Commonality in Religion

8/8/2019 Commonality in Religion

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/commonality-in-religion 1/38

بس له لرحمان

يحرلAll praise and adoration belongs to Allah (SWT) Who Says:

ق ف ا د ر ي غ ت و ر

خا ل ة ر

ف

و

ه

“Whoever seeks a faith other than Islam, it will never beaccepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be amongthe losers.” (Âl-‘Imrân 3: 85)

May the choicest peace and benediction of Allah be on the greatest

of humankind, the perfect moulder, instructor and teacher who said:

واذ نف ب :ل سع بي أح ذ اة ،هد ول نصثثراني ،ثثم

ا أ ك لإ ، ب تأ ذب مو 1

“I swear by Allah in Whose hand is my soul: no one among the

people of this generation will hear my message, be they Jews or

Christians, thereafter dies without believing in what I have been

sent with, except that such will be among the inmate of Hell fire”

May this peace extend to the sincere callers and martyrs who have

watered the seed of this faith with their precious blood and struggle

for the liberation of minds and souls for Allah, Ameen.

It is needless to assert that this ummah is facing serious and nerve-

breaking challenges. These challenges is foisted on it by some of its

scholars who have mortgage the trust and confidence placed upon

them and have decided to be the mouthpiece of those calling for the1 Sahih Bukhari: Kitab Al-Eeman, hadith no. 153, narrated by Abu Hurayrah

1



replacement of Shariah. The height of this betrayal is their

distortion of the word of Allah and calling to its opposite. Some of

them are canvassing for the change of the word “ Al-Kâfir ” with

something else. They have forgotten that Islam is Islam and Kufr isKufr . Majority of the present-day scholars have so much attachment

to this world, and how beautiful is the statement of Imam Ahmad bn

Hanbal in this regard when he said:

ا سمت سفان ثو يقو" :ا أزدد رج علم

ا إ زدد ببببببببزدد بببببببب ببببببببا ربببببببب " هل

“I heard Sufyan Thawry saying: ‘As much as man’s knowledge

increases and his attachment to this world increase, except that his

distance From Allah increases”.

The emergence of these campaigners of replacement and change to

the Shariah is not an innovation just as atheists, hypocrites and

idolaters are acronyms not limited to a particular period. The

‘Muwahiddun’1 will continue to lay ambush for them and expose

their proclivities. Some of them went out of their way to say what a

Muslim before them never say to please a Kâfir and worst still theseindividuals were regarded as scholars. This affront and

mispresentation became more alarming after the September 11th

11 Muwahiddun this refers to those that believe in the oneness of Allah.2 This verse was revealed because of the Ansār . After Allah has given victories tothe Prophet and Islam and the wealth of the Islamic nation was increasing in leapsand bound, the Ansar were thinking if they could stay back from jihad and nurturetheir wealth. Thus, Allah revealed the verse warning them of their decision and itsconsequence i.e. self-destruction. This hadith was narrated by Abu Ayyub Al-

Ansary and collected in Sunan Abu Dawud: Kitab Jihad, hadith no. 2512.

2



attack. Majority of Islamic writers started presenting what they think

would portray Islam in a good picture and in the process negate the

concept of distinguishing between right and wrong, unbelief, faith,

and fighting the enemy of Allah, to the extent of denouncing Islamcompletely and being fearful of calling a Kâfir by his name.

Ironically, they started labelling those who want to protect their

dignity, their land, and their blood as those engaging in self-

destruction misinterpreting the verse:

لى إ ك أ ب ق و ه ل ي ف ق و

ي س م ل ه ن ل إ س ح و ك ت ل

“And spend in the Cause of Allah and do not throwyourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth inthe Cause of Allah) and do good. Truly, Allah loves the good-doers” (Al-Baqarah 2:195)2

Perhaps it should be emphasised that those calling for the change in

the legislation of Shariah with the mindset of seeking the pleasureof an unbeliever or a hypocrite has indeed wrong themselves and

are driving the ummah to self-perdition. It is noteworthy that in spite

of their efforts both material and human to export their own type of

‘moderate’ Islam to the west hoping that it will be appealing and

soothing to them has only increase the west’s aversion and

arrogance toward Islam. It is pertinent for us to hold Islam with

pride, strength and honour and also to be firm with the concept of Al-Walaa’ Wal-Baraa’ 1. We should endeavour to legislate with the

Shariah and place it in its rightful place and express our hatred and

aversion to the enemies of Islam and Muslims among the

unbelievers and the hypocrites.

1 Al-Walaa’ Wal-Baraa’ is a term used to describe a concept in tawhid whereby

you love for the sake of Allah and you hate for the sake of Allah. This is theconcept that distinguishes between the army of Allah and the army of Shaytān.

3



Islam is a religion that preaches comprehensive justice and truth.

Our actions must hinge on sound evidences without proclaiming one

and relegating the other all in the name of common benefit. Islam

call to subtleness and kindness in applicable situations as it calls to Jihad and high-handedness when the need arises. This is the

methodology of the Prophet (SAW) for as he is a Prophet of mercy

and forgiveness he is a warrior, a soldier and a commander. He

(SAW) once said:

يسل ظ جل ن معو1

“ And know that the Paradise is beneath the shades of swords”

Islam does not give us the liberty to uphold one part of it and dump

the other. A sincere and upright scholar always follows the

methodology of the Prophet with respect to love and hate,

friendship and enmity as this is the only way to eternal success. It is

important to consider the state of the Muslims in terms of strength

and weakness when dealing with the enemies. In times of strength,

the Muslims should hasten to engage in Jihad with the enemies of

Allah, and in period of weakness, they should take solace in the

verses of patience and forbearance and continue to work on how to

restore the strength of the Ummah not surrendering to perpetual

patience, humiliation and inaction. This is the way it stands!

Whoever deviates from the methodology of Islam and reject the

message of the Prophet (SAW) has evolve a clear road to perditionand should be counted among the beast or even worst. The

unbelievers among the Quraysh understand tawhid even better than

the Muslim scholars in our own age who are calling for commonality

in religion and dialogue on civilization do. When the Prophet told

the pagans among the Quraysh:

1 This hadith was narrated by Abdullah bn Abi Awfā (R.A). Sahih Bukhari: Kitab Jihad Wa Sayr, hadith no. 2663.

4





Muslim community is a Kâfir ; an apostate according to consensus of

Muslims.

The Qur’an and the Sunnah clearly differentiates between the

Muslims and the Kuffâr , and explains that these two names in thepurview of the Shariah are distinct from each other. A Muslim is he

who practice Islam brought by Muhammad (SAW) and a Kâfir is he

that practice other religion and not Islam.

و ه ق ف ا د ر ي غ ت و ر

خا ل ة ر ف

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will neverbe accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” (Al-Imran 3:85)

This understanding is explicit; that whoever is not a Muslim is a

Kâfir however important and popular his religion. The death of such

a person is an automatic ticket to Hell fire. However, the death of a

Muslim is an automatic ticket to Paradise. Thus, the principle is to

call everyone by his name. It is wrong for Muslims to call a Kâfir a

Non-Muslim because a Non-Muslim is also a Kâfir . This is the position

of Shari’ah. It is by these names revealed by Allah in His Book and in

the Sunnah of the Prophet that a clear distinction exists between

humankind. Every name has its root and branches. The root in this

case is Kâfir ; a Kâfir may be a Jew, a Christian, a Buddhist, or a

Hindus based on their religion. Based on ideology, a Kâfir may be a

communist, a capitalist, a liberalist, a secularist, Marxist etc. This

distinction between Muslims and others is a principle in Islamic

creed and in fact its foundation. There is no meeting point between

the Kuffâr , neither in terms of names nor in tenets and us. Allah

(SWT) reaffirms this position thus:

د ل و ك د ك ل 6



“To you be your religion, and to me my religion (IslamicMonotheism)” (Al-Kâfirûn 109:6)

There is no concordance between the Kuffar and us except in

specific situations espoused by the Shari’ah. It may not be possibleto understand who a Muslim is except by clarifying the attributes of

a Kâfir ; for a concept can better be understood and clarified when

efforts were made to explains its opposite.

It is the legislation of Allah that humanity is of two types; Muslims

and Kuffâr . There is no other group in this world aside these two.

Allah (SWT) Says:

ه ول ؤ ك و ر ف ا ك م ف ك ق ذ ل صير ب ن م ما ب

“He it is Who created you, then some of you are Kâfir andsome of you are believers. And Allah is All-Seer of what youdo.” (At-Taghabun 64:2)

Allah (SWT) has proclaims anyone that did not practice Islam

brought by Muhammad (SAW) a Kâfir . He Says:

ي ر ش م ل و تا ك ل ور ذ ل ك ل ي ل ي أ تى ح كي

“Those who disbelieve from among the people of theScripture (Jews and Christians) and polytheists, were notgoing to leave (their disbelief) until there came to themclear evidence.” (Al-Bayyinah 98:1)

ف ي ر ش م ل و تا ك ل ور ذ ل ن إ ر ل ر ئ ل و ا في ل ا ا

7





accepted from anyone of them even if they offered it as aransom. For them is a painful torment and they will have nohelpers.” (Al-Imrân 3:91)

ر ه ل ق م ل ن و د ا ور ذ ل ن إ ن رو ك ت ف ن ما ىل إ ن ع إ ك س ك ت ق

“Those who disbelieve will be addressed (at the time of entering the Fire): “Allah’s aversion was greater towardsyou (in the worldly life when you used to reject the Faith)than your aversion towards one another (now in the Fire of Hell, as you are now enemies to one another), when youwere called to the Faith but you used to refuse.” (Ghâfir

40:10)

Allah also warned that the unbelievers among the people of the

Scripture and their ilk hate seeing anything good befallen this

Ummah:

و تا ك ل ور ذ ل د ا ك ب ر ي ك ي ع ز ن ي ر ش م ل

ض ل و ه ول ء شا ه ت م ح ر ب ت خ ه ول ي

ل

“Neither those who disbelieve among the people of thescripture nor the polytheists like that there should be sentdown unto you any good from your lord. However, Allahchooses for His Mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the Ownerof Great Bounty.” (Al-Baqarah 2:105)

9



FACTS:

1. Among those things agreed upon by the Muslims, and is the

principle of the Islamic creed known in the religion as the

ESSENTIALS are:

There is no other true religion on the earth surface through

which Allah can be worshipped aside Islam; the seal of all the

divine religion, path and legislation that has come before it.

Allah (SWT) asserts:

ه ق ف ا د ر ي غ ت و ر خا ل ة ر ف و

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, itwill never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter

he will be one the losers” (Al-Imran 3:85)

The Glorious Qur’an is the last revealed Book of Allah. It

abrogates all divine Books revealed before it like the Torah,

the Bible and others and a witness over them. These revealed

Books are plagued with distortions. Allah (SWT) specifically

affirms His protection of the Qur’an from distortion. Based onits purity and immunity from distortion, the Qur’an remains

the only divine Book that can be use to worship and

commune with our Creator, Allah (SWT).

ي ب ما ل ا ص ل با تا ك ل ي ل إ

ا ل ز و

ي ب ك ح فا ه ي ع ا م ي و تا ك ل ه 10



ء ا ما ع ء ت و ه ل ز ما ب ل

“And we have sent down to you (O Muhammad) theBook (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripturethat came before it and Muhaymin (that whichtestifies the truth that is therein and falsifies thefalsehood that is added therein) over it (oldscriptures). So judge among them by what Allah hasrevealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging

away from the truth that has come to you.” (Al-Mâ’idah5:48)

Moreover, when commenting on the inviolability and the

immunity of the Qur’an from distortion, He (SWT) Says:

ر ا ل ذ ل ز ا إ

ن ف ا ل ه ل ا إ و “Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Qur’an

and surely, We will guide it (from corruption)” (Al-Hijr

15:9)

The Qur’an enunciate the distortions that befell other divine

Books like Torah and Bible; as they are replete with

corruption like additions, subtractions or alterations.

ا و ا ل ا ي ض ق ما ف ه ع ك ل ن ف ر ي ا ب

ز و ه ب ور ما ا ح س و ي إ ا ى ع

11



“So, because of their breach of their covenant, Wecursed them and made their hearts grow hard. Theychange the words from their (right) places and have

abandoned a good part of the message that was sentto them. And you will not cease to discover deceit inthem, except a few of them” (Al-Ma’idah 5:13)

ث أ ب تا ك ل ن ت ك ذ ل ف ا م ث ه ب ور ت ش ي ل ه ل ع ذ ن ل ق

ل و و ت ما ل ف ي ن س ك ما

“Then woe to those who write the Book with their ownhands and then say, “this is from Allah,” to purchasewith it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands

have written and woe to them for that they earnedthereby.” (Al-Baqarah 2:79)

تا ك ل با ت س ل ن و قا ر ل ن إ و تا ك ل ا و تا ك ل س ت ل

ع ا و ه ل ع ن ل ق و

ه ى ل ع ن ل ق و ه نل م و ذ ك ل “And verily, among them is a party who distort theBook with their tongues (as they read), so that youmay think it is from the Book, but it is not from theBook, and they say: “this is from Allah,”, but it is notfrom Allah; and they speak a lie against Allah while

they know it.” (Al-Imran 3:78)

12



It is abominable for anyone among the people of the Book

or their ilk to be recalcitrant to the message of Islam.

Whoever does so is an unbeliever and will abide in Hell Fire

forever. The Prophet (SAW) confirmed this when he said:

ذ أ مي : مح ف ذ

وي ومي ،رص دوي ، ة

ا احأ ناك إ ، ه تلسأ ذا

“I swear by Allah in Whose hand is my soul: no one among

the people of this generation will hear my message, be they

Jews or Christians, thereafter dies without believing in what

I have been sent with, except that such will be among the

inmate of Hell fire” (Sahih Muslim)

If this is the true situation of the people of the Book, then

the situation of other categories of disbelievers is better

imagining!

Our Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad (SAW) is the seal of

Prophethood and Messengership. Allah (SWT) Says:

ك ل و

ك ل

ا

ح با

م

ن

ا ا

يي ل ا و ه ل

“Muhammad (SAW) is not the father of any of yourmen, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal(the last) of the Prophets.” (Al-Ahzâb 33:40)

Indeed Allah (SWT) took covenant from the remainder of the

Prophets that the emergence of Muhammad (SAW) will

13



abrogate their laws and ordinances and even if the Prophet

(SAW) was raised in their generation they will all followed

him. Thus, it is logical that it will amount to an effort in vain

for anyone to claim following another Prophet after theadvent of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Let us listen to our

Creator:

ك ت ي آ ما ل يي ل ا ي ه ذ ل إ و ما ل ص ء ا ث م ك ح و تا

ر ا ه ر ص ت ل و ه ب ؤ ت ل ك ا ا ر ل ا ر إ ك ل ى ع ذ و

شا ل ك ا و و فا

“And (remember) when Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: “Take whatever I gave fromthe Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of

Allah), and afterwards there will come to you aMessenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you;you must, then, believe in him and help him.” Allahsaid: “Do you agree (to it) and will you take up MyCovenant (which I conclude with you)?” they said:“We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness; and I amwith you among the witnesses (for this).” (Al-Imran

3:81)

The Prophets Mûsâ and ‘Îsâ (AS) if they were with

Muhammad or after him would have no choice but to

legislate with the Law brought by Muhammad and be his

followers, even though they were Prophets. The Prophet

(SAW) once said:

عا إ هس ا ا ىسو خأ ناك و

14



“If my brother Musa were to be alive, he will have no choice

but to follow me”1

Prophet I’sa will be a follower of Muhammad when he

descends at the end of time; legislating with his Law. Allah(SWT) Says:

ذ ل ل ر ن ل ت ذ ل جي و ة ت ف ل ع با ت ك ه و ج

“Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who

can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad (SAW))whom they find written with them in the Taurat(Torah) (Deut, xviii 15) and the Injeel (Bible) (Johnxiv, 16)” (Al-A’râf 7:157)

The Holy Prophet (SAW) was the conveyer of the last divine

message to the Thaqalayn (Man and Jinn). It is a message

that knows no boundary and limitation. Allah (SWT) Says:

ر ذ و ر شي ب ا ل ف ا إ ا ا و ن م ا ر ل ك ل و

“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except asa giver of glad tidings and a Warner to all mankind,but most of them know not.” (Saba’ 34:28)

ك ي ل إ ه ل إ ا ا ل ا ا مي

“Say (O Muhammad): “O mankind! Verily I am sent toyou all as the Messenger of Allah.” (Al-A’râf 7:158)

1 Sunan An-Nasāî

15



Among the greatest principle in Islam is the necessity to

believe that whoever fail to embrace what the Holy Prophet

(SAW) was sent with (i.e. Islam) among the Jews, theChristians, the polytheists and their ilk is a Kâfir and should

be called as such. They are enemies of Allah, His Prophet and

the believers. They are the worst of creation and inmates of

Hell Fire where they will abide forever. Allah Says:

تا ك ل ور ذ ل ك ل ي ل ي أ تى ح كي ي ر ش م ل و

“Those who disbelieve from among the people of theScripture (Jews and Christians) and polytheists, werenot going to leave (their disbelief) until there came tothem clear evidence.” (Al-Bayyinah 98:1)

ي ر ش م ل و تا ك ل ور ذ ل ن إ ر ئ ل و ا في ل ا ا ف

ر ل

“Verily, those who disbelieve from among the people of

the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and polytheists willabide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.” (Al-Bayyinah 98:6)

2. The facts mentioned above are the principles of Islam

collectively known as its creed. Having known this, the call to

commonality in religion or similarity in religion are call tounbelief (Kufr ) aimed at destroying Islam and guiding its

16



adherents to complete apostasy. The source and foundation

of this call is from the people of the scripture. Their actions

corroborate the warning of Allah to the believers about them:

ع ر دو تى ح ك قا ن ل ز و ع ك د ر و ع ا ت ن إ ك د

ح ئ ل أو ف ر ف ا و م ي ف ه د ا ئ ل و و ة ر و يا ل ف ل ما ع

ن و ل ا ا في ا ل

“And they will never cease fighting you until they turnyou back from your religion (Islamic Monotheism) if theycan. And whosoever of you turn back from his religionand dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost inthis life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the

dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever.” (Al-

Baqarah 2:217)

ء ن ك ت ف ور ما ن رو ك ل ود و

“They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected

(Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like oneanother)” (An-Nisâ’ 4:89)

When it is obvious to the west that Islam and its ordinances has

firmly entrenched itself in the Islamic world; and that it will be

near impossibility to wriggle Islam out of the heart of its

adherent, then they devise this plot. The aim is to remove the

firmness of Islam from the heart and weakened the strength of

the Ummah. They believe that by the time this is achieved, it

17



will weaken the understanding of the Muslims in distinguishing

between Islam and Kufr , truth and falsehood, right and wrong,

justice and oppression, and break the barrier ( of recognition)

between Muslims and Kuffâr . At this point, there will be neitherWalaa (loving for Allah) nor Baraa (hating for Allah), nor Jihad

nor fighting to raise the word of Allah. This is what they want

from us. They devise this call solely to remove the

understanding of the concept of Al-Walaa Wal-Baraa and Al-

Qittâl (fighting) from the heart of the Muslims because of the

fear of the implication of proper understanding of this concept.

Allah (SWT) Says:

ر ي ل با و ه بال ن ؤ ذ ل ا ن و ه ل و ه ل ر ح ا ن ر و تى ح تا ك ل و ذ ل ل د

ن رو غ ا و ع ز ج ل

“Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in theLast Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden byAllah and His Messenger (Muhammad (SAW)) and thosewho acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam)among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians),until they pay the Jizyah1 with willing submission, andfeel themselves subdued.” (At-Taubah 9:29)

ف ا ك قا ما ف ا ي ر ش م ل ا و قي ت م ل ه ن ل م ع و “And fight

the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters,disbelievers in the oneness of Allah) collectively as they

1

A tax levied from the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians), who areunder the protection of a Muslim government.

18



fight against you collectively. But know that Allah iswith those who are the pious.” (At-Taubah 9:36)

Thus, the call for commonality or similarity of religion is an act

of apostasy that takes the caller away from Islam if it emanatesfrom a Muslim. It is an affront against the principles of beliefs. It

belies the Qur’an for it (the Qur’an) has abrogated the divine

Books that came before it like the Taurât , the Injeel, the Zabûr

and others. It also denounces the abrogation of previous Laws

and ordinances by Islam. Such callers are pleased with Kufr and

associate partner with Allah.

AMBIGUITY AND CLARIFICATION

A portion of those calling for commonality between religions or

the heretics, which the west called (liberal Muslims) even

though the truth is that they are heretics that belie the Qur’an

and Sunnah, prefers to cast ambiguity in the heart of the

believers. We see it as a necessity to remove the ambiguity

having notice that it is affecting the thinking of those that donot have a good understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. Allah (SWT) Says:

ف ا د ر ي غ ت و

ة ر ف و ه ق ر خا ل

“Whoever seeks a faith other than Islam, it will never beaccepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will beamong the losers.” (Âl-‘Imrân 3: 85)

19



Islam is submission to Allah irrespective of the path (the

religion). Many of these people wrote books on the meaning of

the word “Islam” in the above verse with explanation that no

Muslim ever uttered. They said Islam is the religion of Allah andthe religion of any one that submits his face, his being and

intention to the Creator. However, the word “Islam” to us even

though it encompasses Muslims that follow the message brought

by the Holy Prophet (SAW) do not cover them, as we can see

from the two verses that precede the one mentioned above.

ف ه ل و ن ه ل د ر ي ف ن ر ه ي ل إ و ا ر و عا و و ما س ل ى ع ز ا و ا ي ع ز ا و ه بال ا آ *

ق و ا إ و عي ما إ و ي ر ب إ

ن ي ول سى عي و ى و

ا و ا

و ه ل و ح ي ب ر ب ف ا د ر ي غ ت و ن * م س

ر خا ل ة ر ف و ه ق .

“Do they seek other than the religion of Allah (Islamic

Monotheism), while to Him submitted all creatures in theheavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And toHim shall they all be returned. Say (O Muhammad): “Webelieve in Allah and in what has been sent down to us,and what was sent down to Ibrâhîm (Abraham), Ismâ’îl(Ishmael), Ishâq (Isaac), Ya’qûb (Jacob) and Al-Asbât (theoffspring of the twelve sons of Ya’qûb) and in what was

given to Mûsâ (Moses) and ‘Îsâ (Jesus) and the Prophets

20



from their Lord. We make no distinction between oneanother among them and to Him (Allah) we havesubmitted (in Islam). And whoever seeks a religion other

than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in theHereafter he will be one of the losers. (Âl-‘Imrân 3:83-85)

They also argued: verses that explain the term Islam and

Muslims do not limit it to the followers of the message of

Muhammad (SAW) alone. They quote the following verses:

ر ل م ا ه ب ه ل ا إ مي ل ا ل *ا ق و ه ي ب ي ر ب إ ا ب ى و و

إ م ف ل ك ل ى ه ن ل إ ب ن م س ت و* ر ض ح إ ء ت

ن و ا ه ي ل ا إ م ل ق ي ر ب إ با آ ه ل إ و ل إ ل ا ب ه ل و ح و ا ل إ ا إ و عي ما إ و

ن م س

“When his Lord said to him,: “Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!”he said, “I have submitted myself to the Lord of theWorlds. And this (submission to Allah, Islam) wasenjoined by Ibrâhîm upon his sons and by Ya’qûb(saying), “O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true)religion, and then dies not except in the faith of Islam. Orwere you witnesses when death approached Ya’qûb?

When he said unto his sons, “what will you worship afterme?” they said, “We shall worship your God, the God of

21



your fathers, Ibrâhîm, Ismâ’îl, Ishâq, One God, and to Himwe submit (in Islam).” (Al-Baqarah 2:131-133)

ن ا ك ل و يا ر ص و دا ي ر ب إ ن ا ا ي ر ش م ل ن ا ا و ما س ا ي ح

“Ibrâhîm (Abraham) was neither a Jew nor a Christian,but he was a true Muslim Hanîfa (Islamic Monotheism)and he was not of the Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans,

idolaters, disbelievers in the oneness of Allah).” (Âl-‘Imrân3:67)

ا ر ك ل سى عي ح ما ف صا ن ل ا ه لى ل إ صا

ن م س ا أ ب و ه بال ا آ ه ل

“Then when ‘Îsâ (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief,he said: “Who will be my helpers in Allah’s Cause?” thedisciples said: “We are the helpers of Allah; we believe inAllah, and bear witness we are Muslims.” (Âl-‘Imrân 3:52)

ب

آ ن

ي

ل ىل إ

ي

ح و إو

ن م س ا أ ب و ا آ ل ا ل ر و ب “And when I (Allah) revealed to the disciples (of ‘Îsâ(Jesus)) to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said:“We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Al-

Mâ’idah 5:111)

CLARIFICATION

22



The Jews and Christians that followed Prophet Mûsâ (AS) and

Prophet ‘Îsâ (AS) (without distortion) before the advent of

Muhammad (SAW) was Muslims. They are not in existence

anymore. This is because the Jews and Christians of today distortthe words of Allah, change His Laws and associate partner with

Him. Whoever want to practice the religion brought by Mûsâ and

‘Îsâ would find it difficult due to apparent distortions foisted on

the Torah and the Bible as affirmed by the Qur’an and Sunnah.

This is a clear issue doubting of which result in Kufr . The Jews

claim that ‘Uzair (Ezra) is a son of God while the Christians

believe in trinity. They are all Kuffâr (disbelievers) according to

the consensus of scholars. Ibn Hazm in his work1 said:

وفلخ افك اص دو ةم ىلع وقف

كرش م

“Scholars agreed to call the Jews and the Christians Kuffâr

(disbelievers). They however disagree in calling them Mushrikîn

(polytheist, idolaters, and pagans).”

Whoever claim there still exist some Jews and Christians that

sincerely believe in the original teachings of Moses and Jesus

saying that the distortion is limited to a portion of them has

belie the abrogation of the previous Laws by the Law given to

Muhammad (SAW). He has also belie the fact that there is no

Islam except the one brought by Muhammad (SAW).

Whoever claim that the present Jews and Christians are on the

religion of Mûsâ and ‘Îsâ has denied the generality of message

(of Muhammad) and abrogate it. He has also belies clear texts

of the Qur’an and Sunnah that establish distortion in these Books

(Torah, Bible and others).

1 In his work Murâtib Al-Ijma’, page 119.

23



ب سي م ل ه ن ل إ ل ا ذ ل ر ق ل و ع ي ر إ ب ا سي م ل ا و ر

ر ح ق ف ه بال ر ش ه إ ك ب و ب ه ل مي ل ا ل ا و ا ل و أ و ج ل ه ي ع ه ل

صا * ل ثا ه ن ل إ ل ا ذ ل ر ق ل ت ل ن إ و ح و ه ل إ إ ه ل إ ا و ث ث

ذ ع ور ذ ل س م ي ل ن ل ق ما ع

لي “Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allah is theMessiah [‘Îsâ (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But theMessiah said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, myLord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners(in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise

to him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for thewrongdoers there are no helpers. Surely, disbelievers arethose who said: “Allah is the third of the three (in aTrinity).” But there is no god but one God (Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painfultorment will befall on the disbelievers among them.” (Al-

Ma’idah 5:72-73)

صا ل ل ا و ه ل ب ر ز ع د ي ل ل ا و ف أ ب ل ل ه ل ب سي م ل

ا ور ذ ل ن ئ ضا ن ك ف ؤ

ى

ه ل

24



“And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, andthe Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allah. That istheir saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of

those who disbelieved aforetime. Allah’s Curse be onthem, how they are deluded away from the truth!” (At-

Taubah 9:30)

Islam accommodates all those that turn to Allah accepting Him

as the only God from the time of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (AS) to the

time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). However, the advent of

Muhammad abrogates all previous Laws and Ordinances.

Whoever denounce him is not a Muslim, for he has belies hiscomprehensive message and finality of Prophethood. The finality

of his message demands that we all follow him. Eternal

damnation and harrowing consequences await anyone that

denounce his message be it the people of the Scriptures or other

disbelievers. He (SAW) proclaim:

ذب ب ب ب بأ ب مببي :بب ببمح ف ذذببا وببي ومي ،رص دوي ، ة

اببببب احبببببأ ببببب نابببببك إ ، هببببب تلبببببسأ“I swear by Allah in Whose hand is my soul: no one among the

people of this generation will hear my message, be they Jews or

Christians, thereafter dies without believing in what I have been

sent with, except that such will be among the inmate of Hell fire”(Sahih Muslim)

Allah (SWT) commands us to tread the path of His Prophet,

Muhammad (SAW). He Says:

ت و فا ما قي ت س ر ذ ن و ه ي

ع

ك ب

ر ت ف س ل “And

verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow

25



not (other) paths, for they will separate you away fromHis Path.” (Al-An’âm 6:153)

Thus, Islam at this age cannot be interpreted except as the Islam

brought by the Prophet (SAW). This is the way the Shari’ahinterpret it. Allah (SWT) Says:

و ه ل و م ق ف حا ن ف يي و تا ك ل و ذ ل و

ل ن إ و و ت ق ف م ن ف ت م

د ا ل با ر صي ب ه ول ل ي ع ما ف “So if they dispute with you (Muhammad, SAW) say: “Ihave submitted myself to Allah (in Islam), and those whofollow me.” And say to those who were given theScripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who areilliterates (Arab pagans): “Do you (also) submit

yourselves (to Allah in Islam)?” if they do, they arerightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only toconvey the Message; and Allah is All-Seer of (His) slaves.”

(Âl-‘Imrân 3:20)

Islam in the above stated verse as well as in other verses is the

one brought by our Prophet alone. This name is not applicable to

anyone in his time or after him except those that follow him. The

interpretation of Islam is as stated in the hadith of the Prophet

(SAW) reported by Ibn Umar (RA):

إ هلإ ن ةدا :م ىع ب،ةصل اإو ،هل م نو هل

وإتاء لزاة ،ول ،و ضان

26



“Islam is based on five pillars: to bear witness that there is no

god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger; to

establish Salât (five daily prayer), to give Zakât, to perform Hajj

and to fast in the month of Ramadân.”

1

Due to the finality of this message (Islam brought by

Muhammad), the comprehensiveness of its principles and the

apparent corruption and distortion synonymous with the Torah

and Bible, the Shari’ah of Muhammad suffice for salvation and

one need not look elsewhere. The soundness of this religion in

affirming truth, denouncing falsehood, nurturing and directing

man to higher ideals and guiding him to eternal and worldlysuccess have been established2. A call for commonality in

religion or religious ‘prostitution’ is a call off mark coming from

those that lack unalloyed understanding of Shari’ah.

2. They argue: all religion came from Allah and direct to the

same truth. Each of us holds a portion of the truth. The earthof Allah is wide enough for all of us- Jews, Muslims and

Christians and the same applies to His Paradise. They are

relying wrongly on these verses of the Qur’an:

صا ول ود ا ذ ل و آ ذ ل ن إ م ع و ر ي ل و ه بال آ ئي ب صا ول

و ب ع ر ف ا ل ا ن ز و ي ع

1 Sahih Bukhari: Kitab Al-Eeman. Hadith no. 82

This is referring to the golden era of Islam that commence with the advent of the Holy Prophet (SAW), the Islamic community in Madinah, the golden era of thefour rightly guided caliphs till the last Ottoman empire.

27



“Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews andChristians and Sabians3, whoever believes in Allah andthe Last Day and does righteous good deeds shall have

their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear,nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah 2:62)

ن ئ ب صا ول ود ا ذ ل و آ ذ ل ن إ م ع و ر ي ل و ه بال آ صا ول

ن ز و ي ع ف ا ل ا“Surely those who believe and those who are the Jews,the Sabians and the Christians- whosoever believed inAllah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, on themshall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Mâ’idah 5:69)

CLARIFICATION

These verses are referring to those that died on these religions

before the advent of Muhammad (SAW). Whoever dies on these

religions as a believer engaging in righteous deeds, not of those

that neither distort nor change their religion; then there shall be

no fear for them nor shall they grieve. This interpretation without

doubt, is the consensus of Muslims. This is the interpretationreported from the scholars of Qur’an exegesis like Mujâhid and

Sadî as well as other Qur’an exegists. Ibn Jarir At-Tabari reported

in his Tafsir thus:

3

A past nation used to live in Musal (Iraq) and believe in the oneness of Allah(that He is the only one to be worshipped) and used to read Az-Zabur (the Psalmsof the Sabians) and they were neither Jews nor Christians.

28



:ا ,يسل اثح :ا ,اقل اثحاج ع ,ر ب ع ,اجح ثح

ا . ود ا ذ ول آ ذ ن ل له: إمان لا ل ى له عيه او اصل ئلو ع وا . ىع م ل :ا ,لامع

. ور ع مظأف :نام

تاد ,فزل ذ , فعا مانث .«با ف ذ لز» :اقف ا » :و هيع هل ى ل ان ىع او ىس عي د عىب م و ر ي عى ف ب م س

ق ف ب ؤ ل و ي ل».

“From Mujâhid who said while commenting on Q2:62: “Salmân

Al-Fârisî was narrating to the Prophet (SAW) about those

Christians he had lived with and what he saw of their deeds,

wherewith the Prophet said: “They did not die on Islam”.

Salmân said, “It was as if the darkness of the earth has engulfed

me; and I remember their efforts in worship”. Then Allah

revealed this verse (i.e. Q2:62). The Prophet (SAW) summoned

Salmân and said, “This verse was revealed about your

people”. He thereafter said, “Whoever dies on the religion

of ‘Îsâ (Jesus) submissive to his message before hearing

from me is on a good path. However, whoever hears from

me today (humankind and jinn) and do not believe in me

will indeed perish.”

29



The interpretation of this verse also indicates that the doors of

Islam are open before the entire members of the earth to believe

in the message of Muhammad even if they are not Arabs. The

meaning of a religion being the seal and final is an indication of it being a global religion not that of a particular tribe or dialect. It

is a lucid fact that the Prophets of the Children of Israel were

sent to their people alone.

A reflective individual will also notice that Allah in His Book

always attach the salvation of the Jews, Christians and Sabians

to belief in Allah, the Last Day and engaging in righteous deeds

alone without recourse to other requirement. However, belief inAllah and the Last Day is incomplete until one believes in the

entirety of Prophets and Messengers; Muhammad (SAW) being

one of them. This assertion is confirmed in the following Verses:

ن ن و ر و ه و ه بال ن رو ك ذ ل ن إ ب ؤ ن ل ق و ه و ه ل ي ب ر

ل ي ب وذ خ ت ن ن و ر و ب ر ك و ي *ا ت ع و ح قا ن رو ف كا ل ئ ل و

ا ي با ذ ع ر ف كا ل

“Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengersand wish to make distinction between Allah and His

Messengers saying: “We believe in some but rejectothers,” and wish to adopt a way in between. They are intruth disbelievers. And We have prepared for thedisbelievers a humiliating torment.” (An-Nisâ’ 4:150-151)

30





ف ا د ر ي غ ت و ة ر ف و ه ق

ر خا ل “Whoever seeks a faith other than Islam, it will never beaccepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will beamong the losers.” (Âl-‘Imrân 3: 85)

Allah (SWT) instructs believers offering Salât to say in every of

his raka’h:

ضالي ل و ي ع ض م ل ر ي غ

“Not the way of those who earn Your Anger, nor of thosewho went astray.” (Al-Fâtihah 1:7)

It is a known fact according to the exegists of the Qur’an that

those who earn Allah’s anger are the Jews while those who went

astray are the Christians. This interpretation is the consensus of

Qur’an exegists to the extent that Ibn Abî Hâtim said in his

commentary of this Verse:

أعل ذ مفري خا

“I do not know of any disagreement among the commentators

of the Qur’an with respect to this Verse.”

A reflective mind will see that the Verse (Q2:62) placed believers

in a pedestal that distinguish him from Jews, Christians and

32



Sabians. The believers have already fulfilled the condition of

belief in Allah and the Last Day emboldened with righteous

deeds, which necessitate the appellation. However, the Jews,

Christians and Sabians do not belief in Muhammad (SAW) andhis message. This invalidates their claim to belief and

necessitates its inclusion (belief in Allah, the Last Day and

righteous deeds) as condition for them to be admitted to the fold

of believers.

Their understanding of the Qur’an is riddled with inconsistencies.

To whom do Allah revealed these Verses:

ب سي م ل ه ن ل إ ل ا ذ ل ر ق ل و ع ي ر إ ب ا سي م ل ا و ر

ر ح ق ف ه بال ر ش ه إ ك ب و ب ه ل

مي ل ا ل ا و ا ل و أ و ج ل ه ي ع ه ل صا * ل ثا ه ن ل إ ل ا ذ ل ر ق ل

ت ل ن إ و ح و ه ل إ إ ه ل إ ا و ث ث ذ ع ور ذ ل س م ي ل ن ل ق ما ع

لي

“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allah is theMessiah [‘Îsâ (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But theMessiah said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, myLord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners(in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradiseto him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for thewrongdoers there are no helpers. Surely, disbelievers are

those who said: “Allah is the third of the three (in a

33



Trinity).” But there is no god but one God (Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painfultorment will befall on the disbelievers among them.” (Al-

Ma’idah 5:72-73)

What necessitate the Prophet (SAW) action of sending messages

to Caesar, Muqawqis and others inviting them to Islam and

informing of their persistence in sin if they turn away from his

invitation?. The Christians do not belief in a true God. They deify

Jesus and make him a Lord beside Allah. In truest sense, they

are idolaters that worship others beside Allah like the Buddhists

do. Furthermore, their belief in Hereafter is at variance with the

sound belief brought by Islam. They belief in a Day where Jesus

will sit on a throne to call people to account. Their belief on

Paradise and the enjoyment therein is extant to the one

described in the Qur’an. Allah (SWT) has indeed informs that

their beliefs will avail them not. He (SWT) Says:

ر ي ل با و ه بال ن ؤ ذ ل ا ن و ه ل و ه ل ر ح ا ن ر و تى ح تا ك ل و ذ ل ل د

ن رو غ ا و ع ز ج ل “Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in theLast Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden byAllah and His Messenger (Muhammad (SAW)) and thosewho acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam)among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians),

34



until they pay the Jizyah1 with willing submission, andfeel themselves subdued.” (At-Taubah 9:29)

This Verse according to consensus of Qur’an commentators is

applicable to the Jews and Christians. How audacious are thosethat described the Jews and Christians as believers in Allah and

the Last Day when Allah has stripped them of it!

Allah (SWT) also intimate that they are people far from Faith, the

consequence of which annihilate them from Allah’s mercy and

forgiveness:

ر ا ك ل ق و آ تا ك ل ن ل و ي ل ا ا د و ئا ي ع

“And if only the people of the Scripture (Jews andChristians) had believed (in Muhammad (SAW)] andwarded off evil and had become pious, We would indeedhave expiated from them their sins and admitted them to

Gardens of pleasure (in Paradise).” (Al-Ma’idah 5:65)

In view of the facts so far stated, it is evident that the call to

commonality in religion is a farce. It is a call to apostasy and

rebellion against clear evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Whoever expresses his pleasure to such a call and yearns for its

actualization is an apostate as enshrined in the Qur’an, the

Sunnah and consensus of scholars of Islam.

It is equally wrong for Muslims to assist in building of churches or

publishing of the Torah and Bible for distribution.

1

A tax levied from the people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians), who areunder the protection of a Muslim government.

35



It is our duty to call the people of the Scriptures and their ilk

among the disbelievers to Islam with subtleness and kindness.

Allah (SWT) Says:

س ح ت ل با إ تا ك ل ل د جا و “And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jewsand Christians) unless it be in a way that is better.”

(Al-‘Ankabût 29:46)

It is our duty to preach to them in order to take them away from

darkness to the light of Islam. This will also establish evidences

against them (that they hear about Islam but deliberately refuse

to accept it); for the strength of these evidences will enliven

some of them and destroy others, who refuse the message even

after clear evidences has come to them. Allah (SWT) Says:

ا ي ب ء م لى إ ل ا تا ك ل ا

و ئا ي ه ب ر ش

و ه

ل

إ

ك ي ب و ل ن ف ه ن ل دو با با ضا ب ا ض ب ذ خ ت ن م س ا أ ب و ل ق ف

“Say (O Muhammad [SAW]): “O people of the Scripture(Jews and Christians): come to a word that is justbetween us and you, that we worship none but Allah

(alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, andthat none of us shall take others as lords beside Allah.Then if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we areMuslims.” (Âl-‘Imrân 3:64)

However, dialoguing with Jews and Christians with the intention

of compromising some tenets of Islam in order to be accepted by

them, earn their pleasure and cement their trust is greatly

36



abhorred. This will nurtures hypocrisy and evil with manifest

corruption of adherents of the religion. Allah (SWT) warns:

ا

ب ع ت ن

ذ ح و

ي ل إ ه ل ز “But beware of them

lest they turn you far away from some of that which Allahhas sent down to you.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:49)

It is important to note that relating with unbelievers and

dialoguing with them must conform to the ways of the Prophet.

An example of this is the message the Prophet sent to Heraclius

that begin thus:

ا ي ب ء م لى إ ل ا تا ك ل ا و ئا ي ه ب ر ش و ه ل إ ك ي ب و

ل ن ف ه ن ل دو با با ضا ب ا ض ب ذ خ ت ن م

س

ا

أ ب

و ل ق ف

“Say (O Muhammad [SAW]): “O people of the Scripture(Jews and Christians): come to a word that is justbetween us and you, that we worship none but Allah(alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, andthat none of us shall take others as lords beside Allah.Then if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are

Muslims.” (Âl-‘Imrân 3:64)

This is the type of relationship and dialogue with the Kuffar

enshrined in the Shari’ah and nothing else. There is neither

creed nor legislation; nationalism nor tribalism that connect or

unify us. Persistent struggle and resistance exist between them

and us. It is a struggle and resistance between truth and

falsehood that begin since the creation of Âdam and the

disobedience of Iblîs to the Lord of the Worlds. It is a struggle

37



that persist between Iblîs, his offspring and followers and the

people of Islam- a struggle that will continue until the end of

time!

May the choicest peace and blessing of Allah be on the best of humankind, Muhammad (SAW).

The one in need of Allah’s mercy!

Abd. Lateef Abd.Salaam

Documents

Commonality in Religion