Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 45
THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM 45 Prophets as mentioned in the Holy Quran (33:41) precluded altogether the appearance of a prophet among the Muslims, even by way of reflection of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, as claimed by Ahmad. (3) Whether Ahmad's claim of being a recipient of revela- tion and being a subordinate prophet by way of reflection of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, was justified on the merits. I The Holy Quran is perfectly clear that Jesus died a natural death, and is most emphatic that no human being can ascend to heaven in his physical body. For instance, it is said: The enemies of Jesus devised their plan and Allah devised His plan; Allah is the best of planners. Allah reassured Jesus: 'I shall cause thee to die a natural death, and shall exalt thee to Myself, and shall clear thee from the calumnies 0. £those who disbelieve, and shall place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Judgment; then to Me shall be your return and 1 will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ' (3:55--6). This makes it absolutely clear that Jesus died a natural death and not the accursed death of the cross and was spiri- tually exalted like all the righteous. The calumny of Jesus, that having died on the cross he had become accursed in accordance with the pronouncement contained in Deut. 21:23, is refuted in this verse, which established that Jesus did not die upon the cross and died a natural death in due course. Those of the Muslims who believe in the bodily ascent of Jesus to heaven seek to pervert the sequence of this verse and claim that the exaltation of Jesus to heaven was to precede his eventual death after his descent upon earth in the latter days. In adopting this attitude they perpetrate several enormities. The sequence of the whole of the Quran was determined by God Almighty and cannot be interferred with or differently construed by anyone. But even their daring attempt does not advance their atrocious and absurd purpose. The exaltation