Page 196 - New English Book L

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ablution (john v. 2). The only explanation which may lead
towards the solution of this problem of the “ma?muditha”
is the fact that John the Baptist (pbuh) and his followers,
including Jesus (pbuh) the son of Mary and his disciples,
cause a penitent or a proselyte to stand straight like a pillar
in a pool of water or in a river in order to be bathed with
water; hence the names of “aa?mid” and “ma?muditha.”

(c) The Christian baptism, notwithstanding its
fanfaronade definitions, is nothing more of less than and
aspersion with water or an immersion in it. The Council
of Trent anathematizes anyone who would say that the
Christian baptism is the same as that of St. John I venture to
declare that the Christian baptism has not only no spiritual
character or effect, but is also even below the baptism of
the Baptist. If I deserve the anathema of the Church for
my conviction, I shall deem it as a great honour before
my Creator. I consider the pretentions of a Christian priest
about the baptism as a means of purification of the soul from
original sin and all the rest of it as of a piece with the claims
of a sorcerer. The baptism with water was only a symbol
of baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire, and after the
establishment of Islam as the official kingdom of God all
the three previous baptisms vanished and were abolished.

(d) From the meagre and scant account in the Gospels
we cannot get a positive definition of the true nature of the
baptism practised by John and Jesus (pbuh) The claim that
the Church is the depository of the divine revelation and
its true interpreter is as absurd as is ridiculous the claim
that the baptized infant or adult receives the Holy Spirit
and becomes a child of God.

If the Greek word “baptismos” is the exact word for
the Aramaic “Sab’utha” or “Sbhu’tha,” which I am sure
it is, then the Arabic “Sibghat” in the Quran, not only
does it solve the problem and uncover the veil hiding the
mysterious prophecy of John the Baptist (pbuh) , but also