The Holy War — Page 98
98 Third— The answer to the gentleman’s prayer duel of yesterday is that we Christians do not see any need for new miracles to be shown regarding the old teachings, nor do we feel that we have any ability for it. Apart from this, we have been promised that whatever we will ask for in accord with the pleasure of the Lord that will be given to you. We were not promised any signs but the gentleman is very proud of it, and we do not refuse to see miracles. If kindness on the creatures of Allah indeed lies in settling the issue by showing a sign, then, for our part, we have declared our ina- bility; you, by all means, should show a miracle. And at this time, in your last paper of yesterday, you had said, and there was an indica- tion of this today also, that: What need is there now for further dis- cussion on these matters? We are both advanced in age, and the grave is our final abode. We should have mercy upon the creatures of Allah, so let us settle the matter with some heavenly Sign. And you also said that I have received a special revelation that in this field you shall be victorious. And certainly, the Just God shall be with those who stand upon justice, certainly, most certainly. The answer to this summary of your statement, as we have already written earlier, is that we are not debating you because we believe you to be some sort of Messenger or Prophet or a person who receives revelations. We have no concern with your personal thoughts and reasons and revelations. Assuming that you are only a Muhammadan person, we are conversing with you about the reli- gion of Christianity and Muhammadanism based on those rules and tenets that are commonly accepted in both. That is all well. Nevertheless, since you call us to enter a contest, being ready to show a special Divine power, we are not at all averse to seeing it, be it a sign or a miracle. Therefore we present these three people, from among whom one is blind, one lame, and one dumb. Heal from among them whomsoever that you can, and whatever becomes incumbent, or due from us, for this miracle, we will discharge. You believe in a God who is not just said to be All-Powerful but