The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 466
AT-TABLIGH―TO THE NOBLE AND PIOUS OF THE ARABS 465 unacceptable matter in your eyes? You have forgotten what was told to you that indeed the Messiah would descend unto you as Hakam [Arbiter] and Adl [Judge]. What is wrong with you that you refuse to accept the decree of your Arbiter? Have you forgotten what the Holy Prophet said and advised? If you believe yourself to be right and true, why don't you present a precedent from the past? Whereas Allah has indeed said that surely the examples of His ways are found in earlier peoples. Do you know of any person who ascended to heaven and then descended after centuries as you think of ‘Īsā [Jesus]? God is my Witness, this indeed is contrary to the ways of Allah and you will never find its precedent in Divine scriptures. You have read in the authentic books of Hadith that the Messiah joined his deceased brothers and took a place near his brother Yaḥyā [John the Baptist]. Indeed, Allah has promised those who die in a state of submission that they would not be returned to the world and would abide in the blessed abode forever. The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, 'I have been apprised that I will live up to half the age of Jesus' life. " This hadith serves as evidence for anyone who has a heart or for one who perceives with deep insight. So the Ahl-e-Hadith should judge by the aḥadīth of the Holy Prophet sas recorded in the authentic books of Hadith; moreover, they should refrain from indulging in the debate regarding his descent without first proving his bodily ascent to the lofty heavens. Had Allah willed He would have granted hearing to their ears, insight to their eyes, and wisdom to their hearts, but He willed to try them with what He had provided them, and that He may humiliate him whom He desired to be humiliated in this world and the Hereafter. If the Ahl-e-Hadith had believed and practised righteousness, Allah would have removed their sins and counted them among the 1. Kanzul-Ummāl, Kitābul-Faḍā'il, Faḍā'il Ahlul-Bait, Hadith 37731, published by Dărul-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, 2004 [Publisher]