Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 270
270 HAQIQATUL-WAḤI-THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE REVELATION Bible'], Ātham had pronounced our Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be the Dajjal. It is true that in the prophecy fifteen months was the stipulated time frame for Atham's death, but along with it there was the condition, the wording of which was: 'provided he does not turn to the Truth'. But Ātham retracted in the same public meeting. In great humility, he stuck his tongue out and with both hands on his ears, he expressed remorse at having used the word Dajjal [Antichrist]. Not one or two but as many as sixty or seventy people are witnesses to it—about half of them being Christians and about half being Muslims. I think about fifty of them might still be alive in whose presence Ātham had retracted from using the word Dajjal and then, until the day of his death, he never uttered any such word again. Now it should be considered what maliciousness, wickedness, and dishonesty it is that, despite Ātham's unequivocal retraction in the presence of some sixty or seventy witnesses, it should be asserted that Ātham did not retract. Divine wrath was entirely based upon the word Dajjal. This was the basis for the prophecy and retraction from this very word was the condition. For him to become a Muslim is not at all mentioned in the prophecy. Hence, when he retracted in all humility, God also turned to him with mercy. God's revelation never implied that, unless Ātham accepted Islam, he would not escape death, for all the Christians share their disbelief in Islam. God does not compel anyone to accept Islam. It would be entirely irrational to prophesy that if a certain person did not accept Islam, he would die within a certain period of time. The world is full of people who deny Islam. And I have stated again and again that in this world no chastisement can visit anyone simply on account of denying Islam. The reckoning for this sin will only occur on the Day of Judgment. As such, what was so special about Ātham that his death—but not of oth- ers—be prophesied on account of his denying Islam? The sole cause of this prophecy was that he had used the word Dajjal about the hallowed status of the Holy Prophet, may peace and