Mahzarnama (The Memorandum) — Page 97
Mahzarnama 97 they themselves will not be included as part of these Divinely favoured ones. On the contrary, this verse cannot possibly be interpreted in this fashion at all because then it would imply: such persons will be along with the Prophets but will not be included among the Prophets; and they will be along with the Faithful ones but not included among the Faithful ones; and they will be along with the Martyrs but not included among the Martyrs; and they will be with the Righteous but not included among the Righteous. So, according to this interpretation the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa , have not only been deprived of Prophethood alone; they have also been deprived of being the Faithful ones—implying that the Holy Prophet's pronouncement that Hadhrat Abu Bakr was Siddiq (the Faithful one), was (God forbid) incorrect! It also means that despite what Allah says in the Holy Quran, that the Companions of the Holy Prophet sa occupy the spiritual station of martyrs— i. e. Guardians over men (2:144)— is also wrong, God forbid. According to which the Companions of the Holy Prophet sa were at the rank of Shoha'daa was (God forbid) also wrong! Similarly, no person among the Holy Prophet's followers can attain the rank of Righteous one, and the view that there have been numerous righteous persons among the Holy Prophet's followers is also (God forbid) a gross misconception! Can any sensible person, who is conversant with the Holy Quran and Ahadith, subscribe to this interpretation? The word (ma'a) does not simply mean "with"; the word (ma'a) also signifies inclusion, i. e. , "among. " For instance, the believers are taught the following prayer in the Holy Quran: And in death join us with the righteous. (3:194)