time, bring people closer toGod. Thismessage
of truthwill remain preserved till the Last Day.
This issue can be further explained by a
hadith
,
or saying of the Prophet, which Ibn Hisham
has quoted in his biography of the life of
the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon
him. In this saying, the Prophet mentions
Jesus as well as himself. Ibn Hisham puts it
thus on record: ‘It has been narrated to me
that the Prophet Muhammad, may peace
be upon him, came to his Companions after
the Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and said:
‘O people, I have been sent as a blessing for
the whole of humanity. So do not differ
with me in the way the disciples of Jesus
differed with him.’ The Companions asked:
‘O Prophet of God, how did the disciples of
Jesus differ with him?’ The Prophet replied:
‘Jesus called his disciples to the mission
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