The “Mark of the Beast” and Islam

The Mark of the Beast

The number of the beast has been an enigma since the Book of Revelation was written. Many interpret the mark as a high tech device implanted into or onto the right hand or forehead. This scenario remains possible. However, could there be an alternative explanation? The following analysis is only presented as a hypothesis which requires further research.

The Book of Revelation 13:16-18 states:

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count (decide, reckon) the number (indefinite number, multitude) of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number (Chi Xi Stigma) is six hundred threescore and six.

The alternate possible word translations from the Greek are enclosed within parentheses in the verses above. The word “mark” is translated from the Greek charagma (Strong’s Greek concordance reference #5480) as “a scratch or etching, ie stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue): graven image.” In the Roman context charagma was the imperial stamp that was placed on official documents. It was also a “badge of servitude” etched, inscribed or branded on slaves to designate ownership. Soldiers often branded themselves with the name of their favorite general and religious cult devotees placed tattoos of their favorite gods as symbolic of their devotion and allegiance.[29]

Interestingly, Islamic Jihadists and devotees of Islam often wear headbands on their foreheads and patches on their right arms with a mark of submission (the bismillah – Islamic creed of “in the name of Allah”) followed by two crossed swords, etched or inscribed on the material. The “Chi Xi Stigma” has been an enigma to the church and some have reckoned it as a symbol rather than a number. This mark (Chi Xi Stigma) has an uncanny resemblance to the bismillah combined with the universal Islamic symbol of crossed swords.

The Greek text translates forehead and hand into the plural form due to the word, “their” in the sentence construction; yet, it refers to the singular form of forehead and hand regarding the individual. The significance of the right hand or arm and forehead in the Islamic context derives from their traditions. Walid Shoebat comments on this fact:

Amazingly, and in keeping perfectly with what the Bible predicted so long ago regarding the beast and his mark, the badge is in fact an Islamic commandment from the prophet himself: “Allah will save a man from my nation above all creation on Judgment Day. In front of him will be laid 99 registers for his sins. Every register is as long as the eye can see. Then he is asked, ‘Do you deny any of these?’ Then he says, ‘No Lord.’ Then he is asked, ‘Do you have any excuse?’ He responds, ‘No Lord.’ Then he is told, ‘You have but one good deed and there will be no condemnation for you today.’ A badge is brought forth. Scrolled across it are the words: ‘No God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.’ Then he is asked to bring forth his deeds. He asks, ‘O Lord, what is this badge that is with these registers?’ He is told, ‘You will receive no condemnation.’ The deeds are put on one hand, and the badge in the other. Then the registers will float and the badge will outweigh the registers” (Tirmuthi 2639).[30]

Shoebat sums it up:

The “Name of the Beast” along with variations of the name of Allah, is worn as a sign of submission on the right arm or forehead. Islam is submission and allegiance to a foreign god; the Shahadatan is blasphemous, the badge worn by Muslims on the forehead—all of these things meet the Biblical requirements of the Mark of the Beast.[31]

The “Shahadatan” is the Islamic creed or article/declaration of faith. It is an Arabic phrase “La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad Raul-Allah which literally means, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is The One sent by Allah (The Messenger of Allah).” This creed fits the definition of blashphemy on both counts: First, it claims another foreign god besides Yahveh as the only true God; second, it places Muhammad to the prominent position that only Jesus can fulfill.[32]

Interestingly, Islamic tradition points to Mecca as the origin of the “Beast” system. Shoebat quotes two Islamic hadiths:

“The Beast will come out from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam in Makkah (Mecca).” “The Prophet (Muhammad) took me to a place in the desert, near Makkah (Mecca). It was a dry piece of land surrounded by sand. The Prophet (Muhammad) said, ‘The Beast will emerge from this place.’ It was a very small area.”[33]

Likewise, in the Bible, the angel took John into the desert to see the “Woman” or “Whore of Babylon” riding a beast, likely coming out of the desert of Arabia. There are numerous biblical passages which equate the “Whore of Babylon,” geographically within Arabia which was part of the ancient Babylonian Empire.

In addition, for those interested in extra-biblical prophecy, Nostradamus also predicted the Antichrist would come out of Arabia. A scenario where an Islamic leader (Mahdi) comes out of Arabia and sets himself up as ruler over Turkey and an Islamic Confederacy is quite possible. Or, this could infer the Antichrist would adhere to the Islamic “Beast” system originating in Arabia. This hypothesis is presented to inspire further research and investigation into this important element of eschatological study.

Significance of the “Right Hand”

Further parallels between Islam and the “Mark of the Beast” are evidenced by Muhammad’s obsession with the right hand or right side.

The obsession with the right side was dominant in a myriad of pagan customs. While entering a mosque, one had to begin with the right foot. “The prophet used to start everything from the right (for good things) whenever it was possible in all his affairs, for example in washing, combing, or wearing shoes.”[48]

An account of one of Muhammad’s meals was illustrative of his obsession: “Milk mixed with water was brought to Allah’s apostle while a bedouin was on his right side and Abu Bakr was on his left. He drank (of it) and then gave (it) to the Bedouin and said: The right, the right (first).”[49] Another account stated: “So Allah’s apostle said to me: O boy! Mention the name of Allah and eat with your right hand.”[50] Likewise, any bathroom duties could not be done with the right hand.[51]

If a Muslim was caught stealing, his right hand was cut off from his arm as dictated by Islamic law. By having the right hand cut off, the Muslim was degraded. The rigid Islamic law required one to eat and do most of one’s daily activities, as prescribed by Muhammad, with the right hand. The individual would thus become a social outcast from the Islamic community.

Muhammad had a fanatical and rigid custom of doing everything with the right hand and commanded his followers to do likewise. This strict adherence to Muhammad’s injunctions and habits continues into the present.

A friend of mine related an anecdotal account from his experience as an English teacher in Saudi Arabia. The first day of his arrival he reported to the personnel officer. He was an older man with a beard signifying his religious devotion. The officer held out his right hand while my friend attempted to hand his documents from his left hand. There was an awkward standoff for several seconds until my friend’s immediate boss leaned over and whispered, “right hand.” Once the papers were offered from the right hand they were accepted. In light of this tradition, one may deem this as another significant parallel between Islam and the “Mark of the Beast” on the right hand. Currently, Islamic devotees wear a mark of the bismillah or Islamic creed on their right arms; but in the future this may be easily changed to the right hand.

Standard Practice of Beheadings

One of the most glaring similarities between the Antichrist and the Mahdi involves the preferred method of killing. The Islamic mullahs teach that in the end times there will not be an option for subjects to live as dhimmis; thus, one must join the Islamic community of believers by submission to Allah or die (beheaded). If one chooses to submit to Allah they are given permission to buy and sell as fellow believers in the world-wide Caliphate Empire. This scenario has biblical parallels:

. . . and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Rev. 20:4).

In addition, the Antichrist Empire will believe the following: “The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (Jn. 16:2).

The entire history of Islam, since the seventh century, has incorporated mass beheadings as standard procedure. Muhammad himself took part in the beheadings of between six and nine hundred men of the Jewish tribe Banu Qurayza. Soon after this massacre he ordered the beheadings of another 400 Jews. Ibn Ishaq cites the event:

Abu Ubayda told me on the authority of Abu Amr, the Medinan, when the apostle got the better of the B. Qurayza he seized about four hundred men from the Jews who had been allies of Aus against Khazraj, and ordered that they should be beheaded.[12]

Muhammad set the pattern for Muslims to follow, “Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exampler” (Qur’an 33:21). Indeed, all the following generations of Caliphs and Islamic leaders continued Muhammad’s preferred method to kill by beheading. Even in the modern era of the 1980s, Afghan Jihad warriors beheaded an estimated 3000 soviet troops.[13] The Saudi Arabian government continues to decapitate anyone for criminal offenses of the kingdom such as witchcraft, apostasy, drug dealing, homosexuality, etc. Shoebat analyzes the phenomena:

No other world empire practiced beheading like Islam. The Roman Empire’s primary method of execution of non-citizens was crucifixion, while the Catholic Church was drowning or burning. Only Islam has such a long-standing historical tradition of beheading, even having specific commandments in its “holy book” to “strike off their necks” (Qur’an 47:4).[14]

One may recall incidents of al-Qaeda displaying disturbing video feeds of live beheadings. Once the Islamic Caliphate becomes official, under the leadership of the Mahdi, mass beheadings will commence worldwide, for all who refuse to receive his mark or bow to his image.

Again, Islam fits the theme of beheading those who do not submit to Islam or the Mahdi/Antichrist or (worship/bow/submit) to his image (Crescent Moon or the Black Stone of Mecca). The Black Stone is an idol or image in the historical, archaeological, and theological definition. All Muslims are required to bow to the Black Stone of Mecca in their daily prayers.