Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 1
بسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ;. ISRAEL AND MUSLIMS. This Sura is related to the earlier Suras in that the preceding Sura Bani Israil, in throwing, light on the question, how Islam would make progress, says that since the Muhammadan Dispensation has basic similarities with the Mosaic. Dispensation, Islam would forge ahead in much the same way as did the Mosaic Mission. Citing some events relating to the Mosaic Dispensation, the Sura Bani Israil observes in this connection, that two great disasters were ordained to befall the Mosaic Dispensation after the lifetime of Moses, even as it was destined to enjoy two periods of great prosperity; and since the progress of Islam must approximate to that of the Mosaic Faith, Muslims will be treated in like manner. In other words, as after Moses his followers were marked for two great disasters as also two bright periods of prosperity, so shall the Muslims have their share of it, i. e. , two ruinous catastrophes and two periods of glory. . STRIKING SIMILARITIES. Accordingly, the first national calamity, that overwhelmed Israel, followed the period of David which was the time of its meteoric rise. It spelt disaster for Jerusalem, the centre of Jews. In close resemblance to this pattern, Baghdad, the centre of Muslim Empire, was ransacked after the decline of the period of Abbasside glory that had followed the Holy. Prophet's time. Muslim Divines were scattered hither and thither following their escape, after the centre fell into the