The Descent of the Messiah — Page 301
HADRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMADAS manifestation] and not a return in actuality. If the concept of the return is meant to be actual and not metaphorical, it should apply equally to all, not just Jesus. Why should our Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, return as a manifestation of the Mahdi while Jesus returns in person? The Shiites have been deceived because they have tak- en the present age to be the age of the physical return, but this is an error on their part. It is quite evident from the Ahādīth that both the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the Messiah shall return to the world in the latter days, but both will appear as manifestations, not in reality. It is also written that the Jews shall oppose the Messiah vocifer- ously, but they too will appear as a reflection and not in reality. It has been explained in the Ahādīth long ago that these same Maulawīs of today will be called Jews. In fact, Sūrah Fatihah has made this prophecy with perfect clarity as it teaches us to pray that may we not become the Jews who were the enemies of Je- sus, peace be upon him. Therefore, how can the Muslims become such Jews unless a Messiah is also born among them-who is his spiritual manifestation—and they oppose him? 301 (Author)