Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 69
27 December 1907 69 into the Muslims. And, unfortunately, they began concurring with the Christians. In short, it should be understood that the foundation of Christianity is Jesus being alive. If he dies, their religion dies with it. Once a pastor came to me in Ludhiana. During the con- versation, I told him that the death of Jesus was a minor point; what would be the harm if he were to accept that Jesus had died? Upon this, he said, ‘Is it a minor point?! Our religion is entirely based on that very point. ’ 1 Similarly, when I went to Delhi, many people came to me in a group and said, ‘Jesus is alive and it is he who would come again. ’ I asked them what had been its effect except that several thousand people have renounced [Islam]? They had no answer. Then I told them, ‘Well! You have tested this prescription; it turned out to be wrong. Now try my prescription for a few days and see the result. ’ 2 Thereupon, one of them stood up and said, ‘No one else is doing what you are doing for the welfare of Islam. By all means, continue your work. ’ 1. From Badr: He [the Christian] said, ‘If there was no doctrine of Jesus being alive, all Christians would instantly become Muslims. This is the soul of our religion and when this departs, we will be lifeless’ ( Badr, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 9, dated 9 January 1908). 2. From Badr: Now try my remedy and see for yourself whether or not there is life for Islam and death for Christianity in accepting the death of Jesus ( Badr, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 9, dated 9 January 1908).