The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 300
300. Essence of Islam-III understand the guidance which he will present to them. . But in the end they will understand him. These are the third kind of people who will benefit from the guidance of the Promised Messiah. They will say to him: 'Dhulqarnain, Gog and Magog have filled the land with disorder. If you so please, let us collect a fund for you so that you may erect a barrier between them and us. ' He will say in reply: 'The power God has given me is better than your funds, but if you be so inclined, you can help me according to your means so that I may erect a wall between you and your opponents (i. e. , he would put forth such conclusive proofs and arguments that their enemies will not be left with any ground for criticism or objection against their religion. ) He will say to them: 'Bring me slabs of iron so that their movement can be stopped, (i. e. , hold fast to my teachings and my arguments, be steadfast, and block the enemy's onslaught like a wall of iron. ) Then blow fire into the iron until it appears to be fire itself (i. e. , feed the flames of love for God until you yourselves assume the Divine complexion). . . . . After these verses, God Almighty goes on to say: Then. Dhulqarnain (the Promised Messiah) will say to the people who are afraid of Gog and Magog: 'Bring me copper so that I may melt it and pour it over the wall. Thereafter,. Gog and Magog will not have the power to scale it or to make holes in it. '. Here it should be noted that though iron assumes the qualities of fire when left in it for a long time, it does not melt easily. Copper, on the other hand, melts very quickly; and it is necessary for a seeker to melt in the path of God. This means that the Promised Messiah will need such eager hearts and mild dispositions as would melt under the influence of Divine signs. These signs