Lecture Sialkot — Page 17
LECTURE SIALKOT 17 him, he was as such the last link in the Israelite Prophethood. In the same manner, God has sent me in the spirit and character of Jesus son of Maryas, in these latter days of the dispensation of the Holy Prophet, and has held in abeyance the practice of Jihad just as it was prophesied that it would be suspended at the time of the Promised Messiah. Moreover, I have been endowed with the teaching of forgiveness and for- bearance. I have come at a time when the inner condition of most Muslims has deteriorated quite like the Jews. True spirituality is lost and mere form and rituals have taken its place. The Holy Quran had already foretold about this state of affairs. For instance, it uses the same words for the Muslims of the latter days as for the Jews. The Holy Quran says: فَيَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ 13 which means that you too would be given Khilafat and empire but, in the latter days, this empire shall be taken away from you on account of your misdeeds, just as it was taken away from the Jews. God clearly hints in Surah Al-Nūr that in all their characteristics the Khulafa of this umma would bear a close resemblance to the Khulafa of the Israelites. Among the Israelite Khulafa, Jesusas was one who did not draw the sword, 13 He may then see how you act. Al-A'raf, 7:130 [Publishers]