The True Muslim
The Qur’an reveals that the true religion of God is Islam
and that whoever prefers a religion other than Islam, will not be accepted by
Allah (Surah 3 Al-Imran, vs. 84,85) This is true because the word “Islam”
signifies a capitulation or submission to God the Creator.
It is likewise written in the Qur’an:
“Lo! Those who believe (in that which was
revealed unto you, Muhammad) and those who
are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans—whoever believes in Allah and
the Last Day and does right—surely their reward is with their Lord, and there
shall be no fear come upon them and neither shall they grieve.” (Surah 2 Al-Baqarah, v.62)
The groups mentioned in the preceding verses were not
called Muslims, however their religion was accepted. This curious and
interesting situation provokes serious reflection.
What truly is the significance of the word, “Muslim”?
Does “Muslim” only designate those who are followers of Muhammad, the prophet
of Islam? Did true Islam begin with Muhammad? Let’s consider the following
points and verses of the Qur’an to help us in responding to these questions.
1.
Abraham was a Muslim. The Qur’an clearly says: “Abraham was neither Jew nor Christian. He
was entirely submitted to Allah.” (Surah 3 Al-Imran, v. 67) Yet Abraham lived long before the time of
Muhammad.
2.
The Disciples of Jesus were Muslims. Again the Qur’an says: “And
when I inspired the disciples (apostles) saying, Believe in Me and My
messenger, they said: We believe and we bear witness that we have surrendered
unto You. (i.e. we are Muslims) “ Surah 5 Al-Maidah, v.111)
Incredible! Like Abraham, the disciples of Jesus were
Muslims, even though they too had lived long before the time of Muhammad.
3.
Certain contemporaries of Muhammad were
called Muslims. Again in the Qur’an we read: “Those
unto whom We gave the Scripture before it (i.e.the Qur’an), they believe in it.
And when it is recited unto them they say: We believe in it. Lo, even before it
we were of those who surrender unto Him.”
(Surah 28 Al-Qasas, vs. 52, 53)
These last words, “we were submitted/surrendered to Him”
assume simply that they were Muslims even before the Qur’an’s coming.
4.
Muhammad was destined to become a Muslim.
We read in Surah 27 Al-Nami, that Muhammad was “commanded to be one of those who surrender unto Him”. Surah 10 Yunus (Jonah), v.72 says the same
thing. The Qur’an speaks of Muhammad,
even before he put his faith in God. It says:
“You did not know what the
Scripture was, nor what Faith was.” (Surah 42 Ash-Shura, v. 52)
While Muhammad was still an unbeliever, when he did not
yet know the Book nor have faith in God, the “People of the Book” (Jews and
Christians) had the Book and believed on God. These people declared to Muhammad
that they were Muslims long before he ever came to them with his message. His
message was nothing new. And according
to Surah 27:91-92, Muhammad was required to join himself to this already
existing Muslim group.
5.
The title “Islam” is not new. Some have translated the word “Muslim” in the
preceding verses as “submitted to Allah” or “surrendered to Allah”, using the
word as a verb and not as a noun. But this is not accurate. In Surah 22
Al-Hajj, v. 78, we read: “the faith of your father Abraham is yours.
And He has named you Muslims of old time and in this (Scripture)”. In other words, this verse shows how Allah
was calling all believers “Muslims” before the arrival of the Qur’an as well as
in the Qur’an.
It stands out therefore from these Qur’anic verses that
Abraham was a man fully submitted to God and was therefore called a “Muslim:’
that the disciples of Jesus were also identified as “Muslims” and God is their
witness. The People of the Book and contemporaries of Muhammad were also called
“Muslims” before him. Clearly this indicates that those who were believers in
God were called “Muslims”, and not merely those that were followers of
Muhammad.
The Qur’an continues to declare that “those to whom We gave the Book before the
Qur’an” were spoken to be, in a unique way, true believers.:
“Lo, even before It (i.e. the Qur’an) we were of those who surrender
unto Him. They will be given their reward twice over, because they are
steadfast and repel evil with good and spend rightly that which we have
provided for them. And when they hear vanity, they withdraw from it and say:
Unto us our works and unto you your works. Peace be unto you. We do not desire
to be among the ignorant.”. (Surah 28 Al-Qasa, vs. 54, 55)
Incidentally however, to a particular group of people,
“the disciples of Jesus”, the Qur’an testifies that they will be accorded a
double salary or recompense. Wouldn’t you want to belong to this people? To
live in harmony with the followers of Jesus?
Consider one more thing--the Qur’an reveals that only the
disciples of Jesus will remain until the final day of the Resurrection. Listen
to what God was saying to Jesus:
“O Jesus! Lo, I am gathering you and causing you to ascend unto Me, and
am cleansing you of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow you
above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me you will
all return, and I shall judge between you concerning that in which you differ.” (Surah 3
Al-Imran, v.55)
According to this verse God promises that He will
establish the followers of Jesus over and above all unbelievers; that he will
stand by or support the followers of Jesus until the Day of Resurrection.
From the time of Jesus, during the time of Muhammad, generation after generation until the final
day, the Day or Resurrection, those who follow Jesus will not only continue to
exist, but will have preeminence over all non-believers.
My friend, what an honor, what good fortune to be among
these true Muslims. Yes, the true Muslim is he that believes on God and is a
follower of Jesus. We, the believers, the People of the Book (Ahl u’l Kitab)
invite you to join the community of the true and faithful Muslims of God.
Fraternally,
Khalilullah Brusu
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