The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 536
AN ADDENDUM MY LIFE, ANCESTORS, AND BRETHREN IN FAITH 535 some of them come to meet you, you can say that the 'city' has come to me. You can make a mention of them as a single entity, and no one has the right to object over that, except the ignorant who wish to behave ignorantly. In numerous cases a singular noun is used to denote something which is not literally a single entity. The pure of heart and those who have been gifted a deep understanding of Arabic grammar and its met- aphors know well that these metaphors have deep and vast meanings, and are not limited by any one single rule. So ponder over this until you believe. I am amazed by this nation who thinks that the Dajjāl is a single person. Moreover, they say that the Dajjāl was present at the time of the Holy Prophetsas and remains alive. Their entire approach, and their baseless opinion about the Dajjal is pitiable. Alas! How did they reach such a conclusion? Don't they remember that the Holy Prophet ⁹as once I swear أُقْسِمُ بِاللَّهِ مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مِنْ نَفْسٍ مَنْفُوسَةٍ يَأْتِي عَلَيْهَا مَائَةُ سَنَةٍ وَهِيَ حَيَّةٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ ,said peo- and there by Allah that there is no living being that would remain alive after one hundred years from now. " It can be deduced from this that all ple living at that time would die within one hundred years would be nobody left alive. What has happened to them? They read Bukhārī and Muslim, yet they misguide the people. O my dear ones! Holding to this doctrine entails two great calam- ities which have already led the vast majority of Muslims to the fire of disbelief, and have hindered them from tasting the fruits of Paradise. So, do not cross the limits and do not be of those who transgress. The first of these troubles which I have already mentioned forces one to deny the sayings of the Holy Prophetsas in which he swore by Allah. Hence, stay away from such disrespect, and show deference and good manners. Dare not think yourself superior to the Prophet and to Allah, 1. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Faḍā’iluṣ-Ṣaḥābah, Bāb Qaulah sªs Lã Ta’tī Mi’ah Sanah. . . , Hadith 2538, published by Maktabat Mu'assasatur-Risālah Nāshirūn; see also Şahih al-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Ilm, Bābus-Samar fil-'Ilm, Hadith 116 [Publisher]