The Light of Truth — Page 97
REFUTING OBJECTIONS 97 nations. s. On the contrary, the opposite was proven to be true through the account of John the Baptist. There is no doubt that this belief-i. e. the belief that the Messiah will descend physically from heaven-suffers from many maladies, not just one: it contradicts the explanation of the Holy Quran; it denies the principle of Khatmun-Nubuwwah [the Seal of Prophethood]; it conflicts with the idioms of the Arab people; and it opposes the ahādīth in which the death of the Messiah is declared openly. So ponder, O people, if you are among those who reflect! As for the second part—i. e. that the Promised Messiah will wage wars after his advent, which is the notion of a cer- tain person who can be considered nothing more than an ignorant simpleton-this is not my belief. Indeed, in my view, this is a false notion that is entirely unacceptable. It is far removed from truth and certainty, and belongs in the cat- egory of nonsense. The hadith recorded in Şahih al-Bukhārī ie. يَضَعُ الْحَرْبَ ]he will end religious wars]-suffices to prove the falsehood of this notion. This means that the Promised Messiah will not fight or wage war; instead, in everything he does he will act with insight and effort. Allah will place in his gaze wondrous spiritual effects, and place wondrous blessings in his every breath. He will place the power of the sword and the spear in his understanding and intel- lect. He will grant him eloquent speech that is replete with proofs and decisive arguments against the allegations of transgressors. 1. ✩ )Footnote): Allah the Exalted says in the Quran: إِنَّ هَذَا لَفِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولَى صُحُفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى ]This indeed is what is taught in the former Scriptures-the Scriptures of Abraham and Moses. -Sūrah al-A'lā, 87:19-20]. But we find no mention of the Ascension of Jesus or of his descent in the Torah, or a para- ble resembling it. And the Torah is a guide for the discussion of all parables, which is why Allah has named it 'Imām' [a guide] in the Clear Book. -Author