Many Jews, Christians and Muslims have misconceptions about the “exclusivity” of Salvation. Being God’s chosen people, Jews often behave and act as if the Salvation happens to be their secured and pre-ordained “birth right”. From the Christian perspective, accepting Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour makes them “born-again” with a Divine Umbrella of Grace and the Salvation is guaranteed for them. Often a Muslim would also pronounce that anyone who recites the Islamic confession of Faith (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger), before the flame of his life is extinguished, the Paradise is vouched for him. Some of these staunch believers of the “exclusivity” even go a step further. They declare it with a kind of self pride as well as contempt for those who are outside of the perimeter of their narrow exclusivity circle, they all will burn in the eternal hell fire. These misconceptions not only defy logic but also project the image of the Almighty Allah to be partial and prejudice, which He is not. “…and Allah means no injustice to any of His creatures.” (Qur’an 3 : 108).
Within the last 2000 years, since the passing away of Jesus Christ and similarly within the last 1400 years, since the passing away of the prophet Muhammad millions upon millions have come and left this world without hearing the name of Moses, Jesus or Muhammad (peace be upon them). On the Day of Judgment would the Almighty Allah, who commands us to be JUST in our dealings with our fellow beings, judge these individuals who have died not knowing the names of these prophets, as the sinners worthy of being condemned to the Hell Fire??
And they say: “None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof if ye are truthful.” Nay whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Qur’an 2: 111 and 112
Important Comment:1. The opening word “Nay” of the second verse refutes these misconceptions with a tone of challenge and presents the true concept. 2. Safeguard is provided as well as reward is assured, for “whoever” that “submits his whole self “ to Allah and is the doer of good deeds. 3. The above phrase “submits his whole self “ is translated as “surrenders his whole being” by Asad; “submits himself entirely” by Malik and Shakir; “surrendereth his purpose” by Pickthall.4. Submitting one’s whole self to Allah (literally; “The God”) and the righteousness of deeds are the basic fundamental requirements to shield and protect oneself from the fear and the grief of Hell Fire. There is no mention of prophet Jesus or Muhammad (p.b.u.t.) in the text. 5. The reward of Paradise is not mentioned but the absence of its assurance does not indicate that the Hell Fire is the only alternative.6. Allah’s promise to mankind; “on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve” is repeated several times in the Qur’an. Below is one such verse. I have presented TWO translations for this important verse: Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. Translation by M. H. Shakir Qur’an 2: 62Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who
follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Christians and
the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the last day,
and work righteousness, shall have their reward with
their Lord; on them shall be no fear nor shall they
grieve.  Translation by Yusuf Ali   Qur’an 2: 62Commentary to the above verse by Abdullah Yusuf Ali:CF. ii. 38, where the same phrase occurs. And it recurs again and again afterwards. The point of the verse is that Islam does not teach an exclusive doctrine, and is not meant exclusively for one people. The Jews claimed this for themselves, and the Christians in their own origin were a sect of the Jews. Even th modern organized Christian churches, though they have been, consciously or unconsciously, influenced by the Time-spirit, including the historical fact of Islam, yet cling to the idea of Vicarious Atonement, which means that all who do not believe in it or who lived previously to the death of Christ are at a disadvantage spiritually before the Throne of God. The attitude of Islam is entirely different. Islam existed before the preaching of Muhammad on this earth; the Qur’an expressly calls Abraham a Muslim (iii. 67). Its teaching (submission to God’s will) has been and will be the teaching of Religion for all time and for all peoples.Counter arguments to this verse…1. The “Promise of Allah” in the above verse is only for those who were born before the coming of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).Response: This argument is groundless because this verse was revealed to mankind, after the coming of the prophet.2. Islam is the only religion acceptable to Allah… Response: The true concept of Islam is clearly defined in the following two verses of the Qur’an viz. 3: 19 and 3: 85.
I have reproduced TWO translations of these two verses.
The text appearing within the brackets is by the translators. The word “Islam” signifies the submission to Allah’s will. The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will)…
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him…
Qur’an 3: 19 and 85Â Â Â Translations by A. Yusuf Ali Lo! religion with Allah (is) The Surrender (to His will and
guidance)…
And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him…
Qur’an 3: 19 and 85Â Â Translations by M. M. PickthallThe following verse from the Qur’an proves that Islam existed before the preaching of prophet Muhammad. Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian but he was true in faith and bowed his will to Allah’s (which is Islam) and he joined not gods with Allah.
Qur’an 3: 67Â Â Translation by A. Yusuf AliRECITING SHAHADAH BEFORE DEATH DOES NOT WARRANT AUTOMATIC ENTRY TO PARADISE…Do you think that you will enter paradise without
going through the trial? Allah has not yet tested you
to see who among you strive hard for His cause and
who show patience in adversity. Qur’an 3: 142Those who faithfully observe their trust and their covenants; And who (strictly) guard their prayers. Those will be the inheritors that will inherit Paradise. They will dwell therein (forever). Qur’an 23: 8-11And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date stone.
Qur’an 4: 124WHOSE ENTRY FOR SURE IS FORBIDDEN?Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden Paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evildoers there will be no helpers. Qur’an 5: 72 The above verse does not exclude those who claim to be Muslims, recite the verses of Surah Fatihah and yet ascribe partners unto Allah and do seek HELP from the living and/or dead saints and/or individuals.A noteworthy Verse for the PARADISE:I am reproducing this verse without any comments and leave it to your own faith imaan and understanding hidayyah to do the interpretation: The Day that He assembles you (all) for a day of Assembly that will be a day of mutual loss and gain (among you). And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness He will remove from them their ills and He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever: that will be the Supreme Achievement.
Holy Qur’an 64:9 Translation by Yusuf Ali
MISCONCEPTIONS OF “EXCLUSIVITY
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Re: MISCONCEPTIONS OF “EXCLUSIVITY
Bro Hasan,
If I am correct, this is what you want to convey:
No Prophet before Prophet Muhammed (saw) preached anything other than Islam.
Islam or rather same message was revealed multiple times to all of these Prophets to be delivered to mankind.
As per your argument,
1. Since Islam existed at all times even before Prophet Muhammed (saw), it can be concluded that the Christians as well as the Jews followed Islam which is complete submission to Allah (swt) alone/His will.
2. As long as a person is a believer (any faith), is righteous and believes in Judgment Day, he is entitled to paradise.Therefore, we cannot say that they ( Christians and Jews) may be excluded from the verse you have quoted:
"And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date stone." Qur’an 4: 124
However, even though these are all Abrahamic religions, not all are monotheist.
Christians believe in the concept of Trinity of God. In this concept, God is just one but takes one of the three forms (Son, Father and Spirit). The "being" as such is one but the entities are three. Now due to this doctrine, they are actually termed as polytheists.
We have this (Surat Al Ikhlas) that contradicts with this doctrine.
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He beget not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.
Of course, Christians still maintain that three Gods are not worshipped as such and that they worship just One Lord that takes one of these forms at a given point of time. Hence they believe that that they are monotheist.
As for the Jews, it is believed that they indulged in polytheism as well at some point.
The concept of Oneness of God is not only to worship just One God, but also to believe that He is the only One and that there is no other God except Him.
Jews worshipped one God but they also believed that there are other Gods apart from the one that they worship. (I think it is called henotheism).
So yes, Islam always existed before Prophet Muhammed (saw) but was not practiced.
Belief in One Allah (swt) was not practiced.
The verse you have mentioned says,
“None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof if ye are truthful.” Nay whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Qur’an 2: 111 and 112
This verse, would not apply to these two faiths due to above reasoning.
You mentioned this:
Within the last 2000 years, since the passing away of Jesus Christ and similarly within the last 1400 years, since the passing away of the prophet Muhammad millions upon millions have come and left this world without hearing the name of Moses, Jesus or Muhammad (peace be upon them). On the Day of Judgment would the Almighty Allah, who commands us to be JUST in our dealings with our fellow beings, judge these individuals who have died not knowing the names of these prophets, as the sinners worthy of being condemned to the Hell Fire??
I believe it is not about being just or unjust in this case. It is more to do with what they worshipped. For example, if they did not know the name of their Prophets, it means they did not really worship a God/One God (since a Prophet propagates that belief) or rather worshipped just anything that did not require a Prophet.
Therefore those millions can be termed as disbelievers as well.
I came across a verse which should clarify most of it that remains unclear.
They say, "Be Jews or Christians [so] you will be guided." Say, "Rather, [we follow] the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not of the polytheists." Sura 2.135. That's Surat Al- Baqarah.
Thanks.
If I am correct, this is what you want to convey:
No Prophet before Prophet Muhammed (saw) preached anything other than Islam.
Islam or rather same message was revealed multiple times to all of these Prophets to be delivered to mankind.
As per your argument,
1. Since Islam existed at all times even before Prophet Muhammed (saw), it can be concluded that the Christians as well as the Jews followed Islam which is complete submission to Allah (swt) alone/His will.
2. As long as a person is a believer (any faith), is righteous and believes in Judgment Day, he is entitled to paradise.Therefore, we cannot say that they ( Christians and Jews) may be excluded from the verse you have quoted:
"And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date stone." Qur’an 4: 124
However, even though these are all Abrahamic religions, not all are monotheist.
Christians believe in the concept of Trinity of God. In this concept, God is just one but takes one of the three forms (Son, Father and Spirit). The "being" as such is one but the entities are three. Now due to this doctrine, they are actually termed as polytheists.
We have this (Surat Al Ikhlas) that contradicts with this doctrine.
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He beget not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.
Of course, Christians still maintain that three Gods are not worshipped as such and that they worship just One Lord that takes one of these forms at a given point of time. Hence they believe that that they are monotheist.
As for the Jews, it is believed that they indulged in polytheism as well at some point.
The concept of Oneness of God is not only to worship just One God, but also to believe that He is the only One and that there is no other God except Him.
Jews worshipped one God but they also believed that there are other Gods apart from the one that they worship. (I think it is called henotheism).
So yes, Islam always existed before Prophet Muhammed (saw) but was not practiced.
Belief in One Allah (swt) was not practiced.
The verse you have mentioned says,
“None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof if ye are truthful.” Nay whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.
Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Qur’an 2: 111 and 112
This verse, would not apply to these two faiths due to above reasoning.
You mentioned this:
Within the last 2000 years, since the passing away of Jesus Christ and similarly within the last 1400 years, since the passing away of the prophet Muhammad millions upon millions have come and left this world without hearing the name of Moses, Jesus or Muhammad (peace be upon them). On the Day of Judgment would the Almighty Allah, who commands us to be JUST in our dealings with our fellow beings, judge these individuals who have died not knowing the names of these prophets, as the sinners worthy of being condemned to the Hell Fire??
I believe it is not about being just or unjust in this case. It is more to do with what they worshipped. For example, if they did not know the name of their Prophets, it means they did not really worship a God/One God (since a Prophet propagates that belief) or rather worshipped just anything that did not require a Prophet.
Therefore those millions can be termed as disbelievers as well.
I came across a verse which should clarify most of it that remains unclear.
They say, "Be Jews or Christians [so] you will be guided." Say, "Rather, [we follow] the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not of the polytheists." Sura 2.135. That's Surat Al- Baqarah.
Thanks.