CHAPTER 1: CHRISTIANS CLAIM THAT THIS VERSE
which means, “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Al-‘imran, 3:85)
as far as justice is concerned, is only connected to the people to whom the message was sent in their language. Therefore, they are not concerned with that and are not included with those losers who are threatened in that verse.
The Answer:
Allah says, “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam,” and “whoever” here denotes a general reference. The same meaning is denoted in the following verse,
which means, “So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.” (Az-Zalzalah, 99:7- 8)
In addition to this, the context here denotes that the addressees are the People of the Book along with others, for this verse is in the Chapter of Al-‘imran (which was revealed in Medina). It was revealed in a context in which Allah addressed the People of the Book and contends with them. This Chapter was revealed upon the arrival of the Christian delegation of the people of Najran as we mentioned previously.
Allah states in His Book that Islam is the religion of all the Prophets, such as Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Ya’qub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), ‘Isa (Jesus) and all their followers, just as this verse states.
which means, “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Al-‘imran, 3:85)
Thus, the acceptable religion in the Sight of Allah is islam and this fact is true at all times and all places, as Allah, the Almighty says,
which means, “Truiy, the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Al- ‘imran, 3:19)
It is quite obvious in this verse that the message of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not for his people only, but it is rather meant for all humanity: the past, present and future generations. That is why Allah, the Almighty says,
which means, “And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism); and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer). And follows the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism – to worship none but Allah Alone). And Allah did take Ibrahim (Abraham) as a Khalil (an intimate friend).” (An-Nisa’, 4:125)
He, the Almighty also says,
and this verse which means, “And they say, ‘None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.’ These are their own desires. Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him), ‘Produce your proof if you are truthful.’ Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah’s sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame, etc., and in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.'” (Al-Baqarah, 2:111-112)
By: Sheikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyah
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.