci's insatiable curiosity, exceptional talent, and multidisciplinary genius have made him a symbol of the Renaissance ideal—a polymath who embraced a vast range of subjects and made revolutionary contributions to each. In this article, we will explore the genius of Leonardo da Vinci by examining his artistic achievements, scientific discoveries, engineering innovations, and his legacy as a visionary who sought to understand the world in profound and transformative ways.

Early Life and Education

Leonardo was born to a notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman, Caterina. Raised in the town of Vinci, he received little formal education but was introduced to the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, it was Leonardo’s early exposure to nature, combined with the cultural environment of Florence, that would shape his future as a polymath.

As a young man, Leonardo was apprenticed to Andrea del Verrocchio, a renowned artist and sculptor. This apprenticeship provided him with a foundation in painting, sculpture, and mechanical engineering, setting the stage for his remarkable career. While working under Verrocchio, Leonardo honed his skills in the technical aspects of art, learning how to mix pigments, work with various materials, and produce detailed sketches. It was here that Leonardo’s deep fascination with the natural world and the human form began to take root.

Masterpieces in Art: The Pinnacle of Da Vinci’s Genius

Leonardo is most famously known for his contributions to the world of art. His ability to blend technical skill with emotional depth has made him a master of the Western artistic tradition. Among his most celebrated works are The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, both of which exemplify his unparalleled genius.

The Last Supper

Painted between 1495 and 1498, The Last Supper is one of Leonardo’s most iconic works. The fresco depicts the moment when Jesus Christ announces to his disciples that one of them will betray him. What makes this painting stand out is Leonardo's ability to capture the psychological and emotional reactions of each of the disciples. Rather than depicting a static scene, he imbued the figures with lifelike expressions and gestures, showing each disciple’s shock, confusion, and disbelief in response to the revelation.

In The Last Supper, Leonardo’s mastery of perspective is also evident. The use of linear perspective, where all the lines of the room converge on a single point—Jesus Christ—creates a sense of depth and realism. The composition itself, with its dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, further emphasizes the emotional intensity of the scene.

Mona Lisa

Perhaps Leonardo’s most famous painting, Mona Lisa is an enduring symbol of artistic genius. Painted between 1503 and 1506, the Mona Lisa is a portrait of a woman whose serene smile and mysterious expression have captivated viewers for centuries. The enigmatic quality of the painting, along with its groundbreaking techniques, has made it a masterpiece of Renaissance art.

One of the defining features of the Mona Lisa is Leonardo’s use of sfumato, a technique he developed that involves blending colors and tones to create soft transitions and eliminate harsh lines. This technique gives the subject a lifelike quality, as though she is emerging from the shadows. The delicate modeling of the face and the subtle play of light across her skin create an impression of three-dimensionality, making the figure seem almost alive.

The Mona Lisa’s composition, along with the subject’s gaze and smile, has led to endless interpretations of the painting’s meaning. Some art historians argue that the smile reflects a psychological depth that was unheard of in portraiture at the time, contributing to the painting’s sense of mystery and allure.

Scientific Inquiry: Da Vinci as a Visionary

While Leonardo is celebrated for his artistic achievements, his intellectual curiosity and contributions to science were equally groundbreaking. He viewed the world through the lens of a scientist and was driven by a desire to understand the natural world. Da Vinci’s notebooks, which contain thousands of pages of sketches, diagrams, and scientific observations, demonstrate his wide-ranging interests and innovative thinking.

Anatomy and the Human Body

One of Leonardo’s greatest achievements in science was his work in anatomy. He conducted extensive dissections of human bodies, producing detailed and accurate drawings of muscles, bones, and organs. His studies allowed him to understand the internal workings of the human body in a way that had never been done before.

Leonardo’s anatomical drawings, many of which were unpublished during his lifetime, were ahead of their time. His studies of the heart, the brain, the muscles of the face, and the structure of the skeleton laid the groundwork for modern anatomy. His observations about the circulatory system, including the function of the heart in pumping blood, were particularly groundbreaking, as they predated William Harvey’s formal discovery of blood circulation by almost a century.

Engineering and Inventions

Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks are also filled with designs for inventions and engineering projects that were far ahead of their time. Although many of his ideas were never built or realized during his lifetime, they demonstrate his visionary thinking and his ability to combine art with engineering. Some of Leonardo’s most famous inventions include designs for a flying machine, a tank, and a mechanical knight.

His flying machine, based on the principles of bird flight, was an early attempt to understand and achieve human flight. Although the design was never successful, it showed an advanced understanding of aerodynamics and the mechanics of flight. Similarly, Leonardo’s designs for a war machine—essentially a mechanical tank—anticipated the development of armored vehicles centuries before they became a reality.

In addition to these inventions, Leonardo developed concepts for architectural structures, including bridges, canals, and buildings, some of which were used by engineers in later years. His innovative thinking extended to the field of hydraulics, where he designed systems for water transport and irrigation.

Observations in Geology and Botany

Leonardo was also a keen observer of the natural world. His studies of geology led him to propose that fossils were the remains of ancient sea creatures, an idea that was not widely accepted until centuries later. His observations of plants, soil, and natural formations were equally meticulous, as he sought to understand the processes that shaped the Earth and its ecosystems.

Legacy: The Lasting Impact of Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci’s genius has left a profound impact on the fields of art, science, and engineering. His multidisciplinary approach to knowledge and his commitment to exploring every aspect of human experience have made him an enduring symbol of the Renaissance ideal of the well-rounded scholar. Though many of his inventions were not realized in his lifetime, his ideas inspired generations of scientists, engineers, and artists.

The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper remain cornerstones of Western art, studied and admired for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. Leonardo’s scientific drawings and sketches laid the foundation for numerous fields of study, and his approach to observation and experimentation influenced generations of thinkers.

Today, Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy lives on not only in the artworks and inventions that bear his name but also in the spirit of interdisciplinary curiosity that he embodied. His life demonstrates the power of curiosity, observation, and creativity—qualities that continue to inspire those who seek to push the boundaries of human understanding.

Conclusion: A Timeless Genius

Leonardo da Vinci’s genius transcends time and space. His ability to seamlessly integrate art and science, to approach every subject with a combination of rigor and creativity, has ensured that he remains one of the most influential figures in history. Whether through his masterpieces of art, his groundbreaking anatomical studies, or his visionary inventions, Leonardo da Vinci exemplifies the heights of human achievement and the boundless potential of the human mind. His genius was not confined to any one discipline; it spanned the realms of art, science, and invention, making him one of the greatest minds the world has ever known.

Who was Ibn Taimiyyah?

Ibn Taimiyyah, born in 1263 CE in Harran, Syria, is one of the most influential Islamic scholars and thinkers in history. His contributions to Islamic theology, jurisprudence, philosophy, and spirituality have had a profound impact on the development of Islamic thought, and his legacy continues to shape Muslim communities worldwide. Despite facing significant opposition during his lifetime, his ideas gained prominence posthumously, and he remains a central figure in Sunni Islam, particularly among the Hanbali school of thought.

Ibn Taimiyyah's life, writings, and teachings reflect his deep commitment to the principles of Islam, as well as his willingness to challenge prevailing intellectual currents of his time. He sought to return to the purest forms of Islamic practice and thought, which he believed had been distorted over time by innovations (bid'ah), superstitions, and foreign influences. In this article, we will explore the life of Ibn Taimiyyah, his theological and jurisprudential contributions, his impact on Islamic thought, and the controversies surrounding his legacy.

Early Life and Education

Ibn Taimiyyah was born into a family of scholars in Harran, a town in the region of Mesopotamia (modern-day Turkey). His father, Taqi al-Din, was a well-known scholar, and his uncle, Ibn al-Khashshab, was a prominent jurist. After the Mongol invasion of Harran, Ibn Taimiyyah’s family moved to Damascus, where he would spend much of his life. In Damascus, he studied under some of the leading scholars of the time, including the famous Hanbali jurist Ibn Qudamah, and the scholar of hadith, Ibn Taymiyyah's uncle, and others.

From a young age, Ibn Taimiyyah displayed remarkable intellectual abilities, quickly mastering various disciplines such as Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir), hadith, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), logic, and philosophy. He was particularly drawn to the Hanbali school of jurisprudence, which emphasized strict adherence to the Qur'an and the Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) over reliance on human opinion or rationalism.

Ibn Taimiyyah's early education and exposure to the theological debates of his time contributed to his later critical approach to certain interpretations of Islamic teachings, as well as his efforts to challenge the growing influence of Greek philosophy and mysticism in Islamic thought.

Theological Contributions and Views

One of Ibn Taimiyyah’s most significant contributions was in the realm of theology. A staunch advocate for the primacy of the Qur'an and Sunnah, he sought to purify Islamic beliefs from what he saw as foreign influences, particularly from Greek philosophy, mysticism, and innovation. His theology emphasized the importance of a direct, unmediated relationship between the individual and God (Allah), and he rejected the growing trend of anthropomorphizing God through allegorical interpretations or mystical practices.

Ibn Taimiyyah’s theology was deeply rooted in the concept of tawhid, the absolute oneness of God. He argued that all forms of polytheism or association with God (shirk) were heretical, whether through the veneration of saints, the belief in intermediaries, or the use of mystical practices like Sufism. In his book al-Radd 'ala al-Sufiyyah (Refutation of the Sufis), he criticized certain Sufi practices that he believed deviated from the true teachings of Islam, such as the veneration of saints, seeking intercession from the dead, and engaging in practices that he deemed contrary to the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Ibn Taimiyyah's ideas also had a profound impact on the development of Islamic exegesis (tafsir). He emphasized the need for a literal interpretation of the Qur'an, placing great importance on the understanding of the text in its historical and linguistic context. He rejected the use of allegorical interpretations or the reliance on Greek philosophy to explain Islamic teachings. For Ibn Taimiyyah, the Qur'an was clear in its meanings, and it should be understood as it was revealed, without the distortion of speculative philosophy or extraneous commentary.

Jurisprudential Views and Legal Legacy

As a jurist, Ibn Taimiyyah made significant contributions to Islamic law, particularly within the Hanbali school of thought. While he adhered to the principles of the Hanbali madhhab, he was known for his willingness to depart from traditional interpretations when he believed they contradicted the Qur'an and Sunnah. He was a strong proponent of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning), which he argued should be used to derive legal rulings from the primary sources of Islam.

Ibn Taimiyyah rejected the blind adherence to legal precedent or the opinions of past jurists, a practice known as taqlid. He believed that each generation of scholars had the responsibility to engage directly with the sources of Islamic law, applying reason and understanding to the issues of their time. This stance placed him at odds with many scholars of his time, who believed in strictly adhering to established legal traditions without engaging in critical analysis.

One of Ibn Taimiyyah’s most controversial legal opinions was his stance on the relationship between Islamic law and non-Muslim rule. He argued that Muslims should not simply accept the political dominance of non-Muslim rulers without question, and he advocated for the establishment of an Islamic state that adhered strictly to Islamic law. In this context, his ideas on jihad (struggle or striving) and the defense of the Muslim community against external threats were central to his legal thinking.

His work al-Siyasa al-Shar’iyya (Islamic Political Theory) provided a comprehensive vision of governance based on Islamic principles. He argued for a ruler who would uphold the law of the Qur'an and Sunnah and who would be held accountable to the people. His views on governance were later adopted by reformist movements in the Islamic world, particularly those advocating for political Islam.

Controversies and Opposition

Despite his intellectual contributions, Ibn Taimiyyah was a highly controversial figure during his lifetime. His criticisms of Sufism, philosophy, and established religious practices led to fierce opposition from many established scholars and religious authorities. He was imprisoned multiple times throughout his life for his views, including his challenges to the religious establishment and his rejection of certain popular beliefs that were widely accepted at the time.

In addition to his critiques of Sufism and philosophy, Ibn Taimiyyah’s views on other contentious issues, such as his stance on the permissibility of certain forms of jihad and his rejection of the use of metaphorical interpretations in theology, led to his being labeled a heretic by his detractors. Many scholars accused him of going too far in his rejection of established traditions and in his demand for a return to the original teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

However, despite the opposition he faced, Ibn Taimiyyah's ideas gained a loyal following, particularly in later centuries. His emphasis on returning to the pure teachings of Islam, untainted by foreign influences or innovation, resonated with reformist movements in the Muslim world. His influence can be seen in the works of later scholars and movements, such as the Wahhabi movement in Saudi Arabia, which sought to revive his teachings and to purify Islam from what they saw as deviations.

Legacy and Influence

Ibn Taimiyyah’s influence extends far beyond his time. His work has been foundational in shaping the development of Islamic thought in the modern era. His emphasis on tawhid, his rejection of anthropomorphism in theology, and his advocacy for the application of ijtihad have had a lasting impact on both Sunni theology and jurisprudence.

His works on Islamic governance and political theory have also been influential in shaping political Islam, particularly among movements that emphasize the implementation of Islamic law. Ibn Taimiyyah’s ideas on jihad and the defense of the Muslim community continue to be cited by various Islamic groups, both for peaceful purposes and for more militant interpretations of Islam.

Despite his controversies, Ibn Taimiyyah is regarded by many as a reformer who sought to return Islam to its original sources, free from the influence of external philosophies and innovations. His legacy, although contested, remains a powerful force in contemporary Islamic thought and practice.

Conclusion

Ibn Taimiyyah’s life and work demonstrate a remarkable dedication to the principles of Islam, coupled with an unyielding commitment to intellectual rigor and critical thinking. His contributions to theology, jurisprudence, and political theory have had a profound and lasting impact on the development of Islamic thought. Though his views were often controversial and led to opposition during his lifetime, his legacy continues to influence Muslim thinkers and movements around the world today. Through his writings, Ibn Taimiyyah remains a towering figure in Islamic intellectual history, and his ideas continue to spark debate and inspire new generations of scholars and reformers.

Summary on The Thirteenth Tribe by Arthur Koestler

Arthur Koestler’s The Thirteenth Tribe, first published in 1976, is a provocative work that challenges traditional narratives about the origins of the Jewish people. In the book, Koestler presents a controversial theory regarding the origins of Ashkenazi Jews, the largest ethnic group within the Jewish population. His thesis centers on the claim that Ashkenazi Jews are not primarily descended from the ancient Hebrews of Israel but are, in fact, the descendants of the Khazars, a Turkic people who ruled over the Khazar Khaganate in Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. This theory has been the subject of much debate and criticism, both in academic circles and beyond, but Koestler’s work remains a seminal text in the study of Jewish history and identity.

Historical Background: The Khazars

The Khazar Khaganate was a semi-nomadic Turkic empire that existed from the 7th to the 10th century in the region between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, roughly corresponding to modern-day southern Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. The Khazars were known for their strategic position along the Silk Road and for their wealth derived from trade, and they had a significant influence on the geopolitics of the region. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Khazar Khaganate was the conversion of its ruling class to Judaism in the 8th or 9th century, a topic that has been a subject of fascination and mystery for centuries.

Koestler’s book draws on historical records, chronicles, and theories to suggest that the Khazars, after their conversion to Judaism, became the ancestors of a significant portion of the Ashkenazi Jewish population in Eastern Europe. He proposes that, in the wake of the collapse of the Khazar Khaganate around the 10th century, many Khazars migrated westward into Eastern Europe, intermingling with other Jewish populations, particularly those in the Byzantine Empire and the areas surrounding the Holy Roman Empire. Over time, this mingling resulted in the creation of the Ashkenazi Jewish community, which is distinct from the Sephardic Jews of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa.

The Theory of the Khazar Conversion

Koestler’s central thesis in The Thirteenth Tribe is based on the notion that the Khazar conversion to Judaism is not just a historical curiosity but a key event in the formation of the Ashkenazi Jewish people. According to Koestler, the Khazars’ conversion was a state-sponsored move to adopt Judaism as the official religion of the Khazar Khaganate, which was strategically motivated by a desire to maintain neutrality between the Christian and Muslim empires that were vying for control of the region.

Koestler suggests that the Khazar conversion was not merely symbolic but deeply significant. He describes the process as one of mass conversion, where the elite and ruling class adopted Judaism, and their subjects—likely including a significant proportion of the Khazar population—followed suit. This, according to Koestler, laid the foundation for the Khazar-descended Ashkenazi Jews who later became prominent in Eastern Europe. While some Jewish communities in the Khazar Khaganate may have been more authentically Jewish, Koestler argues that the Khazars contributed significantly to the genetic and cultural makeup of modern Ashkenazi Jews.

Genetic and Linguistic Evidence

Koestler’s theory is not based solely on historical records, but also on genetic and linguistic evidence. He suggests that studies of the genetics of Ashkenazi Jews show significant evidence of Turkic and Slavic ancestry, rather than the predominantly Semitic genetic makeup that would be expected from Jews descended from the ancient Hebrews of Israel. This argument, however, is contentious and has been criticized by geneticists, who argue that the genetic makeup of Ashkenazi Jews is more complex and includes contributions from multiple populations, including both Middle Eastern and European sources.

Linguistically, Koestler points to the development of the Yiddish language, which combines elements of medieval German with Hebrew and Slavic languages. He speculates that this unique linguistic blend could be a result of the Khazars’ interactions with Germanic and Slavic populations, as well as their conversion to Judaism. The Yiddish language, he argues, serves as a key marker of the Ashkenazi Jewish experience and its hybrid origins, drawing from both Jewish and Khazar influences.

Religious and Cultural Implications

Koestler’s book was not just a historical inquiry, but a work that explored the religious and cultural implications of his theory. If the Ashkenazi Jews were indeed the descendants of the Khazars, this would have profound consequences for the understanding of Jewish identity, particularly in relation to the claim of a direct descent from the ancient Hebrews of Israel. Koestler’s theory challenges the notion of the Jews as a single, homogeneous people with a unified, ancient lineage that stretches back to the biblical Hebrews. Instead, he suggests that the Ashkenazi Jews are a more complex and diverse community whose origins may lie in the Khazars, a people who were not originally Jewish.

This theory, if accepted, could also have political and social ramifications. It would challenge traditional notions of Jewish identity, particularly in relation to the state of Israel, where the connection to the ancient Israelites is central to the legitimacy of the Jewish homeland. For some critics, the theory raised uncomfortable questions about the authenticity of Jewish claims to a historical homeland in the Middle East, particularly when juxtaposed with the modern history of the Khazars, who were located in a completely different region.

Reception and Criticism

Since its publication, The Thirteenth Tribe has sparked considerable debate and controversy. The theory that Ashkenazi Jews are primarily descended from Khazars rather than from the ancient Israelites has been rejected by many scholars, particularly historians and geneticists, who argue that the evidence does not support Koestler’s claims. Studies of Jewish genetics, for example, have shown that while there are some contributions from non-Semitic populations, the majority of Ashkenazi Jews’ genetic ancestry is indeed traced to the Middle East, with significant contributions from ancient Jewish populations in the Levant.

Critics of Koestler’s theory also point out that historical records of the Khazar conversion to Judaism are sparse and often unreliable. Some argue that the conversion was more symbolic than Koestler suggests, and that the Khazars did not undergo a mass conversion that would have resulted in a lasting genetic legacy.

Despite the criticism, The Thirteenth Tribe remains a provocative work, and Koestler’s arguments continue to influence discussions about Jewish identity and the origins of the Ashkenazi community. The book raised important questions about the complex and multifaceted nature of Jewish history, particularly in relation to the Ashkenazi diaspora.

Legacy and Impact

While the theory in The Thirteenth Tribe has been largely discredited in academic circles, Koestler’s book nonetheless remains an important part of the intellectual landscape. It contributed to the ongoing debate about the nature of Jewish identity, the historical roots of the Ashkenazi Jews, and the relationship between ethnicity, culture, and religion. Koestler’s bold approach to questioning accepted narratives about Jewish history, and his willingness to explore alternative explanations, set the stage for further inquiry into the subject, even if the conclusions he reached are now regarded as dubious by most scholars.

The impact of Koestler’s work can also be seen in its influence on later thinkers and writers. While the Khazar theory itself has been widely criticized, it raised awareness of the complexities and nuances of Jewish history, prompting further scholarship on the subject and opening up debates about the construction of Jewish identity in both historical and modern contexts.

Conclusion

In The Thirteenth Tribe, Arthur Koestler presents a compelling but controversial theory about the origins of the Ashkenazi Jews, suggesting that they are primarily descendants of the Khazars, a Turkic people who converted to Judaism in the medieval period. While the theory has been widely criticized and rejected by most scholars, the book remains a thought-provoking work that challenges traditional narratives about Jewish identity and the history of the Jewish people. Its legacy lies in the questions it raises about the complexities of ethnic and religious identity, and in its contribution to the ongoing exploration of Jewish history.

Reference:

The Thirteenth Tribe by Arthur Koestler

The Power Of Clear Vision - Brian Tracy

Who Was King Bulan of Khazaria? Jewish Biography as History Dr. Henry Abramson

Hamza Yusuf: Return to Wisdom

Overcoming the Challenges of Extremism - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Bill Gates's Top 10 Rules For Success (@BillGates)

Warren Buffett: How to invest your first $10,000

Warren Buffett Interview 2015: How I Look At Life and Business

Sufi Texts from Ibn Taimiyyah

The Never Seen Video of Inside of KAABA

Solat hampir sama dengan sembahyang Yahudi

Research on the Shabra Shatila Massacre committed by Shiite Amal Militia, by Ahmad Mokhzani Abdullah

Myths & Facts Online Israel and Lebanon

Weltpolitik - Lebanon: From Turbulence to Stability?

Sabra and Shatila massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

'We are all Hizbullah now.' Really?

The Truth Behind the Sabra and Chatilla killings

Beirut Tumult - TIME

Lebanese Civil War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Marxist-Leninist Daily

Palestinians and Lebanon: The Common Story

Innocent Ariel Sharon

BEIRUT - No place like home

LEBANON: Behind the rise of Hezbollah: Two decades of Israeli occupation

'Just World News' by Helena Cobban: Back to Shatila, part 1

CPR: May 2003: The Cutting Edge

Hezbollah (Hizballah, Hizbullah, Hizbu Allah, Hezbullah, Hisbullah)

MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base

Cytations: see through the murky waters: February 2006

Background Notes: Lebanon

Politics in Lebanon: History of the Political Parties

Comparative Criminology Asia - Lebanon

GANGSTERS INCORPORATED - PUPARO MIDDLE EAST TERROR PART 3

Hizballah: A Primer

Letter from Christ to Benedict 16

Letter from Christ to Benedict 16

From the Biblical Antichrist to the present Pope?

100777.com

Digital Library Islamic E-books and Media

Digital Library Islamic E-books and Media

The Man On Horseback

The Man On Horseback

by Chuck Missler.

Link:
**End-Times** Prophetic

Selected articles from Saifulislam.com

Kenapa Mahu Menjadi Doktor?

'Adam-adam' Sebelum ADAM?

Kenapa mahu menjadi Ustaz?

Holy of Holies

The 'KFR' Mark on the forehead of the Antichrist? (Swastika is an ancient Iranian icon)

The Wall erected by Zulqarnain against Gog and Magog

Tourism in Azerbaijan

The Gog and Magog in the Bible and the Noble Quran.

Small Towns of Russia > Towns > Derbent

After Alexander: Central Asia Before Islam

Derbent - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about Derbent

Derbent — Infoplease.com

GOG & MAGOG

JewishEncyclopedia.com - DERBENT

In The Spirit Of Cyrus The Great

Derbent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

THE IRANIAN: Archaeology David Stronach, Tami Stronach, Nima Kasraie

JewishEncyclopedia.com - GOG AND MAGOG.

The Wall Built By Dhul Qarnain [Archive] - Ummah.com - Muslim Forum

The Legend of Gog and Magog

IRAN - Fotopages.com

Gates of Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Quranic Gog and Magog Part 2

The Scythians

Scythians

The Scythians

The Horses of the Scythians

Where Did the Scythians Come From?

Nomadic Art: The Scythians

The State Hermitage Museum: The Scythians

The Scythians

Scythians - History for Kids!

Indo-Scythians

The Scythians and Sarmatians

Herodotus’ image of the Scythians

Scythian historical tattooing

Tracking the Scythians - TIME

Scythian nomadism

Scythians - Timeline Index

The Mysterious Scythians Burst Into History

Scythians - A Mysterious History

Scythia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scythians - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Major Signs before the Day of Judgement

Major Signs before the Day of Judgement

By Shaykh Ahmad Ali.

The Quranic Gog and Magog Part 1

The Khazars

Khazaria.com - History of Jewish Khazars, Khazar Turk, Khazarian Jews

An Introduction to the History of Khazaria

Khazars.htm

The Thirteenth Tribe

The Khazars

Are They "Jews" or Are They Really Khazars?

Medieval Sourcebook: The Medieval Jewish Kingdom of the Khazars

Jews of Khazaria, brief history and other resources

The Khazars by Yair Davidiy

Jews Khazars

Truth about the KHAZARS

FACTS ARE FACTS [including illustrations] by Benjamin H. Freedman

Jewish Warriors

Khazar-Karaim Relationship

Khazar Index

The Khazars Kingdom, Gog and Magog, Jewish Khazars

N. Gumilev - The Khazars

Khazars - Encyclopedia.com

History Bookshop.com: Khazars

Radio Islam: Are They "Jews" or Are They Really Khazars?

Khazar Kaganate Keywords in Foreign Languages

Rise and Fall of the Khazars

The Khazars of Record - Peter B. Golden

ISO Khazars!

Edomites & Khazars

The Khazar Are Zionist and Illuminati

The Khazar Origin of Ashkenazim, Descendents of Magog.

HHF Factpaper: The Jews and the Khazars

Jew Watch

Khazaria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gene Expression: Jews & Khazars

WHKMLA : History of the Khazars, Patzinaks and Cumans

Voices - A Brief History of Khazars in the 'Goldene Medin'

JSTOR: Dunlop's "History of the Jewish Khazars"

B&H/C18 - The Khazars

Khazars

New Hypothesis on the origins of the Khazars

Khazars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

FarsiNet

FarsiNet

The Quranic Zulqarnain Part 2

Darius the Great

Darius the Great

History of Iran: Darius The Great

Iran Culture and Information Center

Persians, Darius The Great

Iran Zamin 2: Darius The Great ( Dariush I)

Darius and the Bisutun Inscription

Darius the Great - Former Things - Biblical Archaeology and The Bible

Darius The Great, King of Persia - Timeline Index

Inscription of Darius the Great at Naqsh-e Rostam

Darius I,The Great king of Persia (522-486 bc)

The Persian king Darius I in the books of Daniel and Zechariah.

Bible History Online - Darius Seated (Biblical Archaeology)

Pictures of Darius The Great - Canon EOS 20D Camera

Persian Kings in the Bible

Darius the Great of Persia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Quranic Zulqarnain Part 1

Cyrus the Great

History of Persia: Cyrus the Great

History of Iran: Cyrus The Great

Cyrus The Great - Home

Iransaga - Cyrus the Great, The Phenomenon

Iransaga - Cyrus the Great, The Historical Account

Human rights Charter of Cyrus, the Great Ancient King of Iran

Apologetics Press - Cyrus the Great: King of Persia

Iran Zamin 2: Pasargadae: The Tomb of Cyrus The Great

Cyrus the Great - MSN Encarta

AHURA.INFO - Official Web Site

Tomb of Cyrus the Great under Threat in Iran

Cyrus Cylinder

Cyrus the Great

King Cyrus a Just Ruler

God calls King Cyrus of Persia by name before he is even born to serve Him

Cyrus King of Persia Orders return of Jews to Israel - 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Cyrus the Great in Biblical Prophecy : ChristianCourier.com

Cyrus The Great And Alexander

Ancient History Sourcebook: Xenophon: When Cyrus the Great was a Boy

Ancient History Sourcebook: Kurash (Cyrus) the Great: The Decree of Return for the Jews, 539 BCE

Cyrus II -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

The Father and Liberator; Cyrus the Great - (CAIS)

Cyrus The Great - Former Things - Biblical Archaeology and The Bible

Cyrus the Great — Infoplease.com

Persians, Cyrus The Great

Cyrus the Great - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Internet Archive

The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, and the general public

Iranian President Ahmadinejad, etc

Iranian President Ahmadinejad,
Islamic Eschatology,
and Near-Term Implications

The Antichrist

Moshiach: The Messiah

The Awaited Saviour

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Jesus Christ

Mission Of Maitreya, "Eternal DIvine Path"

The Count of St. Germain - Crystalinks

Saoshyant

The Knights Templar The Baphomet Mythos www.templarhistory.com

The Meaning of "the Great Architect of the Universe"

Dreaming of Moshiach

Dreaming of Moshiach
The best weblog to understand the Antichrist from the Judaic perspective

Koinonia House Personal UPDATE News Journal Articles

Personal UPDATE News Journal Articles

1993 - 2 articles
1994 - 8 articles
1995 - 25 articles
1996 - 36 articles
1997 - 49 articles
1998 - 38 articles
1999 - 53 articles
2000 - 69 articles
2001 - 74 articles
2002 - 54 articles
2003 - 52 articles
2004 - 61 articles
2005 - 55 articles
2006 - 63 articles
2007 - 34 articles

Vital Resources on Iran and Israel Secret Relationships from Global Security

Iran Contra

Secret Iran-Israel Relationships

Secret Khomeini and Israel Relationships

Shiites and Israel

Free E-book in Malay on Secret Iran-America-Israel Relationships

The 3 Powers are representatives of the Antichrist, although Nostradamus argued America will be betrayed in the future, probably by both Iran and Israel. Please research Fenomena Iran dan Hizbullah.

Links:
The Nostradamus Code: World War III
Iran’s Fifty-year Plan to export the Revolution
THE PROTOCOLS OF THE LEARNED ELDERS OF ZION
The International Jew The World's Foremost Problem

The Comte de St. Germain

The Biblical Antichrist?

The Comte de St. Germain.

From Sacred Texts.

Imam Ali

Shiite depiction of the Caliph Ali.

How similar to description of the Antichrist given by the Prophet Muhammad in authentic narrations!

Except the eye is not blind.

The Jews who destroyed and still are destroying Islam from within

Research on Relations between World Shiism, World Catholicism, World Zionism & The Antichrist, by Ahmad Nor

The Antichrist in person will unite Shiites, Catholics and Zionists worldwide under his dominion.

Iran, Vatican and Israel together with Socialist-Communist block countries will be the new Global Superpower surpassing the US and the UK, to be led by the Antichrist.

The new Antichrist Superpower will invade the whole globe, country after country, city by city, leading to planet's greatest holocaust of those opposing authority of the Beast.

The future Antichrist Superpower will be global expansion of Greater Israel and Shiite Crescent, as well as global expansion of the new Persian Empire (Iran and Iraq) and the New Roman Empire (the EU).

The Antichrist will first appear as The Twelth Imam of the Shiites in Isfahan, Iran within Iranian Jews there and subsequently enter Israel to be crowned as Moshiach of the Zionists and later on accepted by many Zionist Jews worldwide. He will eventually take over The Holy See and rule Vatican as The Christ (the Biblical Antichrist) together with the Last Pope, Petrus Romanus; repeating the bloody Inquisition of innocent humanity on a global scale. Shiites and Catholics will unite as one brotherhood together with Zionists under the Antichrist.

The Beast will impersonate Christ in many ways and finally claim to be Allah Himself (Arabic: الله, Hebrew: אלה‎), holding his own Day of Judgement, whilst deceiving mankind with images of Paradise and Hell.

The researcher is certain that Allah of Shiites, Catholics and Zionists differs from Allah of all the Messengers, from Adam to Muhammad. Allah of the former can manifest himself as human on earth, whilst Allah The Creator of the Universe can only be seen with physical eyes in the Next World. The Antichrist in the midst of his Day of Judgement will enslave humanity to accept him as Allah. Please read Return of Allah: Shiite Muslims in Iraq.

In summary, the Antichrist will initially claim to be The Twelth Imam, and then Moshiach and Christ, then Son of Allah and eventually Allah Himself.

The Prophet Muhammad advised Muslims to recite the first ten verses of Surah Al-Kahf of the Quran as protection from tribulations of the Antichrist. It is the most vital chapter of the Quran in relations to the end-times; in it are signs pertaining to Zulqarnain, Gog and Magog and Youth of the Cave.

The researcher is certain that the Antichrist will imitate Zulqarnain in establishing his future empire, starting from Iran and Israel, moving towards Asia and finally other parts of the world.

From research, it is probable that Zulqarnain of the Quran is the historical Cyrus the Great, whose Persian empire was the largest empire ever existed on the surface of the earth.

The new Cyrus will reestablish the Persian empire and expand it to the pride of many Iranians and Zoroastrians. It is amazing to note that during the ancient time, Cyrus the Great was held as Moshiach by many Jews for centuries although he was not Jewish by ethnicity, and the avenue where he permitted the Jews of Iran to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem was in the heart of Isfahan, the place where the Prophet Muhammad prophesied the Antichrist to emerge before his global conquest.

The future Cyrus (the Antichrist) will first strengthen Iran acting as The Twelth Imam, and after being accepted as Moshiach by Israel, Jews and Zionists worldwide (just like the ancient Cyrus himself was accepted as Moshiach by the ancient Jews), he will finally launch his Global Revolution from Jerusalem to establish his New World Order and authoritarian supremacy, until the second advent of the Christ Jesus.

The Antichrist will direct his Shiite followers to put the whole Islamic nation under his dominion, whilst his Catholic followers are directed to force the whole Christendom to worship him as Christ, his followers amongst the feminists will be commanded to lure many innocent women into his Way, and finally his Zionist followers will take the task of invading the whole globe, even at the cost of destroying the present superpower, the United States of America. He will corrupt the teachings of Islam and ultimately destroy Christianity itself.

The researcher if of the opinion that both St. Paul and Abdullah Ibn Saba had been agents of the Antichrist to destroy Islam of Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad from within.

Shiite fundamentalists including those of Hizbullah and Sadr Army will join the Christian Fundamentalists and Zionist terrorists as well as Communist and Socialist revolutionaries worldwide, in conquering the whole world, under leadership of terror of the Antichrist.

The Antichrist will be a Sephardic Jew in ethnicity, but will claim himself via deception to be an Arab, a Persian and a Roman too, relating his ancestry to Household of the Prophet Muhammad, the last Emperor of the Persian Empire (under the Sassanid Dynasty) and finally descendant of Saint Peter; reputed to be Founder of the Catholic Church.

The Beast will have perfect command of Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Latin languages. His rise to world power will be made easy by support of his Jewish followers from Euro-Jews or the Ashkenazic Jews, who according to the author of The Thirteenth Tribe, were descendants of the Khazars, converts to Judaism en masse in 740 AD.

There will occur massacre of the Arabs, (except the Shiite Arabs) in the whole Middle East, by joint efforts of the Iranians and the Israelis. The Persians and the Jews had always been hostile towards the Arabs. Please read this excerpt from Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States.

The Shiite Arabs are descendants of the Prophetic Kharijites who abandoned Ali, but eventually infiltrated Party of Ali as a disguise; all were and are still loyal followers of the Jew, Abdullah Ibn Saba.

At the time of the Antichrist, Shiism will undergo tremendous changes in creed and jurisprudence, as then the Antichrist (acting as The Twelth Imam) will re-Judaize it to conform more to the Talmud. He will also bring his version of the Quran and destroy copies of the present Quran.

The Antichrist acting as The Twelth Imam will attempt to invade Makkah and Madinah with his Shiite fanatics but will be halted by angels guarding both cities. He will make claim as the Promised Divine Saviour to every existing religion of his day, and will seek to unite them under One Global Religion just like Bahaism.

The researcher is certain that the original Gog and Magog are located within the ranks of the present day Ashkenazic Jews, who had been pioneers of World Zionism, forefathers of Greater Israel and occupiers of The White House and thus the greatest Superpower today, the United States of America.

Pasdaran, an intelligence agency and vanguard of the 'Islamic' Revolution founded during Khomeini's rule will merge with Mossad, a notorious Israeli espionage organization during the 40 day governance of the Antichrist, of which the first day will be lengthened to the time equal to that of a year.

The Great Depression of 1929 will recur throughout the whole United States (during the global theocratic rule of the Antichrist and his followers among rabbis, priests and ayatollahs), leading to millions of people jobless and homeless, and countless corporations and businesses closed, and eventually collapse of the stock market and the entire American currency and economy.

According to Nostradamus in The Nostradamus Code: World War III, American supremacy will be reduced, and for the first time in world history, the world will be invaded by a single man ie the Antichrist.

The Hojjatieh Society of Iran, Society of Jesus of The Holy See and The Knights Templars (now known as Freemasonry) pave the way for the Antichrist to emerge on the global scene, having powerful alliance behind the scene.

The Antichrist will deceive the unitarian believers among Muslims, Jews and Christians via logic and magic. He will be an amazing logician and philosopher (interesting to note that the best minds in logic and philosophy had always been Persian and Jewish), and superior magician and cabalist, mastering the arts and science of Kabbalah. He will be the most superior logician and magician of his day, throughout the whole world.

The Beast's emergence will witness the rise of many debaters, liars, magicians and terrorists committing crimes in the names of God and Justice.

The Antichrist is the Father of Terror and Pioneer of Terrorism, and had been behind acts of terror of terrorist organizations like Hizbullah (as in Shabra Shatila Massacre), Mossad (as in September 11) and Freemasonry (as in the French Revolution).

The King of the Jews is the New World Messiah of the New World Order.

Blogs created by Ahmad Nor:
Antichrist And Shiism
Antichrist And Catholicism
Antichrist And Zionism

Books to be released by Ahmad Nor:
Secret Iranian Agenda
Secret Vatican Agenda
Secret Israeli Agenda

Visitors can surf:
Anti-Zionist Jews
Books on Freemasonry from Harun Yahya for Alburr
Islam and Freemasonry
Free Apocalypse Library for Alburr