Jannah (Paradise) Is Not
The Monopoly Of Any
Particular Religious Group!
It's The Prize For
The Righteous And
God-fearing.
(M. Javed Naseem)
Islam is the same religion as was practiced by Adam and the following Prophets/'Messengers. The only difference is in the name, as Islam got its name from the Arabic language because the Quran was revealed in Arabic to an Arabic-speaking Prophet. Before that, during the time of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses or Jesus, the same religion might have been called by some other names, in some other languages as the Scriptures were revealed in other languages.
Allah the Almighty has made it very clear in the Quran that real religion is “submission” (or obedience) to God and anybody who does that, will be rewarded with the top prize – the Paradise (Jannah). Only the ignorant people, who actually don't know what Islam stands for, claim that so-called 'Muslims' will go to Paradise whereas the Jews and the Christians would go to Hell. That's not true. Any true believer of God (including Jews, Christians and others) who obeys the commands of Allah and follows the path of righteousness (piety), will qualify for Paradise (Jannah).
There is a tricky point here! Those believers (whether Jews, Christians or others) who assign partners to God (son, daughter, family, etc.) are not true Jews or Christians! Prophets Moses and Jesus with their books (Torah and the Gospel) promoted a monotheistic religion – only One God to worship, with no partners whatsoever). Therefore, if they obey Allah's commands and do the righteous deeds, they qualify for Paradise (Jannah). Here's what Allah says in the Quran:
“Indeed, those who believed and those who
were Jews or Christians or Sabeans (before
Prophet Muhammad) – those (among them)
who believed in Allah and the Last Day and
did righteousness – will have their reward
with their Lord, and no fear will there be
concerning them, nor will they grieve.”
(al-Quran 2:62)
In other words, believing in (worshiping) One God and doing the righteous deeds is the essence of religion. This is obedience to God. Allah repeats this assurance in Chapter 5 (Surah al-Ma'idah) with almost the same words, and says:
“Indeed, those who have believed (in Prophet
Muhammad) and those (before Him) who were
Jews or Sabeans or Christians - those (among
them) who believed in Allah and the Last Day
and did righteousness - no fear will there be
concerning them, nor will they grieve.”
(al-Quran 5:69)
Believing in Allah (only One God) and performing the righteous deeds is called 'Islam' in Arabic language. It is also called “Taqwa” or piety or righteousness. Taqwa means leading a life of restraint or guarding oneself against evil. It is, as a matter of fact, a phenomenon of consciousness. You need to be God-conscious to worship Him, obey Him and perform righteous deeds. When one becomes highly aware of something, one naturally becomes very careful and sensitive about it. When you care about Allah, you don't want to indulge in any activities that can cause displeasure of Allah. Displeasure is caused by disobedience to Allah.
Satan (the Devil) was destined to Hellfire because of his disobedience to Allah's command. It is very easy to imagine what heavy price we would pay if we dare to disobey Allah! Satan did it and he was cursed along with his followers.
Now, let's get back to the definition of Islam. As I explained it in the very first paragraph, Islam means total submission, unconditional surrender to the Will of God. While studying the above-mentioned verses of the Quran (2:62 and 5:69), Some people might get confused when they see the verses 83 and 85 of Chapter 3 (Surah Ale-Imran). It says:
“So, is it other than the religion of Allah they
desire? – while to Him have submitted (all) those
within the heavens and earth, willingly or by
compulsion, and to Him they will be returned!”
(al-Quran 3:83)
And in verse 3:85 Allah the Almighty declares very clearly that it's only Islam that's acceptable to Allah as religion because that's the 'religion of Allah'.
“And whoever desires other than Islam as
religion, never will it be accepted from him, and
he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.”
(al-Quran 3:85)
Confusing or contradicting? No, not at all. Between the two verses (3:83 and 3:85), there is the verse No.384 and that tells us that, in fact, Islam was the same religion which was practiced by other Prophets/Messengers and their followers. Islam means submitting to Allah. Here's the verse:
“Say, 'We have believed in Allah and in what was
revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham,
Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in
what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the
prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction
between any of them, and we are Muslims
(submitting) to Him."
(al-Quran 3:84)
So,
it has been made clear to us that religion (or Islam) means
submission and obedience to the Supreme Creator, the Almighty Allah.
Anybody who brings that on the Day of Judgment, will qualify for
Paradise, no matter how you label him – Jew, Christian, Muslim or
other!
Our life or stay on Earth is a trial. We are being tested if we really qualify to live in Paradise. Allah has revealed to us through the Quran what is required of us; what pleases Allah and what causes His anger. Allah commands obedience and submission from us as every other creature in the universe submits to Allah, willingly or unwillingly. Only the humans and Jinns are given a choice to show their obedience and submission voluntarily. But at the same time we are warned of dire consequences if we don't submit. Allah dislikes disobedience.
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