Question:
Assalamualaikum , peace be upon you Shaykh .
If Islam is the only true religion , why can other religions also provide faith and hope for their followers, why does Allah ( SWT ) allow this to happen?
Does this mean that he has also allowed the followers of other faiths to also connect with him on a spiritual level , which some Muslims don’t even get to reach themselves?
Who is better?The Muslim who worships Allah out of his desire for Heaven , or the Christian or Jew who worships Allah out of Divine Love ? And who shall Allah favour between the two on judgement day ?
I apologize for asking too many questions , but I feel like all of them are connected in a way, please answer me . Please help me to understand . Salam .
Answer:
Wa`alaykumussalam,
Islam is the perfect way for all of mankind as Allah has promised to His Prophet s.a.w. that “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Al-Ma`idah 5:3).
For Allah has assured that “Verily, Religion before Allah is Islam..” (Aali ‘Imran 3:19), and Allah is He who has “…sent down to you the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to those who submit.” (An-Nahl 16:89), and “…revealed to you of the Book is the Truth, -confirming what was (revealed) before it: for Allah is assuredly well acquainted and Fully Observant.” (Al-Fatir 35:31), and has called upon all people to His safety, that “Verily, there has come to you the Messenger (Muhammad) with the truth from your Rabb (Sustainer, Lord). So believe in him, it is better for you.” (an-Nisa`4:170),
for “It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that he may proclaim it over all religion” (as-Saff 61:8), who is “a Mercy for all the worlds” (al-Anbiya`21:107). “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.” (al-Ahzab 33:21), as he was sent “…as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not.” (Saba` 34:28).
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the losers.” (Aali ‘Imran 3:85). “If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.” (3:110), and in the Hereafter “The (deities) they used to invoke aforetime will leave them in the lurch, and they will perceive that they have no way of escape.” (Fussilat 41:48)
“O you who believe! Ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble..” (al-Ma`idah 5:101), “Some people before you did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith.” (5:102). “O you who believe! Guard your own souls: If you follow guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray; the goal of you all is to Allah – it is He that will show you the truth of all that you do.” (5:104).
“By (the Token of) Time. Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (enjoin) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy. (al-‘Asr 103:1-3)
So “Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, “I am of those who bow in Islam?” (Fussilat 41:33). “Say: “He is (God) Most Gracious: We have believed in Him, and on Him have we put our trust:” (al-Mulk 67:29).
wAllahu A’lam
Abdul Shakur
