The theory of unity of religions and its debates

 

The theory of unity of religions and its debates

Abu Hayyan Saeed

The theory of unity of religions is that all divine religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, etc.) actually came from the same God and the basic message of all of them is the same, only the laws and explanations have become different depending on time and circumstances. This theory believes that there is truth in all religions and their purpose is the welfare of man. Islam has the concept of unity of religions.

Key points of the theory:

A single source: The source of all religions is the same being (Allah), that is, the basic monotheism.

The unity of basic teachings: The basic moral principles such as truth, justice, and goodness are common to all.

The difference is only in the law: The difference between religions is in the law, worship, and rituals, not in the core belief.

Unity in Islam: In Islam, all prophets (Moses, Jesus, Muhammad ﷺ) are recognized and it is necessary to believe in their prophethood.

Tolerance and Peace: This ideology teaches religious tolerance, coexistence, and interfaith harmony.

Criticism and Debate:

Although this ideology promotes harmony, some schools of thought object that it may conflict with the doctrine of "distortion" and "completion" (Khatam-e-Nubuwwat) of Islamic teachings, and that Islamic law should be accepted as the final and complete law. There are historical and jurisprudential debates on this topic.

Quranic Perspective:

The basis for this ideology in the Quran is found in verses where belief in all prophets is considered part of faith.

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 285) The Messenger's security in what has been revealed to him from his Lord and the believers - All security is in God and His Kingdom and His Books. And his Messenger ۫-There is no difference between any of his Messengers۫-And they said: Hear us and grant us forgiveness, our Lord and to you. Fate (285)

Translation: Messenger He believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so did the Muslims. All of them believed in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers, saying, "We make no distinction between any of His Messengers." And they said, "Our Lord! We have heard and we have obeyed. Forgive us, and to You is the return."

. The Quran presents the idea that the "religion" (the true path of obedience to Allah) has always been one, while the "laws" (laws and practices) have changed over time.

(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 48) And We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, authentic to what his hands have taken from the Book, and He is the judge of it. Between them is what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires, what has come to you from the truth. MINHAJ ؕ - And love Sha'i Allah To make you one nation, but to test you in what has come to you, so follow the good. - To Allah is your return, all of you, and He will inform you of that in which you differed. (48)

Translation: We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what came before it, and a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed. And O you who listen! Do not follow their desires, leaving behind the truth that has come to you. We have made for you a law and a way, and if Allah had willed, He would have made you all one nation, but (He did not do so) that He might test you in what He has given you, so that you might excel others in good deeds. To Allah is your return, and He will tell you that in which you used to differ.

According to the Holy Quran, believing in all the prophets is part of faith (as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah: 285) and the divine religion (the real way of obeying Allah) has always been one, but the Sharia (laws) have varied over time (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 48); that is, the real religion is one, but the methods of its implementation have changed, and this is the point that connects the message of all the prophets to a single origin, as a result of which we are obliged to believe in all the heavenly books and the prophets who brought them, such as the Holy Quran revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Details:

Belief in all the prophets: Verse 285 of Surah Al-Baqarah makes it clear that believing in Allah, His angels, His books and His messengers is the attribute of the believers, that is, believing in one prophet and denying another is not part of faith, believing in all the prophets is necessary.

Difference between religion and Sharia:

Religion/The Path: This is the basic path of obedience to Allah which has been the same in all times, which is based on monotheism and worship of Allah.

Law/Code of Conduct: These are the laws and commands that have varied according to the time of each prophet.

Summary of the Quranic perspective:

All the prophets (from Adam to Jesus, and then Muhammad ﷺ) called to the same religion (Islam).

The Sharia (commandments) given to each prophet was for that nation, but when the last prophet Muhammad ﷺ came, his Sharia became the complete and final religion for all humanity.

This means that we are required to follow the Shariah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) and to believe in all the other prophets as well, that they were messengers of Allah and that what they brought was the truth, even though their Shariah has now been abrogated.

This perspective makes us understand that the Holy Quran gives a comprehensive message that contains the continuity of the basic teachings of all previous divine religions.

1. Unity of Religion (Oneness of Religion):

According to the Quran, all the prophets brought the same basic message, namely the "Religion of Islam" (the Oneness of Allah and obedience to Him).

Surah Shura ( Verse 13) makes it clear that Allah has ordained for you the same religion which He enjoined upon Noah (peace be upon him) and which was revealed to Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon him).

Surah Shura (verse 13)

Law for you of the religion that was enjoined upon Noah and that which was revealed to you and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Eesa and establish the religion and do not differ in it. He guides to it whom He wills and guides to it whom He turns (13)

Translation: He has ordained for you the same religion which He enjoined upon Noah and which We have inspired to you and which We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish the religion and do not become divided therein. It is too heavy for the polytheists to which you invite them, and Allah chooses whom He wills and guides to Himself whom He turns.

2. Diversity of Sharia (change of method):

While the basic religion remained one, the laws and methods of worship continued to change according to the conditions of each nation and the needs of the times. In Surah Al-Ma’idah (verse 48), Allah Almighty says: “To each of you We have appointed a law (shari’ah) and a path (minhaj).”

Summary:

Religion: is like a root that never changes (monotheism, the Hereafter, morality).

Sharia: is like branches that have taken different forms as human society has evolved.

This concept provides the basis for interfaith harmony and respect for all prophets, as Surah Al-Baqarah (verse 285) describes the believers as making no distinction between the messengers of Allah.

Conclusion:

The philosophy of the proponents of the unity of religions is that

“The unity of religions is a concept that emphasizes the common message of all religions and their being from one God, and according to this, all humans should live with mutual respect.”

How beautiful, charming and captivating is the idea that all human beings should live with mutual respect, but who will convince the CIA, Mossad, RAW, MI6, KGB, ISI to this “mutual respect for human beings”, sir!

The best and most effective choice of words is right in its place, but the question is how will you convince Bosnia, Burma, Kashmir, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran to faithfully implement this philosophy? With whom the whole world has been pursuing a policy of oppression for decades and the United Nations has been a silent spectator for decades. Who will be able to convince the Muslims of Bosnia to forget the terrible atrocities of the neighboring Serbs? Who will convince the Aristotelian Kashmiris to forget the atrocities of India and continue drinking apple and pomegranate juice? Who will convince the Rohingya Muslims of Burma to forget the atrocities of the Burmese army and Buddhist terrorists? Who will convince the Palestinians to forget the atrocities of the Israeli Zionists? Who will convince the people of Syria and Iraq to forget the killing and destruction of the CIA's puppet ISIS?