In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Importance of Identifying The Sound Creed
Imaam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated
This is the most crucial topic in life because it impacts everything depending on its soundness, corruption, or absence. Indeed, humankind split into many religious groups and pursued different paths in terms of beliefs. All of these paths are distorted, crooked, harmful, and unbeneficial, except for those who are led to the true religion of Islam since such individuals will achieve uprightness, goodness, and peace of mind in every way.
Among the people are those who have been influenced by Shaytaan, so they worship things other than Allah, such as trees, stones, images, prophets, angels, the righteous and the unrighteous, while acknowledging that Allah alone is their Lord, Owner, and Creator. These are the polytheists of various groups and methodologies that accept the Oneness of Allah’s Lordship but they deviate from worshipping Him alone. Indeed, the (uncorrupted) divine books of the past and their seal (i.e. the Qur’an) demonstrate the wretchedness of these people and the path that leads them to destruction. All the Messengers agreed on the command to (establish) pure monotheism and forbid polytheism, and that anybody who ascribes a partner with Allah in worship will be barred from entering paradise permanently (if they do not repent before death), and their abode will be the fire. Sound minds and sound natural disposition would view polytheism, the deification of other than Allah, and devotion to created things and objects made by people (for the sake of worship) to be corrupt.
And among the people are those who believe in some of the Messengers and divine Books but not in others, despite the fact that the Messengers and divine Books affirmed each other’s truthfulness, agreed with each other, and agreed on fundamental principles. As a result, their denial invalidated their belief, and their acknowledgment of some Prophets and divine books was rendered invalid by their denial of other Prophets and divine books; thus, they remained in deviation in their religion, befuddled in their faith, and in a state of contradiction in their knowledge. Allah [The Exalted] said:
إن الذين يكفرون بالله ورسله ويريدون أن يفرقوا بين الله ورسله ويقولون نؤمن ببعض ونكفر ببعض ويريدون أن يتخذوا بين ذلك سبيلا أولئك هم الكافرون حقا
Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make a distinction between Allah and His Messengers (by believing in Allah and disbelieving in His Messengers) saying, “We believe in some but reject others,” and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayaat 150-151]
The reason Allah pronounced a judgement of unbelief against them is that He is aware that their claim to belief was false; if it had been sincere, they would have believed all the facts that the Messengers had agreed to. Allah said that they stated:
نؤمن بما أنزل علينا ويكفرون بما وراءه وهو الحق مصدقا لما معهم
“We believe in what was sent down to us”. And they disbelieve in that which came after it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 91]
Since their claim of faith is false, Allah declared the following concerning them:
فلم تقتلون أنبياء الله من قبل إن كنتم مؤمنين
Why then have you killed the Prophets of Allah aforetime, if you indeed have been believers?
There is a group among the people who ascribe to the (knowledge) of philosophy and metaphysics; they then introduced the greatest misguidance and ridiculous statements, denied the Great Lord (Allah) and His existence, and so denied the Messengers, the divine books, and matters of the unseen. They wrongly, arrogantly, and owing to self-exaltation denied Allah’s Ayaat [lessons, proofs, revelations], although being convinced within their own souls about them; and denied the Messengers’ knowledge and what the divine scriptures advised, and arrogantly turned away from them because of what they knew about natural sciences and the affairs associated with them. In contrast to the knowledge of the Prophets, they denied all other realities outside what they could perceive through their senses and limited, restricted experiences, so they worshipped nature, made it their primary preoccupation, and the totality of their knowledge, went beyond what their (innate) natural dispositions dictated and did not adhere to any divine religious laws or (sound) human morals. As a result, animals became better than them since they were bereft of (sound) morality and urged towards animalistic desires – neither had a real goal to strive for or outcomes to achieve. Allah said:
وقالوا ما هي إلا حياتنا الدنيا نموت ونحيا وما يهلكنا إلا الدهر
And they say: “There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except Ad-Dahr (the time).] [Surah Al-Jaathiyah. Ayah 24]
Thus, despite their polytheism and disbelief, the polytheists became better and considerably less evil than these individuals. Furthermore, due to religious weakness and lack of understanding, as well as when powerful nations built traps to encourage it, this detrimental school of thought has destroyed a vast number of people in recent times.
The Islamic religion, on the other hand, guided people out of the darkness of ignorance, disbelief, injustice, aggressiveness, and other ills and into the light of knowledge, (sound) faith, certainty, justice, mercy, and all good things. Allah said:
لقد من الله على المؤمنين إذ بعث فيهم رسولا من أنفسهم يتلو عليهم آياته ويزكيهم ويعلمهم الكتاب والحكمة وإن كانوا من قبل لفي ضلال مبين
Indeed Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur’an), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet (i.e. his legal ways, statements, acts of worship, etc.)], while before that they had been in manifest error. [Surah Aal Imran. Ayah 164]
Allah said:
إن الله يأمر بالعدل والإحسان وإيتاء ذي القربى وينهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر والبغي يعظكم لعلكم تذكرون
Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 90]
Allah said:
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ يَہۡدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقۡوَمُ
Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right.
[Surah Al-Israa. Ayah 9]
Allaah said:
اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام دينا
This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 3]
Allah said: [وتمت كلمة ربك صدقا وعدلا – And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice (Surah Al-An’aam. Ayah 115)]- Meaning, Allah’s divine revelation through which He legislated the laws and established rulings. Indeed, Allah perfected them in every aspect, with no defect in any form- (perfect) truthful reports from Allah regarding His Oneness and Recompense, the sincerity of His Messengers in that which they have communicated regarding issues of the unseen, and just rulings. All of its commands are founded on (perfect) justice, benevolence, all types of good, righteousness, and (upright) rectification; its prohibitions are based on flawless wisdom, and it condemns all forms of injustice, transgression, and harm.
Allah said:
ومن أحسن من الله حكما لقوم يوقنون
And who is better in judgement than Allah for a people who have firm Faith.
[Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 50]
Neither has Allah forbidden anything that a person of sound mind would say, “If only Allah had commanded it,” nor has Allah commanded anything that a person of sound mind would say, “If only Allah had forbidden it.” This religion has approved of all that is good and beneficial while forbidding all that is evil and harmful. Allah said:
الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ
Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), he commands them for Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Taiyibat [(i.e. all good and lawful) as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.], and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khaba’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allah’s Covenant), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 157]
Islam is the religion that guides (Allah’s) servants towards everything that is beneficial to them in their worldly and religious affairs and cautions them to avoid everything that is detrimental to their livelihood and religion. When there is an ambiguity between things that bring about welfare and things that are corrupt, and between beneficial and harmful things, it commands them to establish consultation in choosing the affair whose greater benefit is clearly established and repelling the affair whose corruption is manifest.
It is the mighty comprehensive religion that commands belief in every (divine) book revealed by Allah and every Messenger sent by Allah. Allah said:
فلذلك فادع واستقم كما أمرت ولا تتبع أهواءهم وقل آمنت بما أنزل الله من كتاب وأمرت لأعدل بينكم الله ربنا وربكم لنا أعمالنا ولكم أعمالكم لا حجة بيننا وبينكم الله يجمع بيننا وإليه المصير
So unto this (religion of Islam, alone and this Qur’an) then invite (people) (O Muhammad ), and Istaqim [(i.e. stand firm and straight on Islamic Monotheism by performing all that is ordained by Allah (good deeds, etc.), and by abstaining from all that is forbidden by Allah (sins and evil deeds, etc.)], as you are commanded, and follow not their desires, but say, “I believe in whatsoever Allah has sent down of the Book [all the divine Books – the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel or the Pages of Ibrahim (Abraham), and this Qur’an as the final one, and the only one to be acted upon], and I am commanded to do justice among you, Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds (good and bad). There is no dispute between us and you [i.e. after the realities have been manifested, and after the clear distinction between truth and falsehood, and after the clear distinction between guidance and misguidance, there is no room for debate because the goal behind the debate is to distinguish between right and wrong so that the one to be guided is guided and the proofs established against the misguided one (Tafseer Sadi)]. Allah will assemble us (all), and to Him is the final return. [Surah Ash-Shooraa. Ayah 15]
It is the mighty religion whose accuracy and perfection have been attested to by the All-Mighty Lord (Allah), as well as by the most perfect and the purest among the creation. Allah said:
شهد الله أنه لا إله إلا هو والملائكة وأولو العلم قائما بالقسط لا إله إلا هو العزيز الحكيم
Allah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illaa 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. La ilah illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise]. [Surah Aal Imran. Ayah 18]
Allah said:
إن الدين عند الله الإسلام
Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.
[Surah Aal Imran. Ayah 19]
It is the religion through which Allah gathers outer and inner beauty, perfect morals, and deeds for those who embody it. Allah said:
ومن أحسن دينا ممن أسلم وجهه لله وهو محسن
And who can be better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah (i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism); and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer)]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 125]
There is none better than one who is sincere to Allah, benevolent to Allah’s servants, and sincere in their adherence to Allah’s laws, which are the best of laws and the most upright methodology, so that their heart becomes imbued with sincerity and sound Islamic monotheism, and their morals and actions are based on upright guidance and sound rectification.
Allah said:
صبغة الله ومن أحسن من الله صبغة ونحن له عابدون
The Religion (ordained and chosen by) Allah (for humankind and jinn (i.e. Islam) and which religion can be better than the One (ordained and chosen) by Allah? And we are His worshippers.
It is the religion whose adherents – those who established it and embodied its guidance and teachings – gave the hearts access to good with knowledge and sound faith, and they triumphed over the inhabitants of the various regions of the earth through justice, mercy, and sincere advice to the human race.
It is the religion through which Allah rectifies the beliefs, morality, the worldly life, and (a person’s) affairs in the afterlife, and through which the disunited hearts and divergent desires unite (upon one upright path).
It is the great and decisive religion, conclusive in all of its judgements and reports. It doesn’t report or make judgements unless they are (perfect) statements of truth and justice that directly address the reality of the situation. There is no factual knowledge that invalidates any of its reports, and there is no ruling that is superior to its rulings. All affairs, both present and past, are perfectly addressed and governed by its foundations and rules. Because it is a revelation from the All-Wise, The One Worthy of All Praise (Allah), perfect equity and justice, mercy, goodness, and benevolence are applied wherever the various mutual dealings between individuals and groups are established–in every time and place–based on its fundamental principles.
Allah said:
كتاب أحكمت آياته ثم فصلت من لدن حكيم خبير
(This is) a Book (i.e. the Qur’an), the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things)]. [Surah Hud Aayah 1]
Allah said:
لا يأتيه الباطل من بين يديه ولا من خلفه تنزيل من حكيم حميد
Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah)]. [Surah Fussilat. Ayah 42]
Allah said:
إنا نحن نزلنا الذكر وإنا له لحافظون
Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the reminder (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)]. [Surah Al-Hijr. Ayah 9]
Its words (statements and meanings) are unquestionably safe from addition, deficiency, and change, and its rulings are secure from deviation and deficiency; rather, they are at the highest degree of justice, uprightness, and a means of facilitating every good.
It is the magnificent religion that leads to the truth and the straight path–truthfulness is its motto, justice is its focal point, truth is its basis, mercy is its essence and goal, goodness is what always accompanies it, righteousness and upright rectification are its beauty and functions.
Islam is the religion that combines the needs of the body, the heart, and the soul. Allah gave the believers the same instructions He gave the Messengers, commanding them to worship Him alone, perform good deeds that please Him, eat from the good things (He provided), and extract (benefits from the various things He created), which He subjugated to His servants in this life. Those who truly established this affair achieved every lofty achievement and sound progress. Anyone who knows any of the attributes of this religion will know the huge favour that Allaah has bestowed on humankind and Jinn, and anyone who rejects it will fall into falsehood, misguidance, disillusionment, and loss. The creeds that oppose Islam are either founded on superstitions and the worship of images, or they follow the paths of materialism and atheism, and they cause their followers’ hearts and actions to resemble those of animals (in behaviour); in fact, they lead them even further away from the way of upright behaviour than animals do. This is because when sound religion (or creed) departs from the hearts, good morals are abandoned and replaced with evil behaviour; thus, those on this path are led to the lowest level of evil behaviour, and their greatest concern and knowledge is confined to the enjoyment of this present (temporary) worldly life. [1]
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]
Thus, 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]. Allah [The Exalted] says:
فلذلك فادع واستقم كما أمرت ولا تتبع أهواءهم وقل آمنت بما أنزل الله من كتاب وأمرت لأعدل بينكم الله ربنا وربكم لنا أعمالنا ولكم أعمالكم لا حجة بيننا وبينكم الله يجمع بيننا وإليه المصير
So unto this (religion of Islam, alone and this Qur’an) then invite (people) (O Muhammad ), and Istaqim [(i.e. stand firm and straight on Islamic Monotheism by performing all that is ordained by Allah (good deeds, etc.), and by abstaining from all that is forbidden by Allah (sins and evil deeds, etc.)], as you are commanded, and follow not their desires but say: “I believe in whatsoever Allah has sent down of the Book [all the holy Books, this Qur’an and the Books of the old from the Taurat (Torah), or the Injeel (Gospel) or the Pages of Ibrahim (Abraham)] and I am commanded to do justice among you, Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will assemble us (all), and to Him is the final return. [Surah Ash-Shuraa. Ayah 15]
[وَأُمِرۡتُ لِأَعۡدِلَ بَيۡنَكُمُۖ – and I am commanded to do justice among you], Meaning, when passing judgement regarding that which you have differed between yourselves. Therefore, your enmity and hatred do not prevent me from judging with justice between you. It is from justice that when judging between people who make different statements – amongst the people of the Scripture and others – one accepts what they possess of truth and rejects what they possess of falsehood.
[ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمۡۖ لَنَآ أَعۡمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلُڪُمۡۖ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمُۖ ٱللَّهُ يَجۡمَعُ بَيۡنَنَاۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ – Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us our deeds and for you your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will assemble us (all), and to Him is the final return].
[لَا حُجَّةَ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمُۖ – There is no dispute between us and you] – Meaning, there is no dispute between us and you [i.e. after the realities have been manifested, and after the clear distinction between truth and falsehood, and after the clear distinction between guidance and misguidance, there is no room for debate, because the goal behind the debate is to distinguish between right and wrong so that the one to be guided is guided and the proofs established against the misguided one. [ٱللَّهُ يَجۡمَعُ بَيۡنَنَاۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ – Allah will assemble us (all), and to Him is the final return] [2]
Allah [The Most High] said:
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.” [Surah Aal Imraan. Ayah 64]
Meaning: say to the people of the scripture – the Jews and Christians, [تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ – Come to a word that is just between us and you]- Meaning: Come let us unite upon the statement which all the Prophets and Messengers agreed upon and none opposes it except the obstinate and misguided. This statement is not specific to anyone of us; rather it is something that you and us should establish between us, so this is justice and fairness in debate. Then Allah explains this and said: [أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا – that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him]- Meaning: We should single out Allah in worship, devoting all love, fear and hope to Him alone, and we should not associate anyone as partner with Allah in worship- neither a Prophet, an Angel, a Righteous Person, an Idol, a Deified image, a living or non-living thing, [وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۚ – and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah]; rather all obedience is to be devoted to Allah and His Messengers. [فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ – Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims]”. [3]
Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:
The believers – those whom Allah pardoned and accepted their repentance after they were in a state of ignorance and wrongdoing – are the true followers of the Prophets [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them], because indeed the Prophets [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them] were sent with knowledge and justice, as Allah [The Exalted] says:
وَٱلنَّجۡمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمۡ وَمَا غَوَىٰ
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحۡىٌ۬ يُوحَىٰ
By the star when it goes down, (or vanishes). Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. [Surah An-Najm. Ayaat 1-4]
Therefore, Allah [The Exalted] made it known that Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] is neither misguided and ignorant, nor is he astray and following his desires, nor does he speak out of his own desires; rather he speaks based on the revelation which Allah revealed to him. Allah [The Exalted] says:
[هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرۡسَلَ رَسُولَهُ ۥ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلۡحَقِّ لِيُظۡهِرَهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدً۬ا – He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), that He may make it (Islam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness]. [Surah Al-Fath. Ayah 28]
Guidance necessitates beneficial knowledge and the religion of truth necessitates righteous action, and it is built on justice, as Allah says: [لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ – Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep up justice]. [Surah Al-Hadeed. Ayah 25]
The foundation of justice in relation to fulfilment of Allah’s rights is to worship Allah alone without associating a partner to Him, for indeed ascribing partners to Allah in worship is great wrong, just as Allah stated that Luqman [peace be upon him] said: [يَـٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬ – O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed]. [Surah Luqmaan. Ayah 13]
In Bukhaari and Muslim, Abdullah Bin Mas’ood [may Allah be pleased with him] said that when the Ayah was revealed [ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ – Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and mix their belief with wrong], it worried the companions of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]; so they said, “Who amongst us has not wronged himself?” So, Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “It is not what you think; rather it is to ascribe partners to Allaah. Have you not heard the statement of Allaah’s righteous servant [i.e. Luqmaan (peace be upon him)]: [إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬- Verily ascribing partners to Allaah in worship is great wrong].
And when it is case that the true followers of the Prophets [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them] are people of knowledge and justice, therefore the speech of the people of Islam and the true adherents to the Prophetic Sunnah regarding the unbelievers and the proponents of religious innovations has to be based on knowledge and justice, and not conjecture and what the soul desires. And due to this the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “The judges are three: one will go to Paradise and two to Hell. A man who knows the truth and judges with it will enter paradise; a man who knows the truth but judges with the opposite of it will enter the fire, and a man who judges for the people based on ignorance will enter the fire’’. [Reported by Imaam Abu Dawud 3573]
And when it is the case that the one who judges between the people in [affairs] of wealth, blood [i.e. murder cases, physical violence etc] and honour will enter the hell fire if he is not a just scholar, then how about the one who passes judgements – without knowledge and justice – on creeds, religions, the fundamentals of belief, divine knowledge and the general fundamental principles related to different subject matters, as is the case with ahlul bidah wal ahwaa [the people of religious innovations and desires]- those who follow the ambiguous doubtful matters, abandon those explicitly clear texts that have transmitted by the Prophets [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them], cling to affairs that share an ambiguous similarity through mere analogy and opinions, and then present affairs whose differences can neither be reconciled nor equated, just as is the case with the unbelievers and all the proponents of religious innovation and followers of desires, who liken the creation to the Creator [i.e. they give the creation the Perfect Attributes that only belong to the Creator], and liken the Creator to the creation [i.e. by describing the Creator with the imperfect attributes of the Creation], and then they put forward an evil similitude for Allah by way of thoughtless and confusing speech. This is because the false religion of the Christians is an innovated [or concocted] religion- innovated after the departure of the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and altered the religion of the Messiah through it; so they deviated from the Messiah’s [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] path and remained upon that which they innovated.
Then when Allah [The Exalted] sent Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], they disbelieved in him; so their disbelief and misguidance occurred in two way- substitution of the religion of the first Messenger [i.e. the Messiah] and belied the second Messenger [i.e. Muhammad], just as the Jews substituted the rulings of the Torah before the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] was sent and then belied him. The Christians’ denial of the Messengership of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is a well-known belief of theirs to every Muslim, which is similar to the Jews’ disbelief in the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. The Christians emphasise the disbelief of the Jews greater than what the Jews deserve, because the Jews claimed that the Messiah was a magician and a liar; rather they said that he is an illegitimate child, as Allaah informed us about them: [وَقَوۡلِهِمۡ عَلَىٰ مَرۡيَمَ بُہۡتَـٰنًا عَظِيمً۬ا – And their speech against Maryam (Mary)- a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 156]; however, the Christians claimed that the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is Allaah, so therefore the trial between them and the Jews regarding the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] involved a lot of contradictions, misguidance at similar levels and confrontation, and this is why both nations rebuked one another with something more than what each of them deserved, just as Allaah said:
وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُمۡ يَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَۗ كَذَٲلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ مِثۡلَ قَوۡلِهِمۡۚ فَٱللَّهُ يَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ
The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing; and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing; though they both recite the Scripture. Like unto their word, said (the pagans) who know not. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they have been differing. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Ayah 113]
Muhammad Bin Abee Muhammad [may Allah ave mercy upon him] the protege of Zaid Bin Thaabit [may Allah be pleased with him] reported from Ikrimah [may Allah be pleased with him] or Saeed Bin Jubayr [may Allah have mercy upon him], who reported from Ibn Abbaas [may Allah be pleased with him and his father]that when the Christian delegation of Najraan came to the Messenger of Allah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], the Rabbis came and argued with them in the presence of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]; so Rabee bin Hurmilah said, “You are upon nothing”, so he disbelieved in Eesaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and all the Injeel”; then a man from the people of Najraan said to the Jews, “You are upon nothing”, so he wilfully denied Moosaa’s [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] Prophethood and disbelieved in the Torah, so Allah revealed: [وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُمۡ يَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَۗ – The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing; and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing; though they both recite the Scripture]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 113]
So each of them recited the affirmation of what they reject in their book- meaning, the Jews disbelieved in Eesaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] whilst they had the Torah in which Allah established the evidence against them through Moosaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] that they should believe in Eesaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]; and in the Injeel, Eesaa [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] confirmed the Messengership of Moosaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] and what he came with. So, each one disbelieved in what was in the possession of the other. [Ibn Abee Haatim. 1/339]
[وَقَالَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ – The Jews said that the Christians follow nothing]; Qataadah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said regarding this Ayah, “Certainly, the early Christians were upon something, but they innovated and split”. [وَقَالَتِ ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ لَيۡسَتِ ٱلۡيَهُودُ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ۬ – and the Christians said that the Jews follow nothing]; Qataadah said regarding this Ayah, “Certainly, the early Jews were upon something, but they innovated and split”. The Jews belied the religion of the Christians and said that the Christians were upon nothing; and the Christians denied everything through which the Jews were distinguished from them, even the laws of the Torah which the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] did not abrogate; rather he commanded them to act upon it. As for the Jews, they denied many of things through which others were distinguished from them, until they denied the truth brought by Eesaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him].
So, even though the Christians – due to that which they innovated of exaggeration and misguidance – went into extremes in excommunicating the Jews and showed them enmity beyond what is obligated, however there is no doubt that the Jews disbelieved when they belied the Messiah [peace and blesssings of Allaah be upon him], just as Allaah [The Exalted] said to the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]:
إِنِّى مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوۡقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ
I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that ‘Iesa (Jesus) is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (Monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, or disbelieve in some of His Messengers, e.g. Muhammad, ‘Iesa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), etc., or in His Holy Books, e.g. the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur’an] till the Day of Resurrection. [Surah Aal Imraan. Ayah 55]
And Allah [The Exalted] says:
قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ لِلۡحَوَارِيِّـۧنَ مَنۡ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ ٱلۡحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحۡنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِۖ فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآٮِٕفَةٌ۬ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسۡرَٲٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآٮِٕفَةٌ۬ۖ فَأَيَّدۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمۡ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ ظَـٰهِرِينَ
Eesaa the son of Maryam said to Al-Hawariun (the disciples): “Who are my helpers (in the Cause) of Allah?” Al-Hawarieen (the disciples) said: “We are Allah’s helpers” (i.e. we will strive in His Cause!). Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the uppermost. [Surah As-Saff. Ayah 14]
The disbelief of the Christians – due to their denial of Muhammad’s [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] Messengership and being in opposition to the Muslims- is greater than the disbelief of the Jews due to their denial of the Messiah’s [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] Messengership, because indeed the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] only abrogated a little from the Torah and all the laws and acts of worship ordained for him could be traced back to the Torah; however the majority of the beliefs and practices of the Christians were innovated after the departure of the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. That which is found in the Jews’ denial of the Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] by opposing Allah’s Shariah is not the same as the Christians’ denial of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], who brought an independent book from Allaah, because nothing in the laws of the Qur’an was ordained based on the law of another Messenger. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [أَوَلَمۡ يَكۡفِهِمۡ أَنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبَ يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَرَحۡمَةً۬ وَذِڪۡرَىٰ لِقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ – Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder (or an admonition) for a people who believe]. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Ayah 51]
The Qur’an is an independent book like the Torah of Moosaa [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], even though the Qur’an is greater than it. And this is why the Christian scholars made a connection between Moosaa and Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them], just as when An-Najaashee [may Allah have mercy upon him]- the (Ethiopian) king of the Christians- heard the Qur’an, he said, “Indeed, this and what Moosaa brought came from the same source”.
Also, when Waqarah bin Nawfil [may Allah have mercy upon him] – who was one of Christian Arab scholars- heard the statement of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], he said, “Indeed, the Naamoos [i.e. Jibreel] came to you, who was sent to Moosaa. I wish I were young till when your people expel you [i.e. from Makkah]”. Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] asked, “Will these people drive me out?” Waraqah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Yes, for nobody brought the like of what you have brought, but was treated with hostility. If I were to remain alive till your day [when you start calling to Islaam], then I would support you strongly”. [Bukhaari]
And this is why Allah mentions the Torah and the Qur’an together in His statement:
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِنۡ عِندِنَا قَالُواْ لَوۡلَآ أُوتِىَ مِثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰٓۚ أَوَلَمۡ يَڪۡفُرُواْ بِمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ مِن قَبۡلُۖ قَالُواْ سِحۡرَانِ تَظَـٰهَرَا وَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِكُلٍّ۬ كَـٰفِرُونَ
قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِكِتَـٰبٍ۬ مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ أَهۡدَىٰ مِنۡہُمَآ أَتَّبِعۡهُ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ
But when the truth (i.e. Muhammad with his Message) has come to them from Us, they say: “Why is he not given the like of what was given to Musa (Moses)? Did they not disbelieve in that which was given to Musa (Moses) of old? They say: “Two kinds of magic [the Taurat (Torah) and the Qur’an] each helping the other!” And they say: “Verily! In both we are disbelievers.” Say (to them, O Muhammad): “Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two [the Taurat (Torah) and the Qur’an], that I may follow it, if you are truthful.” [Surah Al-Qasas. Aayaat 48-49]
Allah did not revealed books that were a better guide than the Tawraat and the Qur’aan. Then Allah says:
فَإِن لَّمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَكَ فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡۚ وَمَنۡ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ بِغَيۡرِ هُدً۬ى مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists). [Surah Al-Qasas. Ayah 50] [4]
Finally, must bear in mind always that rebutting false beliefs, ideas and views does not necessitate bad behaviour, rather Muslims are commanded to behave well towards others. Must read article by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allah preserve him]: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/
And Allah knows best
[1] An Excerpt from Ad-Deenus Saheeh Yahillu Jamee al-Mashaakil (The right religion is the answer to every problem- pages 3-5
[2] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased
[3] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased
[4] An Excerpt from Al-Jawaabus Saheeh Liman Baddala Deenul Maseeh. 1/26-30. Slightly paraphrased
