Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 855
CHAPTER TWO 855 to any reasonable argument. To cling to conjectures in the face of such precepts of incontrovertible import is dishonesty and departure from the path of righteousness. Woe unto those who do not desist. Those who do not ponder would say that Jesus' advent is a 'Sign' of the Day of Judgment [and quote the verse]: وَإِنْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَبِ إِلَّا لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ This is what they have heard from their forefathers, but they have never pondered over it like the wise. What has gone wrong with them that they do not know that the word 'Sign' here signifies his miraculous birth which was without a father which is mentioned in the Scriptures and which no sane and knowledgeable person denies! As for the belief of the People of the Book in [the truthfulness of] Jesus—as is imagined to be the import of this verse—you are only too well-aware of its real- ity. There is no need to delve into it further. You know that hosts of Jews have died without believing in Jesus. Therefore, do not interpolate the Word of God for the sake of a belief so obviously wrong. Verily, God has said: الْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاء إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيمَةِ Hence, how can they be his enemies after believing in Jesus? Is there not an iota of sense in your brains? Does this verse not disprove any such person who believes that all the sects of the Jews will come to believe in Jesus? Why are you then going against the text that is so clear and evident? Which verse [of the Holy Quran] is now left in your hands to which you are clinging? 1. And there is none among the People of the Book but will believe in it before his death (Surah an-Nisa', 4:160). [Publisher] 2. We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection (Surah al-Ma'idah, 5:65). [Publisher]