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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Extracts From Correspondence Between a Muslim and a Christian Supplement 5 CHRISTIAN: We invite you, if you like, to come to ... . Reading Room, so that fruitful discussions may be held. MUSLIM: If the arguments, which I have pre- viously put before you, have any weakness, it is your duty (as a Christian missionary) to point it out to me. Otherwise, you should admit that what I have written is correct.

I prefer the written argument as it is done with more thoroughness (and with full references); therefore, I am unable to come to the Reading Room. I am waiting for your reply concerning the contradiction of the Gospels about the period during which Jesus remained buried. CHRISTIAN: Our reply is the same which we had written to you earlier.

We find in ancient and historical books of Jews (like The Talmud) many such reckonings of the "day" - that is, they have written the word "day and night." while they actually mean only a small part of the day. MUSLIM: I request you to let me have the full references of the Talmud (with chapters and verses) where, as you claim, a part of day has been written as a "day and night." I may check it with the help of a Talmudist who comes to us from time to time.

CHRISTIAN: I do not have detailed information, at present, about the chapters and verses of Talmud which have connection with the subject of this discussion. I will inform you later on, after research. Meanwhile, you may present other matters for discussion. MUSLIM: Dear Sir? When you had no know- ledge of the Talmud, you should not have written the following sentence in your previous letter: "We find in ...

books of Jews (like Talmud)." As a friend, I advise you not to write any unverified statement; otherwise, your words will lose their value. CHRISTIAN: In fact, my information about the Talmud was very limited. Therefore, I could not quote the relevant verses. I want some more time to do further research on this subject. MUSLIM: My Christian friend?

It is more than one month* that I am waiting for your final answer about the contradiction of the Gospel on the subject of "three days and three nights" and "one day and two nights." Regretfully, I note that I have not received any affirmative or negative reply. I pray to God that this silence is not because of prejudice and blind adherence to the beliefs of the ancients. Anyhow, I do not propose to talk any more about that contradiction (because you have taken refuge into silence).