Many wars and battles have been waged over religion. Whole civilizations have been wiped out; their contributions can only be hinted at as a purging of their writings and culture took place.
However Islam seeks to amend these differences that have been the cause of so much sorrow and atrocities throughout the world.
According to the Quran, those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish scriptures, and the Sabians and the Christians — anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness — "shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."
As such the Quran mentions three different groups that contain genuine teachings leading its adherents to God.
What Does Islam Say About Christianity?
Islam accepts that God is pleased with worshippers in the Christian faith. Christians believe as Islam does that there is only one God; that this One God is All Powerful and All Knowing.
All powerful implies that no slumber fatigue or crisis has the ability to overtake God. He is free of all his creatures and needs nothing from them for survival. All bounties flow from God unto Man as He expresses love for humanity.
What Does Islam Say About Judaism?
Islam accepts that God is pleased with the adherents of Judaism. The Jewish faith teaches that certain acts ought to be completed for the pleasure of God.
As such the Jewish people have enacted a number of sacred holydays in which they have ritual meals and other practices. Islam recognizes these as genuine practices descending from God as it states in the Quran that to every people have their rituals been given to them. Through these rituals the Jewish people show their desire for a cohesive society based on faith, goodwill, and love.
What Does Islam Say About the Sabians?
Little is really known of the Sabians, save that they were a particular group in Arabia at the time that Prophet Muhammad walked the earth. What is know is that they professed a belief in one god and may had some ritual practices misconstrued as magic.
Islam acknowleges such traditions when it states that two angels Harut and Marut brought special to ancient Babylon hat were misapplied by humans and corrupted into black arts centuries before the world heard of Christianity or Judaism.
As such, Muslims believe that God tells humanity through the Quran that he can be successfully approached by way of traditions other than Islam; unless a person has become Muslim. After which no other tradition is acceptable for that individual.
However Islam recognizes the above traditions, but is not limited to recognizing them only. As the Quran states “We did aforetime send messengers before thee: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and some whose story We have not related to thee...” (Quran 40:78)
In lieu of this Buddha, Krishna, and others may indeed have been prophets. They are to be given due respect and their worshippers invited to the table of friendship. Islam accepts the fact that the hand of God was in the establishment of traditions other than Islam and seeks to affirm that it is a person’s relationship with God that is the important matter.
Sources:
- Abdullah Yusef Ali. The Holy Quran; translation with Arabic Text.
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