Page 186 - Demo

182the gigantic work, which the Prophet of Makkah did alone in the short period of but twenty-three years of his apostolic mission.The mystery of the pre-existence of the spirits of the John Prophets has not been revealed to us, but every true Muslim believes it. It was that pre-existing spirit that by the power of the Word of Allah “Kun”(“Be!”) a Sarah, a Hanna, and a Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Isaac (pbuh), to the Baptist, and to Jesus (pbuh) . There are several other names as recorded in the Old Testament - for instance, Samson, Jeremiah.The Gospel ofBarnabasreportsJesus(pbuh) asspeaking of the Spirit of Muhammad (pbuh) , which he declares to have been created before everything else. Hence the Baptist’s witness about the Prophet whom he foretold: “He who comes after me has become before me, for he was before me” (John i. 15).It is useless to interpret these wonderful words of the Baptist about Muhammad (pbuh) as referring to Jesus (pbuh) as the author of the Fourth Gospel attempts todo.There is a remarkable chapter about John theBaptist (pbuh) in the well-known book of Ernest Renanon La vie de Jesu. Long ago, I carefully read this work. If the learned French writer had the least consideration for Muhammad’s claim in the world of Prophets, I am sure his profound investigations and comments would have led him entirely to a different conclusion. He, like all other dissident and Biblical critics, instead of finding out the truth, criticizes religion adversely andleads his readers to scepticism. I am happy to say that it is my privilege, by the grace of Allah, to solve the problem, to ring up the curtain of mystery, which hascovered the true sense, and meaning of “the Least inthe Kingdom of Heaven!”