Introduction
Some people think that basically all religions are same because ultimately they all tend to believe in one supreme God; they only differ in the modes of worship which vary according to respective cultures and local traditions. Moreover all the religions emphasize adherence to the good moral values which do not differ much. For example all religions condemn immorality, crimes like murder, theft, cheating, rape, etc are generally considered wrong even by the atheists. All the religions emphasize honesty, justice, truthfulness, good treatment with the neighbors, other human beings, helping the poor through charity and so on so forth. Hence, it is just enough to believe in God, follow any faith and adhere to the good values and perform good deeds. Sounds good!
It is observed that the standards of morality and goodness vary from one society to another. Some time back homosexuality and lesbianism was considered immoral among Westerners and Christians, however presently many Christians [leaving aside the Bible] opine that it is not immoral. Gay marriages are now a common affair. Most of the cultures, especially Muslims consider homosexuality to be highly immoral and unnatural. In another case, while the Christian nuns are dressed modestly according the Biblical traditions, the common Christian women feel comfortable in short blouses, mini skirts, bikinis and even less. While majority of people thinks that ‘theft’ is immoral and criminal, many think that it is due to some genetic reasons beyond the control of individuals hence a thief may be treated like a patient and not as a criminal. Similar arguments are given against many other acts that were traditionally considered evil by society governed by man-made laws.
The Law
‘Law is the discipline concerned with the customs, practices, and rules of conduct of a community that are recognized as binding by the community’, as defined by Encyclopedia Britannica. Enforcement of the body of rules is through a controlling authority. The whole universe is functioning according to the laws of nature; any disruption will cause the galaxies and stars to disintegrate. Similarly a human society not based upon sound laws is likely to result in confusion and disintegration. Hence, adherence to the laws based upon justice and equity will result in peace and progress in a society.
Two types of Laws have been practiced by mankind; firstly the man- made law i.e. the Roman law followed by the Western and other countries. Secondly God sent His messengers to each nation for guidance and also revealed His Law through some of them; presently the Law of Moses [in some form] and Islamic law [Shari’a] are well known. The Law given to Moses [also followed by Jesus, (Mathew;5:17-19) but much later abrogated by Paul (Roman;7:6)] was time bound for the children of Israel, (Qur’an;5:44). Through this Law God had imposed many restrictions upon the Children of Israel due to their rebellious nature and hardness of heart (Qur’an;16:118, 6:146). The rabbis claim all Jewish laws [Talmudic Law and Jurisprudence] to be of divine origin. Even rabbinic ordinances were regarded as having validity only because the authority of the rabbis is sanctioned by the Torah. This law has been replaced by Qur’an: “Any message which We annul or consign to oblivion We replace with a better or similar one. Dost thou not know that God has the power to will anything?” (Qur’an;2:106).
The Islamic law constitutes a divinely ordained path of conduct that guides the Muslim toward a practical expression of his religious conviction (rituals) and all aspects of life (social, economic, political etc) in this world and the goal of divine favour in the world to come. Islamic law includes both legal and moral imperatives. It is incorrect to restrict Shari’a with award of exemplary punishments for some heinous crimes like murder, robbery and adultery only as Shari’a has a much wider scope. For the same reason, not all-Islamic laws can be stated as formal legal rules or enforced by the courts. Much of it depends on individual conscience and accountability on the Day of Judgment. Shari’a has been the main source of law practiced by most Islamic Caliphates and empires. Though the colonization by Europeans replaced the judicial law with Western Roman Law in most of countries, the personal law and theological aspects continue to be voluntarily governed according to Shari’a by the Muslims, even those living in European countries.
Islam rejects racism; righteousness is the criteria for closeness to God (Qur’an;49:13). The Shari’a is not restricted to any class or race, it is for the entire humanity till eternity, the restrictions, imposed on Jews by God as punishment have been abrogated, while most of other aspects have been retained. Shari’a is preserved in Qur’an and Sunnah of the Last Prophet (peace be upon him). The Shari’a is not merely a system of law, but a comprehensive code of behaviour that embraces both private and public activities, hidden or known. Recently there has been renewed realization among the Muslims to replace the existing system with Shari’a, to thwart the evils of western system and to reform the society.
The New Testament lays down the general principles of good government but contains no code of laws for the punishment of offenders hence they have to depend on Roman law. The Churches follow Canon Law which in its wider sense includes precepts of divine law. It may be defined as that body of rules and regulations (canons) concerning the behaviour and actions of individuals and institutions within certain Christian churches.
In contrast to the Western Law, in Islamic jurisprudence, it is not the society that moulds and fashions the law, but the law that precedes and controls society, however the legitimate changes and requirements of the modern society are kept in view within bounds of Divine Will. Where as in the Western Law, it is the society that moulds and fashions the law thus consumption of alcohol, homosexuality, gay marriages (not permitted in Bible) have been made legal on the desire and public support of Western Society, whereas in Shari’a, it is not possible to make such laws which are unnatural and clearly against the Divine Will manifested in Qur’an and Sunnah.
Self Surrender
It must be kept in view that while generally all the religions and societies emphasize high moral values and urge the followers to perform good deeds, but the implementation is left at the discretion of individuals. Only those individual actions which affect or endanger the life, property and rights of others are dealt with according to the man made laws. However it is the religion of “Self Surrender to God” [Arabic: Islam], which lays down the detailed methodology and uniform standard for implementation to achieve these high values through Law and accountability while allowing adequate freedom of will. Those who not only believe in One Supreme God but also choose to voluntarily surrender their will to the “Will of God” endeavour to establish a just society based upon natural, divine laws with equitable opportunities and justice for all people. Such people are the ultimate beneficiary in this world and the hereafter – the ultimate place for final justice where belief and deeds will determine the reward for good beliefs and punishment for disbelievers and the wicked.
Justice and Accountability
Criminals who do not get caught and escape punishment here will get it in the hereafter. There are tyrants like Genghis Khan (the 13th century Mongol warrior) and Hitler who were instrumental in the death of millions of people and wide spread destruction; they just got away unpunished. Such criminals of humanity, if caught, could have been awarded the death punishment at the maximum in the human court of law which is not at all commensurate with their crimes. It is only in the ‘Hereafter’ that they will get proportionate and long lasting punishment in hell through divine justice. A true believer thus refrains from committing any major or minor sin or crime, knowing well that he cannot hide and escape the Divine punishment even if he/she succeeds in deceiving the people around him. However, the doors of forgiveness are not closed for repentant believers: “Yet your Lord is forgiving and merciful towards those who do something wrong through ignorance, but later repent and mend their ways.” (Qur’an;16:119).
God is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (Qur’an;27:3, Exodus;34:6-7): “God forgives not that partners should be set up with Him but He forgives anything else to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed.” (Qur’an; 4:48). The Bible also emphasizes: “Therefore you are great, O LORD God for there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you…” (2Samuel’7:22, similarly also 1Samuel’2:2); “And he (Jesus) said unto him, Why you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Mathew;19:17).
Final Judgment & Hereafter
The concept of life hereafter and final Judgment for reward and punishment are some of the cardinal points of Islam. Since Judaism and Christianity also believe in Hereafter and Judgment Day, it is important to understand as to how they differ from the Islamic concept. Obtaining forgiveness from the Merciful God through prayer, repentance and good deeds is common in the three faiths with some variations.
The Jews consider themselves to be the Chosen people of God i.e. the superior race; their emphasis is to live a good life in this world. They think that they are more entitled to salvation being the chosen people of God; the sinners among them will get minor punishment, mostly here. The Talmud states that all Israel has a share in the Olam Ha-Ba [World to Come]. However, not all “shares” are equal. A particularly righteous person will have a greater share in the ‘World to Come’ than the average person. According to Orthodox Judaism, they follow the ‘Ten Commandments’ forming part of 613 commandments given by God in the Torah as well as laws instituted by the rabbis and long-standing customs. These actions are mentioned in detail regarding Halakhah, the Jewish Law. The non-Jews are required to follow the seven Commandments given to Noah, [Genesis, Chapter. 9] which are: 1) To establish courts of justice 2) Not to commit blasphemy 3) Not to commit idolatry 4) Not to commit incest and adultery 5) Not to commit bloodshed 6) Not to commit robbery and 7) All living moving creatures are permissible to eat but not to eat flesh cut from a living animal These laws are broad, fairly simple and are recognized by most of the world as sound moral principles. Noahic commandments are applied more leniently to non-Jews. Any non-Jew who follows these laws has a place in the world to come. [Obviously a lower status to the Jews]. The Old Testament eschatology is closely bound to the concept of a redemptive history in which the Jewish people are viewed as God’s chosen instrument for the carrying out of his purpose and in which, upon the fulfillment of God’s promises, the Jewish people would be the vehicle for both their own salvation and that of the rest of the world. Into this new order, the rest of mankind, repentant and purified, will be incorporated, for the original promise made to the patriarch Abraham (peace be upon him) included all men within the divine blessing. The period of time in hell for the wicked people does not exceed 12 months, however the souls of extremely wicked will either be destroyed or continue to exist in a state of consciousness of remorse.
The Christians Soteriology is based on the tenets which state that man is deserving of damnation by God for the Original Sin (Adam’s first act of disobedience which all human beings inherit as a result of his descents, according to Christian Doctrine), and for his own actual sin. They believe that Jesus through his crucifixion, a vicarious sacrifice was offered to God as propitiation or atonement for human sin. Alternatively, it may be seen as the price paid to redeem man from the devil. In the Epistle of Paul to Romans, it reads; “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Roman;10:9-10). Here the deeds do not play any part. Hence the non-Christians are dammed for hell, but if people like Hitler believe in the Christian doctrine, Jesus Christ has already paid for his sins. There is a complex explanation for the salvation of people who lived prior to Jesus.
Equal Opportunities for Mankind
Islam is not the religion of some special people or race; it is for the entire humanity. It provides equal opportunities for the mankind through same fundamentals of faith and conduct. It does not make it only the exclusive personal affair of an individual to adhere to high morals and performance of good deeds; rather it builds up society based on the divine laws for durable “peace”. A ‘Peace’ that is physical, moral, spiritual and eternal. Islam is not only confined to some beliefs, rituals and dogmas, it is a complete way of life. Islam provides equitable basis for salvation for the Last Judgment. God says:
“The one who does evil shall be recompensed to the extent of the evil done; and the one who is a believer and does good deeds, whether man or woman, shall enter the paradise and therein receive sustenance without measure. (Qur’an;40:40).
“Say: “Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?” “They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord (disbelieve) and the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works nor shall We on the Day of Judgment give them any Weight.” (Qur’an;18:103-105).
Complete Way of Life
Islam is a Din (complete way of life; social system). Din is the root of the Arabic term used for ‘habit’, ‘way’, ‘account’, ‘obedience’, ‘judgment’ and ‘reward’. It implies that living in obedience to God is an obligation owed to Him for which people will be taken into account, judged and recompensed. Din can generally refer to any path that a human follows for their lives or more specifically to Islam as the comprehensive way of life chosen by God for humanity’s temporal and eternal benefit. Din encompasses beliefs, thoughts, character, behavior and deeds. Thus if these aspects of life are derived from God’s guidance as originally taught by prophets, they comprise Islam. Islam has its own political, social, economic, legal (Shari’a) and other philosophies covering every sphere of spiritual and non-spiritual (secular, worldly) aspects of human life, with methodologies for their practical implementation. However if the way of life in a society is based upon human innovations in deviation from what the messengers of God taught, they are only generally considered as the different ways that groups or individuals have chosen for themselves, which are subject to error and need continuous improvements thorough modifications.
The Final Law for Humanity
The true religion is based upon the Divine Laws revealed to His selected messengers. The Law of Moses got distorted and the final scriptures given to the last Prophet have superceded the old law. The Qur’an is available to the mankind in uncorrupted form even after fourteen centuries and will continue to be so. The law of the Creator is faultless which is adaptable for all the people at all times and all circumstances. The Shari’a duties are broadly divided into those that an individual owes to God (the ritual practices or ‘ibadat) and those that he owes to his fellow men (mu’amalat). It is the latter category of duties alone, constituting law in the Western sense that is penal law.
The methodology of worship of God, if left at the discretion of individuals, creates confusion. Some one worshiping an idol says that he is in fact worshiping the unseen Supreme God and that the idol is just symbolic for concentration! Thus each religion got separated from the others not only in outlook and appearance but also in doctrines. God says:
“Mankind was one single nation and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; …”(Qur’an;2:213).”And verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Serve God and shun false gods. ….” (Qur’an;16:36)
The Islamic ritual practices, (ibadat) such as the daily prayers, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage, are an integral part of Shari’a law and usually occupy the first chapters in the legal manuals. The Shari’a is also concerned as much with ethical standards as with legal rules, indicating not only what man is entitled or bound to do in law, but also what he (obligatory) ought, in conscience to do (halal), something that is lawful and permitted in Islam, or refrain from doing (haram) not permissible. Accordingly, certain acts are classified as praiseworthy (mandub), which means that their performance brings divine favour and their omission divine disfavor. There is another category not halal or haram but some thing doubtful, classified as Undesirable (makruh) and is divided into Makruh Tahrimi “that which is nearly unlawful without it being actually so,” and Makruh Tanzihi “that which approaches the lawful or undesirable yet is closer to the lawful.” For example it is undesirable (makruh) for a person to buy back what he has given in charity (sadaqah, or zakat), or “to wish for one’s death, or pray to God for it due to poverty, distress, illness, or the like. However in neither case is there any legal sanction of punishment or reward, nullity or validity. The Shari’a law is not brutal and rigid as it appears to be incorrectly projected by the Western media highlighting the distorted version of Shari’a practiced by the minority Taliban but not accepted by the majority Muslims. There is room for flexibility in jurisprudence (fiqha) through “Independent Reasoning” (Ijtihad) to meet the challenges of growing and ever changing needs of society. It is due to this flexibility, equity and universal acceptability that Shari’a survived as the basic law for centuries in the Muslim Caliphates, empires and kingdoms, even though the Muslims were in minority in some areas. Nevertheless, some medieval rulers and even present day politicians, under the garb of religious terminologies and symbols are exploiting the name of ‘Islam’ and ‘Shari’a’ to gain political power to satisfy their trivial ambitions. Although this brutal exploitation tarnished the image of Islam and Shari’a to some degree but the sane people cannot be deceived any longer. The intelligentsia is well exposing their evil designs.
Breach of Covenant by Jews and Christians
Qur’an does not leave any doubt and makes it clear why He sent His last prophet who has to be believed and supported.
God says:
“God did aforetime take a Covenant from the Children of Israel, and we appointed twelve captains among them and God said: ” I am with you: if ye (but) establish regular prayers, practice regular charity, believe In My apostles, honour and assist them, and loan to God a beautiful loan, Verily I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath; but if any of you, after this, resists Faith, He hath truly wandered from the path or rectitude.”
“But because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard; They change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the Message that was sent them, nor wilt Thou cease to find them- barring a few – ever bent on (new) deceits: but forgive them, and overlook (Their misdeeds): for God loves those who are kind.”
“From those, too, who call themselves Christians, we did take a covenant, but they forgot a good part of the Message that was sent them so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the Day of Judgment and soon will God Show them what it is They have done.”
“Those who disbelieved from among the Children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, the son of Mary because they disobeyed and committed excesses”. (Qur’an;5:78).
Negation of Bible by Its Followers
Though the present Bible is not in the original revealed form still it contains the prophecies of the advent of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Even if the Jews and Christians adhere to their scriptures and law, they have to believe and follow the last Prophet as foretold in Torah and Gospel. [See Genesis;12:2,3; 17:10-12; 18:18,19;20-21;49:1-10; Deuteronomy;21:15-17;33:2-4. Isaiah; 42: 1-8; 11-13; Song of Solomon; 5:16; John;12:14-16; 16:12-14;15:26;16:7. From these verses it may be deduced that the prophet after Jesus Christ would be (1) A rider upon a camel, (2) God’s servant (Abduho), (3) God’s Elect (Mustafa), (4) Inhabitant of the villages of Prince Kedar, son of Ishmael, (5) His religion will be known as Shiloh (means; Peace – Islam), (6) His light will shine from Faran. (7) The scepter (A staff held by a sovereign as an emblem of authority or ruling power or authority; sovereignty) of Judah will pass on to him, (8) God will put his words in his mouth, (9) He shall not fail and shall not break, (10) He will have similarities with Moses, (11) He shall be known as Comforter, Ahmad, (Advocate), the other name of Muhammad (pbuh).
[Details available at: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dgxfvv3_93c9fjj7cx and http://endeavour-peace.page.tl ]
Jews and Christians to believe and follow Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Allah commands the Jews and Christians to believe in the last Prophet and final Scripture:
“O people of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have now revealed (The Qur’an), confirming your own scriptures, before We obliterate your faces and turn them backward, or lay Our curse on you as We laid Our curse on the Sabbath-breakers: and remember that Allah’s command is always executed.” (Qur’an;4:47).”
“O people of the Book (Jews & Christians)! There has come to you Our Messenger, revealing to you much that ye used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (That is now unnecessary). There has come to you from God a (new) light and a perspicuous Book- Wherewith God guides all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leads them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light,- guides them to a path that is straight.”
“In blasphemy indeed are those that say that God is Christ the son of Mary. Say: “Who then hath the least power against God, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, His mother, and all every – one that is on the earth? For to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between. He creates what He pleases, for God hath power over all things.”
“(Both) the Jews and the Christians say: “We are sons of God, and His beloved.” say: “Why then doth He punish you for your sins? Nay, ye are but men- of the men He hath created: He forgives whom He pleases and He punishes whom He pleases: and to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between and unto Him is the final goal (of all).”
“O people of the Book (Jews and the Christians)! Now has come unto you, Making (things) Clear unto you, Our Messenger, after the break In (the series of) Our apostles, Lest ye should say: “There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no Warner (from evil)”: but Now hath come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a Warner (from evil) and God hath power over all things.” (Qur’an;5:12-19)
“There are some among the people of the Book who truly believe in Allah and what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what has been revealed to them before you. They humble themselves before Allah and do not sell the revelations of Allah for a petty price. For them, there will be a reward from their God. Surely Allah is very swift in settling the accounts. (Qur’an;3:199).”
Misconceptions Clarified
The commonalities are much more pronounced among the followers of Abrahamic faiths i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They all claim to believe in monotheism preached by their common ancestor Abraham, and worship same God but there are some differences in the explanation of details and methods of worship. It is therefore claimed that it should suffice for any person to follow any one of these three faiths (Judaism, Christianity or Islam). Some Qur’anic verses like 2:62, 5:69, 5:48, 22:67 are generally misquoted out of context to support this proposition. God says:
“Those who believe (in the Qur’an) those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures) and the Sabians and the Christians any who believe in God and the Last Day and work righteousness on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve” (Qur’an;5:69 also 2:62 ).
The misconception of Jews that being a chosen race, only they are entitled to preferential treatment has been negated in this verse. All true believers who followed the correct message of guidance (not corrupted and distorted concept like ‘Trinity’) in their time will be judged with equity and justice.
“…We did give the Book and Wisdom to the descendants of Abraham, and blessed them with a great kingdom. But some of them believed in it and some turned away. Sufficient is hell to burn those who turned away.” (Qur’an;4:54-55).
The scholars further explain that these verses are also applicable to those Jews, Christians and Sabians (a primitive monotheistic community, now extinct, could also be metaphorically applied to other monotheists) who could not receive the ‘final message of Islam’, because, either they lived prior to the advent of Prophet of Muhammad (pbuh) or the message could not be conveyed to them even in later periods. Such Jews and Christians and other monotheists would however be judged according to the original Scriptures [Torah and Gospel] containing original monotheistic massage and Law revealed to Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them) respectively.
“Yet they are not all alike: there are some among the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] who are upright, who recite the revelations of God all night long and then prostrate before Him. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin good and forbid evil and rush in emulating each other in good deeds. These are the righteous people. Whatever good they do, its reward will not be denied to them; Allah knows the righteous.” (Qur’an;3:113-115).
Belief in God and His all messengers is one of fundamentals of true faith and believing in one or some messengers while rejecting others is denial of faith, not acceptable to God:
“Lo! those who disbelieve in God and His messengers, and seek to make distinction between God and His messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and seek to choose a way in between such are disbelievers in truth; and for disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom. But those who believe in God and His messengers and make no distinction between any of them, unto them God will give their due reward; and God is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Qur’an;4:150-152)]
Hence the Jews who denied and disbelieved in Prophet Jesus Christ (pbuh) and later both Jews and Christians who denied Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fall in the category of disbelievers in truth.
Law and a Way of life for Different People
The parts of Qur’anic verses given below, taken out of context are quoted by some to justify that it is sufficient to be Jew, Christian, Muslim or follower of any other religion:
“— to Each among you have we prescribed a law and a Way of life — therefore try to excel one another in good deeds—” (Qur’an;5:48).
“To every nation We have prescribed the rites of worship which they observe,” (Qur’an;22:67)
These verses read in complete form, while keeping in view the above mentioned Qur’anic verses, convey their clear meanings:
“To Thee (O Muhammad) we sent the Scripture In truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it, and guarding it In safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee, to each among you have we prescribed a law and a Way of life. If God wanted He could have made all of you a single nation. But He willed otherwise in order to test you in what He has given you; therefore try to excel one another in good deeds. Ultimately you all shall return to God; then He will show you the truth of those matters in which you dispute.” (Qur’an;5:48).
“To every nation We have prescribed the rites of worship which they observe, therefore, let them not dispute with you concerning this matter – keep calling them to the Way of your Lord ; for most surely you (Muhammad) are rightly guided.”(Qur’an;22:67)
The Last Prophet (pbuh) for entire mankind
While previous messengers were for respective communities, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was for the mankind. God says:
“O Prophet, We have sent you to the entire mankind, to give them good news and forewarn them…” (Qur’an;34:28).
A few days before the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) God declared:
“He it is who has sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may proclaim it over all religion however much idolaters may be averse.” (Qur’an;61:9).
“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you and approved Al-Islam (Self Surrender to God) as your religion”. (Qur’an;5:3)
“If anyone is looking for a religion other than Islam, then let it be known that it will not be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.” (Qur’an;3:85)].
The fundamentals of faith have been clearly stated by God:
“O ye who believe! Believe in God and His messenger (Muhammad) and the Scripture (Qur’an) which He has revealed unto His messenger, and the Scripture which He revealed aforetime (Torah, Gospel, etc). He who denies God, His angels, His scriptures and His messengers and the Last Day, he has gone far astray.” (Qur’an;4:136).
On the Day of Judgment the prophets will be witness against their people:
“And (bethink you of) the day when We raise in every nation a witness against them (their prophet) of their own folk, and We bring thee (Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things, and a guidance and a mercy and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to God).” (Qur’an;16:89)
Conclusion
God sent His last Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from the progeny of Ishmael, the eldest son of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) to guide the humanity towards the faith of Abraham, a total surrender to God (Islam). The previous scriptures were corrupted and no more reliable. The original Torah and Injeel (Gospel) revealed to Moses and Jesus Christ (peace be upon them) are not available. Adherence to outdated scriptures and law, applicable for particular people (Jews) and for a specific time is not applicable to the humanity as it was not revealed for this purpose. Christianity does not have law; Jesus followed the Law of Moses which was declared ‘dead’ by Paul. God protects the Qur’an, (Qur’an;5:9) the main source of Shari’a. Islam has provided the divine law for the entire humanity and for all times. Any one tarnishing the image of ‘Islam’ and ‘Shari’a’ to gain political power or other selfish gains is nothing but brutal breach of the sacred trust. The intelligentsia is well exposing their evil designs. The misuse of any positive thing does not render it useless, rather than abandoning of good, its misuse for malevolence should be rejected and curbed. Hence now all the people, including Jews and Christians have to follow the final Divine Law [Shari’a] as a practical proof of manifestation of their faith to attain peace and salvation.
It is the duty of Muslims to convey the message of Islam to all the people, including Jews and Christians. It should be conveyed in logical, convincing, dignified and a peaceful way, there is “no coercion in matters of faith (Din)” (Qur’an;2:256). If they believe, good enough and if they don’t, the duty has been performed. Allah says:
“Invite (all) to the way of Thy Lord with wisdom and preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious for He knows best who have strayed from His path and who receive guidance.” (Qur’an; 16:125.)
“Say: “O Jews and Christians! Come to common terms As between us and you that we worship none but Allah. That we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah.” if then They turn back, say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will). (Qur’an3:64)
“Ah! ye are those who fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah who knows, and ye who know not! (Qur’an3:66).
In order to get blessings, the Jews, Christians and humanity should come to the religion of Abraham (peace be upon him), which is now preached by Muslims:
“In fact Abraham was a nation in himself, an upright man obedient to God, and he was not of the idolaters.” (Qur’an;16:120)
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get you out of your country and from your kindred and from your father’s house unto a land that I will show you: And I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis;12:1-3).
“And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader for mankind. (Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders)? He said: My covenant includes not wrongdoers.” (Qur’an;2:124).
“Ye Jews and Christians! Why dispute ye about Abraham when the law and the Gospel were not revealed till after Him? Have ye no understanding?” (Qur’an3:65).
“Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian but he was true in faith who had surrendered to the will of God (Islam) and he was not of the idolaters.” (Qur’an;3:67).
Is it sufficient to continue adherence to something which one is not convinced?
God says: “There shall be no coercion in the matters of Faith. Distinct has now become the right way form error:” (Qur’an;2:256); “- – He throws filth (of disbelief) on those who do not use their reason”. (Qur’an;10:100)
