In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Religion and Creed-Related Issues

This is the most important and 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 pathways in terms of beliefs. (see footnote a) All of these paths are distorted, crooked, harmful, and unbeneficial, with the exception of 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. (see footnote b) 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. (see footnote c)

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. Aayah 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 r (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.

[An Excerpt from Ad-Deenus Saheeh Yahillu Jamee al-Mashaakil (The right religion is the answer to every problem- pages 3-5]

Footnote a: Allah said:

وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَٱخۡتَلَفُواْ‌ۚ وَلَوۡلَا ڪَلِمَةٌ۬ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ

Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion – Islamic Monotheism), then they differed (later), and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed]. [Surah Yunus. Aayah 19]

Ibn Abbaas [may Allah be pleased with him and his father] said, “There were ten generations between Nooh and Adam – all of them used to be upon the true path [i.e. upon Islam – worshipping Allah alone], then they differed and started worshipping idols, false deities, and images, so Allah sent Messengers with clear proofs and evidences”. [Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

Footnote b: Allah said:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفْتَرَىٰٓ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا

Indeed, Allāh does not forgive that partners are set up for Him (and worshipped alongside Him, the gravest of sins) but He forgives whatever is less than that of (all types of sin) for whomever He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has indeed fabricated a tremendous sin. https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/4_48

Footnote c: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.” Read here: https://salaficentre.com/tag/shaykh-fawzaan/page/3/