ENGLISH ONE , RELIGION Why MANYPATHS? WHENTHEREIS MANY PRECEEDINGPROPHETS Why MANY PATHS? WHEN THERE IS ONE GOD, ONE RELIGION MANY PRECEEDING PROPHETS

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Islamic Information Center Sultan Qaboos Grand Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Telefax: +968 24505170 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iicoman.om God says in the Qur’an: “In matters of faith, He has laid down for you the same commandment that He gave to , which We have revealed to you [] and which We enjoined on and and …” [Qur’an 42:13]

Why then are there so many paths to Him? , Christianity, , Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Taoism, Shintoism… CONTENTS

Introduction 3 ONE PERFECT HARMONY The Unity of God 6 The Unity of Mankind 10 The Unity of Religion 14 The Unity of Revelation 18 The Universal Message of Islam What says in the Qur’an 24 Islam The Religion of All Prophets 26 Why so many different Religions? Division and Deviations 27 Distortions and Doubts 27 Muhammad’s version of Islam Renewed, Complete, Perfected, Universal 28 THE oneness 30 Prophets and Messengers in Islam 31 ONE Human Community, ONE Direction Equality and Unity in Diversity 32 Fundamentals of Beliefs in Islam The Six Pillars of Faith 35 PROPHET MUHAMMAD IN THE BIBLE 36 How Practice Islam Love God, Do Good to All 38 Why religion in the first place? 39 THE MORAL FOUNDATION OF ISLAM 46 Introduction

At the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, there were already many religious groups each one claiming ach group’s criterion of Truth Ewas based on the character of to be the only one on the the rituals, ceremonies, customs and true Path to God and that manners it observed - which resulted Salvation could be attained in each group condemning the other, solely for its followers. thinking that they alone were on the right path bearing the truth, and the rest were deluded from the right path and truth. Thus, such an attitude results in hatred and enmity among them which in turn leads to warfare and bloodshed in the name of God.

The Qur’an was delivered over 14 hundred years ago by the Creator to mankind through His last Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), presenting to the world at large the principles of Unity in God, Unity in Mankind, Unity in Religion, and Unity in Revelation.

Religion in the Qur’anic language is

Introduction 3 to Him is a total submission to His way practices) depending upon the stage It seems that when the world opened (that is Islam)” [Qur’an 3:19]. “No of human social development and life before man in the first stage of his compulsion in religion” as the Qur’an circumstances [Qur’an 5:48]. People history, man was compelled by his insists, is a bedrock principle of Islam, of all the prophets were required to very nature, and the situation in and therefore, this total submission to submit to the “code of law” and “way which he found himself, to believe God’s way should be done willingly, to God” as revealed to their prophets. in the existence of an almighty not coerced in any way. In other words, they were required being who must have created all to be Muslims, following Islam as that he beheld around him. It was Once we humble ourselves, rid defined above. The Qur’an is the final only in subsequent stages that ourselves of our egoism and submit revelation to mankind, and defines the man began to assign qualities or totally to the Creator and to Him final, divine “code of law” and “way to attributes on the analogy of his exclusively in faith and in action, we God” - the final religion that is Islam. own to the almighty being. It was will surely experience peace in our thus a retrogressive turn from his hearts that in turn bring peace to our The Qur’an wants to emphasize initial belief in God. To put it in external conduct. this truth, and at the same time simple terms, was created to bring light to man’s negligence with light within, but his progeny According to the Qur’an, Allah had of internal devotion to God, and deviated from the path losing the referred as “Deen,” which translates revealed the “code of law” and the “way living a righteous life. Instead, gift of light that had been given to as a “way of life,” in compliance with to God” to all His messengers from variations in the “code of law” or their ancestor and let in darkness God’s guidance. It is submitting to time to time over the ages. The “way to outward form of observance had instead. The Qur’an refers to this: the will of God in obedience to His God” (which underlies and defines the been idealized and made the basis “Mankind were at first of one religion beneficial laws. Islam is not a religion religion) was fundamentally one and of differences among mankind. The only, and then they fell to variance” to be paid lip service only; rather it the same, particularly in the articles Qur’an proclaims in clear terms that [Qur’an 10:19]. In another verse: is all encompassing way of life that of faith such as: The Oneness of God, all prevailing religions, as originally “Mankind were first of one religion, must be practiced continuously. It is a the belief in the Day of Judgment, delivered, upheld one same truth of and God sent prophets as comforters and complete way of life where everything and the divine will of God, the belief monotheism: recognizing One God, warner and He sent down with them related to human existence is covered in the personal accountability on submitting to His Will, and living a the word of Truth that it might decide from birth to death, and living in the Day of Judgment, and the link righteous life. the disputes of men” [Qur’an 2:13]. complete submission to the will of between faith and righteous deeds the One who created man in the for Salvation. But they differed in the first place. God says in the Qur’an, details of the “code of law” (which “The only way of life (or Deen) accepted underlies and defines devotional

4 Introduction Introduction 5 of the father-son relationship in ONE PERFECT HARMONY the when he desired to speak of the universal mercy of The Unity of God God. Unfortunately, through an inept approach to the meaning and illustrative purpose of Christ, these concepts eventually prompted the urge to elevate Christ into the The differences that have position of a begotten Son of God, marked the course of and indeed of God Himself among his religion mostly have been followers. The Qur’an categorically denies that Jesus is a Son of God or about the attributes of he intellect of man is bound by This senses, and man’s perception God Himself, as well as the concept God, and not in respect ordinarily does not cross the frontiers of the divine Trinity of God. “People to His existence. of his senses. Therefore, man cannot of the Book, do not go to excess in your and Buddhism in using images to comprehend the Absolute. Whenever religion, and do not say anything about represent God in worshipping is he tries to visualize a thing unseen, he God except the truth: The , Jesus, a good example, but eventually invariably conjures up for it qualities son of Mary, was nothing more than a followers ended up worshipping of which he is aware in his own person. messenger of God, His word directed to idols and demigods, though they do Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe recognize the existence of the One Prior to the advent of the Qur’an, in God, and His messengers and do not Almighty God. two approaches had been followed speak of a ‘Trinity’ – stop [this], that is to catch the glimpse of Reality. better for you – God is only one God, He is The peculiarity of the Qur’an is that One approach was to endow the far above having a son, everything in the it pursues a path along which we Absolute with attributes, and this heaven and earth belongs to Him and He are allowed to get a transcendental led to anthropomorphism (in this is the best one to trust” [Qur’an 4:171]. concept of God, but also feel competent instance, the representation of God to dispel any anthropomorphic as having human form or traits). The other approach was to consider atmosphere that may attempt to close Christianity and Judaism both God as something supernatural and around it. The Qur’an says, “No suffer from this. For example, Jesus beyond human experience, and that vision can take Him in, but He takes in Christ is supposed to have used leaned towards transcendentalism. all vision. He is the All Subtle, the All the anthropomorphic similitude The current practice of Hinduism Aware” [Qur’an 6:103]. It also says,

6 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 7 “No one is comparable to Him” [Qur’an The Qur’anic concept of the Unity of God. The Qur’an says that it is 112:4]. It affirms individual attributes of God has both affirmation and only He who answers the cry of man of God, one by one, but it prevents negation. The affirmation is that God and fulfills his prayers. Therefore, each attribute from developing any is One and One Only (this is referred if you associate any other object or anthropomorphic touch. as uniqueness in His essence). being with Him in your prayers, you The negation is that there is none simply associate that other object or He is the Living, the Almighty, the like Him, and when there is none being in the divinity or attributes of Creator, the Merciful, the All Seeing, like Him, it follows that whatever God. Indeed, your belief itself in the the All Hearing, the All Knowing, attributes assigned to God cannot be Unity of God becomes diluted. and so forth. However, the Qur’an assigned at the same time to any other makes it clear that nothing may be being (this is referred as uniqueness Islam considers that compared to God. His living is not in His attributes). Prior to the advent diluted the Unity of God by taking like our living; His seeing or hearing of the Qur’an, stress was laid more Jesus as the Son of God and by or knowing is not like ours. The on the uniqueness of God in His associating Jesus and the Holy metaphor of the eye is used to denote essence than on the uniqueness of Spirit with the Divinity of God, His knowledge and protection, light God in His attributes. That is why, as forming a union they termed, denotes His justice, the face of God a part of deviation from the original “Trinity.” The diluted the means God Himself, the soul ascribed message of monotheism, in every Unity of God by taking to God means His knowledge, and earlier version of religion the belief in () as a Son of God. The Hindus the coming of God and His the Unity of God expressed itself side also diluted the Unity of God by means the coming of His orders. by side with images and demigod allowing representation of God God’s hand denotes His power and worship. The Qur’an asserts that using images and idols. Buddhists forgiveness, His Throne denotes God alone is worthy of worship. If have diluted the Unity of God by His Majesty and His all-embracing you turn to any other devotion, you completely removing the concept of control of the Universe, and sitting cease to be a believer in the Unity God in their spiritual journey. on the Throne signifies His rule over the Universe. While other religions personified God Himself throwing the door open to demigods and image worship, the Qur’an personifies only the attributes of God, allowing no chance for image representation or human divination.

8 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 9 The Unity of Mankind between them…” [Qur’an 2:213]. he Qur’an put forward a strong Targument to be considered by the Jews and Christians, using the The essential mission of example of Abraham, who is revered by both. If the exclusiveness of each the Qur’an was to unite group was identical to the Truth, the the Jews, Christians, and Qur’an asks, to what group or religion people of other faiths in a elief in the One Almighty God, did this common ancestor (Abraham) did not worship any god besides God’” if entertained in sincerity, must, common bond once again B belong? As in his time, there prevailed [Qur’an 2:135]. in the field of action, express itself neither Judaism nor Christianity, after they had divided in the unity of mankind. The Qur’an what religion did he follow, exactly? The attempt here was to point out to themselves into these ex- proclaims that mankind was at first “ (Jews and Christians), the Jews, Christians, and the rest of clusive religious groups, one community believing in one God, why do you dispute about Abraham when humanity that all believers in the time and then pave the way to the God of all mankind. Therefore, the and were not revealed of Abraham followed a religion that mankind must pursue a way of life a wider unity of mankind. until after him? Do you not understand?” neither was Judaism, nor Christianity, (Religion) that is one and the same [Qur’an 3:65]. “Who but a fool would nor any other group. Judaism and for all in accordance with . “All people forsake the religion of Abraham? We have Christianity arose centuries after were originally one single community, but chosen him in this world and he will rank Abraham was gone, and in the name later they differed. If it had not been for among the righteous in the Hereafter” of Moses and Jesus. The path of a word (postponing) from your Lord, the [Qur’an 2:130]. “Were you (Jews and Salvation, which Abraham followed, judgment would already have been passed Christians) there to see when death came was not meant for any exclusive between them regarding their difference” upon ? When he said to his sons, group, as claimed by other faiths, but [Qur’an 10:19]. “Mankind was a single ‘What will you worship after I am gone?’ for all mankind, and that is, the path of community, then God sent prophets to bring They replied, ‘We shall worship your God devotion to one God and of righteous good news and warning, and with them He and God of your fathers, Abraham, living. The Qur’an states that the sent the Scripture with the Truth, to judge and , one single God: we devote message, which Abraham and every between people in their disagreement. Yet ourselves to Him’” [Qur’an 2:133]. “They other prophet delivered, was that it was only those (same people) to whom it say, ‘Become Jews or Christians, and you mankind was really one community, was given who disagreed about it after clear will be rightly guided.’ Say, ‘No, (ours is) and that there was only one God for signs had come to them, because of rivalry the religion of Abraham, the upright, who all of them; on that account, they

10 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 11 should worship Him together and barred others from God’s path have gone and rejecting another as the bearer of live as members of one family. “This astray; God will not forgive those who have truth. In fact, the Qur’an considers is your community, one community – disbelieved…” [Qur’an 4:162-168]. that discrimination between prophets and I am your Lord: be mindful of Me or denial of any of them is tantamount – but they have split their community As part of the plan to bring the to disbelief. “As those who ignore God into sects, each rejoicing in their own” followers of all religions on a single and His messengers and want to make [Qur’an 23:52,53]. “Those who divide platform, the Qur’an recognized the a distinction between them, saying ‘We their religion into sects, with each party founders of all religions as divinely believe is some but not in others,’ seeking a rejoicing in their own” [Qur’an 30:32]. inspired and endorsed their teachings. middle way, they are really disbelievers…” “Say [Muhammad], ‘We [Muslims] believe [Qur’an 4:150-151]. The Qur’an repeatedly makes it clear in God and in what has been sent down to that it does not favor any exclusive us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, The Qur’an insists that the divine religious group. On the contrary, it and the Tribes. We believe in what has been truth is a universal gift from God to asserts that it has come to put an end and the Last Day – to them We shall give given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from all mankind. It is not exclusive to any to every form of grouping, and bring a great reward” [Qur’an 4:162]. “We their Lord. We do not make a distinction race or any people or religious group, all mankind to one path of life, the path have sent revelation to you [Muhammad] between any of them. It is to Him that we and it is not exclusively delivered in of Truth, and by its very nature, has as We did to Noah and the prophets after devote ourselves. If anyone seeks a religion any particular language. Men may had to remain the same throughout him, to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, other than complete devotion to God create for themselves geographical course of time, the path to which all and the Tribes, to Jesus, , , , [Islam], it will not be accepted from him: and racial boundaries, but they prophets have invited. “In matter of and – to We gave the book he will be one of the losers in the Hereafter’” cannot divide the divine truth. The faith, He has laid down for you the same [] – to other messengers We have [Qur’an 3:84-85]. The Qur’an also truth bears no national stamp, and commandment that He gave Noah, which already mentioned to you, and also to some calls upon everyone who cares to recognizes no racial or geographical We have revealed to you [Muhammad] and We have not. To Moses God spoke directly. follow the way laid down by God, loyalties or group affiliations. Like which We enjoined on Abraham and Moses They were messengers bearing good news and to accept without discrimination the Sun created by God, it shines and Jesus: Uphold the faith and do not and warning, so that mankind would have all the prophets and all the scriptures in every corner of the globe, and divide into factions within it…” [Qur’an no excuse before God, after receiving the revealed to them as the basic truth, shines equally well on everyone. It is 42:13]. “But those of them who are well messengers: God is almighty and all wise. which they all contain, and to accept noticeable everywhere and has found grounded in knowledge and have faith do But God Himself bears witness to what He it wherever found and in whatever expression in every age. The Truth of believe in what has been revealed to you has sent down to you – He sent it down language expressed. The Qur’an God, wherever found and in whatever [Muhammad], and in what was revealed with His full knowledge – the angels too disapproves of the tendency of form, is man’s treasure, and man is before you – those who perform the prayers, bear witness, though God is sufficient regarding one prophet as superior to heir to it. pay the prescribed alms, and believe in God witness. Those who have disbelieved and another, or of accepting one prophet

12 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 13 The Unity of Religion t is this Islam so continuously Idelivered throughout the ages that is the true religion or way of life as fixed by God, the straight path, The Qur’an prescribes which by following, the individuals and communities achieve goodness the line of conduct as a or success in this life and hereafter law of life for mankind, and win the approval of God. In do, they will be guided, but if they turn just like every other law hat is the way to God, the right contrast, by neglecting it, they will away, your only duty is to convey the religion, and the law that does of nature, and one has to T perish or receive in recompense the message. God is aware of His servants” not alter for any one, and in its disapproval of God. The Qur’an [Qur’an 3:19-20]. conform to it if he cares fundamentals is the religion that all calls on the different religious to profit by it. the prophets followed and preached. groups into which mankind has Islam is a universal religion or way It is this very religion, which the divided itself to resolve and return of life, and the Qur’an is a universal Qur’an styles as Islam, also known to the path of devotion to God and guidance, a confirmation, correction, as the path of surrender to the Will of righteous living – the religion and completion of all previous of God or conformity to the laws once vouchsafed for, to one and revelations. Moses, Jesus, and of life fixed by God. “So [Prophet] all – by discarding all the sectarian Muhammad (peace be upon all of as a man of pure faith, stand firm and touches given to it in the course of them) have trodden the same path, true in devotion to the religion. This is history. “True Religion in God’s eyes, and the scope of Islam encompasses the natural disposition God instilled in is Islam [devotion to Him alone]. Nor all the revealed religions, regardless mankind – there is no altering God’s did the People of the Book dissent there of their times and places. There creation – and this the right religion, from except through envy of each other, could be neither contradictions nor though most people do not realize it. after knowledge had come to them. But differences in the basic tenets and Turn to Him alone, all of you. Be if anyone denies God’s revelations, God is principles of divine faith, nor in what mindful of Him; keep up the prayer; do swift to take account – if they argue with was revealed to Muhammad and not join those who ascribe partners to you [Prophet], say, ‘I have devoted myself to his earlier brothers in the line of God, those who divide their religion into to God alone and so have my followers.’ prophets and messengers, Moses and sects, with each party rejoicing in their Ask those who were given the Scripture, Jesus. Contradictions only can exist own” [Qur’an 30:30-32]. as well as those without one, ‘Do you too between God’s revelation and the false devote yourselves to Him alone?’ If they notions and philosophies that people

14 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 15 put forward later. The belief system Why is Islam the fastest and religious practice as presented in growing religion the Qur’an and prophetic teachings in the world? are commanded to those who have accepted Islam as well as to those who have not. Those who have not accepted Islam have the opportunity to return to the straight path. Islam is a religion and a way of life that is addressed to slam is the fastest growing religion all human societies without coercion in the world. There are many or discrimination. Whoever responds I reasons for its attraction. The first positively is taken into the fold of reason is its appeal to logic and Islam, while those who turn away rationality, and its total absence of no worship of idols and demigods. success in the past, as it continues to are left alone in PEACE. Their final any kind of dogma in its structure appeal into the present day. accountability and judgment is with of belief and practice. For example, The second reason is the uncomplicated their Creator, Allah. there is no original sin, no misdeeds and direct nature of the Islamic The third reason for Islam’s popularity of a past life standing in between man message. Islam offers a religion of undoubtedly resides in its emphasis on Islam as a way of life embraces most and his destiny, no mortification of breathtaking simplicity. It has no equality of people, irrespective of races decisively all the manifold aspects or the flesh, no reincarnation of God, no complicated philosophy, no recognized and tribes. The only criterion of merit is activities of human existence: spiritual vicarious atonement, no renunciation hierarchy to mediate between God goodness and piety – color, birth, rank, and material, moral and physical, of the world, no life of celibacy and and believers, and no priesthood. wealth, education, and nationality do emotional and intellectual, and monasticism, and no living spiritual Each Muslim has access directly to not matter. personal and social. Islam provides head. There is no priesthood, no God, to the Book, and to the Prophet’s the confluence of the essence of this confession of one’s sins to another teachings. Each non-Muslim who The fourth reason is that Islam existence and the next, the meeting human being, no moral authority reverts to Islam – like every other provides a healthy balance between point of the body, the mind, and the of one human being over another, Muslim – feels Islam belongs to him affairs of this life and the hereafter. spirit, where all the three unite to form no worshipping of saints, no middle or to her. Conversion to Islam is The choice between this life and the a single reality, the basis of which is a man standing between a believer simple: It is just the sincere recitation hereafter is not either this or that, as real living consciousness of the One and God, no inequality in the sight of the testimony of faith, “There is no in some religions, but both, expressed Almighty God. It also shows the of God except for righteousness, no deity worthy of worship except Allah; in the Qur’an as pursuance of your practical way of realizing and living association of partners with God, no Muhammad is His messenger.” It is this “Dunya” (this life) and your “Akhera” this reality. representation of God by images, and simplicity that perhaps explains Islam’s (the hereafter).

16 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 17 “Every community is sent a messenger...” The Unity of Revelation [Qur’an 10:47]. “We have sent many a prophet to earlier people and they mock every one of them” [Qur’an 43:6]. “We have sent other messengers before you – The fundamental basis some We have mentioned to you and some We have not…” [Qur’an 40:78]. of the Qur’an is that the message of the divine The way of God is the same in every revelations always has he Qur’anic contention is that age. It cannot differ from itself in any mankind was at first one people remained one and the same T circumstance. Therefore, the way of and lived one common, natural life. God has addressed itself to humanity throughout the history It was only at subsequent stages in the same fashion. The message of prophethood, from that when they multiplied, economic has been and continues to be simple: Adam, the first prophet, pressure gave rise among them to One should believe in one God and to Muhammad, the seal conflicts of interest. They came act righteously in consonance with . one common God and following a way to be divided into groups, each (final) of all the prophets. This is the religion offered to mankind of life that would enable them to live abhorring the other, so much so, that through the ages; this is the religion together in mutual love and affection. the situation demanded the delivery that is Islam. “We sent a messenger to “This is your religion, one religion – and I of a message of truth such as might every community, saying, ‘Worship God am your Lord: be mindful of Me. But they reunite them once again. It was and shun false ’” [Qur’an 16:36]. The have split their community into sects, each thus that the door of prophethood Qur’an asserts that every messenger rejoicing in their own” [Qur’an 23:52- and revelation was opened, and a who was sent to establish a religion 53]. “In matters of faith, He has laid down series of prophets and revelations on earth enjoined the same principle for you the same commandment that He followed in succession to bring home of life: Worship one God and live gave Noah, which We have revealed to you to mankind the message of unity. righteous life. [Muhammad] and which We enjoined on The message of these prophets and Abraham and Moses and Jesus: ‘Uphold their revelations was essentially one Not a single messenger was sent to faith and do not divide into factions within and the same. The Qur’an states divide people into different religious it…’” [Qur’an 42:13]. The Qur’an that there is no corner of the world groupings. In fact, the aim of all always talks about how the teaching occupied by man to which this messengers was to bring together those of one prophet endorses the teaching universal message was not delivered. who stood divided, by worshipping of the previous prophet, because the

18 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 19 teaching was the same. “Step by step, path to each of you. If God has so willed, He He has sent the Scripture down to you would have made you one community, but [Prophet] with the Truth, confirming what He wanted to test you through that which was sent before. He sent the Torah and the He has given you, so race to do good: you Gospel earlier as a guide for people and will all return to God and He will make He has sent down the distinction [between clear to you the matters you differed about” right and wrong]…” [Qur’an 3:3]. [Qur’an 5:48].

If Revelation has laid down one and The Qur’an not only makes a clear the same spiritual law of life, the way distinction between the two aspects to God, why does there still exist of Religion; the way to God and the code differences between one religion and of law, it also presents the essential another? The Qur’an does not tolerate elements or composition of Religion deliberate differentiation in religion; in the following verse: “Goodness does however, it justifies the necessary not consist in turning your face towards variations in the manner and method East or West. The truly good are those who of implementing the religion according believe in God and the Last Day, in angels, followers of all religions took is liable to do so from time to time to the social aptitudes and conditions the Scripture, the prophets; who give away the outward form of rituals and under varying circumstances. The of life that vary from time to time. some of their wealth, however much they ceremonies as the Religion itself in Qur’an recognizes the differences in These variations are permissible if they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphan, all enthusiasm. Every group denied disposition of the different sections do not contravene the basic belief in the needy, travellers and beggars, and to salvation to every other merely on the of mankind living in different the unity of God and righteous living. liberate those in bondage; those who keep basis of their rituals and ceremonies. countries, resulting in differences “We have appointed acts of devotion for up prayer and pay the prescribed alms; who However, the Qur’an insists that in manners, customs, and styles of every community to observe, so do not let keep pledges whenever they make them; ritual or ceremony was not Religion or living, but holds that the differences them argue with you [Prophet] about this who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity, the criterion of Truth; it was merely an of this character are incidental to the matter. Call them to your Lord – you are and times of danger. These are the ones outward aspect of it. The real Religion nature of man and should not form on the right path” [Qur’an 22:67]. “Each who are true, and it is they who are aware was devotion to God and righteous the criteria of truth and untruth, and community has its own direction to which of God” [Qur’an 2:177]. If the world living, and was not an exclusive result in mutual dislike and hostilities. it turns: race to do good deeds and wherever still needs to understand what really heritage of any single group, but the The basis of the Religion, devotion you are, God will bring you together. God constitutes Religion, this is it! common heritage of all mankind. The to the One True God and righteous has power to do everything” [Qur’an Law, consisting of a code of conduct, living, should not be disturbed. That 2:148]. “We have assigned a law and a Before the Qur’an was delivered, actions, and customs has changed and is why the Qur’an lays great stress

20 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 21 on the need for religious tolerance, of religion. It emphasized that the real in one God of all humanity and in at their base, who was to decide who even with those who violently have religion was direct worship of one righteous living. represented the truth? The Qur’an opposed its very message of the unity God, without any mediating agency, said that Truth in reality was with of God. “[Believers], do not revile whose and that this was the main teaching One might be an ardent devotee to God every one of them, but that in practice they call on beside God in case they, in their of all prophets, including Abraham, and practice righteous living, but if he they had neglected it. Each had been hostility and ignorance, revile God. To each Moses, and Jesus, and that every or she is outside of the circle of Judaism given one and the same Religion, or community We make their own actions seem belief and practice that conflicted or Christianity, he or she would not one and the same universal principle alluring, but in the end they will return to with it amounted to the denial of be considered “rightly guided.” On of guidance, but one and all had their Lord and He will inform them of God. “They also say, ‘No one will enter the other hand, one might indeed be chosen to disturb its basic character. all they did” [Qur’an 6:108]. “Had your unless he is a Jew or a Christian.’ a wicked person, and yet Salvation Instead of adhering to the straight Lord willed, all the people on earth would This is their own wishful thinking. Say, supposedly would be attained simply path, every group followed a line of have believed. So can you [Prophet] compel ‘Produce your evidence, if you are telling by membership with that order. The its own and appropriated to itself people to believe?” [Qur’an 10:99]. the truth’” [Qur’an 2:111]. Qur’an disapproves of that kind of an exclusive right to salvation. The attitude, and it proclaims that whatever Qur’an proclaims that the only One may ask, if all religions rest on Religion according to the Qur’an one’s race or community or affiliation, guidance, or the path, is the divine truth, what then was the need for is not exclusive to any grouping. he or she who offers sincere devotion guidance and is open to everyone, the Qur’an? The Qur’an replies: Whatever the race or community to God and practices righteousness in not reserved exclusively for any Although all religions are based on or country you belong to, if only accordance with the divine revelation particular race or people. “And some truth, their followers have turned you believe in One God, and you has attained Salvation, and no fear shall of the followers of earlier revelation say away from it, and so the need arises do righteous deeds in consonance come upon him or her. “The [Muslim] [to one another]: ‘Declare your belief in to bring them back to it. That is the with the divine code of law, you are believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the what has been revealed unto those who task of the Qur’an. It had to dispel all the follower of the Religion of God, – all those who believe in God and believe [in Muhammad] at the beginning wrong notions about religion. It made and Salvation is your recompense. the Last Day and do good – will have their of the day, and deny the truth of what faith and righteous deeds the sole Opposite to this view, you have reward with their Lord. No fear for them, came later, so that they might go back [on means of salvation, which is available example of Jews and Christians who nor will they grieve” [Qur’an 2:62]. their faith]; but do not [really] believe to all mankind and not exclusive to a devised their own code of thought anyone who does not follow your own particular group. It asserted that the and conduct exclusive to them and When the world was so divided into faith.’ Say: ‘Behold, all [true] guidance is Religion revealed by God was one for drew circles around them so that groups, each calling the religion of God’s guidance, consisting in one’s being all mankind, from Adam to Noah, to whomever is inside that circle has the other false, notwithstanding the granted [revelation] such as you have been Abraham to Moses, to Jesus to the Salvation and whoever is outside fact that all religions were the same granted...’” (Qur’an 3:73-74). last prophet, Muhammad, and that that circle is doomed. They have every deviation from it was a negation sidetracked the concept of faith

22 One Perfect Harmony One Perfect Harmony 23 “Mankind was a single community, then God sent prophets to bring good The universal news and warning, and with them He sent Scripture with the Truth, to judge message of Islam between people in their disagreements...” [Qur’an 2:213] What Allah says in the Qur’an ONE Religion “The Religion and Way of Life with Allah is Islam, that is, submission and surrender to the Will of Allah.” [Qur’an 3:19] The following translation of the verses from the Qur’an presents what Allah says on the continuity and consistency of the message of Islam taught by all prophets. One Revelation “When a Scripture came to them from God confirming what they already had…” [Qur’an 2:89] ONE God “We sent you [Muhammad] the Scripture with the truth, confirming the “Your God is One God. There is none worthy of worship except Him, the All- Scriptures that came before it, and with final authority over them…” Merciful, the All-Compassionate.” [Qur’an 2:163] [Qur’an 5:48]

“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only God. Allah, the Absolute, the Eternal, the “This is a blessed Scripture that We have sent down to confirm what came One on whom all depend, while He is independent of all. He begets not, nor before it and for you [Prophet] to warn… Those who believe in the Hereafter was He begotten. And there is none like Him.” [Qur’an 112:1-4] believe in this Scripture…” [Qur’an 6:92]

ONE Community MANY Prophets “O Mankind! Allah created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and “In every nation, Allah has raised a Messenger, who preached the same made you into nations and races so that you might know one another. Indeed, message: worship only Allah, and shun false gods.” [Qur’an 16:36] the most noble of you to Allah is the one who is the most righteous of you.” [Qur’an 49:13] “Allah has mentioned the stories of some Messengers in the Qur’an, and others He has not.” [Qur’an 40:78] “All people were originally one single community, but later they differed.” [Qur’an 10:19]

24 The Universal Message of Islam The Universal Message of Islam 25 ISLAM Why so many The Religion of All Prophets different Religions?

The following selection of the verses from the Qur’an According to the Qur’an: presents what Allah says about Islam as the religion given God-given religion is one and the same and it is given to all to all prophets: prophets, but man-made religions are many and different. The following selection of verses from the glorious Qur’an point to us how followers later broke up the unity of one Abraham, Prophet of Islam religion into different groups, each group deviating from “Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a strict believer in the original teachings. One God, a Muslim, submitting to the Will of Allah, and he did not associate partners with Allah.” [Qur’an 3:67] These groups also introduced distortions in their scriptures, creating doubts MOSES, Prophet of Islam about the actual truth. “Moses said: O my people, if you truly believe in Allah, then put your trust in Him, if you are indeed Muslims, submitting to His Will.” [Qur’an 10:84] Distortions and Doubts “Even after Prophets brought them true knowledge, people still differed, due JESUS, Prophet of Islam to animosity between themselves. Moreover, the Divine Book had become “Jesus said: “Allah is my Lord, and your Lord. So worship only Him – that is corrupted with distortions; yet it was passed down to later generations, who the Straight Path.” “His disciples said: We are supporters for Allah. We believe are indeed filled with suspicious doubts about the actual truth of its contents.” in Allah, and testify that we are indeed Muslims, submitting to His Will.” [Qur’an 42:14] [Qur’an 3:51-52] Division AND Deviations MUHAMMAD, Prophet of Islam “Allah tells the Prophets: Your Community is One single community, sharing the same faith, and I am your Lord; so fear only Me.” [Qur’an 23:52-53] “O Muhammad, say: Indeed my prayer, my worship, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Allah has no partners, and I am the Their followers later broke up this unity into different divisions, with each foremost among the Muslims, submitting to His Will.” [Qur’an 3:67] group exulting in their adhered-to deviated beliefs.

26 Islam: The Religion of All Prophets Why So Many Different Religions? 27 Muhammad’s version Final Revelation “Allah has revealed to you, O Muhammad, this Book, The Qur’an, setting of Islam forth the truth, confirming the Revelations prior to it, as in the past, He had [Qur’an 3:3] Renewed, Complete, Perfected, Universal revealed the Torah to Moses, and the Gospel to Jesus.” Choose Islam This selection of verses from the glorious Qur’an present “Allah says: This day, I have completed for you your Religion, and I have the version of Islam given to Muhammad as a renewed, perfected upon you My Blessings, and I have chosen for you Islam to be the completed, perfected Religion, universal for all mankind Religion and the Way of Life.” [Qur’an 5:3] and for all time. Gain Salvation Final Call “Indeed, those who believe in Allah and do good deeds – they are the best of creatures. Their reward with Allah will be Paradise, Eternal, wherein they “Allah has ordained for you the same Religion (Islam), which was ordained for shall remain forever.” [Qur’an 98:7-8] Noah, and which Allah has revealed to Muhammad and also which He had enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. So uphold the Religion. As the Final Prophet, MUHAMMAD delivered, through the QUR’AN, the O Muhammad, call mankind back to Islam. Say to them: Allah is our Lord Religion of ISLAM in its renewed, complete, perfected, and universal form for and your Lord.” [Qur’an 42:13,15] all humanity, for all time.

Final Prophet “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and the Last of Prophets.” [Qur’an 33:40]

28 Muhammad’s Version of Islam Muhammad’s Version of Islam 29 THE ONENESS Prophets and Messengers in Islam One God, One Community, One Religion, One Revelation, Many Preceding Prophets

Allah raised some 124,000 prophets and messengers to guide humanity to fulfill their purpose of creation, beginning from Adam (pbuh) - the first messenger, and ending with Muhammad (pbuh) – the last and final messenger.

from from Hagar

he Qur’an mentions 25 prophets and messengers, and the five most Tprominent of them are: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon all of them.

A simplified genealogy of the 25 prophets mentioned in the Qur’an (also mentioned in the Jewish and Christian Bible (Old Testament) except for a few).

30 The Oneness The Oneness 31 ONE Human Community, ONE Direction Equality and Unity in Diversity

The Ka’aba is a cubicle building at the center of Islam’s most sacred Mosque in Makkah. It is he Ka’aba has remained the Tsanctuary of Islam. It acts as the first house of worship the symbol of unity of all Muslims of one God ever to be by giving them the direction to turn Picture: Prayers at Makkah. Millions praying in congregations standing shoulder-to-shoulder, built on Earth. to during their daily prayers from foot-to-foot, as equals. wherever they are in the world. It Makkah is, beyond any doubt, the Himself would be with Ishmael, and was our father Adam who first built city of Abraham. According to the Abraham altogether was reassured. the Ka’aba. Later, it went into disuse Bible, Abraham was in advanced We are told that Abraham took after the floods of Noah. It was age when his first wife Sarah gave Hagar and baby Ishmael to Abraham and his first son Ishmael birth to Issac in (); wilderness of Paran, to the South who were asked by Allah to rebuild it was not long after this that she (Arabia). In Psalm 84, a reference is it on the same foundation. Today, insisted, to Abraham, that his elder made to Hagar and her son Ishmael: Muslim men and women of diverse son Ishmael from his second wife “Blessed is the man whose strength races, nations, languages, colors, Hagar should no longer live with is in Thee, in whose heart are the cultures, and status, unite in their them. Abraham was very sorrowful ways of them who passing through daily prayers facing the Ka’aba - at this, for he dearly loved Ishmael. the valley of Baca make it a well” one human community worshipping However, the book of Genesis tells (Psalm 84:5-6). Makkah sits in the one God. us that God told him to follow the valley of Baca, as the Qur’an also wishes of Sarah, promising that He confirms this:“Verily the first sanctuary

32 One Human Community, One Direction One Human Community, One Direction 33 established for men is the house at Baca, because God has spoken it, the City a blessed place and a guidance for all the is sacred because God has chosen Fundamentals of world” [Qur’an 3:96]. and blessed the site of it, with a total absence of any human initiative. Beliefs in Islam The virtue in question here is trust in God to an altogether amazing degree Abraham still had many years to live, The Six Pillars of Faith by Abraham and Hagar with her and he made few trips to visit his son, child – for Baca was an uninhabited, Ishmael, in the valley of Baca. It was 1 The One and Only God whose proper name is in both (the language barren valley with no water. Genesis also his God-given function to rebuild of Muhammad) and Aramaic (the language of Jesus) is Allah. Allah is the tells us, “God heard the voice of the there along with his son Ishmael, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and all that exists. Humanity is created lad [that is Ishmael crying out for sanctuary of Ka’aba, to make it a place to “worship Allah” [Qur’an 51:56]. water],” and of Hagar it says, “And of pilgrimage and to establish a line of God opened her eyes and she saw spirituality in those parts. God showed 2 Angels are spiritual beings created from light. They have no free will and a well of water” [Genesis 21:17- to Abraham the exact site where he have been tasked to execute Allah’s commands without failing. 20]. The well and spring that fed it and his first son Ishmael were to build came to be known as Zamzam. Its the Ka’aba, near the well of Zamzam. 3 Divine Guidance sent to humanity through prophets and messengers. quenching of Ishmael’s thirst was the Its name, the Ka’aba, or the Cube, A prophet was a man appointed by Allah to receive Divine Revelation. A first of innumerable blessings that reflects its shape, which is an elongated messenger was a prophet who received a Book of Divine Revelation and a have been destined to follow from it. cube, with its four corners facing East, Code of Divine Laws. According to Prophet Muhammad’s saying, 315 of the The miracle that made it gush forth North, West, and South, the order in 124,000 prophets were messengers. may be said to mark the outset of which they are visited in the seven anti- God’s establishment of a great place clockwise rounds that constitute the 4 Books of Divine Revelation given to chosen prophets. The five books Allah of pilgrimage. If a language is sacred pilgrimage rite of visitation. mentions in the Qur’an are: the Scrolls of Abraham, the Psalms of David, the Torah of Moses, the Gospel of Jesus, and the final revelation, the Qur’an, revealed to Muhammad. The Qur’an is the only existing authentic Revealed Book because it is preserved intact in the original form, content, and language.

5 Accountability in the Hereafter, which includes personal free choice and responsibility, life after death, end of the world, resurrection, day of judgment, paradise and hellfire.

6 Divine Will, in which nothing, good or bad, occurs without Allah’s knowledge and permission; “Allah has power over all things” [Qur’an 5:120].

34 One Human Community, One Direction Fundamentals of Beliefs in Islam 35 saac shall from Sarah (Genesis 21:12) thy seed be called .” “...for in I .” (A l Madinah) en.. .” ethr : (Isaiah 42:11) ophet from (Genesis 21:10) Badr of Kedar shall fail .” ma - Arabia (Isaiah 42:1) “... Cast out this bondwoman (Deutronomy 18:18) (Isaiah 21:16) among their br (Isaiah 21:13-14) and her son.. .” aise them up a Pr ntiles .” (Deutronomy 33:2) Fled to Te “...and all the glo ry “...and he came with 10,000 he shall bring forth judgment “...the villages that Kedar doth inhabit.. “I will r to the Ge of saints .” “...I have put my spirit upon him irit .” eth.. .” easts .” , Sp .” eat nation .” gr from Hagar (Psalm 84:6) esidue of his (Isaiah 28:5) (Genesis 21:18) .” ven images.. ed in holes... “...I will make him a of truth.. (Isaiah 28:9) (Isaiah 42:17) (Isaiah 42:22) Genesis 21:21) eaned from milk, and “...blind, deaf.. .” snar Mount of Paran (Isaiah 42:16,18) , and non-deliver “...the r “...g ra awn from the br (St. John 16:7 -15) “...the valley of Baca ey (Deuteronomy 33:2, “...robbed and spoiled... “...the Comforter people.. .” dr “...w pr Arab Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6) (Makkah)..

36 Prophet Muhammad in the Bible 37 How Muslims Why religion in the Practice Islam first place? Love God, Do Good to All

1 Love Allah and submit to His Guidance as in the Qur’an. Muslims testify, “True Success” for hu- “There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the man beings means to Messenger of Allah.” In Islam, it’s not enough just to have faith; one has to do fulfill the purpose of righteous deeds. Muslims affirm their faith with good works. their creation or their ternal happiness is achieved only through, “Self-submission existence, and thus to E 2 Follow Prophet Muhammad, because his life example is complete and, “most to the Will of the Creator” (this is the excellent” [Qur’an 33:21]. “If you love Allah, follow Muhammad” [Qur’an 3:31]. attain eternal happiness literal meaning of “Islam”). In other in the hereafter. words, Islam = Self-submission to the 3 “Worship the Creator, Serve His Creations,” to bring about a better world. Will of the Creator. Worship in Islam includes all beneficial and permissible acts done for Allah’s sake to please Him. Muslims, “enjoin all that is right, and forbid all that is wrong” Islam is the religion that was given to [Qur’an 3:110]. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and in its final form, to Muhammad, as 4 Perform Obligatory Acts of Worship known as, “The ,” a complete, perfected, and universal to develop God-consciousness so as to become better human being. These are way of life for all mankind. A Muslim the Testimony of Faith (), Obligatory Prayers () five times daily, is one who chooses to submit or Obligatory Charity (), Fasting in the month of (Sawm), and surrender willingly to the Will of the Pilgrimage to Makkah () at least once in a lifetime if one can afford it. Creator and adopts the way of life based completely on the Creator’s 5 Be responsible caretakers of the environment and all its creatures. “Do not guidance in order to gain peace with cause corruption on the earth after it has been set in order” [Qur’an 7:56]. the Creator, within himself, with his fellow humans, with his environment, and ultimately gain the reward of salvation and paradise in the hereafter

38 How Muslims Practice Islam Why Religion in the First Place? 39 by the mercy of the Creator.

God created you, and all that you see in the world and do not see, for a reason. Your body and spirit are different from the sky, the earth, the mountains, the birds, and the trees, but the collective purpose of all is not; it is to come to unwavering faith in God as He is, without seeing Him, and then to worship Him as if you do see Him. Your fellows in creation - the all non-human ones, always know their purpose and succeed in achieving it simply by being what they are, because God fixed this function into the natures He created them with. This does not, however, make them better than you. In fact, it is you, say, bees or flowers. Yet unlike them, of judgement. This is coupled as a human being, whom God has morality your disposition to believe in and with , the two defining raised above much of His creation, mortality worship God sleeps in your soul and qualities of the human being. subjugating all that you see in this life, must be awakened by the use of your and much that you do not see, to your mind and your heart. Second, God The idea that we are liable in life and will. That is because you have what may or may not choose to call the bee after death for our beliefs and actions these other creatures do not have: or flower to account for what it does, brings up two important questions: freedom to choose and a mind to make but He will definitely call on you and First, why has God obliged us to find those choices with – free will. hold you responsible for the choices our faith, instead of programming you make both as an individual and as a it in us, like the rest of creation that However, these two gifts come with part of a larger community. Moreover, we know? Second, can it be that consequences. First, God set faith in the results of this accountability will when we have lost our souls, and Him as our Sole Creator, deep within come to you and to your people, both our bodies decay into the earth, that your human nature, even as He did in, in this life and after death on the day God truly will raise us to life again?

40 Why Religion in the First Place? Why Religion in the First Place? 41 The first answer is that by making us and wrong so widely and persistently come to the realization that we have shared? The response is twofold: God a Creator, God tests our gratitude to set free-willed people upon the planet Him for bringing us from a condition to journey back to pure belief in Him of nonexistence into the thrill of alone and to strive for all that is good living existence, and from utter for themselves and the rest of creation unawareness to the dignity of rational along the way. He did not strand them being. The second is that God, who in the lonely vastness of a planet adrift created everything from nothing in space without the sustenance their and then guided it to its natural way bodies require or the guidance their of life, can recreate it all over again souls need. with complete precision whenever He chooses and with no weariness. Provision flourishes all about us in the In fact, He has told us that He means teeming creation God made to serve to do exactly this with His entire us as food, fuel, and habitation, and access directly. These scriptures are human creation after we die and the extends the way He divided us into inscribed in remembrance of God in world ends. Then, He will keep us in genders and united us as families. His own words, meant to explain to new states of being ever after. This As for the want of our spirits, God the first of us and the last of us who last statement is both a major part of continuously sent among mankind our Creator is, what He expects of our test of faith and the perfection of two forms of guidance to stir our humankind, and what we can hope the blessing of human life, for which souls to remembrance of Him and to for in Him in the days of the world no amount of thankfulness to God ease our social emotional existence. and the life everlasting after. can suffice, a demonstration of pure He sent us human beings, whom divine mercy. He communicated with, taught, and The revelations that these prophets raised as models for the rest of us to and messengers propagated enjoin Many religions teach the essence of follow. These are the prophets and belief in the same One God, practice all that has been said. Moreover, the messengers, most of whom we no of the same human virtues, and human sense of moral conduct and longer know, though very community admonition about our same ultimate value system across time and the in the history of humanity has had destiny. However, God evolved their world is remarkably common. Yet, them. He also revealed through traditions and systems of human how can you know that these ideas are some of His Messengers Heavenly self-governance regarding the rights true? Why are the concepts of right Books that we ordinary people could and obligations of the individual, the

42 Why Religion in the First Place? Why Religion in the First Place? 43 Qur’an only exists as God Himself whom God sent as prophets and revealed it and in the language He messengers before him. These revealed it to the final messenger include Jesus, Moses, Abraham, through His : Noah, and many others, some of letter-by-letter, word-by-word, verse- whom are mentioned in the Qur’an, by-verse, segment-by-segment, and and others who are not. All the chapter-by-chapter. This prophet prophets and messengers have been then conveyed it verbatim to all those presented to mankind as role models. around him as he received it, and saw The Qur’an makes no distinction to it that his companions memorized between them or between their it accurately and transcribed it creeds. They are a single fellowship meticulously in writing. One charged with bringing to the world a thousand, four hundred years later, it solitary faith: The belief in one God still holds the selfsame language and without associating any partner, and order as when God’s last messenger living a righteous life. It does not community, and human interaction that anciently sacred tradition. The transmitted it to the world, bringing it take its name from any one of them, as humankind itself developed last revelation in its original Arabic to life and others to life with it. nor from their people or lands. personally, socially, and globally. It language is named the Qur’an, Rather, from its central, singular is God’s way that whatever He does meaning the Recitation, or the God’s blessings and peace be upon truth comes its title: Islam, the should come to perfection; thus, from Reading, because God intended for Muhammad, the last messenger religion of willing human submission, the beginning, He willed that the believing men and women to read of God, and upon all his brothers or, surrender to the will of one God. human leadership of His prophets and recite it over and over again, as and messengers and the revealed a grace and as a reminder to them. guidance of His Books would reach It makes clear to them who they are, a culmination at precisely the right where they come from, where they moment in history, with Muhammad are headed, what they are to do, what as His last Prophet and Messenger will happen if they do not listen, what and the Qur’an as His last revelation will be theirs if they do, and Who it is to mankind until end of time. that brought them to life and why.

The work that was re-introduced by Any translation of the Book is not the Prophet Muhammad as written in Qur’an itself, and this is an important the Qur’an represents the fruition of distinction to keep in mind. The

44 Why Religion in the First Place? Why Religion in the First Place? 45 observation. That is why there The moral foundation is no bitter antagonism in Islam between the external (scientific) of Islam and internal (religious) perceptions or between the human “self” and the objective world of facts and appearances (nature). In Islam, the “religious The benefit which religion thus attitude” is the natural confers upon man is the realization outcome of man’s intel- that he is, and never can cease to be, lectual and biological is reasoning stops before a well-planned unit in the eternal impenetrable walls. Man constitution. Man is un- H movement of creation – a definite can either rely on the evidence part of the infinite organism of able to explain to him- of external experiences (science) universal destiny. The psychological self the mystery of life, alone that will give him only a grasp consequence of this conception is the mystery of birth and of a single fragment of life, but not a deep feeling of spiritual security death, the mystery of in- understanding of the totality of life. that balance between hopes and The other possibility – which may finity and eternity. fears which distinguishes a positive not compelled to renounce the world; exist side-by-side with the scientific religious man. You may say, this no austerities are required to open a one – is that of religion. It leads fundamental position is common to all secret door to spiritual purification; no man to the acceptance of a unitary great religions. That is true, but what pressure is exerted upon the mind to explanation of life, generally on Islam and Islam alone, goes beyond believe in incomprehensible dogmas the assumption that there exists a this theoretical explanation and in order that salvation is secured. supreme Creative Power, which exhortation. It not only teaches that Islam is simply a program of life in created and governs the universe all life is essentially unity – because accord with the laws of nature, which according to some preconceived it proceeds from the divine Oneness, God has decreed upon His creation; plan above and beyond human but it shows us also the practical way and its supreme achievement is the understanding. Islam does not by which individual, earthly life, the complete coordination of the spiritual, preclude man from an investigation unity of idea and action both in his and the material aspects of human of such facts and fragments of life existence and in his consciousness. To existence. Both these aspects are not as offer themselves for external attain that goal of life, man is, in Islam, only “reconciled” to each other, but

46 The Moral Foundation of Islam Why Religion in the First Place? 47 that the achievement of this purpose worldly possibilities. In Islam human remains impossible so long we divide perfection is not standardized in a our life into two parts: the spiritual certain way as Christianity does it in and the material. They must be bound the ascetic saint – human being would together, in our consciousness and in have to give up or change or suppress our action, into one harmonious entity. all their individual differentiation – Our notion of God’s Oneness must this would clearly violate the divine be reflected in our striving towards law of individual diversity that a coordination and unification of dominate all life on this earth. Islam the various aspects of our life. Thus allows to man a very wide margin in his in Islam, God-consciousness in the personal and social existence, so that wider sense constitutes the meanings the various qualities, temperaments of life itself. and psychological inclinations of different individuals might find their Of all the religions, Islam alone own way to positive developments. declares that individual perfection is Thus, a man may be ascetic or he may possible in our earthly existence. Islam enjoy the full measure of his sensual their “co-existence” is insisted upon as not restricted to the purely devotional does not postpone this fulfillment possibilities within the lawful limits; the natural basis of life. practices, for example, prayers or until after a suppression of bodily he may be nomad roaming through fasting, but extends over the whole desires, as in Christianity; nor does deserts without food for tomorrow According to Islam, the activity of of man’s practical life as well. If the Islam promise a continuous chain or a rich merchant surrounded by his human life – our devotional thoughts object or purpose of our life as a whole of rebirths on progressive higher wealth and luxuries. As long as he and our practical life, all our actions is to worship God, we necessarily plane (or reincarnation), as the case sincerely and consciously submits to and endeavors, must have the idea of must regard this life, in the totality of of Hinduism; nor does Islam agree the laws decreed by God, he is free God and His Oneness for their center all its aspects, as one complex moral with the teaching that perfection and to shape his personal life to whatever in accordance with what God says in responsibility. Thus, all our actions salvation can only be obtained through form his nature directs him – his duty the Qur’an: “I have not created invisible even seemingly trivial ones, must be annihilation of the individual “self” is to make the best of himself and to beings and mankind to any end other than performed as acts of worship. Islam and its emotional links with the world, help his fellow human beings. that they may [know and] worship Me.” teaches, firstly, that the permanent as the case of Buddhism. Islam insists [Qur’an 51:56] Thus, the concept of worship of God in all the manifold that man can reach perfection in the Islam puts forward the concept that “worship” in Islam is different from actions of human life is the very earthly, individual life by making full man’s original nature is essentially that in any other religion. Here it is meaning of this life; and secondly, use of all his natural endowments and good, which is contrary to Christian

48 The Moral Foundation of Islam The Moral Foundation of Islam 49 idea that man is born sinful or and consequently the whole life is Islam does not teach attributing for the life-contempt of Christian, Hinduism teachings that man is looked upon as a gloomy valley of to earthly life exaggerated value which says, “My Kingdom is not of this originally low and impure and must sorrow. Such bad feeling can toss a as promoted by modern Western world.” Islam goes middle way. God teaches painfully stagger through a long chain religiously inclined person between civilization, which is a distinct from in the Qur’an to pray: “O our Sustainer! of transmigrations towards perfection. the authoritative call to neglect the Christianity. While Christian outlook Grant us good in this world and good in The Islamic teaching contends that world and the natural urge of his heart implies that earthly life is a bad the life to come!” [Qur’an 2:201] The man is born pure and potentially to live and enjoy this life – it erects business, the modern West adores well-known injunction of the Gospels, perfect. God says in the Qur’an: “Verily, a barrier between man’s spiritual and worships the earthly life. Islam “Give Caesar that which belongs We create man in the best conformation longing and his legitimate worldly on the other hand, looks upon earthly to Caesar, and give God that which and thereafter We reduce him to the lowest desires. In Islam, such a concept life with calm and respect. It does not belongs to God” has no place in Islam, of low – except only such as attain to faith is contrary to the idea of God’s worship it, but regards it as an organic in which, firstly, everything belongs and do good works.” [Qur’an 95:4-5] justice; God does not make the child stage on our way to a higher existence. to God, and, secondly, Islam does not According to Islam, man is originally responsible for a sin of disobedience There is no room in material optimism admit of the existence of a conflict good and pure; the disbelief in God committed by their remote or near of the modern West, which says “My between the moral and material and lack of good actions may destroy ancestors. As there is no concept of Kingdom is of this world alone,” nor requirement of our life. his original perfection. On the other “original sin” in Islam, there is no hand, man may retain or regain that concept of “Trinity” and “universal original, individual perfection if he redemption” in Islamic teachings. In continuously realizes God’s Oneness Islam, redemption and damnation are and submits to His laws. Thus in this individual’s. Every Muslim is his own earthly life, Islam teaches that every redeemer – he bears all possibilities one of us can reach a full measure of of spiritual success and failure within perfection by developing the already his heart. God says in the Qur’an: “In existing positive traits of which our his favor shall be whatever good he does, personalities are composed. This and against him whatever evil he does.” way, Islam allows possibility for man [Qur’an 2:286] In another verse, “And to enjoy the full range of earthly life that there is not for man except that [good] without necessarily losing spiritual for which he strives.” [Qur’an 53:39] orientation. How entirely different to the Christian teaching that mankind Finally, though Islam does not share stumbles under hereditary “original the gloomy aspect of life as expressed sin” committed by Adam and , in Pauline Christianity, nonetheless,

50 The Moral Foundation of Islam The Moral Foundation of Islam 51

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The Islamic Information Center, Sultanate of Oman, is a nonprofit organization which is under the support and guidance of The Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science. Its mission is to provide information on the teachings of Islam and its practices to non-Muslims. The Center offers introductory literature on Islam in the form of booklets, the Qur’an translations in different languages, pamphlets and audio/video CDs & DVDs.

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