The world is a small village. A quote that has spread in the last century as a result of the development of communication, transportation, and the emergence of the internet. It has become easy for a Muslim to meet people of other religions, and naturally discuss the framework of cultural exchange. The Muslim tries to persuade the Jew or Christian and clarifies the nature of Islam to him. This doesn’t pass without answering a fundamental question that arises in the mind of the offender. They ask: What is Islam’s view of us (Non-Muslim)?
What is meant by the heavenly religions is the true divine laws that were revealed by the inspiration of Allah. The creator of the worlds to the prophets and messengers whom Allah chose to guide human societies. Calling them to acknowledge the oneness and worship Him alone. Obeying Him by doing what He commanded, and leaving what He forbade. They do that to achieve the happiness and goodness of man in His life.
These religions differ from other corrupt beliefs and delusions that people have invented. It’s a result of their sense of weakness in the face of some natural forces, such as prostration to fire, or as a result of the naivety of their minds and the simplicity of their thinking, such as worshiping idols and stones that do not harm or benefit.
The unity of the divine religions in the source (Allah) and the goal
The source of the heavenly religions is Allah (SWA). Allah Almighty is the one who legislated them. He (SWA) is the one who sent them to His messengers and commanded them to fulfill. He is the one who assigned people to obey and to stand at their limits.
The unity of these religions is complete and clear, given the origins on which they were based. Legislation adopted it, as it was based mainly on devoting worship to Allah alone. Allah says: {And your Lord has decreed that you should worship only Him.} (Al-Israa: 23).
There is an agreement in the sentence on the life aspects of the issues related to morals, transactions, and borders. Although there is a difference between them in the concepts and forms. These conditions are approved, given the different circumstances of each nation. The different natures and the diversity of its customs, and the disparity of its interests and needs. This difference may Allah be tempted to compete to do good and righteous deeds for the happiness of people in their religion and life. Allah says: {to each of you we have made a law and a method, and if God willing. He will make you a single nation, but to guide you in what He has given you}(48).
The difference in approaches to divine legislation takes into account human nature in its stages of development and degrees of awareness. Which made these legislations flexible and inclined to accept and satisfy the nations for which they were legislated.
(98:5) yet all that they had been commanded was that they serve Allah, with utter sincerity. Devoting themselves exclusively to Him and that they establish Prayer and pay Zakah. That is the Right Faith.
Islam and the previous heavenly religions: Certified for what they contain
Islam’s view of the previous heavenly religions is reflected in the fact that it believes in them. Determines that they are a revelation from heaven. It also believes in the laws and rules that revelation brought, and obliges all Muslims to believe in them and the messengers who reached them.
Allah says (2:285) the Messenger has believed in the Guidance which has been sent down to him from his Lord, and those who believe in the Messenger have also sincerely accepted the same. They all believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and Messengers”.
And Islam, based on this true belief in all religions and messengers, looks at the biblical religion according to what is mentioned in the Qur’an. Allah says “We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the Prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah’s Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.
The same view is seen by Islam for the evangelical religion.
Allah says “And in their footsteps. We sent Isa ( Jesus ), son of Maryam ( Mary ), [ 1 ] confirming the Taurat ( Torah ) that had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel ( Gospel ), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Taurat ( Torah ) that had come before it. Guidance and an admonition for Al- Muttaqin”.
True religions believe one another, and Islam is the conclusion of the regulations. It believes in all the previous ones, and believes in what was stated in them before the hand of distortion reached. Allah says “and We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth. Confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures).
Conclude and complete all the messages
The message of Islam is the culmination of the heavenly messages. Islam has ended all legislations and rulings, and it came at a time when people reached the top of maturity and religious awareness of previous messages. It accompanied them in their development. Also, it was right for their livelihood and hostility and guided them to all the doors of goodness and guidance. Isalm fulfilled what was lacking, repaired, what was corrupt, and established what was crooked. This was the complete message in its structure and meaning, for all time and all place, common to all human beings.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: ‘Would that this brick is put in its place!’ So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets.”
The noble Prophet’s hadith clarifies that the end of all messages is the message of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace.
