Al-Huda Wa-Tabsirato Liman Yara

Guidance for Perceiving Minds

Background

Muhammad Rashid Rada, a well known pupil of Mufti Muhammad ‘Abdul Shaikhul Islam, was the editor of the Egyptian journal, al-Manar. Muhammad Rashid Rada was a repository of knowledge, an acknowledged scholar on hadith and Fiqah, and his observations on the teachings of Islam were regarded as authentic and authoritative. (Even King Ibn Sa‘ud acknowledged him to be his Imam and mentor.) Muhammad Rashid Rada, in his capacity as editor of the al-Manar, received a copy of I‘jazul-Masih. While the editors of two other Egyptian journals, al-Manazir and al-Hilal, complimented the Promised Messiah(as) on the literary merit of the book, Muhammad Rashid Rada criticized the Promised Messiah(as)’s book in his journal and said: “If this man had not claimed to be the Messiah and had he not interpolated in Surah al-Fatihah, then his commentary would have been extremely popular. His knowledge of religion is undoubtedly deep.” Only his followers had placed him in deception. Muhammad Rashid Rada also alleged that some of the constructions he used were against the Arabic syntax and usage, and about the challenge of the Promised Messiah(as) whether anyone could produce a book like it in 70 days, Rada said that many scholars could write a book like it in seven days. This issue of al-Manar somehow reached the hands of the Mullahs and was splashed in the Rawalpindi magazine, Chaudhwin Sadi. On its publication, the whole group of the Mullas raised a fresh storm against the Promised Messiah(as) decrying him in all possible manners, the Promised Messiah(as) then had to write this book.1

The Book

According to Hazrat Jalal-ud-Din Shams(ra) the Promised Messiah(as) disgusted with the persisted hostile attitude of ulema in India directed his attention to the ulema in Arab countries specially in Syria and Egypt, perchance he may find some well meaning scholar, therefore he sent copies of his book I‘jazul-Masih to some scholars in Egypt, among them was Al-Shaikh Muhmmad Rashid, Editor al-Manar. The editors of al-Manazir and al-Hilal wrote complimentary reviews praising the high quality of his Arabic. However, Al-Shaikh Muhmmad Rashid found faults with the book criticizing the grammar and saying the book contain Arabic phrases contrary to normal usage.

The Promised Messiah(as) stated in this book that he (Muhammd Rashid) claims to have acquired a high level of command on the language, he would soon meet his defeat and flee from the field.

Impact

When this book appeared in print, a copy of the book was sent to Muhammad Rashid Rada. He printed a major portion of the book relating to the migration of Jesus to Kashmir in his journal and observed that it was not supported by reasons and record. But he did not have the courage to write a refutation of the book as prophesied by the Promised Messiah(as). Muhammad Rashid Rada lived for about 30 years but all this long life, he did not have the chance to write a fitting refutation as demanded by the Promised Messiah(as), so the Prophecy of God was fulfilled in letter and spirit. Hazrat Jalal-ud-Din Shams(ra) while writing the introduction of the book says that when he was in Haifa he had an opportunity of meeting the said Muhammad Rashid Rada who had entertained the belief that in this book the Promised Messiah(as) had prophesied his death, then I corrected his belief and told him the prophecy was about his inability to write a counter to this book in eloquent Arabic and despite the fact that he lived for another 30 years, he was unable to write a counter to it.