The opening line of the holy Quran describes God as Rabbul Aalameen, i.e. the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds. He has not described himself as community or region specific. Immediately thereafter, it moves on to clarify that Quran provides guidance to those who fear God and “those who belive not only in this revelation but also in the earlier series of revelations.”
The basic purpose of human creation has been amply clarified by none other than God Himself in verse 11.7 of the Quran. He says that He created the heavens and the earth so that “He might try the human beings as to which one of these is best in conduct.” God’s purpose is to encourage a mutual human competition for doing good works so that the humanity makes this world a better place for itself.
Islam amply clarifies God has appointed prophets and messengers in every part of the world and in all phases of the world’s evolution. It also records that God has been revealing His message to different prophets in the past even before Mohammad came on the scene. Islam further emphasizes that it equally recognizes all the messengers, prophets and books. It is also vital to note that God repeatedly tells us through the Quran that in this book He has told us about only some of His messengers, prophets and books. There are many others under each category that have not been mentioned by God in the Quran. Having said all this God still says that a true believer is not supposed to differentiate among the prophets, messenger and books – both named and not named by Him in the Quran. In this context, Quran’s teaching is very important:
“They (the believers) all believe in God and His angels and His books and the conveyors of His message, not differentiating between any of His conveyors.”
We are also aware of the incident when a delegation of a different faith came to his mosque in Madina and, before meeting hi, wished to offer its own prayers there while the Muslim prayer time was running out. The Prophet said that they should pray first and the Muslim prayers could wait. Similarly, on another occasion, showing respect to the funeral procession of a non-Muslim the Prophet rose on his feet and told his companions that in matters of mannerism faith does not make a difference.
In our twenty first century, it is all the more important to highlight the interfaith aspects of all faiths. In verse 3.64 of the Quran, God exhorts the human beings to invite each other to join hands, shoulder to shoulder, in pursuit of “Kalimatin sawaaim baeenana” i.e. Truth and Commonality. Every soul is God’s creature. His or her faith is a matter that rests between the individual and the Creator. A believer’s mandate consummates at following the message, conveying it and behaving well with fellow citizens of the nation and the world.
Let us seek mutual help and friendship and stand firm in constancy and patient perseverance.
The basic purpose of human creation has been amply clarified by none other than God Himself in verse 11.7 of the Quran. He says that He created the heavens and the earth so that “He might try the human beings as to which one of these is best in conduct.” God’s purpose is to encourage a mutual human competition for doing good works so that the humanity makes this world a better place for itself.
Islam amply clarifies God has appointed prophets and messengers in every part of the world and in all phases of the world’s evolution. It also records that God has been revealing His message to different prophets in the past even before Mohammad came on the scene. Islam further emphasizes that it equally recognizes all the messengers, prophets and books. It is also vital to note that God repeatedly tells us through the Quran that in this book He has told us about only some of His messengers, prophets and books. There are many others under each category that have not been mentioned by God in the Quran. Having said all this God still says that a true believer is not supposed to differentiate among the prophets, messenger and books – both named and not named by Him in the Quran. In this context, Quran’s teaching is very important:
“They (the believers) all believe in God and His angels and His books and the conveyors of His message, not differentiating between any of His conveyors.”
We are also aware of the incident when a delegation of a different faith came to his mosque in Madina and, before meeting hi, wished to offer its own prayers there while the Muslim prayer time was running out. The Prophet said that they should pray first and the Muslim prayers could wait. Similarly, on another occasion, showing respect to the funeral procession of a non-Muslim the Prophet rose on his feet and told his companions that in matters of mannerism faith does not make a difference.
In our twenty first century, it is all the more important to highlight the interfaith aspects of all faiths. In verse 3.64 of the Quran, God exhorts the human beings to invite each other to join hands, shoulder to shoulder, in pursuit of “Kalimatin sawaaim baeenana” i.e. Truth and Commonality. Every soul is God’s creature. His or her faith is a matter that rests between the individual and the Creator. A believer’s mandate consummates at following the message, conveying it and behaving well with fellow citizens of the nation and the world.
Let us seek mutual help and friendship and stand firm in constancy and patient perseverance.
Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, President, Interfaith Coalition for Peace
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