The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 187
The Messiah and his Second Coming 187 the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or did anyone see the angels and the burāq? It is obvious that the disbelievers did not see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) being carried to heaven by the angels nor did they see him descending therefrom. That is why they asserted that the spiritual as- cent of the Holy Prophetsa was not a fact. How mis- guided, therefore, are those who are waiting to see Jesus descend from heaven in the company of angels. If the Chief of the Prophets was not seen ascending to or de- scending from heaven, then will they see Jesus descend- ing therefrom? لعنة الله على الكذبين 155 Did Abū Bakr Şiddīq observe the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ascend or descend from heaven in the company of angels on the night of Me 'rāj? Did 'Umar Fārūq enjoy the privilege of such ob- servation? Did 'Alī Murtadā partake of such spectacle? Then who are you and what is your standing that you would see the Promised Messiah descending from heaven in the company of angels? The Holy Qur'an re- jects the very idea of such a spectacle. [Majmū'ah Ishtihārāt, vol. 3, pp. 326-327] Muslims should beware of the dangerous situation in which the Jews placed themselves by insisting on the lit- eral fulfilment of the prophecy concerning the second coming of Elijah. It is sheer folly to insist upon some- thing of which there has been no instance before and the falsity of which has been repeatedly demonstrated. God Almighty has said: 155 'May Allah's curse be upon the liars. ' [Publisher]