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_-_Universality_of_God_s_Religions_001.jpg) Since the consequences of following a false religion are
so grave, the true religion of God must have been universally understandable
and universally attainable in the past, and it must continue eternally to be
understandable and attainable throughout the entire world. In other words, the
true religion of God cannot be confined to any one people, place, or period of
time. Nor is it logical that such a religion should impose conditions that
have nothing to do with the relationship of man with God, such as baptism, or
belief in man as a savior, or an intermediary. Within the central principle of
Islam and its definition (the surrender of one’s will to God) lie the roots of
Islam’s universality. Whenever man comes to the realization that God is one
and distinct from His creation, and submits himself to God, he becomes a Muslim
in body and spirit and is eligible for paradise.
Consequently, anyone at any time in the most remote
regions of the world can become Muslim, a follower of God’s religion, Islam, by
merely rejecting the worship of creation and turning to God alone. It should
be noted, however, that in order to actually submit to God’s will, one must
continually choose between right and wrong. Indeed, man is endowed by God with
the power not only to distinguish right from wrong but also to choose between
them. These God-given powers carry with them an important responsibility,
namely, that man is answerable to God for the choices he makes. It follows,
then, that man should try his utmost to do good and avoid evil. These concepts
are expressed in the final revelation as follows:
“Verily, those who believe (in the Quran), and those who
follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians – any of these who
believe in Allah and the Last Day and work righteousness shall have their
reward with their Lord. They will not be overcome by fear or grief.” (Quran
2:62)
If, for whatever reason, they fail to accept the final
message after it has been clearly explained to them, they will be in grave
danger. The last Prophet said:
“Whoever among the Christians and Jews hear of me
but does not affirm his belief in what I brought and dies in this state will be
among the inhabitants of Hell.” (Saheeh Muslim Vol.1 P.91 No, 284)
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