From: iqbal@ee.eng.ohio-state.edu (Kamran Iqbal)
Subject: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE "PROMISED MESSIAH"- II
Originator: iqbal@maumee.eng.ohio-state.edu
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept of Electrical Engineering
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 16:24:08 GMT


		THE TRUTH ABOUT THE "PROMISED MESSIAH" - II
		*******************************************

	Another thing which becomes equally evident from from the
traditions is that the advent fo the Prophet Jesus will not be in the
capacity of the new prophet: he will neither recieve Revelation nor
bring a new message or new injunctions from God, nor make any change
or alteration in the "Shariah" of Mohammad (pbuh), nor will be raised
in the world for the revival of islam, nor will invite the people to
believe in his prophethood, nor make a seperate community of those who
follow him (SEE FOOTNOTE 2).  He will be sent for a specific task,
which will be to crush the mischief created by the "Dajjal".  For this
purpose he will descend in a mannar that the Muslims among whom he
descends will have no doubt at all that he is Jesus son of Mary, who
has appeared at the right time, as foretold by the holy prophet.  He
will immediately join the congregation of the Muslims, will offer his
prayers behind the Imam of the muslims present at that time (SEE
FOOTNOTE 3), and will follw the leader of the muslim as such that
there remains no room for anyone to entertain the doubt that he has
come back to the world again to perform his prophetic duties in his
previous capacity as a prophet.  Evidently, when a prophet of God is
present in community, no one can act as an Imam or a leader.  Thus,
when he will join the the Muslim's community as an individual, it will
by itself be a declaration that he has not come as a prophet.  On this
basis therefore there will be no question whatever of the violation of
the sanctity of the seal of prophethood on his advent.

FOOTNOTE 2: The Islamic scholars have explained this in great detail.
'Allama Taaftazani (722-792 A.H.) writes in Sharh 'Aqia'id Nasafi:
"This is an established fact that Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's
peace) is the Last Prophet ... If it is said that after him the coming
of the Prophet Jesus has been mentioned in Hadith, we shall say: yes,
this thing has been mentioned, but he will come as follower of
Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace), for his Shari'ah stands
abrogated; therefore he will neither receive Revelation nor enjoin new
injunctions, but will only work as representative of the Holy
Prophet." (Egyptian Ed. p. 135)

	The same thing has been said by 'Allama Alusi in Ruh
al-Ma'ani: "Then, when the Prophet Jesus will descend he will retain
his previous prophethood and will not be divested of it, but he will
not follow his previous Shari'ah because it stands abrogated for him
as well as for all other people; he will be under obligation to follow
this (Prophet Muhammad's) Shari'ah in every detail.  Therefore, he
will neither receive Revelation nor enjoin new injunctions but he will
function as a representative of the Holy Prophet and as a ruler from
among the rulers of his Ummah." (vol. XXII, p. 32)

	Imam Razi has further ellucidated this point like this: "The
period of the Prophets was up to the advent of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace).  With his appointment as a
Prophet, the era of the Prophets came to an end.  Now it is not at all
incomprehensible that the Prophet Jesus after hiis second advent will
be a follower of the Holy Prophet." (Tafsir Kabir, vol.III, p.343)
-end footnote

FOOTNOTE 3: Although according to some traditions the Prophet Jesus
after his descent will lead the Muslims himself in the Prayer, most of
the Traditions which are more sound comparatively tell that he will
decline the request to lead the Prayer, and will tell the Imam present
at the time to step forward to lead the Prayer.  This same thing has
the consensus of traditionists and commentators. -end footnote

-- 
KAMRAN IQBAL	  | In the name of Allah, the beneficient, the merciful.
Dept of Elec Eng  |  "I bear witness that there is no god but ALLAH,
Ohio State Univ   |   I bear witness that MUHAMMAD is his messenger".