Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 76
76 HAQIQATUL-WAḤI-THE PHILOSOPHY OF DIVINE REVELATION worldly enticements, but the result has been quite the opposite. Before his 'suicide, the followers of Yasu' sought godliness to some extent, but the more the doctrine of vicarious sacrifice and atonement was empha- sized, the more the Christians became steeped in worldliness, worldly enticements, desire of the world, alcoholism, gambling, licentiousness, and illicit relations. The negative effects of this doctrine have been like the sudden collapse of the dam that had been built on a violent and stormy river with resultant destruction of all surrounding land and habitats. Remember too that abstinence from sin alone is not an accomplishment of any kind for man as thousands of worms, insects, animals and birds refrain from committing any sin, yet they are not considered to have attained communion with God. The question, therefore, is: 'How did the Messiah's expiation serve to enhance human spirituality?' Man is in need of two things in order to reach God: First, abstinence from evil; and second, the attainment of good deeds. Merely eschewing evil is no great feat. Thus, the crux of the matter is that these two forces have remained present in human beings ever since their cre- ation: On the one hand carnal passions lure them towards sin, while on the other hand the fire of the love of God that is hidden in their nature incinerates the straws of sin much like physical fire incinerates the physical straws and dried leaves. But ignition of this spiritual fire that incinerates sins depends entirely on the cognition of God, because love and adornment for anything depends on acquiring its complete recognition. You cannot love something whose beauty and excellence you are unaware of. The knowledge of the beauty and excellence of the God of Honour and Glory ignites the fire of love for Him, which, in turn, consumes sin. It has always been the practice of Allah to grant such knowledge to mankind through His Prophets. Others get light from their light and acquire all the bounties that are bestowed on the Prophets by following them Sadly, Christianity has the door of cognizance of God closed to its followers for it considers communion with God forever sealed and