Episode 69
The atmosphere was tense from the very first day of the meeting, but no one was surprised. Most attendees had braced themselves for the possibility that this could drag on for years.
Maimonides took advantage of a recess to step out into the palace gardens with the other representatives. They needed to reassess their strategy. However, the presence of the Islamic delegation following closely behind made the situation less than ideal.
“Do you people even think before you act?” The voice belonged to Al-Maqdisi, a scholar who had been a prominent figure in the discussions. Renowned in both Egypt and Damascus, he was a master of Hadith and was visibly agitated.
“Anyone would think we’re siding with the Christians, not you,” he accused.
“What exactly is your problem?” Maimonides asked, trying to keep his tone even.
“Do you really not know?” Al-Maqdisi retorted, his voice rising.
Having spent considerable time in Egypt, Al-Maqdisi was familiar with Maimonides. He had been particularly motivated for this meeting, having been urged by Qadi al-Fadil, an Egyptian official. Even without that, as a scholar of the Hanbali school, he wouldn’t have shied away from a religious debate.
“Is this some kind of calculation where Judaism can just ally with Christianity if things go south? Is that why you’re acting like this?”
“If you have complaints, just say them. We can’t read minds, you know,” Maimonides replied, exasperated.
“You’re just going along with whatever the Christians want, aren’t you? And why bring up the issue of prophets at the end? Don’t you see that’s exactly what they want?”
Maimonides blinked, taken aback by Al-Maqdisi’s outburst. A rabbi standing beside him spoke up instead.
“Are you saying the Christians planned this?”
“Didn’t you see how the cardinal jumped at the chance to discuss it? They’re the ones with the upper hand in this debate. They must have something prepared. We were going to draw it out and make our move in a few days, but you’ve ruined it!”
“Let’s be clear. You agreed to cooperate, but you’ve been doing your own thing, watching us get cornered,” the rabbi countered.
“Ah! The fact that Allah and Yahweh are the same was declared by the Prophet Muhammad! It’s just that you haven’t acknowledged this obvious truth until now!”
As the argument escalated, with fingers pointing and voices rising, Maimonides intervened.
“Everyone, please, calm down. Al-Maqdisi, let’s solidify our strategy here. If we know what the next discussion will be, we can clarify our approach.”
“Fine… Let me ask you this. You’re not here to sabotage us, are you?”
“I owe a debt to Al-Fadil. You know that,” Maimonides replied.
Al-Maqdisi didn’t answer immediately, instead scrutinizing the rabbis with a furrowed brow. A young scholar from his group stepped forward.
“Let’s not fight among ourselves. That only benefits the Christians. We can verify Judaism’s intentions soon enough.”
“Nasr, you’re right, but if we slip up next time, we might not have another chance,” Al-Maqdisi warned.
“Then we need to change the subject. That will test Judaism’s true intentions.”
“Who has the right to test us?” Maimonides shot a sharp look at the young scholar, Nasr, who had spoken so bluntly.
Nasr, unfazed, nodded and continued, “Objectively, it’s hard to tell if Judaism is on our side or not. Of course, I don’t doubt your loyalty, Maimonides, but as for the other rabbis… Well, they don’t seem too fond of us Muslims, do they? Who’s to say they aren’t planning to undermine us?”
“That’s not…”
“Great Saladin brought Al-Fadil, who has strong influence over the Jewish side, to this meeting. Al-Fadil, in turn, brought you, Maimonides. But if things look like this, what will the Sultan think?”
Nasr trailed off, but Maimonides was wise enough to understand the implication.
That young upstart was essentially saying just that.
In truth, the Islamic scholars didn’t need to lecture the rabbis. The meeting was being closely watched by influential figures like Al-Fadil, Al-Adil, and the Sultan himself. If the Jewish cooperation faltered, the consequences were clear.
Maimonides couldn’t afford to lose his hard-earned position over something like this.
“Alright, we understand your position. What do you need us to do?”
“The current direction is what the Christians want. Use any means necessary to keep this topic from gaining traction. We’ll support you in return.”
“But if we change our stance now, it will…”
“We don’t care. What matters is how the Sultan and Al-Fadil perceive it.”
The answer was predetermined from the start, leaving Maimonides with no choice but to nod. He promised to find a way and moved away, followed by the rabbis.
As they left, Al-Maqdisi chuckled and patted Nasr on the shoulder.
“That was refreshing. You’re bold for someone so young. I like it.”
“Someone had to point it out. Those Jews never understand unless you spell it out for them.”
“True, they do tend to need a good shake-up to get the message.”
“Still, we should solidify our own strategy. They seem to have a trump card, and we’re too relaxed.”
“Don’t worry, we have plans too. It’s not much of a trump card, but… I suppose it’s time to let you in on it.”
Al-Maqdisi glanced around before whispering in Nasr’s ear.
“Got it? Time is on our side, so just drag it out as long as possible.”
“Understood. I guess someone like me, with little experience, won’t suffer much embarrassment. I’ll take the lead.”
In these messy debates, having someone to take the hits is essential. Young scholars, still lacking in academic achievements, are perfect for this role, though it’s never easy. Yet, a young man like Nasr, who willingly takes on such tasks, is hard not to admire.
Nasr had been dedicated from the start, even during the preparation for the meeting. He was someone they could trust.
With a warm smile, Al-Maqdisi gave Nasr a few more instructions. As the bell signaled the resumption of the meeting, the Islamic representatives rose and headed back to the hall. Nasr watched them go, then calmly followed.
“The Prophet’s words were right,” he thought.
Maimonides was a great man, but his attachment to his position was a weakness. Exploiting that could make him pliable, and it was working perfectly.
‘Of course, the Prophet’s words could never be wrong.’
Having observed the entire process from preparation to execution, Nasr’s conviction only grew stronger. There was only one truth in the world, and it pointed to the one he served. Once this meeting concluded, everyone would know the truth that moved the world. And if anyone still denied it… it would be their role to remove such dissenters.
Nasr looked up at the sky. The brilliant sunlight seemed to ripple towards him like waves. It was a moment of grace.
“Having gathered enough opinions, let’s resume the meeting,” Saladin announced calmly, addressing the Islamic side.
“Are you ready to proceed without further interruptions?”
“Yes.”
“However, since you requested an unscheduled recess, your speaking time on this topic will be halved.”
“What?”
“There are rules that state if the meeting is disrupted, speaking time can be reduced or revoked. These rules apply to everyone equally.”
The Islamic representatives were taken aback, having never expected the Sultan to impose sanctions on them. Yet, this move only reinforced Saladin’s impartiality beyond doubt.
Al-Maqdisi clicked his tongue and bowed his head slightly.
“We accept the penalty for not adhering to the rules. However, may we respond to questions without restriction?”
“Of course.”
This meant they could have the Jewish side pose questions to them, effectively transferring speaking time back to their side. It was fortunate that Nasr had managed to sway the Jewish representatives.
The Islamic delegates exchanged satisfied glances, their lips curling into smiles. With everything calculated, Al-Maqdisi stepped back, confident and composed.
At a subtle signal from him, Maimonides cleared his throat a couple of times before speaking.
“Before we delve into the discussion, I must say that this topic holds little significance. The reason is that the Christian side is currently violating their own scriptures.”
“Us?” Cardinal Lothario chuckled softly.
Though it seemed like a mocking laugh, Maimonides continued undeterred.
“For this meeting, I took the liberty of reading what Christians refer to as the New Testament. It contains a passage that states, ‘The law and the prophets were until John.’ Yes, that’s right. The New Testament, which Christians hold dear, clearly states this. Therefore, there can be no prophets in Christianity.”
To deny this would be to admit that their scriptures lack credibility.
This was one of the strategic points Maimonides had prepared for the debate.
However, Cardinal Lothario, as if anticipating this, immediately countered.
“I am genuinely moved that a rabbi of Judaism has taken the time to read the New Testament. However, it seems you might have missed the deeper meanings due to time constraints. The New Testament also says, ‘Truly, judgment will be based on whether one listens to His words and accepts those He sends.’ The prophets we speak of are not limited to the narrow definition found in the Old Testament. They encompass a broader, more inclusive meaning.
If we were to follow Judaism’s argument, then the Islamic prophet Muhammad would also be considered a false prophet. Can you accept that?”
“Of course not. It seems Judaism is too focused on individual sentences to grasp the overall framework.”
Al-Maqdisi shook his head, glaring, while Maimonides let out a deep sigh.
From the Jewish perspective, any attack on Christianity inadvertently seemed to target Islam as well.
If the Christians deflected the argument towards Islam, it would appear as though Judaism was attacking Islam.
Realizing the opponent’s strategy, Maimonides concluded that, as Nasr suggested, he might have to forcefully change the subject.
But Cardinal Lothario was quicker to seize the moment.
“Above all, we have undeniable proof that the Lord has sent another prophet.”
The cardinal bowed towards the head of the table, raising his hands skyward.
“Our Catholic and Orthodox churches recognize Edward Marshall as a prophet who has received the word of Almighty God. Right here, right now! The prophet will present evidence that neither Islam nor Judaism can deny.”
The eye of the storm, who had been silently observing the proceedings, Edward Marshall, slowly rose to his feet.