Asatir al-Awwalin: "Pehlon Ki Kahaniyan" — Ilzaam Aur Jawab, Dono Column

Woh Lafz Jo Ilzaam Laganay Walon Ne Istemaal Kiya

Chaudah sadiyan pehle, Makkah ke bazaaron aur majlison mein, ek shakhs par jo wahi ke nuzool ka daawa karta tha, ek Arabi fiqra uchhala gaya: asatir al-awwalin — "pehle logon ki kahaniyan." Yeh koi taareef na thi. Yeh ek ilzaam tha, aur ek mutayyan ilzaam: ke jo kuch woh parhta hai woh purani dastaanein hain, guzri hui qaumon ke qissay, jo usay likhwa kar diye jaate hain aur subah-o-shaam us par parhe jaate hain.

Is ilzaam ki khaas baat yeh hai ke hum isay sirf seerat nigaaron ya naaqideen se nahi jaante. Hum isay is liye jaante hain ke khud Quran isay naqal karta hai — baar baar, naam le kar — aur phir us ka jawab deta hai. Ilzaam aur jawab ek hi kitaab mein maujood hain.