|
Cont’d from page 1
Their Lord called upon them: “Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?”
The Quran, God’s great gift to us, repeatedly gives us the correct information about the most important commandment and the greatest criterion:
[3:18] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.
[37:35] When they were told, “Laa Elaaha Ella Allah [There is no other god beside GOD],” they turned arrogant.
[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.
[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, “Idolize me beside GOD.” Instead, (he would say), “Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone,” according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.
[3:80] Nor would he command you to idolize the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve after becoming submitters?
The Most Gracious further informs us that He sent all of His messengers with the same message (shahadah).
[21:25] We did not send any messenger before you except with the inspiration: “There is no god except Me; you shall worship Me alone.”
In addition, God gives us enough examples of His messengers to eradicate all doubt.
[7:59] We sent Noah to his people, saying, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.”
[21:56] He said, “Your only Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who created them. This is the testimony to which I bear witness. (Abraham)
[7:158] Say, “O people, I am GOD's messenger to all of you. To Him belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except He. He controls life and death.” Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messenger, the gentile prophet, who believes in GOD and His words. Follow him, that you may be guided. (Moses)
[3:51] “GOD is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.” (Jesus)
Prophet Muhammad preached the Quran, the whole Quran, and nothing but the Quran:
[6:19] Say, “Whose testimony is the greatest?” Say, “GOD's. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods beside GOD.” Say, “I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry.” (Muhammad)
God's Messenger of the Covenant also preached the same message:
[13:30] We have sent you (O Rashad) to this community, just as we did for other communities in the past. You shall recite to them what we reveal to you, for they have disbelieved in the Most Gracious. Say, “He is my Lord. There is no god except He. I put my trust in Him alone; to Him is my ultimate destiny.”
In fact, every single messenger of God, without any exception, came with the same straightforward message:
[7:65] To `Aad we sent their brother Hood. He said, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Would you then observe righteousness?”
[21:87] And Zan-Noon (Jonah, “the one with an `N' in his name”), abandoned his mission in protest, thinking that we could not control him. He ended up imploring from the darkness (of the big fish's belly): “There is no god other than You. Be You glorified. I have committed a gross sin.”
[12:38] “And I followed instead the religion of my ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We never set up any idols beside GOD. Such is the blessing from GOD upon us and upon the people, but most people are unappreciative. (Joseph)
[7:73] To Thamoud we sent their brother Saaleh. He said, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has been provided for you from your Lord: here is GOD's camel, to serve as a sign for you. Let her eat from GOD's land, and do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur a painful retribution.
[7:85] To Midyan we sent their brother Shu`aib. He said, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has come to you from your Lord. You shall give full weight and full measure when you trade. Do not cheat the people out of their rights. Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight. This is better for you, if you are believers.
[20:90] And Aaron had told them, “O my people, this is a test for you. Your only Lord is the Most Gracious, so follow me, and obey my commands.”
[37:125-6] “Do you worship a statue, instead of the Supreme Creator? GOD; your Lord, and the Lord of your forefathers!” (Elias)
Cont'd on page 3