The Essence of Islam – Volume V — Page 100
100. Essence of Islam-V jected him, but have hurled abuses at this Messiah who has come from God. They have called him a disbeliever, they have attempted to kill him, and have done to him as they wished. That is why God's honour willed that a warning be sent to them in consequence of their audacity and their insolence. . God had already informed in the earlier holy scriptures that, at the time of the advent of the Messiah, a severe plague would break out in the country because people would reject him. Thus the plague was inevitable. The plague is also called Ṭā un because it is the answer to those who Ṭa'n [taunt]. Among the Israelites also we find that the plague would always break out when they taunted [the Prophets]. According to. Arabic lexicon, Ṭā'un means one who is always taunting others. This signifies that the plague does not break out in the initial stage of taunts and slurs, and it only breaks out when the Messenger and Appointed. One of God has been persecuted and insulted in the extreme. So, my dear ones! there is absolutely no remedy against it except that His Messiah be accepted wholeheartedly and in all sincerity. This is a sure remedy. But a lesser remedy is that people must refrain from rejecting him, and must hold their tongues from uttering profanities against him, and must realize his true status. Mark my words, the time comes― indeed it is close at hand-when people will rush towards me saying: يَا مَسِيحَ الْخَلْقِ عَدُوَانَا