A Response to Three Questions of a Christian — Page 43
Reply to the Third Question 43 be upon him, which were not shown to the deniers immediately. But pay attention as to why these miracles were asked to be shown and why the denying did not begin immediately: The first miracle that the disbelievers of Makkah asked for was that fountains should gush forth from رض أ ال ا — al-ar d [the earth]; meaning, this specific land of Makkah. The second miracle that they asked for was that you should possess gardens of dates and grapes in which streams should be flowing. Both of these miracles were asked because in the Holy Books it is written—in connection with the glad tidings pertaining to Muhammad—that: …I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my cho- sen. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. (Isaiah 43:19–21) And also see: Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways… (Isaiah 42:24) And in Chapter 21 of Isaiah there is this Divine Word concerning Arabia: