Mouood Mouood English Edition
Salman was listening to the conversation between the archbishop and Abu Bakr carefully. At this moment, the archbishop turned to his companions and said: “It seem that Muhammad (SAWA) was not a Divine prophet from God but he was a ruler who ruled the Arabs with power and pressure because if he were a prophet, he would have definitely nominated someone to succeed him as all prophets have done!”
Salman says that the archbishop was extremely irritated and told Abu Bakr: “You old man! You have confessed that the prophet hasn’t nominated you as his successor but you were chosen by the people. Now I ask you if God follows people’s will, why did He send so many prophets to them? Actually you have denied the mission of all the prophets and you have practically affirmed that you do not need a divine prophet thus you have falsified God and accused your own prophet. Therefore, I find it necessary to talk to you people to know whether you have done this on basis of faith and truth or due to ignorance, infidelity and carnal aspirations?”
On hearing the archbishop’s arguments, the caliph was drowned in thoughts and the signs of helplessness and distress were apparent in his face. The archbishop finding himself victorious frequently shouted: “You old man! Answer my question!”
Silence like spell of death had overshadowed the caliph and all the Muslims present there. They were all quiet as if their lips were sealed. The archbishop addressing his companions, said: the religion of these people is not based on right. They all agreed with him. He then continued: “Are you ready for some more questions?”
Abu Bakr replied:” yes, you may ask”.
He said: ”Tell me who am I and what is my position near God? And who are you and what is your position near God?”
Abu Bakr said: “I feel I am a true believer but I do not know my position near God. In my view you are an infidel but I don’t know about your position near God.”
The archbishop: “But in my opinion, you have ruined your faith with infidelity and you do not know your position. You don’t really know whether you are supporting truth or falsehood? But I believe in God after denial and infidelity and I am completely satisfied about my position. But unknowingly, you have yourself given witness about my salvation and your own ruin and straying. Then the archbishop turned to his companions and said: My friends are happy because this person has announced your salvation. Yes, you old man! Tell me if you are a true believer and me an infidel, where is your place in paradise and where is my place in the hell?
Abu Bakr asked the people sitting next to him to help him answer the priest but unfortunately they were silent. Therefore very quietly in a shaking voice and terrified he replied: “I don’t know about your and my place in heaven or hell!”
The archbishop said: How did you dare to announce yourself as Muhammad’s successor when you are not learned enough to answer people’s needs but you are in need of others’ knowledge. Don’t you have anyone more learned than you among Muslims?
If your prophet was sent by God, he wouldn’t have ruined his promise with God but would have definitely kept his promise like other prophets, who nominated their successors.
If among Muslims anyone is wiser than you, then your religion could be right, but if he were like you, unable to answer me and devoid of any signs from the prophet then you have cheated these people, because the ignorant has no right to be a leader.
Salman felt Islam is in danger
Salman writes: “When I saw this painful scene, I felt Islam is in danger. I stood up and rushed like lightening towards the house of Ali (AS). I knocked the door, Ali (AS) came out and saw my fright and enquired about the cause of my awe.
I told him Islam is in danger “why are you sitting here? Muhammad’s religion is ruined. Muslims have lost their dignity. Then I described everything that had happened.”
Ali (A.S) who is the nation’s hope and the people’s rescuer and has always solved the problems of the Islamic world, moved towards the Masjid un-Nabi (SAWA) immediately and sat on the ground next to the Holy Prophet’s grave and said: “O Christian! Ask me whatever questions you have. I will answer all questions.
The Archbishop told him the reason for his visit was to find out the successor of the Prophet of Islam and said they have introduced this man (pointing to Abu Bakr) as the Prophet’s successor, but unfortunately I found him quite ignorant, so I am doubtful about the truthfulness of Islam.
Ali (A.S) addressing the Archbishop Jasleeq and his companions said: “I am the successor of the Prophet of Islam and the interpreter of Quran. I know Islam thoroughly and I know its firm and ambiguous aayat, its superseding and superseded aayaat. I have the knowledge for guidance of all people. Now ask me whatever you wish about the future up to the Doomsday. O the Christian Sage! Besides the aayat of the Qur’an, I have knowledge about the Bible as well as the Torah. The Holy Prophet (SAWA) has removed the curtains and familiarized me with all knowledge. I am the Prophet’s brother, cousin, and son-in-law. I and my descendants are the inheritors of his knowledge and we are like Noah’s ark whoever gets on it survives but whoever denies to mount it drowns and is devoured by stormy waves.
I and my descendants are like ‘Hitta’ for Israelites (See 2:158). For our prophet I am like Harun for Moses, with this difference that after him no other prophet will be sent. O the Christian Sage! “Anyone who has love for me is a true believer and anyone who has enmity with me is an infidel”. On hearing these wise words, the archbishop was delighted and turned to his companions and said: “I swear by God! This is the person who speaks with knowledge. I hope we have arrived at our goal and will find the religion for which we set out together.
Then he turned to Ali (AS) and asked: “O the learned intellectual! Tell me where is my and your place near God?
Ali (A.S) answered: “I am a true believer, due to God’s blessings and grace, but you are an infidel because you have violated your pledge with Him.
The archbishop asked: “where is your place in the heaven and mine in the hell?”
Ali (AS): “I haven’t entered heaven or hell to know mine or your place but it is mentioned in the Qur’an, concerning the good and bad people’s place in the hereafter, it is said in this book that God has promised different ranks and stages of paradise to His prophet and He has said that infidels and sinful criminals will be sent to the hell which has seven doors and each one will enter through a door.
The archbishop told his companions: “Friends, our wish is fulfilled and we have found what we were searching for. O great intellectual! Tell me if the Throne (Arsh) carries God or God carries the Throne?”
