Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 71
71 nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. This prophecy has already been referred to in an earlier section. In this beautiful parable Jesus has presented an epitome of the history of Prophets. The passage leaves no doubt that the vineyard depicts the world; husbandmen mean mankind at large; fruits, which the householder wishes to collect, imply virtue, piety and devotion to God. Servants portray successive Prophets who were appointed by God and the son means Jesus who appeared after a long line of Prophets. The son was dishonored and slain by the husbandmen. Having said this, Jesus goes on to speak of the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. The stone, which had been rejected, is the progeny of Ishmael, whom the sons of Isaac used to treat with contempt. According to the prophecy, one from among the sons of Ishmael was to appear and become the head of the corner. This would be no ordinary prophet but one who would bring a final and complete Law from God. Thus to use Quranic expression the Seal of the Prophets. The advent of an Ishmaelite for the grand office would seem strange too. Yet (as Jesus said) God would take away His kingdom from the Israelites and give it to the Ishmaelites, who would prove a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof, that is, a people who would keep alive the worship of God in the world. It is self evident that the only outstanding Prophet who came after Jesus and who could be said to answer to this description is the Holy Prophet of Islam. It was he who came into conflict with Judaism and Christianity and completely shattered the influence of both teachings. It was his race that was hated and of him alone could it be truly said: Whosoever fell on him was broken and on whomsoever he fell was ground to powder. Again Matthew refers to the coming of another Prophet after him: 100 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The verses mean that Jesus is going to depart from his people and his people will not be able to see him again, until they declare: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The advent of two prophets is prophesied here. The first advent after Jesus' departure would be of the like of God. The second advent would be that of Jesus himself. It has been made absolutely clear that until the advent of one who cometh in the name of the Lord has been fulfilled, the second coming of Jesus will not take place. Detailed discussion on the like of God and the like of Moses is contained earlier in this chapter under Deuteronomy where it has been established that the advent prophesied here is that of the Holy Prophet of Islam.