Source: DIALOGUE BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY Discussion of Religious Dogma between Intellectuals from the Two Religions
Islam is the religion of Allah. There is no other true religion. Allah, Most Glorified, Most Exalted, has promised to make it victorious, powerful, and to master all other religions.
But what is this religion of Islam? Are there any other religions competing with it in their relationship with Allah? Truly, Allah, Most Glorified, Most Exalted, did not send different religions to people. He sent only one single religion, through His prophets—Islam. Allah, Most Exalted, says, "Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."[1] It is this one religion that all the messengers and prophets of Allah brought.
Noah Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
(71) And recite to them the news of Noah, when he said to his people, "O my people, if my residence and my reminding of the signs of Allah has become burdensome upon you – then I have relied upon Allah. So resolve upon your plan and [call upon] your associates. Then let your plan be obscure to you.[2] Then carry it out upon me and do not give me respite. (72) And if you turn away [from my advice] –then no payment have I asked of you. My reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims [i.e., those who submit to Allah]."[3]
Abraham Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says;
(127) And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing. (128) Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of hajj and 'umrah] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. (129) Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (130) And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous. (131) When his Lord said to him, "Submit", he said "I have submitted [in Islam][4]to the Lord of the worlds." (132) And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], "O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims."[5]
Jacob Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac – one God.[6]And we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."[7]
Lot Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
"(31) [Abraham] said, "Then what is your business [here], O messengers?" (32) They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals[8] (33) To send down upon them stones of clay, (34) Marked in the presence of your Lord for the transgressors." (35) So We brought out whoever was in them [i.e., the cities] of the believers. (36) And We found not within them other than a [single] house of Muslims.[9]"[10]
Joseph Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
My Lord, You have given me [something] of sovereignty and taught me of the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die a Muslim and join me with the righteous.[11]
Moses Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
And Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims [i.e., submitting to Him.][12]
Islam Was the Religion of the People of Moses (i.e., the Children of Israel)
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, "I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims."[13]
Islam Was the Religion of the Sorcerers who [Repented and then] Believed in Moses
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
(120) And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. (121) They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, (122) The Lord of Moses and Aaron." (123) Said Pharaoh, "You believed in him[14]before I gave you permission. Indeed, this is a conspiracy which you conspired in the city to expel there from its people. But you are going to know. (124) I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all." (125) They said, "Indeed, to our Lord we will return. (126) And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience[15]and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]."[16]
Islam Is the Religion of the Prophets of the Children of Israel
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who we submitted [to Allah] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price [i.e., worldly gain]. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers.[17]
Solomon Brought the Message of Islam
Allah, Most Exalted, says
(30) Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it is [i.e. reads]: "In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, (31) Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims]."[18]
Then Allah, Most Exalted, says (about the Queen of Sheba):
[Solomon] said, "O assembly [of jinn], which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"[19]
In another place, Allah, Most Exalted, says:
So when she arrived, it was said [to her], “Is your throne like this?” She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allah]."[20]
Finally, Allah, Most Exalted, says:
She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds."[21]
Islam Was the Religion of Jesus and His Disciples
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah?" The disciples said," We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims [ submitting to Him.][22]
Also, Allah, Most Exalted, says:
And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, "Believe in Me and in My messenger [i.e., Jesus]." They said, "We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah]."[23]
Islam Is the Religion of the Rightly-Guided Jinns[24]
Allah, Most Exalted says:
(14) And among us are Muslims [in submission to Allah], and among us are the unjust.[25] And whoever has become Muslim - those have sought out the right course. (15) But as for the unjust, they will be, for Hell, firewood.'[26]
Islam Is the Religion of the sincere believers among People of the Book
That is, those who were dedicated to the truth before Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him):
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
(52) Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it—they[27]are believers in it. (53) And when it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allah]."[28]
Islam Is the Religion of Muhammad, the Final Prophet (ﷺ)[29]
Allah, Most Exalted, says:
(19) Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account. (20) So if they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself to Allah [in Islam], and [so have] those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned,[30] "Have you submitted yourselves?" And if they submit [in Islam], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away – then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allah is Seeing of [His] servants.[31]
Also, Allah, Most Exalted, says:
Say, [O Muhammad], "Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you call upon besides Allah once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.[32]
In another place, Allah, Most Exalted, says:
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.[33]
In fact, the Glorious Qur'an states clearly that Islam is the religion of everyone in the heavens and on earth. Allah, Most Exalted, 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?[34]
It is for this religion, Islam, that the Prophet sent his representatives and letters to all the kings and religious leaders around him at that time. He requested them to witness that he and his companions were following Islam. Allah, Most exalted, says:
Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you – that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah."[35] But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."[36]
The Final Prophet (ﷺ)
Allah, Most Glorified, Most Exalted, wanted His religion to be perfect, and His blessings to be complete, so He sent Prophet Muhammad as the final prophet. Moreover, He made the Law brought by the Prophet general and universal in time and place.
Allah, Most Glorified, Most Exalted, wanted the mission of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to be global, perfect and final. He supported Islam for it to spread and to be eternal. In the history of the final message of Islam, there are some points which all students and researchers should take note of.
One of these points is the accuracy in recording the Prophet's biography and teachings. The extreme care taken to record accurately every detail regarding what the Prophet said and did has no parallel in the history of mankind. Never, for any other prophet or even any other personality up to this day, has as much literature been available. Those who claim to follow Moses and Jesus have very little authentic information concerning the details of their lives or the revelations they brought. To this day, not a single complete authentic document exists telling us clearly about Jesus' life, even though he was the final prophet from the Israelites.
What we have in hand today is something that gives us mere glimpses of only the last fifty days in Jesus' life. A priest, Dr. Charles Anderson Scott, says in his article in the Encyclopedia Britannica:
Frankly, one should forget any attempts to write a book on the biography of Jesus. In reality, no real material or information exists that could help us to accomplish this task. The number of days for which some information exists does not exceed fifty.[37]
What the priest has stated, and the Encyclopedia Britannica has published, conflicts with popular understanding in the Christian world until very recently.
The general notion in the Christian world used to be that the books of the New Testament contained information about the last three years of Jesus' life. That is what Christian scholars agree upon even today. Yet this completely contrasts with what narrators tell us about the life of Prophet Muhammad. They have furnished us with a comprehensive and reliable record about all facts and details of his life.
His companions recorded his life from the beginning to the end. They documented everything with the utmost care and precision in the books of the Sunnah,[38] the maghazi,[39] and the siyar.[40]
There are many books which narrate the life of Prophet Muhammad. Some of these books concentrate on his biography in detail; others provide details of his missions to invite other leaders to faith, his scouting missions, the etiquette that he practiced during his battles, and how he dealt with those hostile to his mission once he conquered them. Another category of books are known as the Books of Guidance, such as Provisions for the Journey to the Hereafter for the Guidance of the Best of Mankind. Such books shed light on the lifestyle and guidance of the Prophet, in his worship, his rituals, his marriages, his treatment of relatives and his behavior with people in general.
Books known as shama'il focus specifically on his moral and physical character, i.e., his mental, spiritual and physical attributes. Still other books, known as books of khasa'is, deal with the unique qualities of Prophet Muhammad, in other words, particulars that nobody else shares with him. Then, there are the books of adhkar and works of the Day and night. These books show us how the prophet would remember his Lord, glorify Him, and pray to Him under all conditions and concerning even the most trivial things. Finally, there are the major works of Hadith[41] known as Sihah, Sunan and Masanid.[42]
I daresay that the most authenticated Christian books do not reach even the fourth or perhaps the third level of authenticity.[43] All this information about the prophet documented in various ways in addition to what the Qur'an narrates about the Prophet's life, behavior and morals.
'A'isha[44] (may Allah be pleased with her) was once asked about the conduct of the prophet. She responded with her famous words, "His conduct was the Qur'an."
In conclusion, the prophet's life, and the extraordinary care taken to preserve a record of all his statements, actions and affirmations, are undeniable indications he indeed was the final prophet and Messenger of Allah.
Download: DIALOGUE BETWEEN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY Discussion of Religious Dogma between Intellectuals from the Two Religions
[4] The meaning of the word "Islam" is "submission to the will of Allah." This is the way of life ordained by Allah and taught by all of the prophets from Adam to Muhammad. A Muslim is one who submits himself to Allah.
[24] Jinns are beings invisible to us but present in the world. Created from fire, they also have limited free choice like human beings and are thus responsible for their actions and will be judged accordingly on the Day of Resurrection.
[25] i.e., those who deviate from the truth and act tyrannically.
[29] When writing the name of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims often follow his name with the Islamic honorific (ﷺ) which means: may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him.
[30] Referring to the Jews of Madinah who refused to implement the rulings given by Allah in the Torah or to acknowledge the Prophet (ﷺ), whose coming was mentioned therein.
[37] Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th ed. vol. 13, p. 171.
[38] i.e., books documenting the Prophet's sayings, actions, tacit approvals, and his physical appearance and character.
[39] i.e., books documenting information concerning the battles the Prophet participated in.
[40] i.e., books documenting the Prophet's biography (sirah).
[41] Collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) which, with accounts of his daily practice (the Sunnah), constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Qur'an.
[42] i.e., documentary records of the Prophet's sayings, actions, tacit approvals, and a description of his physical and moral attributes.
[43] Muslim scholars apply the science of authenticating narrations by evaluating narrations, especially those related by the Prophet, according to a list of rigorous criteria that scrutinized the credibility of the text of the narration as well as the narrator(s). accordingly, they apply different degrees of authenticity. Needless to say, no Christian document, particularly the Bible, received such intense scrutiny.
[44] The favorite wife of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
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