Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 59
CHAPTER III 59 that the Messiah would certainly descend from heaven, although this descent from the heavens itself is irrational and contrary to the explicit text of the Quran¹*. God Almighty says: قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي هَلْ كُنْتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَسُولًا. 2 Therefore, if it were included in the practice of Allah to physically raise human beings to heaven, then why were the disbelieving Quraish replied in the negative on this occasion? Does it mean that the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was a man, whereas Īsā was not? And when God was hoisting Ḥadrat Īsā to heaven, did he forget the promise of: اَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ كِفَاتًا أَحْيَاء وَ اَمْوَاتًا 3 Yet when the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was demanded to ascend to heaven, that promise [suddenly] recurred to Him? One who has knowledge of the Book of Allah, 1. It is not established on the basis of any hadith that is ṣaḥīḥ [authentic] marfu' [for which the chain of narrators reaches all the way up to the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], muttaṣil [that is, there is no interruption in the chain of reporters] that 'Isā will descend from the heavens. And as far as the word nuzul, meaning 'descent', goes, it should be known that it is used for respect and honour, as it is said that such and such an army has descended at such and such a place. This is why a traveller is referred to as nazil; so to understand that since the word nuzul is used, there- fore what is meant is 'descent from the heavens' is most foolish. (Author) 2. [In response to the Quraish's demand that the Holy Prophet sa should heaven before their very eyes and return with a book, the Holy Prophetsa was commanded] Say, 'Holy is my Lord! I am not but a man sent as a Messenger' (Surah Bani Isra'il, 17:94). [Publisher] go to 3. Have We not made the earth so as to hold the living and the dead? (Surah al-Mursalat, 77:26-27) [Publisher]