[3] Ensuring the preservation of the sound Islamic creed involves addressing Yasir Qadhi’s inclination towards exaggerations whilst commending those who denounce the atrocities committed by Netanyahu’s Zionist Far-right Regime
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah [The Exalted] said:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ
O you who believe! Fear Allah, and be with those who are true (in statements and deeds). [9:119]
Ensuring the preservation of the sound Islamic creed involves addressing Yasir Qadhi’s inclination towards exaggerations whilst commending those who denounce the atrocities committed by Netanyahu’s Zionist Far-right Regime
Indeed, it is evident that millions of individuals and many nations openly denounce the heinous acts committed by the Zionists, and this commendable stance deserves recognition. Nevertheless, it is crucial to avoid exaggeration and making assertions that contradict the infallible final divine revelation, as exemplified by the recent remarks made by the Bid’ee Yasir Qadhi regarding the followers of modern Judaism. He stated, “They are the real followers of Mosses! They are the ones who make the Children of Israel proud”. [End of quote]
However, it is crucial to maintain the only balanced approach that agrees with the infallible divine text to avoid exaggeration and to give proper recognition to what truly deserves acknowledgment. Firstly, Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [may Allah preserve him] stated in his discussion regarding the connection between Zionism and Judaism: “However, it is important to note that not all Jews are involved in these intrigues and the Jews as a population have, throughout history, been subject to the whims and desires of their religious and political leaders, and have been made to undergo much persecution as a result. Also, there are many religious Jews who denounce Zionism as heresy in religion and cause of calamities for them and for Palestinians. Just as there are religious Jews who reject liberal and woke ideas used to disintegrate family and society. Hence, it is not correct to brush all Jews with the same brush, just as it is not correct to paint all Muslims with the brush of al-Ikhwān, Ḥizb al-Taḥrīr, al-Qaeda, ISIS and other extremists and terrorists”. [End of quote] https://abuiyaad.com/w/king-faisal-zionism
Secondly, we now present the undeniable truth concerning the people of the Scripture after the advent of of the final Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him].
Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated:
Whoever amongst the followers of the previous Prophets comes into contact with Muhammad’s [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] message must believe in him and aid him, even if they had a revealed book and another Prophetic tradition, just as Allah [The Exalted] says:
[ لَمَآ ءَاتَيۡتُڪُم مِّن ڪِتَـٰبٍ۬ وَحِكۡمَةٍ۬ ثُمَّ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولٌ۬ مُّصَدِّقٌ۬ لِّمَا مَعَكُمۡ لَتُؤۡمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُ – Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allah, etc.), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Ayah 81]
Allah [The Exalted] says:
قُلۡ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَإِسۡمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَـٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ
Say (O Muhammad): “We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)] and what was given to Musa (Moses), ‘Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam)”; then Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ- 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]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayaat 84-85]
A group amongst the Salaf [pious predecessors] stated that when this Ayah was revealed, some of the Jews and Christians said, “We are Muslims”, so Allaah said, [وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلاً۬ۚ – And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)]; so they said, “We will not perform Hajj”, then Allah said, [وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ – and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns)]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 97]
Anyone who does not believe that he is not obligated to perform hajj even though he has the ability, then he is a disbeliever based on the consensus of the scholars just as the Qur’an has made that very clear. The Jews and Christians do not consider Hajj to be obligated to them, so they are disbelievers.
Allah [The Exalted] says:
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَڪِيمُ
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمُۗ وَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡۗ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ
فَإِنۡ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلۡ أَسۡلَمۡتُ وَجۡهِىَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ ءَأَسۡلَمۡتُمۡۚ فَإِنۡ أَسۡلَمُواْ فَقَدِ ٱهۡتَدَواْۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ
Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account. So if they dispute with you (Muhammad) say: “I have submitted myself to Allah (in Islam), and (so have) those who follow me.” And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterates (Arab pagans): “Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allah in Islam)?” If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah is All-Seer of (His ) slaves. [Surah Al Imraan. Ayaat 18-20]
And after Allah [The Exalted] says: [ إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمُۗ – Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam], He commanded the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] to say, “I submit myself to Allah and also those who follow me are to submit”; and that he should say to those who received the Scripture [the Jews and Christians], and the unlettered Arabs [those who have no book and other than them], “Do you (also) submit yourselves (to Allah in Islam)?” The Arabs are included in the term Ummiyyoon [unlettered or illiterate] and everyone agrees with this; but as for other than them, then either they are included in this term or other clear statements which shows that Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] was sent to entire humankind and jinn.
Allah [The Exalted] says:
فَإِنۡ أَسۡلَمُواْ فَقَدِ ٱهۡتَدَواْۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ
If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah is All-Seer of (His ) slaves. [3:20]
Therefore, Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] commanded the people of the Scripture to accept the same Islam which he commanded the unlettered Arabs to accept, and that they will be guided if they accept Islam, but if they do not submit, then Allah said: [فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُۗ – your duty is only to convey the Message] – Meaning, “I only convey to you the message of my lord and He will judge you”. Therefore, all this shows that Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] conveyed to the people of the Scripture that which he conveyed to the unlettered Arabs, and that Allaah will judge them for abandoning Islaam, just as the unlettered Arabs will be judged.
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim reported the hadeeth in which is stated the contents of the letter sent to Heraclius – the king of the Christians: “From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Hercules, the leader of the Byzantines. Peace be upon those who follow the true guidance. I invite you to embrace Islam so that you may live in security. If you come within the fold of Islam, Allaah will give you double reward, but in case you turn your back upon it, then the burden of the sins of all your people shall fall on your shoulders.
قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ
Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims'” [3:64]
And what is even more explicit is that Allah informed us that Islam is the religion of the Prophets, such as Nooh, Ibraaheem, Yaqoob [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them] and their followers, including the disciples [may Allah have mercy upon them]. Islam is the religion of every era and place. Allah [The Exalted] stated about Nooh [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] the first Messenger to the people of the earth:
وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ نَبَأَ نُوحٍ إِذۡ قَالَ لِقَوۡمِهِۦ يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيۡكُم مَّقَامِى وَتَذۡكِيرِى بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَڪَّلۡتُ فَأَجۡمِعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَكُمۡ وَشُرَكَآءَكُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنۡ أَمۡرُكُمۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غُمَّةً۬ ثُمَّ ٱقۡضُوٓاْ إِلَىَّ وَلَا تُنظِرُونِ
فَإِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ فَمَا سَأَلۡتُكُم مِّنۡ أَجۡرٍۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ
And recite to them the news of Nuh (Noah). When he said to his people: “O my people, if my stay (with you), and my reminding (you) of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah is hard on you, then I put my trust in Allah. So devise your plot, you and your partners, and let not your plot be in doubt for you. Then pass your sentence on me and give me no respite. “But if you turn away [from accepting my doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah], then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).” [Surah Yunus. Aayaat 71-72]
As for Ibraaheem [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], Allaah [The Exalted] said:
وَإِذۡ يَرۡفَعُ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ وَإِسۡمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
رَبَّنَا وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا مُسۡلِمَيۡنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةً۬ مُّسۡلِمَةً۬ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبۡ عَلَيۡنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
رَبَّنَا وَٱبۡعَثۡ فِيهِمۡ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيہِمۡۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ
وَمَن يَرۡغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفۡسَهُ ۥۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصۡطَفَيۡنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُ ۥ رَبُّهُ ۥۤ أَسۡلِمۡۖ قَالَ أَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
وَوَصَّىٰ بِہَآ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعۡقُوبُ يَـٰبَنِىَّ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ
And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his son) Isma’il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah), (saying), “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” “Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. “Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood, etc.), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, “Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!” He said, “I have submitted myself (as a Muslim) to the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya’qub (Jacob), (saying), “O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims – Islamic Monotheism).” [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayaat 127-132]
So, indeed Allah [The Exalted] informed us that He commanded Ibraaheem [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] with Islaam, who submitted and commanded his offspring with it, and Ya’qoob [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] commanded his children not to die except as Muslims. Allah says:
مَا كَانَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ يَہُودِيًّ۬ا وَلَا نَصۡرَانِيًّ۬ا وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفً۬ا مُّسۡلِمً۬ا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ
إِنَّ أَوۡلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِإِبۡرَٲهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَـٰذَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِىُّ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
Ibrahim (Abraham) was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true Muslim Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism – to worship none but Allah Alone) and he was not of polytheists. Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Ibrahim (Abraham) are those who followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad) and those who have believed (Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers. [3: 67-68]
Allaah [The Exalted] stated about Yusuf the son of Yaqoob [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them], that he said:
رَبِّ قَدۡ ءَاتَيۡتَنِى مِنَ ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَعَلَّمۡتَنِى مِن تَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحَادِيثِۚ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَنتَ وَلِىِّۦ فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأَخِرَةِۖ تَوَفَّنِى مُسۡلِمً۬ا وَأَلۡحِقۡنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
“My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me the interpretation of dreams; The (only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.” [12:101]
Allah [The Exalted] says about Moosaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]:
وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِن كُنتُمۡ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ فَعَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلُوٓاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّسۡلِمِينَ
And Musa (Moses) said: “O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).” [10:84]
Allah [The Exalted] stated that the [former] magicians [may Allah have mercy upon them] who believed in Moosaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] says:
قَالُواْ لَا ضَيۡرَۖ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ
إِنَّا نَطۡمَعُ أَن يَغۡفِرَ لَنَا رَبُّنَا خَطَـٰيَـٰنَآ أَن كُنَّآ أَوَّلَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
They said: “No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; “Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah].” [26: 50-51]
وَمَا تَنقِمُ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنۡ ءَامَنَّا بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَآءَتۡنَاۚ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرً۬ا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسۡلِمِينَ
And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.” [7: 126]
Allah [The Exalted] stated in the story of Sulayman [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] that Bilqees [may Allah have mercy upon her] said regarding Sulayaan’s letter:
إِنَّهُ ۥ مِن سُلَيۡمَـٰنَ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
أَلَّا تَعۡلُواْ عَلَىَّ وَأۡتُونِى مُسۡلِمِينَ
“Verily! It is from Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily! It (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful; “Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission)’”. [27: 30-31]
And that Sulaymaan [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] says:
قَالَ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلۡمَلَؤُاْ أَيُّكُمۡ يَأۡتِينِى بِعَرۡشِہَا قَبۡلَ أَن يَأۡتُونِى مُسۡلِمِينَ
He said: “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me as Muslims [surrendering themselves in obedience?”] [27: 38]
And Allah [The Exalted] says that Sulaymaan [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said about Bilqees [may Allah have mercy upon her]: [وَأُوتِينَا ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسۡلِمِينَ – Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims before her)]. [27: 42]
And Allah [The Exalted] says about Bilqees [may Allah have mercy upon her]:
قَالَتۡ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمۡتُ نَفۡسِى وَأَسۡلَمۡتُ مَعَ سُلَيۡمَـٰنَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
“My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam, together with Sulaiman (Solomon), to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [27: 44]
And Allah [The Exalted] stated about the Prophets of Bani Israaeel [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them]:
إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَا ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ فِيہَا هُدً۬ى وَنُورٌ۬ۚ يَحۡكُمُ بِہَا ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ
Verily, We did send down the Taurat (Torah) [to Musa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, judged the Jews. [5: 44]
And Allah [The Exalted] says about the disciples:
وَإِذۡ أَوۡحَيۡتُ إِلَى ٱلۡحَوَارِيِّـۧنَ أَنۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِى وَبِرَسُولِى قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَٱشۡہَدۡ بِأَنَّنَا مُسۡلِمُونَ
And when I (Allah) put in the hearts of Al-Hawarieen (the disciples) [of ‘Iesa (Jesus)] to believe in Me and My Messenger, they said: “We believe. And bear witness that we are Muslims.” [5: 111]
So, Allah [The Exalted] mentioned that all these Prophets [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them] and their followers were Muslims.
This is makes it clear that the statement: [وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمِ دِينً۬ا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ – 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] and the statement [إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمُ -Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam] do not specifically apply to those whom Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was sent to [in his era]; rather it is a general ruling that applies to the early and latter generations, and due to this Allaah says:
وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ دِينً۬ا مِّمَّنۡ أَسۡلَمَ وَجۡهَهُ ۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬ وَٱتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ حَنِيفً۬اۗ وَٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ خَلِيلاً۬
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 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). [4: 125]
And Allah [The Exalted] says:
وَقَالُواْ لَن يَدۡخُلَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَن كَانَ هُودًا أَوۡ نَصَـٰرَىٰۗ تِلۡكَ أَمَانِيُّهُمۡۗ قُلۡ هَاتُواْ بُرۡهَـٰنَڪُمۡ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ
بَلَىٰ مَنۡ أَسۡلَمَ وَجۡهَهُ ۥ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬ فَلَهُ ۥۤ أَجۡرُهُ ۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ
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. [2: 111-112]
[An Excerpt from Al-Jawaabus Saheeh Liman Baddal Deen Al-Maseeh. Vol 1. Pages 201-204]