The True Nature of the Mahdi — Page 53
53 How can these people attain these excellences! They hold nothing in their hands except for myths. So let those who will, cry for them. Do they await the warrior Mahdi so that he may spill blood—killing all enemies and smiting their necks—and to spread Islam by the sword? This is not, however, proven by the authentic hadith, or from the text of the Holy Quran; in fact, the opposite has been proven by the scholars. Furthermore, these facts are denied by the sound mind and rejected by straightforward thinking—so ask those who reflect. You are aware that this era of ours is one in which no one attacks us with swords and spears on account of our religion. No one forces us to recant the Religion of Allah—the best of religions—and follow another religion. So in these days we do not require war and reprisal; there is no need for lances to be prepared and swords to be unsheathed. Indeed, these matters may be described as abro - gated injunctions and practices no longer applicable. So when military expedition and war were no longer required, their place was taken by decisive through clear and conclusive proofs, and by proving one’s claims with true and authentic evidences. Thus, it was replaced with radiant signs and great miracles. So the