The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 257
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI. This was the first consensus of the Companions of the Holy. Prophet, peace be on him, immediately after his death. How could they, in whom was deeply rooted the purest love and affection for their master, accept the idea if it had not been wholly true? How could they acquiesce in the notion that Jesus should be living in heaven for more than 600 years, while their own noble master did not even reach the age of 64 years? No, it would have been totally inconceivable for them to accept such supremacy of Jesus over their own noble master. The love that they cherished for their beloved master did not in the least warrant that they should have accepted such superiority in favour of Jesus. Cursed be the notion that may be derogatory of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him. His companions cherished his love dearly; they would have been shocked to death had they heard such a thing that their own Prophet, peace be on him, had passed away while Jesus was sitting alive in heaven. It was not they alone who loved him most dearly; he was even more dear to God. . Almighty, Who loved him more than any other Prophet. For this very reason the Christians, on account of their ill-fortune, did not accept this Messenger and exaggerated Jesus to such an extreme that they raised him to the level of God Himself. Therefore, God, in reaction, raised one out of the servants of the Holy Prophet, from among his followers, this humble one, to the position of 'The-Like-of-Jesus' and distinguished him with far more honour and grace so that the. Christians may realize that all grace is in His Own power. . Another purpose in raising the 'Like-of-Jesus-Son-of-Mary' was to shatter completely the myth of the godhead of Jesus. The concept of a man going to heaven alive is totally opposed to Allah's way and is tantamount to the angels coming down to earth and settling among human beings. Thou shalt never find a change in. Allah's ways (33:63). (Tadhkiratush Shahadatain, p. 19-21). * 6. It is evident that the godhead of Jesus is based only on myth. What would happen when according to the myth he will come. down from heaven in the midst of the hordes of angels could be left to conjecture. Remember, he who was destined to come has already 257