Bigotry: The Dark Danger
Belief in the Messiah, in the system of the Mahdi in other words, occupies a very great place in Judaism and Christianity, as it does in Islam. Belief in Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) – or the King Messiah according to Jewish sources – is one of the fundamental articles of Judaic faith revealed in the Torah. Rabbi Maimonides, whom Jews have regarded as on of the greatest Torah scholars ever since the 12th century, said that the 12th of the 13 articles of faith of Judaism was “to believe in the coming of the King Messiah [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)].” According to that basis, Jews’ belief regarding the ‘Mahdi” is set out in these words: "I sincerely believe in the coming of the Messiah [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)], and even if his coming is delayed, I await his coming every day
The Mishnah, the authorized explanation of the Judaic scriptures, describes the position of those who deny the coming of the Messiah—that is, of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh):
Whoever does not believe in him, or does not await his coming, denies not only [the statements of] the other Prophets, but also [those of] the Torah and of Moshe (Moses [pbuh]), our teacher... (Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Laws of Kings 11:1)
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1 The term ‘Messiah,” expressed as “the awaited savior” in the revealed faiths, appears as belief in the “Mahdi” among Muslims. The system of the Mahdi in Islam appears as the time of the Messiah in Jewish scriptures. The Messiah whom the Jews await as the savior of mankind in the End Times is the Hazrat Mahdi (as) awaited by Muslims. However, the “Messiah” whose second coming to Earth is awaited by the Christians is not Hazrat Mahdi (as). Muslims also believe that the Prophet Jesus will return to earth in the End Times, but when the Prophet Jesus comes he will follow and, by the will of Allah, help Hazrat Mahdi (as).
In addition, the Shmoneh Esrei prayer, which Jews perform three times every day, also includes the prayer for the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) to be close at hand. They recite this prayer in the expectation of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), for the restoration of justice as a requirement of religious moral values, for immorality, sin and evil to come to an end, and for the truth to prevail.
Many portents regarding the age of the Messiah are listed in the Torah and other Judaic sources. For example, the spread of atheism, the domination of a moral collapse caused by irreligion, devout believers facing troubles and difficulties, the spread of kuffur and corruption, increased poverty and unfair earnings and growing rebellions, revolts, natural disasters and earthquakes are just a few of the hundreds of portents taking place one after the other in our time.
In addition to these portents, signs revealed by our Prophet (pbuh) such as bloodshed in the Ka’aba (which happened in 1979), solar and lunar eclipses 15 days apart in the month of Ramadan (which happened in 1981), the occupation of Afghanistan (which happened in 1979), the Iran-Iraq War (which began in 1980), the stopping of the waters of the Euphrates, the appearance of Halley’s comet and the passing by the Earth of the comet Lulin have also all taken place. Signs such as bloodshed in the Middle East, the disappearance of great cities, Iraq being divided into three, the Iraqi Army vanishing in the desert and Baghdad burning in flames have all happened just as our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said. It appears from the fact that all these events have been taking place one after the other as of Hijri 1400 (1979 AD), in just the manner revealed by our Prophet (saas) and all at the same time, that the King Messiah (Hazrat Mahdi [pbuh]) has come and that we are now living in the age of the Mahdi (pbuh).
The signs of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are also set out very clearly in the hadiths of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and these have all come about in our time.
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Some of the signs of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) revealed in the hadiths are as follows:
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Just a few of the hundreds of portents cited by our Prophet (saas) and that have all come true are cited here. When the information on the subject is examined in detail it can immediately be seen that every phenomenon the prophet (saas) revealed has taken place just as he described. This miraculous state of affairs inarguably reveals that the Hijri 1400s are a holy time in which Hazrat Mahdi (as) has come and is at work.
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Some of the portents of the coming of the King Messiah described in the Torah and other Judaic sources, and that have come about in our day are as follows: The generation when the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] comes... all the governments will be turned over to Minuth (will embrace the religion of the Minim [atheism]), and no preaching will avail... (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) In the generation when the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] comes... God-fearing men [will be] despised. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) In the generation when the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] comes... an evil man will be honored. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) The son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will not come... until the pockets will be empty... (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) ... In the seven-year cycle at the end of which the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will come... the arrows of hunger will be sent forth... a great famine, in the course of which men, women, and children, pious men and saints will die. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) ... The vintage shall fail, the ingathering shall not come. Smiting upon the breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine; for the land of My people whereon thorns and briers come up; yea, for all the houses of joy and the joyous city. (Isaiah, 32:10-13) In the generation in which the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will come... [there will be] plunderers and plunderers of the plunderers. (Talmud, Kethuboth 112b) The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be... a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness... (Zephaniah, 1:14-15) In the generation when the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will come... Multitudes of trouble and evil decrees will be promulgated anew, each new evil coming with haste before the other has ended... (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) In the generation in which the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will come, the houses of assembly will be converted into houses of prostitution. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) ... People shall oppress one another, every man his fellow, and every man his neighbor... (Isaiah, 3:5) In the footsteps of the Messiah [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)]... the dwellers on the frontier will go about [begging] from place to place without anyone to take pity on them... (Talmud, Sotah 49b) I will gather all the nations... to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile... (Zechariah, 14:2) ... Transgression thereof is heavy upon it [the earth], and it shall fall, and not rise again. (Isaiah, 24:20) Surely the joy of mankind is withered away. (Joel, 1:12) The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the Lord. (Joel, 1:9) [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will not come... unless they will renounce their hope to be redeemed. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) ... The foundations of the earth shake... The earth is thoroughly shaken... It sways like a hut in the wind... (Isaiah, 24:18-20) The Lord of Armies will punish you with thunder, earthquakes, and loud noises, with windstorms, rainstorms, and fire storms. (Isaiah, 29:6) In the seven-year cycle at the end of which the son of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will come–in the first year, this verse will be fulfilled: And I will cause it to rain upon one city and cause it not to rain upon another city. (Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a) An oracle concerning Babylon* that Isaiah... saw... They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens... to destroy the whole country. (Isaiah, 13:1, 5) *Babylon: The name of an ancient city near Baghdad, the capital of modern-day Iraq. Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, each will return to his own people, each will flee to his native land. (Isaiah, 13:14) Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms... will be overthrown by God. (Isaiah, 13:19) (For more detailed information, see http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/descendent/descendent_03.php) |
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Some of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) (the King Messiah) described in the Gospel and that have taken place in this century are as follows. At that time, many will turn away from the faith... (Matthew, 24:10) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Romans, 3:10-12) At that time many will turn away from the faith... because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold... (Matthew, 24:10, 12) ... In the last times... some will... follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Timothy, 4:1) There will be... in the last days treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy, 3:1, 4-5) All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me [the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)]. (Matthew, 24:8-9) ... The time will come when not one stone will be left on another. (Luke, 21:6) ... See to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. There will be... earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew, 24:6-8) On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. (Luke, 21:25) Then... there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (Revelation, 8:5) From the sky, huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men... The [hail] plague was so terrible. (Revelation, 16:21) There will be... pestilences. (Luke, 21:11) When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom... These are the beginning of birth pains. (Mark, 13:7-8) [It] was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other... (Revelation, 6:4) When you hear of... revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. (Luke, 21:9) ... Men [will] slay each other. (Revelation, 6:4) Some of his disciples were remarking about how the Temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another..." (Luke, 21:5-6) Nor did they repent of... their sexual immorality. (Revelation, 9:21) You should know... that in the last days there will be very difficult times... People will be... unholy, without love... (2 Timothy, 3:1-3) How dreadful it will be in those days...! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. (Luke, 21:23) Then he [Jesus (pbuh)] said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. i: " “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events ...” (Luka, 21:10-11) If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. (Matthew, 24:22) Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon* will be thrown down, never to be found again." (Revelation, 18:21) *Babylon: The name of an ancient city near Baghdad, the capital of contemporary Iraq. With a mighty voice he [another angel] shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!... (Revelation, 18:2) And [the merchants] cry out: 'Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!... (Revelation, 18:16-17) ... He [antichrist] was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. (Revelation, 13:7) The coming of the lawless one [antichrist] will be in accordance with the work of satan... in every sort of evil. (2 Thessalonians, 2:9-10) (For detailed information, see http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/descendent/descendent_06.php) |
As can clearly be seen, all of the portents of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) (the King Messiah) set out in the hadiths narrated from our Prophet (saas), in the Torah and Judaic sources and also in the Gospel have come true. It appears from all these portents that this is the century in which Hazrat Mahdi (as), awaited by the Jews as the King Messiah, has come.
Jews Who Clearly See the Signs of the Coming of the King Messiah Must Act in the Light of His Moral Values
As all the portents show, we are now in the age of the King Messiah (Hazrat Mahdi (as)). And for that reason, Jews must act in accordance with the moral valued and character of the King Messiah, and with the practices and methods of the King Messiah as revealed in the Torah. Judaic sources describe how the King Messiah will be a just person who protects the weak, honest, loving and peaceful. These descriptions are in complete agreement with the features of the age of the Mahdi as described in the hadiths and the Gospel. According to the hadiths of our Prophet (saas), the Torah and the Gospel, the King Messiah, or Hazrat Mahdi (as), will come as a savior, will eliminate all oppression, conflict, war and corruption and make the world a place where everyone lives together as brothers in peace and security:
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Some of the hadiths related from our Prophet (saas) regarding how the earth will be a place of happiness, peace and well-being in the time of Hazrat Mahdi (as) are as follows: People will seek refuge in Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) as honey bees cluster around their sovereign. He will fill the world that was once full of cruelty with justice. His justice will be as such that he will not wake a sleeping person or even shed one drop of blood. The earth will return to the age of happiness. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 29.) [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will follow the way of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace.) He will not wake up a sleeping person or shed blood. (Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 163.) In the time of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) no one will be woken up from their sleep or have a bleeding nose. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 44.) Those obeying him [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will pay homage to him between ruqun and maqam (around Qaba). They will not wake a sleeping person, never shed blood. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 24.) This (Amr) [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will fill earth with justice, just as people previously filled it with cruelty. (Sunan Ibn Majah, 10/348) The world filled with oppression and tyranny will overflow with justice after he [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] comes. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 20.) There will be such an abundance of justice in Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh) time that just as all the goods taken away by force will be returned to their owners. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 23.) His [Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh)] justice will cover all places and he will rule among people with the Sunna of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). He will even also call for one who is in need to be brought forward, and when that command is obeyed only one person will come. (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntadhar, p. 20.) If there were only one day left for the world, that day would be lengthened until a man from among the people of my household, was sent; just as the earth is filled with cruelty, he will fill the earth with justice. (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/92) Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is one of my people, and he will fill the earth with truth and justice, just as it is now filled with cruelty and torture. (Sunan Abu Dawud, 5/93) Like the cup fills with water, so will earth fill with peace. There will be no enmity left between any people. All hostility, fighting, and envy will disappear. (Sahih-i Muslim, 1/136) ... In the same way that Almighty Allah began with me, so He will bring matters to an end with him (Hazrat Mahdi [pbuh]). In the same way that they were freed from polytheism and antipathy (discord and enmity) and their hearts were filled with friendship and love through me, so it will be again (with the coming of Hazrat Mahdi [pbuh]). (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 20.) ... In his [Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh)] time the good become even more good, and even the wicked ones are treated well. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 17.) |
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Some passages from the Torah regarding how the King Messiah will rule with peace, justice and love: Righteousness will be his [Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh)] belt, and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Isaiah, 11:5) ... A scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom... (Psalms, 45:6-7) One from the house of David [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)]... who in judging seeks justice... (Isaiah, 16:5) With righteousness he [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will judge the needy... (Isaiah, 11:4) [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is] righteous and having salvation, gentle ... (Zechariah, 9:9) "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous branch, a king [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land." (Jeremiah, 23:5) "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah, 4:6) I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken... (Zechariah, 9:10) His [Hazrat Mahdi's (pbuh)] great righteousness and the wonders that he will bring about will cause all peoples to make peace with him and all lands to serve him... (Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Sanhedrin, 10:1) (In the days of the Messiah [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)])... battles and wars will cease... "They will not lift a sword, nation against nation." (Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Sanhedrin 10:1) For he [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. (Psalms, 72:12) He [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will have pity on the poor and needy, and the souls of the needy he will save. (Psalms, 72:13) He [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will redeem their soul from oppression and violence, and precious will their blood be in his sight. (Psalms, 72:14) He [Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will defend the afflicted among the people, and save the children of the needy... (Psalms, 72:4) (for detailed information, see http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/descendent/descendent_04.php) |
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Some passages from the Gospel regarding how the Messiah will bring the world peace and love: Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days and they will have morals like Prophets. (Acts, 2:18) The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. (Revelation, 21:24-26) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain... (Revelation, 21:4) Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful... (Revelation, 21:27) Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst... (Revelation, 7:16) Jesus said to them... "At the renewal of all things... everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake [that you followed me for the good pleasure of Allah] will receive a hundred times as much..." (Matthew, 19:28-29) (for detailed information, see http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/descendent/descendent_07.php) |
As we can clearly see from the hadiths of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the passages from the Torah and the Gospel, Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is a just person, full of love and affection and a protector of the weak. No blood will be shed in his time, there will be no oppression, conflict or enmity, and war and slaughter will come to an end. His time will be one when all matters are resolved with love and justice, and when people live in comfort and happiness, rather than under oppression.
The Torah Requires Jews to Seek a Climate of Justice in the Time of the King Messiah
We are currently in the holy age of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh). The behavior and moral values that all true Jews must display in conformity with Allah’s approval is that to be displayed by the King Messiah. Every Jew has a duty to act according to the moral virtues that are praised in the King Messiah. In other words, every Jew has a responsibility to behave in a peaceful, affectionate, understanding, just and compassionate manner that will bestow peace and security and befit this holy age. In addition, this behavior must be adopted not toward Jews alone, but to all societies and people Every Jew has a responsibility to act according to the moral virtues praised in the King Messiah. The Torah requires devout Jews in Israel to adopt the loving and affectionate moral values of the King Messiah and to seek to establish the just climate of the King Messiah. If our Jewish brothers do not live by the moral virtues of the King Messiah and do not cause others to adopt them, if they support a system opposed to the Messiah, then they can never enjoy success. Such behavior would be incompatible with Allah’s approval, and Allah will not bestow success upon it. Therefore, the harsh and violent policy maintained for many years by some people within the Israeli administration is a violation of Judaic belief. Salvation, a solution and true peace are only possible by adhering to the Messiah and his moral values. No quests for paths that do not meet Allah’s approval will ever be successful. Unless Jews seek the answer in the King Messiah and his moral values it will be impossible for them to attain the true peace and security in the region they desire and for them to enjoy the abundance of the system of the Messiah and the Mahdi. Almighty Allah wants devout Jews to impose these moral values with love, forgiveness, justice, affection and compassion.
It must also not be forgotten that according to Judaic belief and the Torah, Muslims are the People of Noah. Muslims and Jews believe in the one Allah, live by His revelation and obey His messengers. That is the attitude that true Jews must adopt toward Muslims. Yet some people today fall into a serious error by maintaining that pronouncements in the Qur’an aimed at pagans and idolaters in the past can also be applied to Muslims today. The fact is that Muslims and Jews believe in the one Allah, the Creator of the universe and all living things. They believe we are all servants of Allah and will return to Him. There is no reason for them to be hostile to one another. Jews and Muslims love and respect the same prophets. The Prophets Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses and David (peace be upon them all) are to Muslims. The lands where these holy individuals loved and served Allah are as sacred to Muslims as they are to Jews. Love and affection should obviously therefore prevail across the region. The fundamental values of Israel are also sacred to Muslims. The word “Israel” is the name of the Prophet Jacob, praised in the Qur’an and remembered with respect by Muslims. The six-pointed star of David is also a symbol of prophethood for Muslims. According to the Qur’an synagogues are places of worship under Muslim protection (Surat al-Hajj, 40). The members of the two faiths must therefore be able to live together in peace. It is as great a crime for some Palestinians to target innocent, civilian Jews in a manner incompatible with the moral values of the Qur’an as it is for some Jews to engage in behavior that is based on violence and incites violence against Muslims and is similarly incompatible with the Torah. Putting an end to such conflict is a requirement for Allah’s approval and the behavior most compatible with the moral virtues of the King Messiah.
The Torah commands Jews to establish peace on earth, to treat their neighbors with justice and to be humble and loving:
" 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly." 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
…'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus, 19:15,16,18)
One passage from the Torah that describes the climate of peace that devout Jews await with the coming of the King Messiah reads:
... In the last days... He [the Lord]... will settle disputes for many peoples... Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isaiah, 2:2-4)
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. (Micah, 4:3)
All devout Jews who believe that no nation will lift its sword against another, that all spears will be beaten into plowshares and that all wars will come to an end in the time of the King Messiah must, according to the Torah, all display the moral virtues of the King Messiah in this holy age of his coming. Almighty Allah wants them to display the warmth of the King Messiah, to act in accordance with his understanding of love and peace, and for them to adopt his peaceful approach. Jews of good conscience who fear Allah must strive for the rule of the moral values of the King Messiah and must adopt his conception of love and peace as their own criteria. In return for these moral values and prayers Allah will make the Middle East a place where the children of the Prophet Ibrahim live together in peace and security, in which the sons of Yakup and of Ishmael embrace one another with love, in which they all praise the name of and pray to Allah together, and which they all live together in happiness.
2010-06-18 18:03:00
