The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 343
Divine Decree and Determination 343 beyond the faculties that are bestowed upon him, nor can he live beyond his allotted span of life. . God does Not Condemn People Without Cause. It is a grievous mistake to imagine that the Holy Qur'ān has adjudged some people as deserving of hell as a matter of compulsion and that they have been compulsorily subjected to the authority of Satan. On the contrary. God Almighty had said in the Holy Qur'ān, addressing. Satan: 132 لان عِبَادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطن . . O Satan! you will have no authority over My true servants. . Behold how clearly does Allāh Almighty proclaim man's freedom. This single verse should be enough to satisfy a just minded person. However, the Gospel of Matthew tells a different tale. Matthew states that Satan took Jesus to tempt him. This would mean that Satan had so much authority that he led a holy Prophet by compulsion from place to place and directed him impertinently to prostrate himself before him. Again the devil took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth and their glory. See Matthew, 4:18. 133. Reflection would show that these verses illustrate that. Satan possessed Divine powers. He took Jesus who was unwilling, to a high mountain by his own authority and exercised the power which belongs to God Almighty alone to show Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth. 132. Al-Hijr, 15:43 [Publisher] 133 This seems to be an error in the first edition. The reference should read: Matthew 4:1-8. [Translator]