Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 226
Malfuzat - English translation of Urdu Volume 10 226 The Ascension of Jesus, Peace be upon Him On the issue of the death of Jesus as , the Promised Messiah as said: The Holy Quran is the authority to judge the disputes between the Christians and the Jews. The real dispute was that based on what was written in the Torah, the one who is put on the cross is not raised spiritually and, thus, is not worthy that the robe of prophethood be conferred upon him by God. On the contrary, he is accursed and condemned. Crucifixion was the punishment of habitual criminals. Therefore, how can one be worthy of being raised spiritually if he died as a result of the punishment meant for habitual criminals? In short, the Jews only contended that Jesus as was not raised spiritually. Even regarding Moses as they believed in his spiritual, and not physical, ascension. They were not even thinking about physical ascension. Thus, the truth of the matter is that Muslims and Jews have a common and firm belief that holy men are raised spiritually after their death and this, indeed, is the feature that is worthy of honour. They do not believe in phys- ical ascension, nor do they assign any superiority to it. Thus, the Holy Quran also lays forth this very principle as follows: 1 ُ مُفَتَّحَة ً لَّهُم ُ الَْبْوَاب ُ مُفَتَّحَة ً لَّهُم ُ الَْبْوَاب meaning that God opens the heavenly doors of mercy for those who are righteous and honourable in His esti- mation and they are raised spiritually after their death. In contrast to them, the heavenly doors are not opened for those who are evil-doers and distant from God and have not inculcated a relationship of sincerity and devotion with Him, as He says: 1. S u rah Sa d, 38:51 [Publisher]