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The Qur‘an against Islamic Extremism
By S.M. Zakir Hussain (Bangladesh)
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The Qur‘an against Islamic Extremism
Introduction
Whether the Qur’an is the Truth or not does really does not matter when one uses it to judge the activities of those who say that they believe it to be true. If, however, one attempts to use it to judge those who do not believe it to be a true revelation from the true God (if, again, a God is believed to be true), he has to consider the judgment to be his own, and cannot, as long as he claims to be fair in judgment, demand that the other party accept the judgment to be fair. We will shortly see that this judgment is also supported by the Qur’an. Now we are going to show that the Qur’an not only does not certify Islamic extremism, but it also declares it to be against the Qur’anic views of religion. Thus the Qur’an speaks against those who speak in favor of it in an extreme way.
What is Islamic Extremism:
In this paper, Islamic extremism has been defined as the doctrine that Islam should be established by force and either people should be compelled to accept the law based on the shariah or at least those who are Muslims should be forced to govern their state according to the Qur’an even if they do not want to do so willingly. Taking up arms in an attempt to take revenge or survive attacks cannot, however, be considered extremism because anybody has the right to defend himself or herself when attacked, whatever his or her religion is, or whether or not he or she follows any religious doctrine at all. Then again, armed fighting with unarmed people is not in any way endorsed by the Qur’an. Rather, the Qur’an explicitly avers that it should not be done. We shall see the proof, God willing.
Freedom of Belief and Disbelief:
God created humans with freewill. That is why, in God’s eyes, humans are humans only when they are allowed to use their freewill to choose any course of action. If it was God’s intention that all humans should be believers in the Qur’an, then God would have to snatch away their freewill somehow or other, which God never intends:
Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed Allah, and whoever turns away: We have not sent you as a warder over them. [That is, they have the right to do so if they wish to, you do not have the right to compel them to believe in what you are preching.] [The Qur‘an 4:80]
Had Allah so wished, they had not been idolatrous. We have not set you as a keeper over them, nor are you responsible for them. [The Qur‘an 6:107] [Here God Himself is taking the reponsibility of the disbelievers.]
Lo! We have revealed to you (Muhammad) the Scripture for mankind with TRUTH. Then whoever goes right it is for his soul, and whoever strays, strays only to his or her hurt. And you are not a warder over them. [The Qur‘an 39:41]
But if they are averse [then do not dispair or attempt to follow other means, because], We have not sent you (O Myhammad!) as a warder over them. Your duty is only to convey (the message). [The Qur‘an 42:48]
We are Best Aware of what they say, and you (O Muhammad!) are in no way a compeller over them. But warn by the Qur'an him who fears My threat. [The Qur‘an 50:45]
Remind them, for you are only a remembrancer, you are not at all a warder over them. But Whoever is averse and disbelieves, Allah will punish him with direst punishment. [The Qur‘an 88:21 - 23]
God even puts to question in clear terms any attempt to force people into believing:
And if your Lord so wished, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Will you (Muhammad) (still) compel men until they are (seen to be) believers? [The Qur‘an 10:99]
On the other hand, humans are given the respite to make mistakes and learn from the mistakes:
Corruption appears on land and sea because of (the evil) which men's hands have done [ie, everything humans suffer from is a creation of theirs through their activities], that He may make them taste a part of that which they have earned [part the consequences of their action is sent back to them], in order that they may return (to the right course of action after being aware of the consequences of the mistakes they have made). [The Qur‘an 30:41]
Forcing someone to believe something would amount to considering him or her robots without a specific personality backed by his or her own knowledge, experience, and values. That is why God forbids all types of compulsion in religion:
There is no compulsion in religion. [The Qut‘an 2:256]
Why is that? That is because:
The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejects false deities and believes in Allah has grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. [The Qut‘an 2:256]
Also, even a part of the religion should not be stressed unnecessarily, so that certain features become dominant at the cost of the others:
Stress not in your religion other than the truth. [The Qut‘an 5:77]
And the Qur‘an also says that there is not much hardship in religion, so imposing hardship is suggestive of somebody’s intention to fullfill their ulterior motives:
He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship. [The Qut‘an 22:78]
Forcing Someone into Believing is a Great Sin:
That is because God has given everyone the freedom of choice. Depriving somebody of that right pretending to be God, and not serving Him.
Say: O mankind! Now has the Truth from your Lord come to you. So whosoever is guided, is guided only for (the good of) his soul, and whosoever errs errs only against it. And I am not a warder over you. And (O Muhammad) follow that which is inspired in you, and forbear until Allah give judgment. And He is the Best of Judges. [The Qut‘an 10:108-109]
Had it been possible for a Lecture to cause the mountains to move, or the earth to be torn asunder, or the dead to speak, (this Qur'an would have done so) (still then those who disbelieve would not believe). Nay, but Allah's is the whole command. Do not those who believe know that, had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind? As for those who disbelieve, disaster does not cease to strike them because of what they do, or it dwells near their home until the threat of Allah come to pass (and that will be enough for them as a sign if they want to believe). Look! Allah does not fail to keep the tryst (so you do not have to anything that has not been endorsed). [The Qut‘an 13:31]
Then, if they turn away, your duty (O Muhammad) is but plain conveyance (of the message) (and not to compel). [The Qut‘an 16:82]
The guiding of them (by forse or even by love) is not your duty (O Muhammad), but Allah guides whom He will. [The Qut‘an 2:272] Lo! you (O Muhammad) (cannot) guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He will. And He is Best Aware of those who walk aright. [The Qut‘an 28:56]
Whoso obeys the messenger has obeyed Allah, and whoso turns away: We have not sent you as a warder over them. [The Qut‘an 4:80]
Lo! We have revealed to you (Muhammad) the Scripture for mankind with truth. Then whosoever goes right it is for his own soul, and whosoever strays, strays only to its own hurt. And you are not a warder over them. [The Qut‘an 39:41]
But if they are averse, We have not sent you as a warder over them. Thine is only to convey (the message). [The Qut‘an 42:48]
Remind them, for you are but a remembrancer, you are not at all a warder over them. But whoso is averse and disbelieves, Allah will punish him with direst punishment (and you do not have do that; it is up to them how they want to face their own God). [The Qut‘an 88:21-24]
Had Allah willed He could have made you one nation, but He sends whom He will astray and guides whom He will, and you will indeed be asked of what you used to do. [The Qut‘an 16:93]
And if they argue with you, (O Muhammad), say: I have surrendered my purpose to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say to those who have received the Scripture and those who read not: Have you (too) surrendered (to your God)? If they surrender, then truly they are rightly guided, and if they turn away, then it is your duty only to convey the message (unto them). Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen. [The Qut‘an 3:20]
And if there is a party of you which believes in that wherewith I have been sent, and there is a party which does not believe, then have patience (O my true followers!) until Allah judges between us (on the Day of Judgment). He is the Best of all who deal in judgment. [The Qut‘an 7:87]
Forcing Someone into Believing would Mean Arrogance:
If the Prophet preaches and then some do not follow him and he feels sad simply because he has not been followed, then that would mean this: “What! You do not believe even after a great peson like me have invited you to do so!” That would make the Truth a secondary issue and the preacher the primary issue. It would mean: “It is the truth only becayse I have said so, not because God has said so.” Lest the prophet make such a mistake, God has warned him even not to feel bad when he is rejected. Prophets do not have the right to do so. The following verse bears witness to the truth of this view:
And if their aversion is grievous to you, then, if you can, seek a way down into the earth or a ladder to the sky that you may bring to them a sign (to convince them all)! - If Allah willed, He could have brought them all together to the guidance - So be not you among the foolish ones (who want to force by power or magic). [The Qut‘an 6:35]
Real Preaching and Virtue Mean Having Patience and Avoiding Conflict :
Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard except for the humble-minded, Who know that they will have to meet their Lord, and that to Him they are returning. [The Qut‘an 2:45-46]
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets; and gives wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observes proper worship and pays the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the Allah-fearing. [The Qut‘an 2:177]
Messengers indeed have been denied before you, and they were patient under the denial and the persecution till Our succour reached them. There is none to alter the decisions of Allah. Already there has reached you (somewhat) of the tidings of the messengers (We sent before). [The Qut‘an 6:34]
Then have patience (O Muhammad) even as the stout of heart among the messengers (of old) had patience, and do not seek to hasten on (the doom) for them. On the day when they see that which they are promised (it will seem to them) as though they had stayed but an hour of daylight. A clear message. Shall any be destroyed save evil-living folk? [The Qut‘an 46:35]
This is of the news of the Unseen which We inspire in you (Muhammad). You yourself did not know it, nor did your folk (know it) before this. Then have patience. Look! the sequel is for those who ward off (evil). [The Qut‘an 11:49]
And have patience, (O Muhammad), for Look! Allah does not waste the wages of the good (so you go on doing what you know to be good, and do not impose the truth on anybody. Just go on warning. That will do, because that will save all and give them enough opportunity to feel the truth). If only there had been among the generations before you men possessing a remnant (of good sense) to warn (their people) from corruption in the earth, as did a few of those whom We saved from them! The wrong-doers followed that by which they were made sapless, and were guilty. In truth your Lord did not destroy the townships tyrannously while their folk were doing right. And if your Lord had willed, He Certainly would have made mankind one nation, yet they do not stop differing, except Him on whom your Lord has mercy; and for that He did create them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled: Certainly I shall fill hell with the jinn and mankind together. And all that We relate to you of the story of the messengers is in order that thereby We may make firm your heart (that your duty is only to convey the message, and nothing more). And herein has come to you the Truth and an exhortation and a reminder for believers. And say to those who do not believe: Act according to your power. Look! We (too) are acting. And wait (do not act hastily in an unfair way)! Look! We (too) are waiting. [The Qut‘an 11:115-122]
Then let them be on their own (O Muhammad), till they meet their day, in which they will be thunder-stricken, A day in which their guile will nothing avail them, nor will they be helped. And verily, for those who do wrong, there is a punishment beyond that. But most of them know not. So wait patiently (O Muhammad) for your Lord's decree. [The Qut‘an 52:45-48]
Patience is preferrable even when somebody is wronged because of their religion. Here is the proof:
Tell those who believe to forgive those who hope not for the days of Allah; in order that He may requite folk what they used to earn (so tell them not to take up everything in their hands). [The Qut‘an 45:14]
This instruction is for believers even when they have been wronged. In fact, those who say they believe will be rewarded only to the extent that they have deliberately suffered the pangs of the criticism and misbehavior of those who say that they do not believe. If that is done, then only the unbelieving people can be expected to be requited in the hereafter. Otherwise, there would be no proof that those who say are believers are really so and those who say they do not believe are really so. Just see the use of 'in order that'. One who does not let the unbelieving people an opportunity to test his/her belief is not a believer.
If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted (as a valid retaliation). But if you endure patiently, Certainly it is better for the patient. Endure you patiently (O Muhammad). Your endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve not for them, and be not in distress because of that which they devise. [The Qut‘an 16:126-127]
And verily whoso is patient and forgives - lo! that, verily, is (of) the steadfast heart of things. [The Qut‘an 42:43]
And for every nation have We appointed a ritual, that they may mention the name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food; and (in spite of all such diversity) your god is One God, therefore surrender to Him. And give good tidings (O Muhammad) to the humble, Whose hearts fear when Allah is mentioned, and the patient of whatever may befall them, and those who establish worship and who spend of that We have bestowed on them. [The Qut‘an 22:34-35]
So have patience (O Muhammad)! Allah's promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make you impatient (so as to move to hasty actions). [The Qut‘an 30:60]
Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness of thy sin, and hymn the praise of thy Lord at fall of night and in the early hours. [The Qut‘an 40:55]
Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true (and that is enough as an action against them). And whether we let you see a part of that which We promise them, or (whether) We cause you to die, still to Us they will be brought back (so you do not have to find a way to make them follow you, because following without bel;ieving willingly is not what is desired). Verily We sent messengers before you, among them those of whom We have told you, and some of whom We have not told you; and it was not allowed to any messenger that he should bring a sign except by Allah's permission (because the greatest sign is in their own judgement), but when Allah's commandment comes (the cause) is judged aright, and the followers of vanity will then be lost. [The Qut‘an 40:77-78] 17:59. Nothing hinders Us from sending signs except that the folk of old denied them. [The Qut‘an 17:59]
The Beauty of Individuality, Variety, and Unity:
The entire mankind has been created from a single soul. But in order to avoid the tedium of sameness in everybody, humans have been divided into groups for the sake of variety, because variety is beauty. Also, variety, when observed with enthusiasm and with the feeling of unity, creates knowledge:
O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you (all) may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. [The Qur‘an 49:13]
He it is Who did create you from a single soul, and therefrom did make his mate that he might take rest in her. [The Qur‘an 7:189]
O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain has spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in Whom you (all) claim (your rights) of one another, and toward the wombs (that bare you). Look! Allah has been a watcher over you. [The Qur‘an 4: 1]
There is variety even at the level of faith, because the central aspect of the mind is freedom of choice:
And We have sundered them in the earth as (separate) nations. Some of them are righteous, and some far from that. And We have tried them with good things and evil things that haply they might return. [The Qur‘an 7:168]
And leave Me and the rejecters (alone on our own ways, unobstructed), the possessors of ease and becoming avoidance. [The Qur‘an 73: 11]
How mysteriopus an instruction! God urges to leave Him and the disbelievers, meaning that it is not a duty of the Prophet to compel them to believe and act according to the code. Rather, they should not be prohibited from enjoying the individuality and the freedom of choice that God has given them.
What about War, then?
The fact that there occurs wars and battles between groups of humans does not have to do anything at all with any religion of the world, although it has been the case that intances of bloodshedding can be identified with religions. Battles and wars are solely consequences of clashes of interest. According to the Qur’an, the believers are allowed to, and in certain cases encouraged to, fight only when they are compelled to, that is, when fights are imposed on them. However, the Qur’an does not allow believers to fight with those who do not stand in the way of preaching or following the Path of the Qur’an. Here is a clear declaration:
...kill them wherever you (all) find them, and choose no friend nor helper from among them, Except those who seek refuge with a people between whom and you there is a covenant, or (those who) come to you because their hearts forbid them to make war on you or make war on their own folk. Had Allah willed He could have given them power over you so that assuredly they would have fought you. So, if they hold aloof from you and wage not war against you and offer you peace, Allah allows you no way against them. [The Qut‘an 4:89 - 90]
Allah does not forbid you to show kindness to and deal justly with those who did not fight against you on account of religion and did not drive you out from your homes. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers. Allah only forbids you to make friends with those who warred against you on account of religion and have driven you out from your homes and helped to drive you out. Whosoever maketh friends of them - (All) such are wrong-doers. [The Qut‘an 60: 8 - 9]
According to the above verses, the country which allows Muslims to live freely in it should be considered to have assented to the pact of peace with the believers. And the acceptance of the freedom of belief in its constitution is enough to prove, in light of the above verses, that that country is in a contract of peace with the Muslims. And that country, or its law, even if it is not based on Qur’anic norms, is not to be considered an enemy of Islam.
Even two groups of terrorists or robbers can be engaged in a fight, let alone two countries. But that does not lend itself to the interrelation that wars are imposed by religions.
On Killing Civilians as a Retaliation
Sometimes some people are heard to be saying that if, in the course of ‘establishing’ the religion, innocent, unarmed people are killed (even deliberately), then they will go to the Paradise and that will be their compensation. What will happen to such people – only God knows, but the Qur’an categorically says that killing unarmed people unwittingly is also a sin, for which the killer will be held responsible. Here is the proof:
Only the heads (that is, the armed forces) of the disbelievers are to be fought against:
And if they break their pledges after their treaty (has been made with you) and assail your religion, then fight the heads of disbelief. (The Qur’an 9:12)
O you who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest you smite some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what you did. (The Qur’an 49: 6)
Why Does Extremism Exist, then?
This is a nice question to ask. And I believe that we should stay with the question, rather than rushing to a conclusion. Conclusions after mean the end of thought, and thus the immature death of a thoughtful mind. Extremism is simply a misdirected tendency of the human mind. Humans can be extremist and dogmatic in any direction - in gambling, in sports, in ethnicity, and what not. And we often use that degenerate mentality on the platforms of religions to strengthen our sides with others’ support. The Qur’an says exactly the same thing:
And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not. They think to beguile Allah and those who believe (by maintaining appearences), and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increases their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie.
And when it is said to them: Make not mischief in the earth (in the name of religion), they say: We are peacemakers only. Are not they indeed the mischief-makers? But they perceive not. And when it is said to them: believe as the people believe (and do not pretend to be something special), they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe? are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not. And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Look! we are with you; Certainly we did but mock. Allah (Himself) doth mock them, leaving them to wander blindly on in their contumacy. These are they who purchase error at the price of guidance, so their commerce doth not prosper, neither are they guided. Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindles fire [because in the beginning they got a tinge of the Truth], and when it sheds its light around him Allah takes away their light and leaves them in darkness, where they cannot see, Deaf, dumb and blind; and they return not (to the right course of action). Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder and the flash of lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears by reason of the thunder-claps, for fear of death, Allah encompasses the disbelievers (in His guidance, His omniscience and His omnipotence). The lightning almost snatches away their sight from them. As often as it flashes forth for them they walk therein [because there is no denying that they have some amount of light], and when it darkness against them they stand still [because their light is not perfect]. If Allah so wished, He could destroy their hearing and their sight. Look! Allah is able to do all things. [The Qur‘an 2: 8 - 20]
Why are there Such Clashes among Humans?
This is one of the most basic questions. We could perhaps put more importance on the search for explanations to this problem than the importance we give on exploring the outer space. We are wondering at the expanse of the space around us, while we are completely unaware of the vastness of the possibilities inside our own minds. But the truth of the Qur’an, as the Qur’an itself claims, will be equally substantiated by the outer as well as the inner expanse of mysteries:
And in the earth are signs (in favor of the truth of this Qur‘an) for those whose faith is sure. And (also) in yourselves. Can you (all) then not see? [The Qur‘an 51:20]
Let us revert to the basic point: Why are there such clashes among groups of mankind? Interestingly, the Qur’an reports that the same issue was raised when, long before humankind was created, God declared to the angels that humans were going to be created on earth:
And when your Lord said to the angels: Look! I am about to place a representative of Mine in the earth, they said: Will you place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we hymn Your praise and sanctify You? He said: Surely I know that which you (all) know not. [The Qur‘an 2:30]
How did the angels foretell what would happen later on, when completely a new dimension would be added to creation? I am not going to answer this question because, on the one hand, I like the question itself, and on the other, I do no pretend to know the unseen. And there is another point to ponder: God pointed to the fact that there is truth in such clashes, that what the angels thought about humans by considering their probable behavior was not all that could be there in humans; rather, there is more to be considered in judging the worth of humans. However, it is also very important to note that what the angels predicated about humans has later been seen to be the fact by humans. Somehow or other we are unfortunate that we are not in a position to escape the prediction of the celestial robots, although we ourselves are creators of intelligent robots.
What about Establishing ‘Islamic Laws’ ?
We have already seen that the Qur’an says that definitely there are Islamic laws but they are not to be imposed on anybody, less so on a community in the form of the law of the country. The Islamic law can accepted as the community law if and only if the entire or the majority of the community accepts it, which is in no way on exception to what we call democracy. Let us see the related verse:
Look! Allah does not change the condition of a people until they (first) change that which is in their hearts. [The Qur‘an 13:11]
It is said in the Qur’an that even the Jews and the Christians, etc., are allowed to apply their own laws among themselves:
Say O People of the Scripture (Christians)! you (all) have nothing (of guidance) till you (all) observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed to you from your Lord. [The Qur‘an 5:68]
If they come to you (O Muhammad!) for judgment regarding any issue, then judge between them or disclaim judgment. If you disclaim jurisdiction, then they cannot harm you at all. But if you judg, judge between them with equity. Look! Allah loves the equitable.
How will they come to you for judgment when they have the Torah, wherein Allah has delivered judgment (for them) [which is sufficient for them]? Yet even after that they turn away. Such (folk) are not believers.
Look! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and to that they were witnesses. [The Qur‘an 5: 42 - 44]
However, according to the above verses, if somebody desires justice from a Muslim leader, then they must be given justice, preferably according to the Qur’anic laws. That is because the laws belong to God.
And to you have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah has revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which has come to you. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah so wished He could have made you one community. But (He has not done so in order) that He may try you by that which He has given you (He has made you as you (all) are). So compete with one another in good works. To Allah you (all) will return, and He will then inform you of that wherein you (all) differ. [The Qur‘an 5:48]
In fact, even if the majority of the community does not accept the Qur’anic code as the law, whatever they enact with prudence and justice will also be accepted by God, because:
To Him good words ascend, and the pious deed doth He exalt; but those who plot iniquities, theirs will be an awful doom; and the plotting of such (folk) will be in vain. [The Qur‘an 35:10]
To each nation have We given sacred rites which they are to perform; so let them not dispute with you of the matter, but do you summon to your Lord. Look! you indeed follow right guidance. [The Qur‘an 22:67]
Even when there are more than one belief system in a community, God motives them to look at what is common among them, rather than what creates or points to the differences:
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture (Christians) unless it is in (a way) that is better, except with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Allah and your Allah is One, and to Him we surrender. [The Qur‘an 29:46]
Say (unto the People of the Scripture): Dispute you (all) with us concerning Allah when He is our Lord and your Lord? Ours are our works and yours your works. We look to Him alone. [The Qur‘an 2:139]
...say (O Muhammad): I believe in whatever scripture Allah hath sent down, and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. to us our works and to you your works; no argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the journeying. [The Qur‘an 42:15]
But those who believe in Allah and His messengers and make no distinction between any of them, to them Allah will give their wages. [The Qur‘an 4:152]
Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was vouchsafed to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [The Qur‘an 3:84]
Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner to Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). [The Qur‘an 3:64]
And the Jews say the Christians follow nothing (true), and the Christians say the Jews follow nothing (true); yet both are readers of the Scripture. Even thus speak those who do not know. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they differ. [The Qur‘an 2:113]
Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed to us and that which was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have surrendered. [The Qur‘an 2:136]
Certainly, these strategic ways in social and political affairs can help us coexist peacefully. After all, God never intended to transform all humans into either believers or disbelievers. Rather, the game of variety and freewill, where every individual has the opportunity to learn, choose, or reject, could be, and actually is, characteristic of an ideal laboratory that the earth is.
What’s New in the Qur’an?
The Qur’an itself says that there is nothing new in the Qur’an in view of what was revealed in the former Scriptures. That is why there is no need to push it on people. Only speaking the truth and sticking to the Qur’an with indifference to the arrogance of disbelievers will be enough:
And lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty to Me. But they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its tenets. [The Qur‘an 23:52 - 53]
So set your purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He has created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men do not know- Turning to Him (only); and be careful of your duty to Him and establish worship, and do not be of those who ascribe partners (unto Him); Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets. [The Qur‘an 30:30 - 32]
Why is it Difficult to be a Loving Muslim?
Because it is difficult to accept the truth and sacrifice and forgive and help.
A real Muslim should be happy with the sufferings he/she has to undergo for being a Muslim. One who is not prepared to create nice responses to painful stimuli is not fit for Islam.
Those who persevere in seeking their Lord's Countenance and are regular in prayer and spend of that which We bestow upon them secretly and openly, and overcome evil with good. Theirs will be the sequel of the (heavenly) Home. [The Qur‘an 13:22]
What about Followers of other Religions?
Any person following the path of any religion, but acknowledging the truth of the Qur’an, and doing good deeds, is a religions person, whether he or she is converted into Islam or not. In fact, some students are happy with a B or C grade on the average, while there are some who won’t be happy without an A.
Look! Those who believe (in that which is revealed to you, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans [who include the Hindus, according to many scholars] - whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. [The Qur‘an 2:62. ]
Humans can Make Mistakes, but Immediate Correction is Necessary
It may happen that some people have made a mistake somewhere but actually they are good people or their intention was not bad, although the way they exerted their efforts to create actions was erroneous. However, God is ever-forgiving if we do proper tawba or repentance and make necessary compensations. Accidents can happen, but it should be the planned way of existence.
After-Word:
Thus We detail the revelations, so that perhaps they may return. [The Qur‘an 7:174]
And those who argue concerning Allah after He hath been acknowledged, their argument hath no weight with their Lord, and wrath is upon them and theirs will be an awful doom. [The Qur‘an 42:16]
Author of:
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