Defence Against the Plague and a Criterion for the Elect of God — Page 21
Defence Against the Plague & A Criterion for the Elect of God 21 to those who engage in t a‘n [taunting]. Among the Ban i Isr a’i l [Children of Israel] it would always break out when they engaged in t a‘n. In the Arabic language, the word ta ‘ u n means ‘one who indulges in excessive mockery’. This is an indication towards the fact that the plague is not sent in response to minor acts of taunt and ridicule; rather, it breaks out only when abuse of the one commissioned and sent by God exceeds all bounds, and efforts are made to humiliate him. O dear ones! Your only recourse is to accept this Messiah with a true heart and sincerity. This is a definite cure. However, a lesser remedy is to refrain from openly denying him, and to desist from using abusive language, and to foster a sense of respect for him in your hearts. I say truly that the time is coming—indeed it is near—when people shall hasten towards me saying: ا مسیح الخلق عدوانا ي What I have mentioned above is God’s word and its meaning is, O you who have been sent as the Messiah for mankind, intercede on our behalf against this deadly epidemic. Understand with per - fect certainty that in this day and age you have no intercessor other than this Messiah—the exception being the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—and this intercessor is in no way separated from the Holy Prophet, peace and bless - ings of Allah be upon him; his intercession is, in fact, the very intercession of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. O Christian missionaries! Say not رَبُّنَا الْمَسِیْح [Our Lord is the Messiah] and observe that among you now there is one who is