A Gift for Baghdad — Page 31
Reply to the Announcement & Letter 31 [subsequent generation]. All of the Companions used to believe in the death of the Messiah; and, in like manner, those who came after them from among the perceptive servants of Allah. Have you not observed in S a hih al-Bukh a r i how Abdullah ibn Abbas ra explained the verse: 1 ىٰۤسْيِعٰي ْيِّنِا َكْيِّفَوَتُم َو َكُعِفاَر َّيَلِا He stated: َ مُتَوَفِّیْك [ mutawaff i ka ] means to cause you to die nat- urally. Imam Bukhari indicates the validity of this statement by quoting the verse ْيِّنِا َكْيِّفَوَتُم [ inn i mutawaff i ka— I will cause you to die] in other places as well. This is the methodology employed by Bukhari in exercising independent judgement and presenting his viewpoints, which is well known to the learned. O righteous brother! Observe how Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, indicated his viewpoint. Combining two verses from different locations and demonstrating their resem- blance, he acknowledged that the Messiah had died. Reflect, therefore, upon what I have presented; verily, Allah loves those who reflect. I find no advantage or comfort in abandoning the Book of Allah and the sunan [practices] of His Messenger; and thereby not only having to bear loss in this world but also in the next; and further having to bear listening to the curses of the imprecators. O noble brother! Truth is more worthy of being followed, and it is that which should be accepted and heeded; for, the hand 1. O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death and will exalt you to Myself ( S u rah A l-e-‘Imr a n, 3:56). [Publisher]