Evolution of religion
MANY western Orientalists considered Islam to be a syncretic religion and that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had tried to reconcile some points from older religions with some of his own, to form a new configuration.
But Muslims believe that only one religion was revealed — in instalments — through a long chain of 124,000 prophets from Prophet Adam to the Holy Prophet.
With the advent of every prophet, some new information was added for that prophet’s ummah and that particular time and place, continually moving towards perfection. Finally, the Prophet and the Quran completed all messages and gave the new concept of a common vision of one Creator, one humanity, one cosmos, and a universal consciousness for all times and places.
Muslims need to remember that Islam is an anti-racial, non-hierarchical, all-embracing universal religion which confirms and unites all revealed religions. The Quran is addressed not only to the believers but innumerable times to humanity at large with the words, “O people!” (35:3).
All other scriptures were meant for a particular time, place and people. But the Quran transcends time and place, even though it has historical narratives and teachings from the time of many prophets.
In the Quran, many prophets are reported to have said that they are Muslim: one who believes in and is obedient to the one God and the last Prophet of his time. In Surah Baqarah the Prophet is told that the pious are, “…those who believe in that which was revealed to you and that which was revealed to those before you….” (2:4). The Prophet made it incumbent on every Muslim to believe in and respect previous revealed religions, their books and their prophets.
The Prophet was instructed, “Say, ‘We have come to believe in God and whatever has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqub and their descendants, and what was given to Musa and Isa and what was given to other prophets from their Lord. We do not discriminate between any of them. And we are Muslims, surrendering to Him’ ” (2:136).
In Surah Aal Imran it is said, “Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was an upright Muslim, who surrendered completely to God” (3:67). Surah Hajj says, “…(It is) the path of your father Ibrahim. He (God) gave you the name Muslim earlier and even in this (Quran)” (22:78). Prophet Nuh said to his people, “…My reward is with none but God, and I have been asked to be one of the Muslims, surrendering to Him” (10:72).
Hazrat Musa said, “O my people, if you have come to believe in God, then trust in Him alone, if you are Muslims” (10:84). Surah Aal Imran says, “When Isa sensed disbelief among them, he said, ‘Who will help me in God’s way?’ His disciples answered, ‘We are helpers (in the way) of God. We believe in God, and you are our witness that we are Muslims, surrendering to Him’.” (3:52).
In this process of evolution Prophet Isa said that he had come to make lawful part of what was forbidden (3:50), to lighten their burden. He made the meat of camels, the fat of beef and mutton and hunting and fishing on the Sabbath lawful.
This process continued. Surah A’raf says about the Prophet, “… He lightens from them their burden….” (7:157). The Prophet said that he had been given preference over other prophets in five things: He was made victorious by awe, the whole earth was made a mosque and a source of ablution for him, the spoils of war were made permissible for him, he was given the right of intercession and was sent as a prophet to all creation (Bukhari). He also did away with monasticism, restricted the Sabbath to the time of Friday prayer and gave women legal rights and an equal spiritual status.
The coming of Prophet Muhammad, the final prophet, was foretold in the previous revealed scriptures of the world and according to some scholars some of it can still be found in the Zoroastrian, Hindu and Buddhist texts as well as Jewish and Christian scriptures extant today. The Quran says about those who believed in the Torah (Old Testament) and the Injeel (New Testament): “They recognise him the way they recognise their sons” (2:146, 6:20), because the Prophet was described clearly in their books.
The Old Testament states, “And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, ‘Read this, I pray thee’: and he saith, ‘I am not learned’ ” (Isaiah, 29:12). These are the words that the archangel Jibrail and Prophet Muhammad exchanged at the time of the first revelation (96:1). The New Testament says, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, (so) that he may abide with you for ever” (John, 14:16). According to Muslim belief, the Prophet will continue as the appointed prophet till the end of time.
On the occasion of Haj in 10AH, it was revealed: “…Today, I have perfected your religion for you and have completed upon you My blessing, and have chosen for you Islam as your faith….” (5:3). With the Prophet the process of the evolution of the monotheistic, revealed religion was completed and reached perfection.
Hence, Muslims believe that Islam will continue to fulfil the spiritual as well as worldly needs of people, transcending space and time.
The writer is an Islamic scholar.
nilofar.ahmed58@gmail.com
In the first 6 lines of Quran, it is said that preaching wont work unless Allah wills it. Therefore, please leave God's work to Him, there are aleady too many preachers in Pakistan !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Though writer to some extent come up with slightly better idea. The article lacks clear and vivid explaination. The writer quotes the source from religious books but comes short with proper analysis and solid ideas. No religion in world teaches people wrong. Infact religion teaches people to live in peace and harmony. Sadly its our human mindset that has croupted it and having its own interpretation. Moreover, no open debate is allowed in Islamic society and ability to tolerate different views. If one dares to have one then that person is prosecuted. Religion can make better progress if it learns to progress with period of time especially learning tolerance and respecting each other.
Good in preaching,poor in practice.
Nilofar, well done.Do keep it straight and simple as this.Cool !
Nilofar, well done.Do keep it straight and simple as this.Cool !
The writer picks up quotations from quran to support her beliefs and lacks the thorough understanding of various religions. Totally narrow minded anlyses.
Excellent piece of writing. One God, One message through different Messengers (Choosen by God himself). The Quran teaches not to differentiate the Prophets. We Muslims respect all the Prophets of God. As far as the ethical values taught by the Quran are considered with respect to other religions, the Muslims are not supposed even to despise other's idols. Islam is the message of God to love and follow him.
In Islam there is no room for papacy, while we see an organized clerical hierarchy in rest of the religions. Its that papcy, organized religion and hierarchy that juxtaposes Islam as their adversary.
Do the opportunists really believe in God? Again, the Quran teaches the Muslims to invite the non-Muslims saying O People! Come to the thing that are common among us that is. Now what is common? God must and should be the common.
But pocket filler so called religious orders know they have no chance to be spared except despise and defame Islam by exploiting the everyday mismanagement among the Muslims. But ISLAM is the most accepted religion even today.
I have a question for Ms. Ahmed and others: What is a "scholar" of Islam, or other faiths? In my understanding of the word, it is a person who is familiar with research metholdolgies, is objective and uses logical thinking. In being a scholar of some field of study, this person must includencritical study of multiple sources on the subject matter (including many original and primary sources) and not just Quran and the hadiths. Simply using the Quran, for example, to build's one case (the most perfect religion, the last and best pophet, direct word from God,123,000 prophets) without other corroboration, is merely an example of circular logic. Or am I wrong? With science there are theories, observations, tests and experiments, and peer review an such. Are there such protocols in scholarship of a religion? Just asking.
"Muslims need to remember that Islam is an anti-racial, non-hierarchical, all-embracing universal religion which confirms and unites all revealed religions"
Can't really swallow the above line
this is evolution specifically from an islamic point of view. interesting read, quite a comprehensive description of the islamic faith. however, this belief is more of an assertion rather than an argument and hence all arguments for or against it are pointless.
this is evolution specifically from an islamic point of view. interesting read, quite a comprehensive description of the islamic faith. however, this belief is more of an assertion rather than an argument and hence all arguments for or against it are pointless.
What's pointless is trying to reason with someone who thinks he is speaking for God.
Apne muh miyan mitthoo.
Just listen to the old John Lennon song .. "Imagine" … without religion … the world could live in harmony
True that. Perfect song.
Religion has been created by mankind to explain the unexplainable things like who made the univeres and how did life originate. This world is better off without religions.
True indeed!
The author has tried her best to portray readers a true picture of religion! For Lord sake grow up Muslims.
We are living centuries back.
I challenge you to show me the "Hindu & Buddhist" texts which foretell of the coming of your prophet!
This is all true. But who in Pakistan follows the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The constitution is replete with un-islamic laws. Just the definition of a Muslim is contrary to the Holy Quran. May Allah help this doomed nation !
that's right – leave it to Allah.
@nilofar
Do write on other religions also
article suffers from a complex.
what i do is the best, the holiest,the rest are less holy.
it is self appreciation and others depreciation.
shows a hollowness of faith.
She is not suffering any “complex” or “hollowness of faith”. Her faith appears solid, well-founded as is her argument. Here references are verifiable, authentic.
Please try reason, argument, and citations to refute her claim, if you can. An uncalled for ad hominem ricochets back at you…not very favorably—in fact “hollow” if you but knew.
She is not suffering any “complex” or “hollowness of faith”. Her faith appears solid, well-founded as is her argument. Here references are verifiable, authentic.
Please try reason, argument, and citations to refute her claim, if you can. An uncalled for ad hominem ricochets back at you…not very favorably—in fact “hollow” if you but knew.
Pity jealous souls like thine! Can't you ignore it if it doesn't appeal to you? And anyway don't almost everybody believe their own religion to be the greatest?
Islam will start evolving into a better religion the day it allows its members to leave Islam publicly and not be killed. Apostasy in Islam is still punishable by death.