that." He said: "I ask you about the most sublime of religions, the highest in authority and clearest in proof?" I said: "The religion of Islam." He said: "Then which of the religions is the most eloquent in its pillar and clearest in proof?" I said: "The religion of Islam." He said: "Then which of the religions is the weakest in its pillar and clearest in proof?" I said: "The religion of the Christians." "And who manifested the religion of the Christians?" I said: "The Messiah — Exalted Glory —." He said: "Do you say the Messiah was not pleasing?" I said: "On the contrary, he was pleasing." He said: "From Allah he came; so, for what cause do you strengthen the religion of Islam and weaken the religion of the Christians?" I said: "By Allah, I do not know." He said: "If you say Allah sent him but did not give him perfection, then why did He send Muhammad — Exalted Glory — and he was given perfection in religion? And what do you say about the religion of the Jews and who manifested the religion of the Jews?" I said: "Moses ibn 'Imran — Exalted Glory —." He said: "Does the same argument apply with Moses as applied for Jesus?" I said: "I have no knowledge." He said: "Look at which people took their religion as a diversion and a play and had no proof to strengthen their religion; mention them to me?"

I said: "The idolaters, for their religion is the worst of religions."

THE DEBATE BETWEEN THE MUSLIM AND THE IDOL WORSHIPER

He said to me: O Aba al-Tahir, I shall mention to you a session that took place between two men: one was a Muslim and the other an idol worshiper. They sat for a debate, and both possessed a great state of understanding and an abundance of knowledge. The Muslim said to the idol worshiper: "Inform me about this idol that you have taken as a lord and made into a god for yourself, to whom you flee in your distress and make your qibla in prayer. Is he your lord who created you, fashioned you, originated you, and brought you into being?" He said: "No." He asked: "Has a miracle appeared from him, or an overpowering power,