nd put
the Jews to death, only a few survived. The divines of that age,
considering the extremely limited number of the Jews, and the multitude of
the Amalekites, took counsel together, and came to the conclusion that
were they to enforce the law of the Pentateuch, every survivor who hath
been delivered from the hand of Nebuchadnezzar would have to be put to
death according to the verdict of the Book. Owing to such considerations,
they totally repealed the penalty of death." Meanwhile Gabriel inspired
Muhammad's illumined heart with these words: "They pervert the text of the
Word of God."(64)

This is one of the instances that have been referred to. Verily by
"perverting" the text is not meant that which these foolish and abject
souls have fancied, even as some maintain that Jewish and Christian
divines have effaced from the Book such verses as extol and magnify the
countenance of Muhammad, and instead thereof have inserted the contrary.
How utterly vain and false are these words! Can a man who believeth in a
book, and deemeth it to be inspired by God, mutilate it? Moreover, the
Pentateuch had been spread over the surface of the earth, and was not
confined to Mecca and Medina, so that they could privily corrupt and
pervert its text. Nay, rather, by corruption of the text is meant that in
which all Muslim divines are engaged today, that is the interpretation of
God's holy Book in accordance with their idle imaginings and vain desires.
And as the Jews, in the time of Muhammad, interpreted those verses of the
Pentateuch, that referred to His Manifestation, after their own fancy, and
refused to be satisfied with His holy utterance, the charge of
"perverting" the text was therefore pronounced against them. Likewise, it
is clear, how in this day, the people of the Qur'an have perverted the
text of God's holy Book, concerning the signs of the expected
Manifestation, and interpreted it according to their inclination and
desires.

In yet another instance, He saith: "A part of them heard the Word of God,
and then, after they had understood it, distorted it, and knew that they
did so."(65) This verse, too, doth indicate that the meaning of the Word
of God hath been perverted, not that the actual words have been effaced.
To the truth of this testify they that are sound of mind.

Again in another instance, He saith: "Woe unto those who, with their own
hands, transcribe the Book corruptly, and then say: 'This is from God,'
that th