Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 787
CHAPTER ONE IN AL-ISTIFTA' (Call for a Religious Verdict) O scholars of Islam and jurists of the religion of the Best of Creation [the Holy Prophet Muḥammads]! Give me your verdict regarding a man who has claimed to be from Allah the Benevolent, and who believes in the Book of Allah and His compassionate and merciful Messengers. Allah has shown supernormal matters for him, and has manifested brilliant Signs and magnificent victories. He has appeared in an age which has nothing to do in regard to the Faith, and is [pierced] into the heart of Islam like a spear. The [reli- gious] scholars of the time are like a man whose legs are both paralysed. The Christian priests have emerged like a valiant champion who is equipped with two arrows: one which they sharpen with lies and a variety of slanders to smite the religion of Islam; and the other which they load into their bow to lure people into the fold of Christianity. You will find them resembling a wolf that wreaks havoc or a robber who plunders the possessions [of others]. They possess nothing but false traditions and [doctrines] which reason rejects. The wood of Atonement is the lone pillar upon which their faith is supported, and with it, all doors have been flung open for an-nafsul-ammarah [the self that incites to evil]. Is there anything more frightening, more obscene, and beyond acceptance by the good natured than this doctrine? In addition, they