A Gift for Baghdad — Page 63
Reply to the Announcement & Letter 63 Therefore, follow their guidance and do not become one of the innovators. Thus, you should understand that we have held fast and adhered to the example which has previously been made clear, but there is no such precedent in support of your argument. So which side has a greater claim to be trusted? Thus, do not ven- ture into the realm of that which has no precedent. Rather, if you are unsure of the past practice of Allah, then enquire from those who possess the Reminder, if you are truly a seeker after truth. Verily, I have shown to you the practice of Allah with reference to those who have passed away before, but you have not shown from the practice of Allah any evidence in support of your claim and you will never find any change in the practice of Allah. So, do not dispute like an insolent one. You know that Allah has rebutted your statement in His Book and has mentioned the death of the Messiah with the word توفّي [ tawaff i ], as He has mentioned the death of our Prophet with that identical word. Yet, you interpret that word in one way regard- ing the Messiah and in a different way regarding our Master. That indeed is an unfair division and treason in the religion of Allah. But, you neither fear Him nor do you reply thoughtfully; rather, you drop excrement like birds flying high, without descending to reach any understanding. You do not fear the powerful arches of the honest ones. If your position is clearly true, then why do you not produce a verse testifying to the life of the Messiah and his descent; produce a similar precedent which has operated in the past. How can we accept your innovations which contradict the Book of Allah, the practice of His Messenger, and the practice of the Truthful who