# The Faith as Unfolded by Many Prophets/The Greatest Prophet

THE GREATEST PROPHET.
As Havilah and his friend Eber rode through the valley at noon-day, they beheld how the persons of one household purified themselves at a stream which was near their dwelling; and how, when they had purified themselves, they kneeled down to pray. Havilah also fastened his horse to a tree, and prayed as he was wont at noon-day. When he had finished and had once more set forth, he saw that the countenance of his friend was grave.—He inquired wherefore; saying,
It makes my heart joyful to be abroad at the hour of prayer, and to behold wherever I turn my eyes, how many true believers remember and obey the words of the Prophet. Even here, where the hills shut us in from the more crowded and busy parts of the land, how many are ​worshiping in the true faith! I have marked, not only yonder household on the banks of the stream, but higher up, a wayfarer who came to purify himself; and beneath the tree young children kneeled down beside their parent; and in the porch of yonder dwelling I could perceive that they who command and they who serve, bent the head together. Praised be the name of the Prophet who established prayer in all our land!
Was it Mohammed who taught men to pray? inquired Eber. Was there not one before him who prayed continually, and who taught others to pray in spirit and in truth?
Jesus prayed as holy prophets pray, answered Havilah; but his followers corrupted the worship which he offered pure. Did they not pray to himself and to his mother Mary? Nor was this to be wondered at: Jesus appointed no times for prayer, but left every man to follow his own will. It was left for the greatest Prophet so to ordain the seasons of prayer, that no man could forget or dared neglect to offer praise continually to the One God. Doth it not gladden the heart, to know that prayer riseth up through many lands at the same hour; and that noisy cities and busy villages and quiet ​valleys are made as one great temple, while the names of the One God and of Mohammed his prophet are spoken there?
If I believed that Mohammed was the true Prophet, and that through all the land God was worshiped with the spirit, my heart would be glad: but believing Christ to be the last and greatest of the prophets, I would have men pray as he taught.
The Christians forget, replied Havilah, that Christ himself foretold that Mohammed should come.
We do not forget, answered Eber; but we disbelieve. In our Scriptures we find no such prophecy, and we call not that writing a part of the Gospel in which the prophecy is found. To me it appears that Christ revealed so much of the will of God, and opened so fully to men all things that are needful for their holiness and their peace, that no one was wanted after him to tell more. Or if there had been more to impart to men, I cannot think that Mohammed hath done it.
Hath not Mohammed told many things which Christ declared not? Hath he not told many things of the grave, of paradise, and the place of punishment, and also of the angels?
​These things agree in nothing with what God made known by Christ, and therefore I believe them not. I hold them to be dreams.
Let us rather speak of Christ, said Havilah, lest we fall out as unbelievers are wont with the faithful. — I acknowledge the Prophet of the Christians, and will join in doing him honor; because it is told in the Book how Jesus said, 'I will heal him that hath been blind from his birth, and the leper; and I will raise the dead by the permission of God. Verily, herein will be a sign unto you if you believe. — And I come to confirm the law which was revealed before me, and to allow unto you as lawful, part of that which hath been forbidden you; and I come to you with a sign from your Lord.'
Eber replied, These signs did Jesus, and to do them was he sent.
Havilah said, I would hear from thee all that Christ did upon earth, and wherein he is thought by the Christians to be greater than Mohammed. Let us therefore turn aside into the shade, and speak of these things while we rest at ease.
The travellers cast themselves down at the mouth of a cave; and while they talked, their beasts fed before them, under the trees.
​Havilah said, We call Jesus the Apostle of God; the Christians call him the Son of God. But the Book saith, 'God is God. Far be it from him that he should have a son.'
Eber replied, We call Jesus the son of God, because God himself so called him; but that name was only given him because he was the chiefest apostle of God. Jesus was a man, and the servant of God. He was, like other men, wearied in body, and sorrowful in spirit. He loved as the heart of man is made to love; and we know that his friends Lazarus and Mary and Martha, and his follower John, and Mary his mother, were dear to him, and that he mourned when they were sorrowful, and was careful to do them good. The soul of Jesus was the soul of a man. As for his body, we know that he suffered as mortal men suffer. He hungered in the desert, and was in agony on the cross, and died with those who were crucified with him.
There are many, said Havilah, who say that it was one in the likeness of Jesus, and not Jesus himself, who was crucified; and the Book saith, 'They did not really kill him, but God took him up unto himself.' Nevertheless, as there ​is still an uncertain opinion concerning this, I wonder not that the Christians believe according to their Scriptures. Whether Jesus died, or was taken up to paradise without dying, he was still a man, and the apostle of God.
Eber replied, Of his death we will speak more hereafter. The work of his life was to confirm the law (as thou hast said), by showing that it was given unto the Jews from Heaven, to preserve in the earth the knowledge of the eternal truth, that God is One. As he saith, 'I am not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfil.' This work he did; and having fulfilled the law and the prophets, there was no office left for another, and therefore we call Jesus the last and the greatest of the prophets.
How say the Christians that Christ fulfilled the law?
By teaching in a more perfect way the same things which the law had taught. The law which the One God gave by Moses taught that he governs in the hearts of men, that he requires men to obey him, and that he rewards or punishes men according to their obedience. All these things Jesus taught more perfectly. He showed that men should worship with the spirit rather than by sacrifices; that they should ​have pure hearts as well as clean hands; and that they should love fervently, as well as do justly. He persuaded men to this, not by promising them greatness in this world, or threatening disgrace and slavery; but by showing that when the greatness of the world hath passed away, God shall make men happy or miserable according to their obedience. Thus he fulfilled the law; and thus is it truly said, 'The law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ.'
And how fulfilled he the prophets?
By showing that the things were true which they had spoken concerning himself and their own people.
If he thus fulfilled the law, how say the Christians that the Gospel removes the law? It seems to me that the Jews ought to believe on him who confirmed their law, and that the Christians ought to say, with the Jews, that the law stands for ever.
Nay, my friend, have we not said that though there is one truth that changeth not, the forms in which it is given are made to change? Even so the law was from God, because it contained this truth; but now the same truth is given in the Gospel, and therefore the law ​is done away. The Jews refuse the Gospel, because it is not for them alone but for the whole world, the time being come when the great truth shall be made known to all.
If the Christians know that the great truth hath once changed its form, why should it not again? If Christ fulfilled the law, and yet declares that it shall pass away before his Gospel, may not Mohammed confirm Christ and the Gospel, and yet establish a new and better faith? So, as much as the Christians are before the Jews, will the faithful be before the Christians.
Nay, replied Eber, but if we believe the true Gospel at all as it is given in our Scriptures, we must believe that it is to endure for ever. So hath God declared through Christ, by such signs and wonders as we cannot but believe. Those who read our Scriptures, find warnings against all prophets who shall come, against all powers which shall oppose themselves to Christianity. And it is moreover declared, through all the Gospel, that Christ shall judge the world; and that according as they hold to the Gospel, shall all who call themselves Christians rejoice or mourn at the last day, ​Thus are we sure that no other gospel hath come or shall come.
The Faithful, said Havilah, are astonished that the Christians should reproach the Jews with their unbelief, while they themselves reject the true Prophet. The Jews say of their law, as ye say of the Gospel, It shall stand for ever; and because they are thus convinced, they refuse Christ, as ye refuse Mohammed.
Christ was foretold by their prophets, but Mohammed was never foretold as a servant of God. Christ wrought miracles, and was visibly sanctified from heaven; but no such signs attended Mohammed. Again: the law of the Jews was never declared to be established for ever; but rather the people were required to receive every prophet from God, whatever should be the purpose of his coming; and they knew not but that some one might come to remove the law.
I know, replied Havilah, that the Christians receive not the gospel of Barnabus, in which Mohammed is promised; but how say they that our prophet came not with signs and wonders? It is true that Christ did more wonders before the eyes of men, raising some from the dead, and giving sight to the blind, and health ​to the sick, and creating food for those who hungered: — but did God favor him in the solitude of caves, as he favored his greatest Prophet? Did he send Gabriel to him? Did he take him up to heaven while men slept? And could these things happen to a false prophet?
No false prophet hath ever been thus favored: — but was Mohammed? The followers of Jesus saw how he raised Lazarus from the dead, and cleansed the lepers, and fed the multitudes. Some saw also that one from heaven strengthened him when he prayed sorrowfully before his death; and others beheld the messengers in shining raiment who opened his sepulchre; — but who was nigh when, as Mohammed said, Gabriel came to him in the cave? and what eye beheld the Prophet ascend to heaven and return?
There is, replied Havilah, a better evidence than that of the eyes of men, be they as numberless as the stars of the firmament.
There is, replied his friend; it is the truth which speaks to the heart. This evidence I find in the Gospel of Christ, but not in the teachings of Mohammed.
​I find it in both, replied Havilah. Wise is the saying, 'God is but one God.'
Wise is it, and true, said Eber; but this is known to the Jews as it is to us.
Wise is the saying, that Repentance will be accepted with God; for he is easy to be reconciled and merciful. Also, that when men shall be presented before God in the judgment, none of their actions shall be hidden. Also, that no evil happeneth but by the permission of God; and that whoso believeth in God, he will direct his heart. Also, that 'they who serve God and give alms hope for a merchandise which shall not perish; that God may fully pay them their wages, and make an exceeding addition of his bounty.' These things the prophets taught; and do not our hearts declare that they are true?
Even so; but these very things were taught before in our Scriptures, and from Christ did Mohammed learn them.
Then Eber took from his bosom the Book which he ever carried there, and read, 'Repent, and your sins shall be forgiven you.' 'There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.' 'If any man will do the will of God, he shall know the ​doctrine, whether it be of God.' 'Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.' 'There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, |or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the Gospel's, but he shall receive a hundred fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.'
It is true, said Havilah, that every prophet is made wise with the wisdom of prophets who have gone before; but that is a testimony that such a one is true, rather than that he is false. The hues of the clouds could never form a rainbow, if the many rays came not from one orb of light.
True, replied Eber; yet each must have a beauty of its own, while it enhances the rest. Christ testified to Moses, while he taught many things which it had not entered into the heart of Moses to conceive. Mohammed testified to Christ; but I cannot find that he taught any new truth; for what new things he taught, I believe not to be true.
Then, replied Halivah, the light which the Faithful declare to flow from the great source, ​the Christians believe to come from the unhallowed fires beneath.
Rather, replied Eber, to descend from a remote star which hath borrowed its rays from the great source. Though it hath had its use in piercing the clouds which deformed the greater light, far be it from us to worship it as the sun.
These clouds, said Havilah, what are they?
When Mohammed arose, answered his friend, the religion of the Christians was already corrupted, so that the one eternal truth was obscured among those who should have preserved it in its full brightness and purity. Not only was Jesus worshiped as a God, but his mother also; and the prayer which is sacred to God alone was offered to the souls of dead men, and even to the images of their bodies. Your Prophet was wise, and he discerned that such worship was foolish; and he knew the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures so far as to perceive that such homage was also false and sinful. Therefore he set himself apart, and directed many eyes to the truth from the midst of these superstitions.
Praised be his name who did this! exclaimed Havilah. Let all who love the truth praise him!
​Nay, replied his friend, not if he also corrupted the truth. Many Christians, who believed strange heresies, dwelt in the Prophet's country, and contended among themselves concerning their faith. Many of these heresies did Mohammed receive and teach; thus proving that his was not a true mission, and leading men further from the truth in some points than directing them towards it in others. He also received many superstitions of the Jews, which are not set down in the true Scriptures. This Christ did not. That which he confirmed was given by Moses and the prophets alone, and all the new doctrine which he taught was, in no degree, formed from the thoughts of other men. He neither sanctioned the inventions of men, nor himself imagined any thing from them. Had he done so, men would have been more ready to believe on him than they were.
Mohammed had many enemies, as well as Christ, observed Havilah.
Yes, replied his friend; the Jews, who despise every new doctrine, hated Mohammed, as some of their nation hated Christ. Other enemies had your Prophet also, because he desired greatness, and drew the sword against his foes. Men hated Jesus for a different ​cause: even because he forbade to use the sword, and would not be called a prince or a leader, as his nation expected their Messiah should be. Mohammed raised armies, and many feared his power: — Christ commanded peace, and was despised. Mohammed made himself a prince and a chief, and men envied him: — Christ was meek and lowly of heart, and they to whom he was promised scoffed. Mohammed told of his visions, and men believed through hope and fear, though they saw not: — Christ boasted not what was done when he prayed at midnight among the mountains; but many witnessed how he trod the waves, and how he was clothed in light, and how his Father spake to him; and yet was he rejected by multitudes, because the hopes and fears he gave were not of this world. Both died through hatred and cruelty; Christ on the cross, and Mohammed by poison. The mighty chief was honored and mourned in his death; but unto men he died wholly, and multitudes forsook his religion when he was no more heard or seen. Christ died amid mockery and degradation; but darkness and earthquakes signalized his death; and multitudes pressed into his kingdom when he had given to ​others the task of preaching it. The grave hid him not; for he was seen to walk the earth, to ascend into heaven, and known to return and watch over the faithful till Judaism was overthrown. Thus the lowly and peaceful was hallowed from heaven, while the proud and warlike lived and died as other chiefs have lived [and died, save that his superior wisdom gave him greater power.
Havilah was moved while his friend spoke thus; but he gave no way to anger, and kept his sorrow to himself, only saying,
How is it then that our faith hath spread from land to land, and included many nations, while the Christians are but a handful in comparison of the Faithful? Is not the hand of God seen in this?
The hand of God ought to be seen of us in all things, replied Eber: and in this it is not difficult to discern. I believe that your faith would not have spread as it has done, unless it had contained much that the Jews and Christians believe, and therefore much that is true. It contains also many things which are pleasant to the desires and hopes of men; much that is grateful to their thoughts and sweet to their hearts, mingled with what their ​souls feel to be true. Also, it is so far wiser and better than the religion of those who worship idols, that it is no wonder that they who have never heard of Christianity should gladly receive your faith.
If these be reasons why our faith has spread so far, said Havilah, they tell me not why God hath thus ordered it. If our religion be false, why hath the God of truth permitted it to be believed?
It is not for us to declare with certainty why such things are, replied Eber; but to me it appears that many nations will be prepared to receive the full truth of Christianity by believing so much of it as is contained in the religion of Mohammed. We cannot (because our faith forbids) carry the name of Christ into new lands, joined with promises of wealth and power, or with threats of disgrace and slaughter. Ye can preach the name of your Prophet, while the sword is in one hand, and the treasures of the earth in the other; and it is better thus, than that multitudes should not hear of the one God, nor of his prophets, nor be prepared to listen to the other truths which shall surely be told when the time is ripe, and the command of God shall be sent forth.
​May that time abide where it shall never again be heard of; and that command be hidden in the bosom of God for ever! exclaimed Havilah. — Yet think not I despise the faith of the Christians, as they despise mine, or as some of the Faithful despise it: I have learned from my friend that there is much in it which is pure, and gentle, and just, if the wisdom of our Prophet were but added to it.
If Mohammed, said Eber, had known as much of the Gospel of Christ as my friend Havilah, he would not have added to it his own imaginations.
Havilah waited in surprise for what his friend should say.
Mohammed has often used the name of Christ, and related many things of him, some true and some which we call false. He also gathered from him some of his doctrines, and some sayings concerning repentance for sins, and submission to the will of the Father: but of many things he was ignorant, because he knew not the true Scriptures in their purity; and many things were falsely told him by Christians who had corrupted the faith. For this I blame him not; but by this I know that, though a wise ​man, he was not an apostle of God. If he had known (as God has given it unto some men in our day to know) how simple is the faith of Christ, so as to agree with the one eternal truth; how complete his commission, so as to leave no office for another to fill; how his doctrine purifies the heart, and his promises console and satisfy the spirit, — your Prophet would not have presumed to teach men greater wisdom, or to offer them a higher happiness than God had bestowed already.
Yet, replied Havilah, hast thou not said that the faith of Mohammed hath been spread abroad for good?
Even so, replied his friend: but that good is from Him in whose hand every man is but an instrument of his high will. — Has thy child told thee of the trouble which befel him ere we came forth?
Yes; — but wherefore this question?
I walked in the garden; and, as I passed, the child plucked up by the roots a plant which he supposed to be a weed; but when I told him that its blossoms were beautiful in his father's eyes, he wept because of his haste, and besought me to plant it again. I did so, having first taken from its root a worm, which would soon ​have caused it to wither away. By the child's act was the worm discovered, yet he still wept for his rashness. Even so would Mohammed (if his desire was indeed to give truth to men, and if he could now mingle with them) humble himself because he had despised that whose value he knew not, and attempted to injure that which he could not improve. Nor, when all things shall be revealed herafter, will he think the less meanly of his work because God has used it for a purpose which he himself knew not of.
Let us begone, said Havilah, rising and preparing to pursue his way: I will not withdraw myself from thee on account of thy infidelity, till we have each learned all that the Prophet of each has taught. Yet doth it grieve my soul to hear Mohammed thus calmly condemned by my friend, almost as much as to hear him reviled by the Infidels who scoff. I had rather listen to the praise of Christ than to any doubts concerning him who followed and testified to Christ.
Eber was silent as they again went forth: but when they entered a place where many graves were scattered around, he said,
To bless the name of Christ, and to praise ​the God who sent him, is indeed to speak gladness, to worship holiness, and to find peace, whether it be in the city or in the wilderness, within hearing of the mirth of children or amidst the silence of the tombs. When the Christian mother presses her new-born child to her bosom, she remembers that through Christ she knows that there has sprung from her a being who shall live for ever. When she watches him at his play, she reposes the cares of her soul on the God who declared through Christ 'that none of these little ones should perish.' If she lives to behold his devotion and charity, she fears nothing which may befall him, because the safety and the treasures of the Gospel are his. If his feet slide and he fall into sin, she has yet hope that, repenting, he may be forgiven, like the sinners to whom Jesus spake words of peace. If she behold the tomb opened for him, her voice gives praise, while her eyes overflow and her soul is calm, because she trusts to meet him again. Thus is it with all who truly know the Gospel. All good from without is increased by the peace within: all sorrows are cheerfully borne, because they issue in joy. This life is despised only in comparison with the better which is to come; it is ​enjoyed with gratitude, it is laid down with willingness. While the seasons change, there will be rain as well as sunshine; and, while human life endures, men must weep as well as rejoice: — but wise men know that the rose and the pomegranate spring afresh beneath the shower; and by Christ are we taught how virtue is nourished by tears. While the sun runs his course, will darkness succeed to light and sleep to the heat and burden of the day; and thus are death and the grave the portion of all men. Yet as men fear not to see the sun retire, and as they welcome sleep, do the followers of Christ await death and lie down in the grave, knowing who guards their rest, and trusting to arise as their Prophet promised, and as he himself arose. The blessings of the Gospel are wherever the thoughts of its believers are; in the house and in the field; upon the waters and among the stars; in the words of the wise; in the eyes of those who love, and in the hearts of those who mourn. Praise be to Him who has given this Gospel!
Havilah bowed his head while he answered, Praise be to Him who doeth all things well, in the heaven and upon the earth!
* ↑ Koran, chap. 3.
* ↑ Koran, chap. 4.
* ↑ Ibid. chap. 4.