Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 252
Malf uza t - English translation of Urdu Volume 8 252 Jesus, son of Mary, ascended to the heavens alive, whereas we believe that he has died. Apart from this, there is no new issue between them and us in principle that is worthy of dispute. Since the purpose of the establishment of the [Ahmadiyya] Movement could not be ascertained from this—rather, it seemed to weaken and render it doubtful—it was essential that the Promised Messiah as correct it. Since there was not enough time at that moment, the Promised Messiah as thought it appropriate to deliver a speech on the true purpose of his advent on 27 December, after the Z uhr and ‘A s r Prayers. He was not feeling well. However, it was only through the grace and beneficence of Allah the Exalted that he delivered the following speech. The Promised Messiah as said: Unfortunately, I am not feeling well at this time, and I cannot say much, but I think it necessary to say a few words concern- ing an essential matter. Yesterday I heard that a gentleman had stated that the difference between our Muslims adversaries and us is essentially the death and life of the Messiah; otherwise, we are the same. And in practical terms, our opponents also tread the path of truth; that is, Prayer, Fasting, and other obligations of Muslims, and they carry out all of these works. There was only one mistake that had crept in about the death of Jesus, peace be on him, the correction for which God Almighty had created this Movement. So it should be remembered that this is not correct. It is indeed true that this error is prevalent among Muslims, but if someone thinks that my coming to this world is merely to rectify so trivial an error and there was no other corrup- tion among the Muslims which should have been reformed, and they are—in fact—on the right path, then this notion is wrong. In my view, the death or life of the Messiah is not some- thing for which Allah the Exalted would establish such a great Movement, sending a particular person into the world, while