The Holy War — Page 246
246 to his capacity!’ But this contradictory issue of compulsion and free will for man is only to be found in the Quran alone. 10) I have repeatedly explained the meanings of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart; further repetition is of no use. 11) In Proverbs 16:4, it does not state that the wicked were cre- ated for wickedness but a day of evil. And the explanation of this can be found in Ezekiel 18:23, 32 and 32:11, and 2 Peter 3:9. And in 1 Timothy 2:4 it is written that the wicked people are given a respite for salvation and the pleasure of God is not in this, as the Quran states regarding your Prophet واستغفرلذنبك وللمؤمنین و للمؤمنات seek for- giveness for your sins and for the sins of believing men and women. With regards to being baptised, Jesus has declared his pur- pose himself; in other words, so that complete righteousness is attained—that is to say, to follow the present commandments and Divine laws. It should be known that the Mosaic dispensation and the actions of previous prophets remained until the day of the Pentecost, when Jesus Christ, by becoming resurrected, ascended to Heaven; from that moment on the Christian law was established. Before this, it was the previous law, and there was no mention of a succeeding law. Now, you state that John baptised Jesus because he was greater, but John states himself that I am unworthy of even untying his shoe- laces. Behold the Lamb of God, which shall be sacrificed for the sins of all the people. You have repeatedly asked me questions regarding the issue of being good, and its answer has also repeatedly been given; so now there is nothing else to say about this except that it should be remembered that the conversation which Jesus had with the man that ‘Why do you call me good? There is only one who is good, that is, God!’ and at the end of the conversation he said to this same per- son, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But the young man went away sorrowful. ’