The Light of Truth — Page 13
THE ULAMA OF INDIA 13 established upon their falsehoods as though they were mountains and hills. These 'ulama' of ours became enamoured with the ignorant stories [of the priests]; thereafter, their own words became like a morning breeze for the blooming buds of these lies. They collected these base- less stories like one who collects wood in the darkness of night, or like one who foolishly chases after a raging flood. ¹ They helped the Christians through their own statements, saying that the Messiah [of Nazareth] possessed certain qualities that were unique to him, and that the perfection, honour, and greatness found in him were not found in any other; he held the highest position with regard to sin- lessness; Satan did not touch him at the time of his birth, whereas he touched all other Prophets; and he is peerless in this quality, even to the exclusion of Khātamun-Nabiyyīn [the Seal of the Prophets]! They say that he created birds the way Allah the Exalted creates, and that Allah, by His will, made Jesus His partner. So the birds that are present in this world are of only two types: the creation of Allah and the creation of the Messiah. See how they have made the Son of Mary into a creator! They circulate these beliefs among the people without realizing the misfortunes and calamities associated with them, and thus they are helping the Christians. Thousands of people have been ruined by such beliefs so far, entering the Christian religion having previ- ously been Muslims. Nowhere does the Quran mention the creation by Jesus as literal. In relating this incident, Allah the Exalted did not say, 'It will be made alive by the command of Allah'; instead, He said, 1. Edward W. Lane (d. 1876) explains, citing at-Tandhib, that the term Hatibul- lail ('collector of wood by night') refers to one who wrongs himself, likened to a night-gatherer who 'may unwittingly lay his hand upon a viper. Likewise, Talibus-sail ('a seeker of floods') connotes someone who recklessly pursues calamity. [Publisher]