Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 12
? 5 Verse 5). Accordingly, this was the most critical question that was raised before the Messiah after his advent. The New Testament has, therefore, taken unusual pains to find an answer to it and says in this connection that John was Elijah (Matthew, 11:15; 17:12 and Marks, 9:13) and that Elijah was not to come down from heavens, but was to be born of a woman (Matthew, 19:12, Luke, 7:28). The mention of Elijah precedes the references to the Messiah (peace be on him), beginning with his mother instead of with his claim. For, with the birth of the Messiah, the initiation of the Muhammadan term is closely interlaced. Its details are that Abraham (peace be on him) had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (peace be on them), born to his two wives. Ishmael was his first- born, and Isaac was his second child. Abraham (peace be on him) had Divine promise in respect of both: about Ishmael as mentioned in Genesis (16:10-12; 17:8-14; 17:18; 17:20; 21:13 and 21:17-21) and about Isaac as mentioned in Genesis (17:19 and 17:21). Again, another prophecy about both the brothers is to be found in Genesis, 22:17-18. Read together with Genesis 17:21, and these references make it clear that the Abrahamic dispensation was to find expression through Isaac, to begin with and had to come to its fulfillment through both the brothers. Clearly, therefore, the best manifestation of the Abrahamic dispensation must