Page 175 - Demo

171so gloriousthat when he comesJesus(pbuh) would considerhimself unworthy to kneel and undo the laces of hisshoes.The great “Crier” in the wilderness, in the course of his sermons to the multitudes, used to cry aloud and say, “I baptize you with water unto repentance and the forgiveness on sins. But there is one that comes after me who is stronger than I, the laces of whose shoes I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Spirit and with fire.” These words are differently reported by the Evangelists, but all show the same sense of the highest respect and consideration concerning the imposing personality and the majestic dignity of the Powerful Prophet herein foretold. These words of the Baptist are very descriptive of the Oriental manner of hospitality and honour accorded to a dignified visitor. The moment the visitor steps in, either the host or one of the members of the family rushes to take off his shoes, and escorts him to a couch or cushion. When the guest leaves, the same respectful performance is repeated; he is helped to put on his shoes, the host on his knees tying the laces.WhatJohn(“Yahya”)(pbuh)meanstosayisthatifhewere to meet that dignified Prophet he would certainly consider himself unworthy of the honour of bowing to untie the laces of his shoes. From this homage paid beforehand by the Baptist, one thing is certain: that the foretold Prophet was known to all the John Prophets as their Adon, Lord, and Sultan; otherwise, such an honourable person, chaste and sinless Messenger of Allah as Seyidna Yahya, would not have made such a humble confession.Now remains the task of determining the identity of “that Prophet.” This article, therefore, must be divided into two parts, namely: