Page 230 - New English Book L
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but it is quite conceivable that certain angels, the spirits
of the prophets and those of the saints, are permitted by
God to render help and guidance to those who are placed
under their patronage. The idea of an advocate before the
tribunal of God, pleading the cause of his clients, may be
very admirable, but it is erroneous, because God is not
a human judge subject to passion, ignorance, partiality,
and all the rest of it. The Muslims, the believers, need
only education and religious training; God knows the
actions and the hearts of men infinitely better than the
angels and prophets. Consequently, there is no necessity
for intercessors between the Deity and the creatures.
(e) The belief in intercessors emanates from the belief
in sacrifices, burnt offerings, priesthood, and a massive
edifice of superstition. This belief leads men into the
worship of sepulchres and images of saints and martyrs;
it helps to increase the influence and domination of the
priest and monk; it keeps the people ignorant in the things
divine; a dense cloud of the intermediary dead cover the
spiritual atmosphere between God and the spirit of man.
Then this belief prompts men who, for the pretended
glory of God and the conversion of the people belonging
to a different religion than theirs, raise immense sums of
money, establish powerful and rich missions, and lordly
mansions; but at heart, those missionaries are political
agents of their respective Governments. The real cause
of the calamities that have befallen the Armenians, the
Greeks, and the Chaldeo-Assyrians in Turkey and Persia
ought to be sought in the treacherous and revolutionary
instruction given by all the foreign missions in the East.
Indeed, the belief in the intercessors has always been a
source of abuse, fanaticism, persecution, ignorance, and
of many other evils.
in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority), regulating and
governing all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His leave
(hath been obtained). This is Allah your Lord; Him therefore serve ye: will ye not
receive admonition? (Editors).