Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 118
118 HAQIQATUL-WAḤI-THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE REVELATION to the Holy Prophet bestows the excellences of Prophethood and his spiritual attention carves out Prophets. No other Prophet has been granted this purify- ing power. This is the meaning of the hadith meaning that, the divines from among my ummah will be like the Prophets of the Children of Israel. There were many Prophets from among the Children of Israel, but their Prophethood was not because of their obedience to Mūsā; rather it was a direct bounty from God. It had no trace of influence of the obedience to Mūsǎ in it. That is why they were not designated Prophets in one aspect and the followers of a Prophet in another, but were called independent Prophets and the dignity of Prophethood was bestowed directly upon them. Leaving them aside, if we look at the rest of the Children of Israel, we observe that they had received very little in rectitude, goodness, and piety. In general, the followers of Mūsā and ‘Īsā had been deficient in auliya'ullāh [friends of Allah]. If an odd one was there, it was as if non-existent. Most of them were disobedient, vicious, sinful, and worshippers of the world. That is why the Torah and the Gospel contain not even a hint about the spiritual influence of Haḍrat Mūsā and Ḥaḍrat ‘Īsā concerning them. The Torah frequently des- ignates the companions of Mūsā as a disobedient, hard-hearted, sinful, and rebellious group. In reference to their disobedience, the Holy Quran recounts their response فَاذْهَبْ أَنْتَ وَ رَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلَا إِنَّا هُنَا فَعِدُونَ to Hadrat Musa on the occasion of a battle [Surah al-Ma'idah, 5:25] meaning: 'Go you and your Lord and fight the enemy; here we shall sit. ' Such was the measure of their disobedience. In contrast, the hearts of the Companions of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, were so inspired by the love of God, and they were so affected by the spiritual attention of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that they sacrificed themselves in the cause of God like sheep and goats. Can anyone show us the followers of any previous Prophet, who demonstrated such sincerity and devotion? We have mentioned the state of the companions of Mūsā. Now listen to the state of the disciples of Hadrat Masiḥ [Jesus]. One of them, Judas Iscariot, had him arrested in return for thirty pieces of silver. Peter, the disciple to whom had been committed the keys of Heaven, cursed 'Īsā to his face and the remaining disciples, upon seeing the adversity, ran away. Not one of them displayed resolve or remained steadfast. Cowardice overwhelmed them. In contrast, the Companions of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, displayed such steadfastness and were so reconciled to death under the shadow of the swords that any mention of their devotion brings tears to one's eyes. So what was it that breathed into them such spirit of devotion? And what was the hand that brought about such a change in them? It was that in the time of their pre-Islamic ignorance they were worms of this world; there was