MISCONCEPTIONS OF "EXCLUSIVITY"...

      Many Jews, Christians and Muslims have misconceptions about the "exclusivity" of Salvation. Being God's chosen people, Jews often behave and act as if the Salvation happens to be their secured and pre-ordained "birth right". From the Christian perspective, accepting Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour makes them "born-again" with a Divine Umbrella of Grace and the Salvation is guaranteed for them. Often a Muslim would also pronounce that anyone who recites the Islamic confession of Faith (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger), before the flame of his life is extinguished, the Paradise is vouched for him. Some of these staunch believers of the "exclusivity" even go a step further. They declare it with a kind of self pride as well as contempt for those who are outside of the perimeter of their narrow exclusivity circle, they all will burn in the eternal hell fire. These misconceptions not only defy logic but also project the image of the Almighty Allah to be partial and prejudice, which He is not. "...and Allah means no injustice to any of His creatures." (Qur'an 3 : 108).

     Within the last 2000 years, since the passing away of Jesus Christ and similarly within the last 1400 years, since the passing away of the prophet Muhammad millions upon millions have come and left this world without hearing the name of Moses, Jesus or Muhammad (peace be upon them). On the Day of Judgment would the Almighty Allah, who commands us to be JUST in our dealings with our fellow beings, judge these individuals who have died not knowing the names of these prophets, as the sinners worthy of being condemned to the Hell Fire?? 

And they say: "None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian." Those are their (vain) desires. Say: "Produce your proof if ye are truthful." Nay whoever submits his whole self to Allah and is a doer of good he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. 
Translation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali,  Qur'an 2: 111 and 112 

1.  The opening word "Nay" of the second verse refutes these misconceptions with a tone of challenge and presents the true concept. 

2. Safeguard is provided as well as reward is assured, for "whoever" that "submits his whole self " to Allah and is the doer of good deeds. 

3. The above phrase "submits his whole self " is translated as "surrenders his whole being" by Asad; "submits himself entirely" by Malik and Shakir; "surrendereth his purpose" by Pickthall.

4.  Submitting one's whole self to Allah (literally; "The God") and the righteousness of deeds are the basic fundamental requirements to shield and protect oneself from the fear and the grief of Hell Fire. There is no mention of prophet Jesus or Muhammad (p.b.u.t.) in the text. 

5. The reward of Paradise is not mentioned but the absence of its assurance does not indicate that the Hell Fire is the only alternative.

6.  Allah's promise to mankind; "on such shall be no fear nor shall they grieve" is repeated several times in the Qur'an. Below is one such verse. I have presented TWO translations for this important verse: 

Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.         Translation by M. H. Shakir  Qur'an 2: 62

Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who 
follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Christians and 
the Sabians, any who believe in Allah and the last day, 
and work righteousness, shall have their reward with 
their Lord; on them shall be no fear nor shall they 
grieve.   Translation by Yusuf Ali    Qur'an  2: 62

CF. ii. 38, where the same phrase occurs.  And it recurs again and again afterwards.  The point of the verse is that Islam does not teach an exclusive doctrine, and is not meant exclusively for one people.  The Jews claimed this for themselves, and the Christians in their own origin were a sect of the Jews. Even the modern organized Christian churches, though they have been, consciously or unconsciously, influenced by the Time-spirit, including the historical fact of Islam, yet cling to the idea of Vicarious Atonement, which means that all who do not believe in it or who lived previously to the death of Christ are at a disadvantage spiritually before the Throne of God.  The attitude of Islam is entirely different. Islam existed before the preaching of Muhammad on this earth; the Qur'an expressly calls Abraham a Muslim (iii. 67).  Its teaching (submission to God's will) has been and will be the teaching of Religion for all time and for all peoples.

1.   The "Promise of Allah" in the above verse is only for those who were born before the coming of prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

Response: This argument is groundless because this verse was revealed to mankind, after the coming of the prophet.

Response: The true concept of Islam is clearly defined in the following two verses of the Qur'an viz. 3: 19 and 3: 85.
I have reproduced TWO translations of these two verses. 
The text appearing within the brackets is by the translators. The word "Islam" signifies the submission to Allah's will. 

The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will)... 
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him... 
Qur'an 3: 19 and 85    Translations by A. Yusuf Ali 

Lo! religion with Allah (is) The Surrender (to His will and 
guidance)...
And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him...
   Qur'an 3: 19 and 85   Translations by M. M. Pickthall

The following verse from the Qur'an proves that Islam existed before the preaching of prophet Muhammad. 

Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian but he was true in faith and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam) and he joined not gods with Allah.
   Qur'an 3: 67   Translation by A. Yusuf Ali

Do you think that you will enter paradise without 
going through the trial? Allah has not yet tested you 
to see who among you strive hard for His cause and 
who show patience in adversity.  Qur'an 3: 142

Those who faithfully observe their trust and their covenants; And who (strictly) guard their prayers. Those will be the inheritors that will inherit Paradise. They will dwell therein (forever).  Qur'an  23: 8-11

And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date stone.
Qur'an 4: 124

Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden Paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evildoers there will be no helpers. Qur'an 5: 72

A noteworthy Verse for the PARADISE:

I am reproducing this verse without any comments and leave it to your own faith imaan and understanding hidayyah to do the interpretation: 

The Day that He assembles you (all) for a day of Assembly that will be a day of mutual loss and gain (among you).  And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness He will remove from them their ills and He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow to dwell therein forever: that will be the Supreme Achievement.  
           Holy Qur'an 64:9 Translation by Yusuf Ali

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