The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 136
136 Essence of Islam-III ings of Allah be upon him) as God Almighty has said: لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ الَّا يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ 104 Meaning that: 'Will you grieve yourself to death because they did not believe?' The reason why the followers of previous Prophets did not achieve such a high grade in righteousness was that those Prophets did not have the same degree of concern and anguish for their followers as did the Holy Prophetsa. It is a pity that ignorant Muslims of this age do not ap- preciate the Holy Prophetsa as he deserves, and therefore they stumble at every step. They interpret the Seal of Prophethood in a manner that is derogatory of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and does not hold him up to praise as if he had no power to bestow spiritual grace upon his followers or to help per- fect them spiritually, and had been appointed merely to teach them the law. God Almighty has taught Muslims the prayer: اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ 105 If the Muslims are not the heirs of the previous Prophets and have no share in the favours that were bestowed upon them, why were they taught this prayer? It is a pity that Muslims, on account of their bigotry and ignorance, do not reflect duly on this verse. They are too eager to see Jesus descend from heaven, while the Holy Qur'an testifies that he is dead and was buried in Srinagar, Kashmir, as God Almighty has said: 104 Al-Shu'arā', 26:4 [Publisher] 105 'Guide us along the straight path, the path of those upon whom Thou has bestowed Thy favours. '-Al-Fatihah, 1:6-7 [Publisher]