The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 64
64 Essence of Islam-IV Just as Prophet Mosesas was promised that in the lat- ter days-i. e. , when the Prophethood of Banī Isrā'īl would reach its limit and Bani Isrā'īl would be di- vided into many sects, each contradicting the other, so much so that some would declare others to be in- fidels God Almighty would raise a successor, i. e. , Prophet Jesus, to support the faith of Mosesas; he would gather the scattered sheep of Israel, and bring sheep and wolves together at one place, and he would be an Arbiter for all the sects of Bani Isrā'īl, and he would iron out their differences and remove all rancour and ill-will; likewise, a similar promise was made by the Holy Qur'an in the verse: آخَرِيْنَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ 35 Many details of this are set out in the Ahādīth. For instance, it is mentioned that Muslims would be- come divided into as many sects as the Jews; they would contradict each other and brand each other as infidels; and would increase in hatred and enmity towards each other, till the time when the Promised Messiah would appear as an Arbiter. He would re- move all rancour and hostility. During his time, the wolf and the sheep will be brought together. All his- torians are aware that, at the time of the advent of Jesusas, the Israelite sects were ridden with dissen- sion and labelled each other as heretics and infidels. I have also appeared at a time when inner dissension has multiplied and each sect has started calling oth- 35 Others from among them who have not yet joined them. Al- Jumu'ah, 62:4 [Publisher]