Elucidation of Objectives — Page 11
Tau di h-e-Mar a m 11 the simple and straightforward meaning of the sacred words of the Holy Prophet sa already spelled out by Jesus Christ in the context of the second coming of Elijah. In that case they would neither have to expel from Paradise the soul of Messiah, nor would they be constrained to divest a pious Prophet of his Prophethood, nor would they be guilty of showing disrespect for the honour and glory of the Holy Proph- et sa , while believing that they are respectful to him. Nor will they have to pronounce what amounts to a veritable abrogation of Quranic injunctions. Perhaps, as a last resort, they would demand some acceptable explanation of the signs concerning the Second Coming of the Messiah as mentioned in authen- tic A ha d i th. For instance, it is on record that the Messiah, in his Second Coming, will dismantle the cross, repeal the Jizyah 18 , and kill the swine 19. It is also mentioned that at the time of his second coming evil practices peculiar to the Jews will be conspicuous by their presence among Muslims 20. I tell you that the destruction of the cross does not signify war or armed 18 The poll tax which is levied on free non-Muslims, who choose to stay in a country conquered by Muslims in Jihad i. e. war in self-defence. The tax money is used to cover the expenses needed for the protection of their civic rights. [Translator] 19 Refer to Bukh ari , Kit a bul Anbiy a’ , B a bu Nuz u li ‘ I sabni Maryama, H ad i th No. 3448, published by D a rus Sal a m, Ri yad , 1997. [Translator] 20 Ibid Babu M a Dhukira ‘an Ban i Isr a ’ i l, H ad i th No. 3456. [Translator]