| 19 March 2010
The fast growing communication systems have turned the world into a global village. The present world is characterized by the presence of a vast multitude of religions and cults coming into contact as never before, due to this globalization. As Muslims, we have a duty enjoined by Allah upon us to communicate the message of Islam to those unaware of it. The present globalized world of sophisticated communications provides us with a unique opportunity of conveying the message in the best way. This article is written with the idea that it will be useful in preparing the ground for conveying the message of Islam in an effective way and not falling in any traps concerning this subject.
To many people in the world, the presence of a vast multitude of religions in the world, confuses them about the nature of religion and why are there so many religions in the world? How does one explain this phenomenon? Many theories have been put forward to explain this. Some say that religions are man-made and so that is why they differ. Others say all religions are true and whichever path one takes, it is valid. However, the dominant view among the followers of various religions is that everyone hold his/her own religion to be the only true religion. Let us examine this topic and what is the Islamic view of religion.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) revealed an extremely significant truth by saying that
"No child is born except on Al-Fitra (The Natural Religion) and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or Magian, as an animal produces a perfect young animal: do you see any part of its body amputated?"
[Sahih Bukhari Vol 6; Book 60; Hadith 298]
The Prophet was actually just explaining the following verse of the Noble Quran found in Surah Room Chapter 30: Ayah 30
“So set you your face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.”
So to understand the veracity of any religion the test of fitrah is essential, i.e., its principles should comply with the nature of man.
Islam holds that Allah created man and provided a religion, a way of life, for him. Since everything that sustains us physically has been provided by Allah, so is the case with our spiritual nourishment. It comes from Allah. We cannot invent it. This is the concept of revelation, i.e., Almighty Allah reveals His messages in word form to His Chosen Prophets, who in turn communicate the same to their people. Thus, Islam does not hold its Prophet to be the only Prophet and the Quran to be the only book of God, but the Last Prophet and the Last Book respectively.
The concepts of Prophets and Revelations are very essential to religion. The Quran explains to us that Prophet Muhammad did not come with any new doctrine but to confirm the same eternal truths as taught by Prophets before him, which had , however, become distorted. Allah says to Prophet Muhammad in the Quran,
“The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to you - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which you call them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). “
[Surah As-Shu’ara 42: Aayah 13]
Another point worth noting is the universal concept of religion. The Quran informs us that Prophets were not restricted to a particular geographical region and Allah raised Prophets in every nation. However, the message of those Prophets got distorted over time and they became the diverse religions of the world. The Prophet illustrated this with another beautiful example.
Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood related…
“One day Prophet Muhammad, drew a line in the sand for them and said, “This is God’s path.” He then drew several lines [branching off] to the right and to the left and said, “These are the paths [of misguidance] on each of which is a devil inviting people to follow it.” He then recited the verse: ‘Verily, this is my path, leading straight, so follow it. And do not follow the [other] paths for they will scatter you about from God’s path. That is His command to you in order that you may be conscious of God.’” (Ahmed)
So we learn from this example that the multitude of religions out there are from human creation and deviations from the original natural religion of God. They started off as deviations from the original faith and over time became established as religions.
Now let us turn to the conclusion of this view of religion. Since we acknowledge that God is The Creator, and Provider of all, we need to accept the guidance that He has sent us through His Prophets from time to time and then through His Final Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh), for the guidance from God is free from any confusion and doubts. The example of the Prophet is the way we need to adopt for solving our differences. The Quran sums it up in the following words
''Mankind was one single nation , and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace guided the Believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided who He will to a path that is straight'' [ Al Qur'an, 2:213]