The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 141
IV - Early Life 141 Moreover, if it is argued that various religious and moral teachings of Christianity are also common to Islām, which gives rise to the ideology, that perhaps Islām has derived these teachings from Christianity, this shall prove to be a useless allegation as well. Firstly, consider the fact that a better part of the principal teachings of present-day Christianity differ completely with those of Islām. The mere fact that the various ancillary elements of these two teachings resemble one another is not evidence of the fact that one has been derived from the other. Secondly, when Islām declares the Messiah a chosen messenger of God and that it, in itself, also claims to have originated from God, it is inevitable that since both have sprouted from a common source, it was only appropriate that Islām and Christianity resemble each other in certain aspects. For the principles of guidance are the same for every age and every nation. Thirdly, the Holy Qur’ān itself claims that it has congregated the everlasting truths of all the teachings that have come to pass. The Holy Qur’ān states 1 ٌ فِیھَا كُتُب ٌ قَیِّمَة (i. e. , Therein are the everlasting teachings), which indicates that the Qur’ān has been comprised of all the wise and eternal aspects of past scriptures. Hence, from this perspective as well, no distinction of Christianity is established. At this point, it is necessary to mention that the Holy Qur’ān has presented this unique feature, which states that all the everlasting truths, wisdoms and eternal teachings of past scriptures are gathered in it, as an expression of its utmost perfection. From this perspective, the Holy Qur’ān has been given similitude to the honey bee 2 which extracts the fine essence of various plants to produce an extremely exquisite product through a complex chemical process. Although it is the essence of various plants, it evolves into a new creation, which cannot be attributed to any specific flower or plant. Aside from this, the Holy Qur’ān has not only derived the wise teachings of past scriptures, but has also, being an everlasting law of conduct, contributed new subtleties in light of universal requirements that transcend time, thus presenting a perfect and eternal law. The Holy Qur’ān has been endowed with such qualities, that in the similitude of this physical world it possesses the hidden opulence to provide for all the religious requirements of mankind as they arise until the end of time. In reality the Holy Qur’ān is a compendium of the following teachings: 1. Those aspects of past scriptures, which possess the ability to become 1 Al-Bayyinah (98:4) 2 An-Naḥl (16:69-70)