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Since the creation of man, there have been many divine messages and
Prophets sent by God to mankind. Numerous messages were revealed to many
Prophets who, in time, were sent to different nations. However, all these
messages, from the first to the last, were the same in essence. They all
called people to believe in One True God and to do righteous deeds. Allah,
Most Exalted, says: "Truly, the religion with
Allah is Islam…" (Holy Qur'an,
3:19)
According to the verse above and other verses in Qur'an, the message which
all Prophets called to was Islam. Since there is Only One True God, the
message of God must also be one in essence.
But this message varies in general laws, codes of life and worship (but
not in the essential beliefs) due to diverse nations, times, conditions,
customs, and cultures. Every (form of this) message was sent to a
particular nation for a particular time except last message, revealed to
Muhammad (peace be upon him), which was sent to all people and nations
till the Day of Judgment.
Allah took upon His Self to guard the last message (i.e. Qur'an hence
Islam) from corruption. He, Almighty, says in Qur'an:
"Verily, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr
(i. e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)."
(Holy Qur'an, 15:9)
This message is called Islam, which means submission to the will of the
only True God, Allah. So, all Prophets, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be
upon them all) called their people to Islam (i.e. submission to God by
believing in him Alone and doing good deeds).
Allah says: "And whoever seeks a religion other
than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will
be one of the losers." (Holy Qur'an, 3:85)
The verse mentioned above makes it clear that when we say there is only
one religion is meant there is only one true religion. Allah, Almighty,
calls polytheists' beliefs religions in the Holy Qur'an:
"Say: O Al-Qafirun (disbelievers)! 'I worship
not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship. And
I shall not worship that you which are worshipping. Nor will you worship
that which I worship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion
(Islamic Monotheism).'" (Holy Qur'an, 109)
The Prophet (PBUH) confirmed this fact by his saying: "All Prophets are
brethren and their religion is one" (reported by Muslim)
Allah, Almighty, informs us in the Holy Qur'an about many Prophets uttered
the word 'Islam' or 'Muslim' such as Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Josef, Moses
etc.
Allah, Most High, tells us about Noah when he warned his people of
disbelief: "But if you turn away [from accepting
my doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah], then
no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and I have
been commanded to be of the Muslims." (Holy Qur'an, 10:72)
Abraham and Jacob enjoined Islam upon their sons. Allah, Almighty, says:
"And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was
enjoined by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob (saying) 'O my sons! Allah
has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the faith
of Islam (as Muslims - Islamic Monotheism)." (Holy Qur'an, 2:132)
Abraham and Ishmael invoked their Lord when they were raising the
foundations of the house (Qa'bah at Makkah):
"Our Lord! And make us submissive (Muslims) unto You and of our offspring
a nation submissive unto You…" (Holy Qur'an, 2:128). Allah says in
the Qur'an: "(Solomon said) 'Be you not exalted
against me, but come to me as Muslims.'" (Holy Qur'an, 27:31)
When Jesus came to know of his peoples' disbelief, he said to them:
"…Who will be my helpers in Allah's Cause?' The
disciples said: 'We are the helpers of Allah; we believe in Allah, and
bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allah).'" (Holy
Qur'an, 3:52)
To conclude, the only message left uncorrupted today is Islam because it
is preserved by Allah Himself and is meant to be for all people of
different races and languages and for all times to come. And thereupon all
people are commanded to accept Islam. In Islam it's obligatory to have
belief in all Messengers and their messages in the original forms revealed
by Allah. Surely, it's the only way which can lead people to success in
this life and to Paradise in the Hereafter.
Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "By Him (Allah) in Whose Hand Muhammad's
soul is, there is none from among the Jews and Christians who hears about
me and then dies without believing in the Message (i.e. Islam) with which
I have been sent, but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) fire."
(reported by Muslim) |