Yuz Asaf
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Yuz Asaf or Yus Asaph is believed, by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Movement and others, to be the name adopted by Jesus after he supposedly survived the crucifixion and subsequently migrated to Kashmir. Yuz Asaf was revered as a prophet and a holy (but mortal) man. These beliefs are discussed in the book Jesus in India, written by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (the founder of the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam, who claims to be the Promised Messiah for both Muslims and Christians). Drawing on some Kashmiri oral traditions, as well as the Qur'an, Hadith, and accounts by explorers, he claims that Yuz Asaf (translated as "Jesus the Gatherer") travelled eastwards to Srinagar, and lived there until his death, aged 120.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad also supports the belief that Yuz Asaf is buried in the Rozabal Muslim shrine, situated in the Mohala Kan Yar district of Srinagar. This is claimed to be the tomb of a man who was both a prince and a prophet, dating to about 100 AD.
Other beliefs about Yuz Asaf include that he married a woman called Marjam (that is, Mary) who bore him a number of children. It is also claimed that Jesus' mother, Mary, is buried in the town Murree in Pakistan. Buddhist writings claims that the tomb was a tomb of Metteyya (Messiah), the fifth advent of Buddha. His teachings are often compared with those of Jesus in form and sentiment and influenced later Buddhism. These beliefs about Yuz Asaf have also been adopted by people in the New Age movement.
Supporters of these theories also claim that a 17th century text, Tarikh-i-Kashmir by Khwaja Hassan Malik records an inscription which reported that Yuz Asaf entered Kashmir in 78. However, this inscription is now illegible, while critics note that the text is not available for general study.
The tomb itself consists of a low rectangular building on raised platform surrounded by railings at the front. It has three arches at the front where entry can be had and four arches at the side. Inside is a wooden box shaped screen where the tomb can be viewed on a lower floor near a river. It is maintained by the Guardians of the Tomb, an Ahmadiyya Muslim family who claim descent from Yuz Asaf. Near the tomb are the rock carving of two feet with niches in which have been interpreted as representing the nails driven into Jesus's feet at his crucifixion.
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Bibliography
- Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Jesus in India Online version (http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/1340/jesus_in_india.htm)
- Nicolas Notovitch, The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ, Leaves of Healing Publications (April 1, 1990), ISBN 0960285016. Reprint of this 1890s publication, which first proposed this theory.
- Holger Kersten, Jesus Lived in India Online summary (http://www.sol.com.au/kor/7_01.htm)
- Abubakr Ben Ishmael Salahuddin, Saving the Savior: Did Christ Survive the Crucifixion?, Jammu Pr; 1st Pbk edition (June, 2001), ISBN 0970828012
- Andreas Faber Kaiser, Jesus died in Kashmir: Jesus, Moses and the ten lost tribes of Israel Gordon & Cremonesi (1977), ISBN 0860330419
- Khwaja Nazir Ahmad, Jesus in Heaven on Earth: Journey of Jesus to Kashmir, His Preaching to the Lost Tribes of Israel, and Death and Burial in Srinagar, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat, 1999, ISBN 0913321605
- Gene Matloc, Jesus and Moses Are Buried in India, Birthplace of Abraham and the Hebrews (1991) ISBN 0595127711
Skeptical views
- Paul C. Pappas, Jesus' Tomb in India: The Debate on His Death and Resurrection, Asian Humanities Press, (September 1, 1991), ISBN 0895819465 Concludes that Yuz Asaf is not Jesus.
- Hugh Schonfield, The Essene Odyssey, Element Books Ltd (1993), ISBN 0906540631 Argues that Yuz Asaf is an Essene teacher, not Jesus.
Fictional accounts
- Richard G. Patton, The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years ISBN 0968243703
- Maury Lee, Jesus of India ISBN 0738835668
External links
- Tomb of Jesus Organisation (http://www.tombofjesus.com)
- Jesus in the East (http://www.forteantimes.com/articles/183_jesuseast1.shtml) The Fortean Times
- Report on an American researcher (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/644264/posts)
- Muslim Opposition (http://www.alhafeez.org/rashid/grave.html)
- Church in the East (http://www.church-of-the-east.org/library/LOST1.TXT)
- Discussion between the webmaster of the Tomb of Jesus Organisation and a skeptic (http://www.saragrahi.org/Header%20Links/Articles%20By%20Author/Bhakti%20Anand%20Goswami/995%20Jesus%20in%20India%20Part%202c.htm)de:Yuz Asaf