The Light of Truth — Page 308
308 THE LIGHT OF TRUTH-PART ONE its evil and its utter wickedness, and I recite Lā haul¹ upon the mind- lessness of those who lavish praise upon it. It is a book of misguidance that calls people to that which is forbidden-indeed it calls towards complete annihilation. It opens the doors to evil thinking, sin, license, and worship of the dead—indeed it turns its adherents into polythe- ists. It leads towards error at some places, while guiding towards what is right at others. Unlike the intelligent, it lacks the ability to walk at a moderate pace and adopt the middle path; and it is for this reason that the Christians' own philosophers mocked it and pierced it with arrows of censure. They said that there was no need for them to refute it, for it suffices for its own refutation. I find that even now they are firm upon this posi- tion, and these people are from among the Christians themselves and among the elders of their society. Indeed they are judicious and not like these ignorant ones. Indeed you shall see many of them respond to the one who calls to Islam, who is the Best of the Messengers, the Best of Creation, and the Seal of the Prophets. O ye enemies from among the Christians and who are imprisoned by Shirk! Why do you speak as though you are intoxicated and con- found truth with falsehood and flee from the one who is ready to con- tend? Come forward for battle if you are among the consummate and truthful. Know that seeking out the truth is among the hallmarks of those gifted with a noble disposition, whereas unjust attacks are the way of the brutes. So stop your abusing and cursing and come forward for battle and the smashing of heads. I will appoint some of your elders as judges for this contest, and I swear by God to accept whatever they decide without excuse. So do you have it in you to elucidate the teach- ings of the Gospel and whatsoever it contains of wise and subtle expres- sions? Likewise, I will write out for you the many types of knowledge of the Quran and the fine subtleties of the Scripture of Allah the 1. The complete words are لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمِ ,there is no power nor strength except from Allah the High, the Exalted. [Publisher]