Lecture Ludhiana — Page 16
16 Jama'at and myself not solemnly pronounce, 12 Do I or my followers not observe the prescribed prayer? Do we not fast in Ramadan? Do we not follow the rules and articles of faith laid down by the Holy Prophet sa ? I swear by God that I and my followers are Muslims and have firm faith in the Holy Prophet sa and the Holy Qur’an, as is incumbent on all true Muslims. I solemnly believe that even the slightest deviation from Islam results in damnation. I also believe that all bounties and blessings man can possibly receive and the closest he can ever get to God is only, repeat only, possible through genuine submission to and consummate love for the Holy Proph- et sa. Without him there is no path to piety. It is also my conviction that Jesus Christ as did not physically ascend to the heavens, nor is he still alive. To believe that Jesus as is alive, is highly insulting and derogatory to the Holy Prophet sa. I cannot stand this sacrilege even for a moment. Everyone knows that the Holy Prophet sa passed away at the age of sixty-three and lies buried in his tomb at Madina, which millions of pilgrims visit every year. If it is disrespectful to believe in the death of Jesus as or even to think of it, then I ask how can you permit this insolence and disrespect with regard to the Holy Prophet sa ? Indeed, you so brazenly announce his demise. Your ceremonial 12 ‘I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. ’ [Translator]