Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 577
25 May 1908 577 conduct a discussion with him about these issues with cordiality and gentleness. However, do make sure that he does not bring a big crowd with him except a few honourable and cordial people. You should also have a discussion with him in a private setting. There is no harm in it. ’ In the meantime, someone mentioned that he [Maulawi Muhammad Ibrahim] does not even believe that Hazrat ‘Isa [ Jesus], peace be upon him, was hung upon the cross, and that he presents the following verse in favour of his claim: 1 ْذِا ُتْفَفَك ْۤيِنَب َلْيِءٓاَرْسِا َكْنَع ْذِا ُتْفَفَك ْۤيِنَب َلْيِءٓاَرْسِا َكْنَع. The Hanging of Jesus, Peace be upon Him, on the Cross At this the Promised Messiah as said: To adopt a course that has no evidence for it at all, disregarding consistent, obvious, and palpable matters, is totally opposed to wisdom and the Faith. I do not present anything new, nor do I try to persuade people to accept something unsubstantiated, for which I do not have strong evidence and clear testimony in my hand. There are hundreds of thousands of people with me as my witness. Entire nations are presenting their consistent and unanimous testimony. If someone has any doubt and suspicion, he can ask the Jews and the Christians as to their belief in this matter. Both contending parties are present. Ask them if they agree with what you present. You see, to go against the nation- ally held view and disregard it, without any powerful evidence or brilliant argument, is a most egregious error. It is mind-boggling! And how was it possible to seize some other person and hoist him upon the cross without any rhyme 1. When I restrained the children of Israel from putting you to death ( S u rah al- M a ’idah, 5:111). [Publisher]