Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 62
62 them and to desist even from hurting their sentiments. When the Muslims were advancing towards Mecca, a Muslim general was reported to have said that he would repay the Meccans in their own coin. 78 The Prophet deposed the general, saying that such remarks were calculated to hurt the Meccan’s feelings. Thus the Prophet of Islam set an unparalleled example of forgiveness and peace in the history of mankind. A similar example does not exist anywhere in the world. There is no doubt that Christians also suffered much persecution and hardship and were a weak people. However, on their gaining power, they treated their enemies with equal brutality. How then can Jesus be called the Prince of Peace? He himself could not afford peace to others. When his followers were in power, they did not bring peace to others; instead, they brought death and destruction. As head of a triumphant army, the Prophet of Islam had the power to punish his enemies for much more savage acts of brutality than those perpetrated by the Jews against Jesus. He still he chose to forgive them. The Prophet of Islam was, therefore, the Prince of Peace of Isaiah’s prophecy. The seventh sign of the Promised One, according to Isaiah's prophecy, was: 58 Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall he no end. The sign clearly applies to the Prophet of Islam and not to Jesus. According to the Bible, Jesus did not attain any political power. The Prophet of Islam did and his followers ruled over large empires with peace and prosperity; these became centers of excellence where significant scientific development occurred. The eighth sign of Isaiah’s prophecy was: Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. Jesus never ascended the throne of David. It could be argued that he did so three hundred years later, when the Roman Emperor accepted Christianity. The prophecy states that the throne is to be retained forever. The hold of Jesus, in that context, lasted for about three hundred years and ended with the rise of Islam. Since then Palestine (the throne of David) has been in the possession of Muslims for the last 1400 years. Even today, after the creation of the state of Israel, the majority of its population is Muslims. In either case, Palestine is not under Christian control and hence this prophecy cannot apply to Jesus. The rule which the Prophet of Islam had established in the world through his followers was full of “judgment and justice”, to use the words of the prophecy. History records that during the time of Umar, the Second Caliph of Islam, a Muslim army had to withdraw temporarily from Jerusalem under the pressure of superior Roman forces. Before withdrawing, they told the Christian population that they could no longer protect their lives and property and hence were returning the money they had realized from them as tax for this purpose. The Christian inhabitants of Jerusalem were extremely impressed by this singular act of good judgment and justice that they came out in support of the Muslim army and prayed for their speedy return. 79 Little wonder Isaiah says of the Promised One: