Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 8
? بسم اللہ الرحمان الرحیم ISRAEL AND MUSLIMS This Surah is related to the earlier Suras in that the preceding Surah Bani Isra'il, in throwing, light on the question, how Islam would make progress, says that since the Muhammadan Dispensation has basic similarities with the Mosaic Dispensation, Islam would forge ahead in much the same way as did the Mosaic Mission. Citing some events relating to the Mosaic Dispensation, the Surah Bani Isra'il observes in this connection, that two great disasters were ordained to befall the Mosaic Dispensation after the lifetime of Moses, even as it was destined to enjoy two periods of great prosperity; and since the progress of Islam must approximate to that of the Mosaic Faith, Muslims will be treated in like manner. In other words, as after Moses his followers were marked for two great disasters as also two bright periods of prosperity, so shall the Muslims have their share of it, i. e. , two ruinous catastrophes and two periods of glory. STRIKING SIMILARITIES Accordingly, the first national calamity, that overwhelmed Israel, followed the period of David, which