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Culture
Quran Allows Multiple paths
of Worshipping God Almighty
Dr. Amir Parviz Parsa*
Introduction:
It is the purpose of this paper to prove that the Holy Quran, the
Divine Book of almost 1.5 billion Muslims, among whom there are
Noble Prize Winners too, allows: Multiple paths of Worshipping Allah
Taala ( God Almighty).*
The methodology used in this paper is very simple: quoting various
verses of the Quran which prove the purpose beyond a shadow of a
doubt. The reader can take his/her time to double check the
authenticity of the quotations made from the Glorious Quran.
To observe ethical neutrality, the writer wishes to inform the
readers that he is a Muslim, and sincerely believes that Islam
offers an excellent way of worshipping God Almighty, henceforth
referred to , at times, as “Allah Taala “ but NOT at the expense of
other religions such as Judaism, Christianity, etc. It is hoped that
the reader’s mental horizon would be broadened a bit after having
been exposed to this article. It must be mentioned as a token of
respect for the Christian and Jewish readers that the writer has a
very high regard for them too as worshippers of God, although there
are slight differences in their respective perceptions of God .
As human beings, it would be a virtue for us to allow an
understanding of what the others say, without necessarily having to
abandon one’s own convictions. We would all be better off to set
aside selfish mental prejudices by listening to what the others say,
as that can bring about further mutual respect for all of us, and
better toleration of each other.** When necessary, comments shall be
made to provide a better understanding of the quoted verses.
Quotations of Verses:
Verse 62 of Surah [ chapter] 2 of the Quran says:
“ Those who believe in the Quran, those who follow the Jewish
scriptures and the Christians and the Sabians, any who believe in
God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their
reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they
grieve.”
It is very clear from the quoted verse, that for one to enter
paradise, one does NOT have to be just a Muslim. He can be
Christian, Jew, or Sabian too. The criteria is NOT the labels we
place on our own foreheads, but rather Belief in God, and in the
Last day, and working right according to the moral teachings of
one’s Holy Book. You can also clearly see from the quoted verse that
Multiple paths of worship is allowed for human beings. In fact,
another verse of the Holy Quran says “The Most Honored of you in the
sight of God is the Most Righteous of you” [ Surah 49, verse13 ].
Reference shall be made to this concept at a later point in this
paper.
In yet another verse, Surah Hood, number 118,Allah Taala says:
“If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind One people:
but they will not cease to dispute.”
In verse 48 of Surah Maida (The Table Spread) or chapter 5 of the
Quran God says:
“To each among you have We prescribed a Law and an open way. If God
had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but His plan
is to test you in what He has given you: so strive as in a race in
all virtues. The goal of you all is to God ; it is He that will show
you the truth of the matters in which you dispute.”
It is very clear from the above-mentioned verse that Allah Taala
intended multiple paths of worshipping for people which is the
reason behind sending different Prophets and Apostles to various
nations and tribes throughout human history.
In verse 67 of Surah hajj ( 22nd chapter of the Glorious Quran) God
Almighty says:
“ To every people have we appointed rites and ceremonies which they
must follow: Let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but
do thou invite them to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right
way.”
Please note that the verse quoted is addressing Prophet Muhammad,
Peace Be Upon Him(PBUH). Such verses convey to an average mind not
only various paths of worshipping God, but also RELIGIOUS PLURALISM
which can be based on the fact that there can be constructive
dialogues between followers of various religions.
Take one common point between Islam and Christianity. Both of them
believe sincerely that Jesus Christ, son of Mary, was born of a
virgin mother, without a man having touched her in any intercourse
and that it was the Will of God Almighty for Jesus to be born as a
miracle without a physical father, as the rest of us. Isn’t it true
that Allah Taala created Adam from no father and no mother?
Logically, if God created Adam from no parents, can He not create
Jesus without a father? There will be further references to some
common values between religions of Abrahamic origin (root) at a
later point.
It would be a great mistake for Muslims to consider Timothy Mc Way
as representative of faithful Christians. By the same token, it
would be a grave mistake for Christians to consider Osama Bin Laden
as a true representative of Muslims, while a great majority of them
are not radicals but moderate peaceful Muslims. We must be ever
cognizant of accusing each other with false premises, if we are to
respect and tolerate each other. We must also be very careful not to
look down upon each other, making mockery of others, only to serve
our own purposes. We can listen to each other, criticize each other
respectfully with dignity that all human beings deserve, without
being prejudiced by our own selected paths of worship.
The Persian Poet Jalaleddin Rumi, called Molavi in Iran, has a
beautiful story wherein several people who all wanted grapes were
fighting with each other on the use of terminology that each was
using. There came a wise man who knew all their languages. He got
their money and bought what they all wanted and gave it to them,
while he taught them the lesson that often times we fight on the
words we use to achieve our goals whereas in reality we might indeed
be wanting the same thing!
We shall not be able to endure discussions of substance and essence
unless we learn to be tolerant and respectful of other people’s
views first.
Verse 135 of chapter 2 of the Quran reminds us of the fact that Jews
and Christians at times said to each other: become Jews or
Christians if you want to be guided to salvation. Then we are told:
“Say, I would rather follow the true religion of Abraham who joined
not gods with God.”
Note please with the verse quoted below from the Holy Quran how
beautifully and respectfully it acknowledges the true nature of
other religions, Surah 2, verse 136:
“ Say ye, ‘ We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and
to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes and that given to
Moses, and Jesus, and that given to all prophets from their Lord: we
make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to
God in submission”
The same concept is repeated in Surah 2,verse 285 and Surah 3, verse
84. The Holy Quran provides other verses referring to the validity
of other religions such as verse 52 of Surah 23,verse 7 of Surah 5,
and verse 40 of Surah 22, just to mention a few( These will not be
brought here for the sake of economizing on time). Thus
ISLAMIC PLURALISM is based not only on recognition of other
religions such as Christianity, and Judaism, but also on an
acknowledgement of their emphasis on spirituality and righteousness
that they bring about for their followers.
In fact, the Holy Quran goes far beyond simple references to the
People of the Book ( a reference to those before Islam who received
Books of guidance from Allah Taala before the mission of Prophet
Muhammad, PBUH). Consider, as an example, verses 113 and 114 of
chapter 3 of the Holy Quran:
“ Not all of them are alike: of the People of the Book are a portion
that stand for the right; they rehearse the signs of God all night
long, they prostrate themselves in adoration; they believe in God
and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right and forbid what is
wrong, and they hasten in emulation in all good works: they are in
the rank of righteous”
We are also told in verse 115 of the same chapter 3 of the Quran
that”
“ Of the good that they ( Jews and Christians) do, nothing will be
rejected of them; for God knows well those that do right.”
Verse 7 of Chapter 13 of the Glorious Quran addresses Prophet
Muhammad, PBUH, as follows:
“ Thou are truly a Warner and to every people there is a guide.”
This same notion is repeated in 16: 36 and 35: 24 . verse 47 of
Chapter 10 of the Quran also says:
“ To every people was sent an apostle: when their Apostle comes (
before them), the matter will be judged between them with justice,
and they will not be wronged.”.
There is room to ask ourselves as to what a true educated Muslim
believes with respect to other religions. We are given this answer
in the most precise, informative, inclusive, and comprehensive
manner in verse 285 of the second chapter:
“ The apostle believes in what has been revealed to him from his
Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one of them believes in God, His
angles, His books, and His apostles. We make no distinction, they
say, between one and another of His apostles. And they say: We hear
and we obey, we seek thy forgiveness Our Lord, and to thee is the
end of all journeys.”
You cannot find a truly well-educated Muslim who would be following
the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, without him having great respect
for Jesus, Moses, and other Apostles/prophets of God Almighty, while
he is indeed following the teachings of Muhammad, PBUH.
Simultaneously, the followers of Muhammad, PBUH, believe in the
sacred life of Mary, the mother of Jesus; they also easily admit
miracles given to both Jesus and Moses. And they do NOT refuse the
role that The Holy Spirit played in the birth of Jesus and giving of
the good news of Mary’s pregnancy to her as a good tiding from God
Almighty. Muslims also place God over and above everything else
Thinking that He is far above everything else, including angels, and
all of His creation. Indeed every Muslim considers Jesus as only a
great blessing for humanity. Isn’t this wonderful?
Verse 13 of chapter 49 of the Holy Quran is also informative and
helpful for our discussion:
“ O Mankind ! We created you from a single(pair) of a male and a
female, and made you into Nations and Tribes, that ye may know each
other ( Not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored
of you in the sight of God is 9he who is) the most righteous of you.
And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted ( with all
things). “
Verse 15 of the same chapter tells us:
“ Only those are Believers who have believed in God and His Apostle,
and have never since doubted, but have striven with their belongings
and their persons in the cause of God: such are the sincere ones.”
Please note that there is no mentioning of any religion’s name, and
believers of all religions are talked about, with some of their
characteristics given, that can ostensibly cover Christians, Jews,
and Muslims alike.
Some common Values:
When you read the Bible and the Quran, you would find in them
condemnation of adultery, fornication, gambling, drinking alchohol,
greed, lewdness and lust, stealing, slander, manslaughter, hypocricy,
backbiting, arrogance coupled with pride, oppression and many other
values . On the other hand, in them you would find encouragement
towards giving, charity, prayer, trust in God, fasting, alms-giving,
helping the poor and the needy, brotherhood of believers,
cleanliness of mind, body, and spirit, cleanliness of one’s place of
living and garments, sanctity of family life, proper marriage
between males and females, piety, righteousness , thinking and
pondering about God’s creation and blessings and the wonders of the
world, the natural environment, the galaxies, the stars, the sun and
the moon and many other things. Admittedly, these are HUMAN VALUES
with their origins in our scriptures.
The time has come to stop attacking followers of other religions and
allow individuals to pursue their own happiness with free selection
of their religious values, without any coercion. Those who are
clever enough would recognize for themselves that the points of
commonality and resemblance between various religions are so many,,
so frequent, and so prevailing that we really DO NOT need to fight
each other, on the contents of our selected paths of worshipping
God. Rather, the common values are so overwhelming that one
intuitively arrives at the conclusion that they have all come from
the same Eternal Divine source. And that, acceptance of a given
path, does not necessarily mean condemnation of others. Those who
create divisions and promote disputes between religious and
God-fearing people may only serve their own Devilish whims. As
believing fellows we all have a responsibility to promote peace,
harmony, friendship, spiritual growth, civility, respect, and
tenderness. Let us join hands together for the furtherance of
success, peace, achievement, and salvation, in this life, even
though our desired path of worshipping God might look different, on
the surface. It is only with this that the human potentials for
further growth can be materialized, just as Jesus, PBUH, emphasized
the kingdom of God.
Perceptions of a Muslim with regard to Jesus(PBUH):
A Muslim believes that Jesus Christ, son of Mary, PBUH, was :
- A prophet or Messenger of God(Chapter 19 of the Quran)
- The word of God ( Verse 171,of Surah 4)
- He did NOT have a physical father ( verse 20and 21 of chapter 19
of the Quran)
- His mother, Mary , was a virgin ( verse 20 of chapter 19)
- She conceived Jesus only after the Holy Spirit gave her the good
tidings that she is to have a son who will be a mercy and a blessing
for humanity wherever he is (Verse 22 of Surah 19)
- God placed mercy, compassion, and kindness in the hearts of his
followers (Verse 27 of Surah 57).
- That among Christians there are some really righteous people
(Verses 113 & 114 of Surah 3).
- Jesus, PBUH, performed miracles during his life time here on
planet earth ( Verse 45 of Surah 3)
- His death and birth appear to be mysterious.
- He always spoke the truth and preached only what God had
revealed to him, and nothing but that.
- A Muslim would not only approve of the UNALTERED teachings of
Jesus Christ, but would also have great love and respect for him, in
his heart, all based on the strength of his own scripture the Holy
Quran.
- And that there are various scriptures given to God’s prophets
and Apostles by the Ever-lasting, Self Sufficient, Merciful,
compassionate, Evolver/Cherisher/ Creator/Sustainer that we call God
Almighty.
With these in mind, is there any room for Christians to adopt
Muslims as their respectable brothers, rather than as “terrorists”?
The Honorable Rev. John Peterson of the National Cathedral of
Washington, D.C. admitted that the Muslims have been subjected to
discrimination and prejudice in the U.S. during his speech addressed
at the Islamic Educational Center of Potomac, Maryland on Saturday
the sixth of January 2007. By the same token, one must ask Muslims
if they yet have an open heart to embrace Christians as their
God-fearing brothers, in their hearts, as The Honorable Rev.
Peterson rightly and courageously referred to in his Speech at the
said Center.
Implications of this Article:
If the writer is right in his understanding of the religious
Pluralism of the Holy Quran, welcoming all human beings in their
arms of love and compassion, as the residents of the same planet
earth created by the same God, breathing the same air, and enjoying
many similar values, then the following implications would follow:
- There are not one, but multiple paths of success,
achievement and religious prosperity/salvation/success. These
are all various ways and means of promotion of one’s internal
attunement/shining and growth.
- There is no need for one to be radical. The proper mode of
action is, rather, to be a good listener, an embracing attitude,
and an open heart to understand, reach, and follow the truth,
with a loving character.
- A fundamentalist/aggressive approach to force people to
follow a certain path of religious growth is NOT truly needed.
Individuals should be left free, but guided, to freely choose
and follow their desired path of worshipping God.
- In the final analysis, we are all children, or better said:
creation of the same Lord, God Almighty. Thus we must be ultra
careful NOT to offend others by imposing our own values upon
them; rather we should try our best to engage in constructive,
tolerant, and respectful dialogues with each other. The Quran
says talk to the People of the Book in a nice, respectful, and
compassionate manner.
- While choosing a path of spiritual growth is good and a
virtue for us all , we should always avoid promoting one path of
salvation at the expense of the others. The Human choice must be
made freely, without coercion.
In the diversity of our spiritual paths , there are secrets of
prosperity and tolerance for each other.
- Those who recognize the richness of their spiritual
attunement, freely chosen, would always cherish them without any
need for advertising, promotion and pushes. It is at that time
that their chosen path of worshipping God becomes inwardly &
truly enjoyable.
- Shouting and hating stuff passed to others on religious
grounds is not only short-sighted, but also immature, wrong, and
biased.
- Finally, with a little spiritual growth on our chosen paths
of worship, without disrespect for others, we can make life more
of a joy, understanding, peaceful coexistence, and compassion.
May God help us in that direction, Amen.
* Dr Parsa is an active member of IEC community.
He is is a retired full professor of Troy University and
Professor Emeritus. **The writer has addressed
points of commonality between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
in a different paper called: A Bridge Between Islam,
Christianity, and Judaism already. He is a retired professor of
Finance and Economics from the Troy University System, now
residing in Bethesda ,Maryland. Your comments will be warmly
embraced and considered.
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