Part 18

The religion of Islaam commands aid towards the poor and the weak. The King has the ability and an obligation to assist in this regard more than most, especially as the Messiah instructs this in the Bible, calling for an encompassing mercy and general goodwill by all towards all, akin to the work of the sun and the rain. 31 The Bible, Matthew 5:39 There have always been amongst the Christians those at an advantage in knowledge and religion. Many of the rulers, the clergy and the general public recognise parts of the truth and aim to follow it. This group know the status of Islaam and its people where many do not, and as a result treat Muslims equitably. Indeed many are the sayings of the prophets and pious regarding the virtue of releasing the imprisoned and freeing the oppressed. In short, the King is bound to see the fruits of his labour in this regard. It is of note how the Christians, leaders and general public, who live in Muslim lands, far outnumber Muslims living in your own country. Yet at the same time, we do not seek our prisoners for our own lack of number, neither is it out of our dire need for them. Rather we seek the reward of Allaah, the Exalted, and His Pleasure on the Day when He shall recompense the truthful and He shall not fail the pious. It was Abul-'Abas, the carrier of this message who had informed of the good attributes of the King and his brother amongst us, and my message was written after this knowledge. I write to the King, sensing his eagerness for the truth, and his search for knowledge and deen, as I am one of the representatives of the Messiah and the rest of the prophets, advising the rulers and directing them to guidance. Indeed, the nation of Muhammad (saw) is the best nation, raised for mankind, as they want for the whole of creation the best state in this life and the next. This nation enjoins good, forbids evil and calls mankind to Allaah and assists them in the affairs of their life and their hereafter. If any information defiling Muslims or deeming their religion has reached the King, then it is either a lie or a misinterpretation of a condition. In fact, rarely is such information true, that some oppression, sins or vice were viewed within Muslim lands. Yet the fact remains that although every nation will possess some sickness of one type or another, evil when found amongst Muslims, is much less than that found amongst others, and their merit and righteousness is unequalled by any. The King and most wise men know that the majority of the Christians are non-adherents to the commands of the Messiah, his disciples or even the letters of Paul and other saints. A detailed look will show that what they have of Christianity is but wine-drinking, swine eating, glorifying the cross and other innovated rites that were never commanded by Allaah. Some even render lawful what the Almighty had forbidden and these are things that cannot be disputed. They dispute over what we have of prophecies. It is of the authentic speech of the truthful and believed messenger of Allaah, Muhammad (saw), that the Messiah, 'Eesaa, the son of Maryam, will descend in our land by the white minaret in Damascus, his hands placed on the shoulders of two angels. He will break the cross, kill swine, impose the jizyah and not accept from any a belief save Islaam. He will kill the anti-Christ, the one-eyed Dajjaal of evil whom the Jews will follow. The Messiah 'Eesaa, the son of Maryam, will then summon the Muslims for war with the Jews until the tree and the stone are made to speak to the Muslim, informing of a Jew's hideout, urging his killing. Allaah will then avenge the Messiah, the son of Maryam, the Messiah of Truth, against the Jews for the harm they inflicted upon him and their rejection of him when he was sent to them. What is clear is that, all who have done good towards the Muslims and leaned towards them, were never thereafter harmed by them. Indeed the result of such work is good and a lasting relationship repaying the extent of service received. Allaah says "And so, he who shall have done an atom's weight of good, shall see it; and he who shall have done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it". (99:7-8) I conclude my letter by requesting aid to Shaykh Abul-'Abas and assistance to all of the prisoners. I request that none be harmed or forced to change his belief. When this is achieved, the King shall see the good result of his good act. The King knows of my good intentions towards him, as Allaah the Almighty demands it of us. We, the Muslims, are instructed to seek good for all, show sympathy to all of His creation, and call them to the way of Allaah and His Religion, thereby protecting them from the evils of the devils and humans. Allaah alone is able to guide the King in his responsible position, and to direct him for what is better for him.

All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon the messengers and prophets - especially Muhammad the final messenger. Peace be upon them all. This concludes the series of excerpts from "Letters from Prison".