Universal Faith
Cont’d from page 1
However, we learn from the Quran that previous scriptures, David’s
Psalms, the Torah and Jesus’ Gospel are also beacons and guidance
(5:46, 21:48). There will be people who will make it to heaven through
these scriptures of God by worshiping Him alone, in spite of the
innovations and misrepresentations that may have happened through
time. In the same way, there are people who come to worship God
alone through a “bad” translation of the Quran or the
distortions in the religion of Islam (2:62, 5:69).
If a person’s heart is open to submission, God guides that
person even if he or she is in the midst of an idol worshiping community,
no matter what the circumstances are, as exemplified by Prophet
Abraham and Pharaoh’s wife.
Only God can guide
We cannot guide anyone regardless of how hard we try, if the person
is destined to be misguided. The bottom line is that God is the
only one who guides people in accordance with the knowledge He has
about them (28:56). Of course, that does not mean we should not
do anything. On the contrary, we should do the best we can to spread
the message, but should not despair or get upset if our efforts
seem to be disregarded or ignored
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by the people. God still gives us credit
for taking the initiative by His infinite mercy (8:17).
Invitation to Submission
God gives us clear instructions to treat each other in the best
possible manner, for Satan will try to drive a wedge between the
submitters (17:53). When dealing with other people, God wants us
to debate with them amicably and invite them to His path with wisdom
and kind enlightenment (16:125).
There should not be any compulsion in religious conviction (2:256).
People should have total freedom to embrace the only religion approved
by God (3:19). That is the religion of peace and submission. It
is the ultimate state of faith unifying all those who worship only
the One God, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
This is summed up with the basic message to us from God through
His messengers and scriptures: Worship God alone, with all your
heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30, Quran 3:18).
Abdullah
[29:46] Do not argue with the people of the scripture
(Jews, Christians, and Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner
- unless they transgress - and say, "We believe in what was
revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and
your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters." |
“WE SUBDUED THEM FOR THEM”
And we subdued them for them; some they ride, and
some they eat. [36:72]
It’s so easy for us today to find food. We go to the market
and pick up a gallon of milk, a steak, and a pound of broccoli.
Early man lived in caves. When he wanted food, he had to go and
find it—pick it, dig it up or kill it. If he wanted meat,
there was certainly plenty of it around. The problem was finding
it, chasing after it and finally bringing it down. Men had to use
spears and clubs to kill game, but this was dangerous, and success
was by no means guaranteed. What was needed was a way to keep a
supply of these animals close by, preferably penned in a confined
space where it would be easy to get to them; and it would be nice
if your life wasn’t on the line every time you went to the
“store.”
What a remarkable thing to consider that first step toward domestication.
Throughout history there have been close to 5000 species of mammals
on the earth, yet fewer than a dozen have achieved widespread success
as a domesticated animal. Scientists recognize that certain species
are “pre-adapted” to domestication. What that means
is that God has designed them this way.
Have they not seen that we created for them with
our own hands, livestock that they own? And we subdued them for
them; some they ride, and some they eat. (36:71-2)
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