COMMON PRINCIPLES OF FAITH IN THE DIVINE FAITHS
COMMON PRINCIPLES OF FAITH IN THE DIVINE FAITHS
Humanity has forever reflected on and sought the answers to
such questions as; What is the meaning and purpose for my life?
What is the source of life? How can I find my and everything else's
Creator? What does the Lord require of me? What are right and wrong,
good and evil? Philosophers have developed their theories and
published their ideas, but the true answers are found only in the
divinely revealed religions and with divine guidance, because people's
intellect and knowledge are severely limited. The most accurate answers
to the above questions are to be found in the true religions sent down
by our Lord.
Allah has always guided humanity by sending His Messengers to
spread His revelations. Ever since the time of the Prophet Adam (pbuh),
the first human being, people have been informed of Allah's existence
and commands and have found the truest and wisest answers to their
questions in the divinely revealed religions.
It is necessary to reflect on an important subject here. Even
if true religions had different laws, according to their time and
environment, they have always contained the same beliefs and morality
and have transmitted the same fundamental principles (e.g., Allah's
existence, unity, and attributes; the purpose and reason for humanity's
and all other beings' creation; how to serve Allah; the ideal
character, way of life, and conduct; the definitions of good and evil,
right and wrong; and how to prepare for the eternal life in the
Hereafter.)
A great part of the world's population follows Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. The Jews' book of revelation, which consists
of 39 books, is known as the Torah. The first five books are parts of
the Torah revealed to the Prophet Moses (pbuh). The remaining books are
thought to be revelations sent to Prophets after him or accounts
written about them. The word "Torah" is also used to refer to the whole
of the Torah, and that is the sense in which the word is used in this
book.
The Gospel is the holy book of the Christians and consists of
both the Torah and the Gospel, which contains four books, a collection
of letters, and a vision (Revelations). Although Judaism as well as
Christianity have suffered degeneration over time the essentials of
many beliefs and moral values belonging the true faith have been
preserved. The identification of the common beliefs and values among
the scriptures of the three revealed faiths will bring Jews,
Christians, and Muslims closer to one another and enable them to know
each other better. This will also provide the necessary framework for an
alliance between genuine believers in Allah.
In our present era, Christians, Jews, and Muslims know each
other only through hearsay acquired from family and friends or various
media outlets. These sources often contain incorrect information or
opinions. Of course, if one wants accurate information, he or she
should consult the religion's texts: the Torah, the Gospel, and the
Qur'an. In the coming pages, we will provide each religion's principles
of faith and codes of conduct in order to examine their common
principles of faith. As we shall see, these common principles reveal
that the real ideological battle should not be fought among the three
divinely revealed religions, but between them and Darwinist,
materialist and atheist ideologies.
Allah Is the Creator of Everything
Everything we see around us, from the cells of our bodies to the endless galaxies, was created by Allah out of nothing. The perfection in every detail of the universe, its spectacular artistry and faultless order, are proofs of His creation. The following verses reveal that Allah created everything without precedent and gave everything its order and measure:
He to Whom the kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs. He does not have a son and He has no partner in the Kingdom. He created everything and determined it most exactly. (Surat Al-Furqan: 2)
...He created all things and He has knowledge of all things. That is Allah, your Lord. There is no god but Him, the Creator of everything. So worship Him. He is responsible for everything. (Surat Al An'am: 101-102)
.. the Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, 'Be!' and it is. (Surat Al-Baqara: 117)
The same facts are revealed in the Gospel:
Allah, Who made heaven and Earth and sea and everything in
them. (Acts, 14: 15)
In the sight of Allah, Who gives life to everything.. I charge
you. (1 Timothy, 6: 13)
For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before
all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians, 1: 16-17)
The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord
of heaven and earth.. (Act, 17: 24)
When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and
said, 'Sovereign Lord, Who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and
everything in them.. (Acts 4: 24)
The Torah also reveals that Allah created everything from nothing:
The Maker of heaven and Earth, the sea, and everything in
them – the Lord, who remains faithful forever. (Psalm, 146: 6)
In the beginning Allah created the heavens and the Earth.
(Genesis, 1: 1)
.. You are the Lord, You alone; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them You give life, and the host of heaven worships You.... (Nehemiah, 9: 6)
Allah Is the Only God
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Muslims believe that there is no deity besides Allah, Who creates everything from nothing and creates it faultlessly and perfectly, is great and supreme, knows the essence and the secrets of everything, is eternal and infinite, was neither born nor gives birth, is free from all faults and imperfections, is alive, knows everything, has power over everything, is most exalted, governs, is all powerful, and protects and forgives. Everything that exists in the heavens and on Earth has surrendered to Him and testifies to His existence. Allah reveals that there is no other deity besides Him:
He is Allah. There is no deity but Him. Praise be to Him in this world and the Hereafter. Judgment belongs to Him. You will be returned to Him. (Surat Al-Qasas: 70)
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Your God is One Allah. There is no deity but
Him, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. (Surat Al-Baqara: 163)
Allah bears witness that there is no deity but Him, as do the
angels and the people of knowledge, upholding justice. There is no deity
but Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise. (Surah Al 'Imran: 18)
The Torah also states this fact in many passages, some of which are given below:
.. so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. (1.Kings, 8: 60)
This is what the Lord says: "I am the first and the last; apart from Me there is no god." (Isaiah, 44: 6)
Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of Earth; for I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah, 45: 22)
Many passages in the Gospel state this same fact: ... it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." (Matthew, 4: 10)
... O, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'" (Mark, 12: 29-30)
You are right in saying that God is One and there is no other but Him. (Mark, 12: 32)
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1.Timothy, 1: 17)
You believe that God is One; you do well. Even the demons believe - and shudder. (James, 2: 19)
Jesus answered, 'The first is, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One;" ' (Mark, 12: 29)
Allah Is All-Powerful
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All people are dependent beings with faults and shortcomings. Confined to time and space, they can continue to exist only by the will of Allah, Who has created time, space, humanity, and everything else. He is beyond fault and imperfection, supreme and exalted, and nothing can happen if He does not will it to happen. Unless Allah wills it, no leaf can fall to the ground and no woman can conceive or give birth. Allah knows every secret and everything, whether visible or invisible. Given that He is above everything and therefore has infinite and supreme power, no force or thing in the heavens or on Earth can render Him helpless. The following verses reveal these truths:
Allah created the seven heavens and of Earth the same number, the command descending down through all of them, so that you might know that Allah has power over all things and encompasses all things in His knowledge. (Surat At-Talaq: 12)
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Everything in the heavens and everything in Earth belongs to Allah. Whether you divulge what is in yourselves or keep it hidden, Allah will still call you to account for it. He forgives whoever He wills and punishes whoever He wills. Allah has power over all things. (Surat Al-Baqara: 284)
No! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and Wests that We have the power to replace them with something better than them. We will not be outstripped. (Surat Al-Ma'arij: 40-41)
The Gospel reveals that Allah is All-Mighty:
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered... (Luke, 12: 6-7)
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with Allah all things are possible." (Matthew, 19: 26)
Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before Amman fell on their faces and worshipped God ,singing, 'We give you thanks, Lord, God Almighty, Who are and who were, for You have taken Your Great Power and begun to reign. (Revelation 11: 16-17)
For nothing will be impossible with God. (Luke, 1: 37)
And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: 'Great and amazing are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty!Just and true are Your Ways, Kings of the nations! Lord, who will not fear and glorify Your name? For You alone are Holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your Judgements have been revealed." (Revelation, 15: 3-4)
The Torah has many passages that reveal Allah's Infinite Power:
... "Praise be to the name of God forever and ever. Wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons, sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. (Daniel, 2: 20-22)
And Allah said to him: "I am Allah Almighty." (Genesis, 35: 11)
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. (Psalm, 127: 1)
For lo, the One Who forms the mountains, creates the wind, reveals His thoughts to mortals, makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth, the Lord, the God of hosts, is His Name! (Amos, 4: 13)
Allah Knows Everything
Allah knows, hears, and sees everything, regardless of when or where it happens, or how secret it is. For example, He knows when and where all people are be born and die, what they do while in this world, what they strive for, when and why they laugh or cry, and what they plan and think right down to the last detail. He also knows everything that happens in the universe, the conditions of all of the countless plants and animals on Earth, all laws of the universe, and the countless other things. Allah says:
Do you not know that Allah knows everything in heaven
and Earth? That is in a Book. That is easy for Allah. (Surat Al-Hajj:
70)
He knows what is said openly and what you hide. (Surat Al-Anbiya:
110)
You do not engage in any matter, recite any of the Qur'an, or do any action without Our witnessing you while you are occupied with it. Not even the smallest speck eludes your Lord, either on Earth or in heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book. (Surah Yunus: 61)
In the Qur'an Allah reveals that He creates and knows everything. In other words, nothing, regardless of how hidden or insignificant it is, is outside of His knowledge. The Gospel and the Torah reveal this great truth:
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and
nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
(Luke, 8: 17)
Do not be like them, for God knows what you need before you ask
Him. (Mathew, 6: 8)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will
fall to the ground unperceived by God. (Mathew, 10: 29)
You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts
from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar
with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know it
completely, O Lord. (Psalm, 139: 2-4)
.. for only You know what is in every human heart.. (1. Kings, 8: 39)
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in
secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.(Psalms, 139: 15)
The secret things belong to the Lord, our God.. (Deuteronomy, 29:
29)
Allah Is Compassionate and Forgiving
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The Qur'an reveals that Allah is "the most compassionate of the compassionate" (Surah Yunus: 92). Allah's compassion is reflected on everything: The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the scenery we like to behold, the animal for which we feel compassion, the friends and family members we trust and love, our clothes, and our homes are just some of His gifts. Allah's compassion, mercy, and protection can be felt throughout one's life. Therefore, we need to show our appreciation for His countless gifts by turning to Him and earning His good pleasure. Allah accepts genuine repentance and guides those who sincerely turn to Him to enlightenment, for He is Most Forgiving. He answers the prayers of those who turn to Him and rescues people from their troubles and sorrows. In the Qur'an Allah reveals these truths in the following verses:
Allah would never let your faith go to
waste. Allah is All-Gentle, Most Merciful to humanity. (Surat
Al-Baqara: 143)
Say [from Me]: "O My servants, you who have transgressed
against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly Allah
forgives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most
Merciful." (Surat Az-Zumar: 53)
He sends down Clear Signs to His servant to bring you out of the
darkness and into to the light. Allah is All-Gentle with you, Most
Merciful. (Surat Al-Hadid: 9)
The Gospel also reveals that Allah is most compassionate. Some passages in which this is revealed read:
Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising
sun will come to us from heaven... (Luke, 1: 79)
... God is full of compassion and mercy... (James, 5: 11)
His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to
generation. (Luke, 1: 50)
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break
upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow
of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.' (Luke, 1: 78-79)
As does the Torah:
The Lord watches over all who love Him, but He will destroy all the wicked. (Psalm, 145: 20)
The Lordis compassionate and gracious... abounding in love. (Psalm, 103: 8)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end..(Lamentation, 3: 22)
Worshiping None but Allah
Say: "O People of the Book. Come to a proposition that is the same for us and you – that we should worship none but Allah, not associate any partners with Him, and not take one another as lords besides Allah." (Surah Al 'Imran: 64)
They were only ordered to worship Allah,making their religion sincerely His as people of pure natural belief, and to establish prayers(salat) and pay alms(zakat) –that is the religion of the correct. (Surat Al-Bayyina: 5)
The Gospel
"Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." (Matthew, 4: 10)
Yet for us there is one God, from Whom are all things and for Whom we exist, and one Lord… through Whom are all things and through Whom we exist. (1.Corinthians, 8: 6)
.. And they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans, 1: 23-25)
The Torah
Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. Do not follow other deities, the deities of the peoples around you. (Deuteronomy, 6: 13-14)
Yet I have been the Lord you're God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. (Hosea, 13: 4)
Allah Has no Partners or Helpers
He [Abraham] said: "You have adopted idols apart from Allah as tokens of mutual affection in this world. But then on the Day of Resurrection, you will reject one another and curse one another. The Fire will be your shelter. You will have no helpers." (Surat Al-Ankabut: 25)
Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wills. The choice is not theirs. Glory be to Allah! He is exalted above anything they associate with Him! (Surat Al-Qasas: 68)
Those you call on besides Allah are servants, just like yourselves. Call on them and let them respond to you, if you are telling the truth. (Surat Al-A'raf: 194)
The Gospel
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – Who is forever praised. (Romans, 1: 25)
Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'no idol in the world really exists', and that 'there is no God but One.' [Allah is beyond this] (1. Corinthians , 8: 4)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.(1.John, 5: 21)
The rest of humankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands or give up worshipping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. (Revelation, 9: 20)
The Torah
What use is an idol once its maker has shaped it a cast image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in what has been made, though the product is only an idol that cannot speak! Alas for you who say to the wood, 'Wake up!' to silent stone, 'Rouse yourself!' Can it teach? See, it is plated with gold and silver, and there is no breath in it at all. (Habakkuk, 2: 18-19)
"I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other deities before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on Earth, beneath it or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them... (Exodus, 20: 2-5)
All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight
in do not profit; their witnesses neither see, nor know. And so they
will be put to shame. Who would fashion a god or cast an image that can
do no good? Look, all its devotees shall be put to shame; the artisans
too are merely human. Let them all assemble, let them stand up; they
shall be terrified, they shall all be put to shame. (Isaac, 44: 9-11)
Allah Is Exalted
All might belong to Allah. (Surah Yunus: 65)
[He is] the Possessor of the Throne, the All-Glorious. (Surat Al-Buruj: 15)
Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High. (Surat Al-A'la: 1)
The Gospel
Now to the ... eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever... (1 Timothy, 1: 17)
.. praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors! (Luke, 2: 13-14)
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke, 2: 20)
The Torah
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power, the glory and the majesty, and the splendor, for everything in heaven and Earth is yours... You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles, 29: 11-13)
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. (1 Chronicles, 16: 28)
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; His Greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate. The might of Your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall celebrate the fame of Your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. The Lord is Gracious and Merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is Good to all, and His compassion is over all that He has made. (Psalm, 145: 3-9)
Allah Gives Power
[Hud said: ] "O My people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send heaven down to you in abundant rain, and increase you with strength upon strength. Do not turn away as evildoers." (Surah Hud: 52)
Then once again We gave you the upper hand over them, supplied you with more wealth and children, and made you the most numerous group. (Surat Al-Isra: 6)
The Gospel
... And the power of God was present for him [Jesus] to
heal the sick. (Luke, 5: 17)
But Jesus said to them, 'Not everyone can accept this teaching,
but only those to whom it is given.' (Mathew, 19: 11)
The Torah
... in the Lord my horn is lifted high... (1 Samuel, 2: 1)
Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory,
the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the
earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as
head above all. Riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all.
In Your hand are power and might; and it is in Your hand to make great
and to give strength to all. (1.Chronicles, 29: 11-12)
Allah Gives and Takes Life
He gives life and causes to die. When He decides on something, He just says to it: "Be!" and it is. (Surah Ghafir: 68)
There is no deity but Him – He gives life and causes to die – your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers, the previous peoples. (Surat Ad-Dukhan: 8)
[Has he not been informed] that He brings about both death and life? (Surat An-Najm: 44)
The Gospel
... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves
but on God, Who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians, 1: 9)
Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the
dead? (Acts, 26: 8)
The Torah
The Lord brings death and makes alive. (1 Samuel, 2: 6)
In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being. (Job, 12: 10)
I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel, 37: 6)
Allah Gives Wealth or Poverty
Allah expands the provision of any of His servants He wills and restricts it. Allah has knowledge of all things. (Surat Al-Ankabut: 62)
Say: "O Allah, Master of the Kingdom. You give sovereignty to whoever You will and take sovereignty from whoever You will. You exalt whoever You will and abase whoever You will. All good is in Your hands. You have power over all things." (Surah Al 'Imran: 26)
The Torah
The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and exalts. (1 Samuel, 2: 7)
But remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth.. (Deuteronomy, 8: 18)
Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head above all. Riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all.. (1. Chronicles, 29: 11-12)
Allah Protects the Loyal
So that Allah might recompense the truthful for their truth and punish the hypocrites, if He wills, or turn toward them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat Al-Ahzab: 24)
The Torah
He will guard the feet of His saints... (1 Samuel, 2: 9)
The Lord loves those who hate evil; He guards the lives of His faithful; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm, 97: 10)
For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept safe for ever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psalm, 37: 28)
The Gospel
Do not fear what you are about to suffer.. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation, 2: 10)
Allah Is Praised
Everything in the heavens and everything in Earth belongs to Him. Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Surat Al-Hajj: 64)
O humanity, you are the poor and in need of Allah, whereas Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. (Surah Fatir: 15)
The Gospel
"Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever." (Revelation, 7: 12)
With the tongue we praise our Lord... (James 3, 9)
.. and again he says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people'; and again, 'Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise Him'; (Romans, 15: 10-11)
The Torah
I call to the Lord, Who is worthy of praise... (2. Samuel, 22: 4)
O Lord , you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name... (Isaiah, 25: 1)
I thank and praise You... You have given me wisdom and power... (Daniel, 2: 23)
Allah's Path Is the Most Righteous
This is the path of your Lord – straight. We have made the Signs clear for people who remember. (Surat Al-An'am: 126)
They have been guided to speak good words and guided to the praiseworthy path. (Surat Al-Hajj: 24)
The Gospel
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy, 6: 6)
The Torah
As for God, His way is perfect. (2 Samuel, 22: 31)
Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. (Psalm, 119: 1)
… For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God ! .. His work is perfect, and all His ways are just.. (Deuteronomy, 32: 3-4)
Allah Guides to the Righteous Path
By it, Allah guides those who follow what pleases Him to the ways of peace. He will bring them from the darkness to the light by His permission, and guide them to a straight path. (Surat Al-Ma'ida: 16)
Say: "My Lord has guided me to a straight path, a well-founded religion, the religion of Abraham, a man of pure natural belief. He was not one of the idolaters." (Surat Al-An'am: 161)
The Way should lead to Allah.. (Surat An-Nahl: 9)
The Torah
God arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (2 Samuel, 22: 33)
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. (Proverbs, 3: 6)
Do not let those who wait for You be put to shame.. Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me, for You are God, my salvation; for You I wait all day long (Psalm, 25: 3-5)
Allah Gives Success to His Followers
As for those who make Allah their friend, and His Messenger and those who believe: It is the party of Allah who are victorious! (Surat Al-Ma'ida: 56)
The Gospel
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians, 2: 8)
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James, 1: 12)
The Torah
And observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go. (1 Kings, 2: 3)
To Abide by the Book, Allah's Revelation, as a Whole
There you are, loving them when they do not love you, even though you believe in all the Books. When they meet you, they say: "We believe." But when they leave, they bite their fingers out of rage against you. (Surah Al 'Imran: 119)
Those who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and sell it cheap take nothing into their bellies but the Fire. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not speak to them or purify them. They will have a painful punishment. (Surat Al-Baqara: 174)
The Gospel
.. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.. (Acts, 24: 14)
But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!" (Revelation, 22: 9)
The Torah
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. (Joshua, 1: 7)
Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: "Keep all these commands that I give you today." (Deuteronomy, 27: 1)
[The Prophet Moses (pbuh)] "Hear now, O Israel, the
decrees and laws I am about to teach you... Do not add to what I
command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the
Lord, your God, that I give you." (Deuteronomy 4: 1-2)
The Believers Fear and Respect for Allah
No doubt, fearing Allah is one of the common and important qualities of all believers. In the Qur'an, Allah clearly describes the nature of this fear: a deep and genuine respect for Allah that causes them to refrain from doing things of which He does not approve and to strive to win His good pleasure and avoid His wrath. Striving to follow such a path shows the level of their fear and respect for Allah:
Fear [and respect] Allah in the way He should be feared [and respected]. (Surah Al 'Imran: 102)
So fear [and respect] Allah, as much as you are able to... (Surat At-Taghabun: 16)
Muslims are required to contemplate Allah's creation in order to comprehend His infinite reason, knowledge, might, and greatness. This will increase their fear and respect for Him. Such people will be cured or protected from evil deeds and mistakes, and will avoid those things that deny them His good pleasure. As Allah says in the Qur'an:
O you who believe! If you fear [and respect] Allah, He will give you discrimination, erase your bad actions, and forgive you. Allah's favor is indeed immense. (Surat Al-Anfal: 29)
The Gospel reveals that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) stated that only Allah needs to be feared (and respected):
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him. (Luke, 12: 4-5)
The Gospel repeatedly states that people must fear (and respect) Allah:
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God... (1 Peter, 2: 17)
… to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice: "Fear God and give Him glory." (Revelation, 14: 6-7)
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him (Luke, 12: 5)
The Torah says:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm, 111: 10)
It also states that the fear of Allah guides people to the right path:
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The
ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. (Psalm, 19:
9)
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm, 2:
11)
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. (Psalm, 128: 1)
The Lord Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy, He is the One you are to fear... (Isaiah, 8: 13)
The Believers Love for Allah
Every beautiful thing is the gift of Allah and a reflection of His beauty. All conscientious and thoughtful people submit to Allah, the true owner of this beauty, with great joy and love. Believers love Allah more than anything and anybody else, for they know that He created all of the beauty and the beings they love. This love of Allah is the true source of the believers' happiness and inner peace. Every Muslim who loves Allah also fears and respects Him and makes a genuine effort to win His good pleasure. Such adds to the beauty of the world, for those who love Allah also love His creation, feel compassion and mercy for them, and wish to protect them and give them goodness and beauty.
Those who forget Allah and give all of their love to His creation, instead of to Him, and those who disregard His existence and instead feel a deep love only for others, will reap sorrow, unhappiness, and discontent. In the Qur'an Allah describes the big difference between such types of love:
Some people set up equals to Allah , loving them as they should love Allah. But those who believe have greater love for Allah. (Surat Al-Baqara: 165)
The Torah says:
... The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be [placed] in your hearts... (Deuteronomy, 6: 4-7)
The same is stated in the Gospel , as follows:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."(Matthew, 22: 37)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (Matthew, 12: 30)
Not Ascribing Partners to Allah
He said, 'You have adopted idols apart from Allah as tokens of mutual affection in this world. But then on the Day of Resurrection you will reject one another and curse one another. The Fire will be your shelter. You will have no helpers.' (Surat Al-Ankabut: 25)
Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wills. The choice is not theirs. Glory be to Allah! He is exalted above anything they associate with Him! (Surat Al-Qasas: 68)
Those you call on besides Allah are servants just like yourselves. Call on them and let them respond to you if you are telling the truth. (Surat Al-A'raf: 194)
The Gospel
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—Who is forever praised. (Romans, 1: 25)
Jesus.. ".. the Lord our God, the Lord is One… "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is One and there is no other but Him. (Mark , 12: 29-32)
.. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1. Thessalonians, 1: 9)
The Torah
But you have forsaken Me and served other gods (Judges, 10: 13)
Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord .. because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. (Judges, 2: 11-13)
Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow
their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones
to pieces. Worship the Lord your God, (Exodus, 23: 24-25)
.. O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You
planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of
them, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm, 40: 5)
The Impermanence of Worldly Life
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The worldviews of unbelievers and believers are mutually
exclusive. For example, unbelievers consider living life to the full as
their primary purpose, for they will not be able to enjoy anything
after they die. On the other hand, believers make good use of things in
their everyday lives without considering these to be an end in
themselves. Rather, they regard such things as a means to be grateful
to Allah and to win His good pleasure. Believers are very well aware of
the impermanence of posh cars, grand houses, impressive gardens,
valuable jewelry, beautiful people, and of everything else, for they
know that the true originals are to be found in the eternal Paradise.
Allah commands people not to be fooled by the temporary beauty of
worldly things and not to become enslaved by them:
To humanity the love of worldly appetites is painted
in glowing colors: women and children, heaped-up mounds of gold and
silver, horses with fine markings, and livestock and fertile farmland.
All that is merely the enjoyment of the life of this world. The best
homecoming is in the Presence of Allah. (Surah Al 'Imran: 14)
Know that the life of this world is merely a game and a diversion,
ostentation, and a cause of boasting among yourselves and trying to
outdo one another in wealth and children: like the plant-growth after
rain that delights the cultivators but then withers. You see it turning
yellow, and then it becomes broken stubble. In the Hereafter, there is
terrible punishment, but also forgiveness, from Allah and His good
pleasure. The life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of
delusion. (Surat Al-Hadid: 20)
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The Gospel of Mark explains that worldly worries and cravings, as well as material wealth, lead people away from Allah's path:
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word. But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown. (Mark, 4: 18-20)
The Gospel warns people not to dive into this world's temporary pleasures and that the love of this world causes hearts to harden. Various passages refer to these facts, as follows:
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on Earth. Be always on the watch. Pray... (Luke, 21: 34-36)
The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John, 2: 17)
… For this world in its present form is passing away. (1 Corinthians, 7: 31)
The Torah reveals that life on Earth is temporary, that the love of material wealth and devotion to the world is a grave mistake, and that believers should not let themselves be led astray:
Whoever loves money never has enough money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner, except to feast his eyes on them? … wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,... Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. (Ecclesiastes, 5: 10-16)
We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all of our forefathers. Our days on Earth are like a shadow, without hope. (1 Chronicles, 29: 15)
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath. (Zephaniah, 1: 18)
And said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job, 1: 21)
Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough that he should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish... Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. (Psalm, 49: 6-17)
Believing in the Prophets
Throughout history, Allah has sent Prophets to call their people to belief in Allah , inform them of His religion, teach them right from wrong, and abide by the morality that wins His good pleasure. In the Qur'an Allah reveals the lives of such Prophets as Abraham, Solomon, David, Lot, Jesus, Moses, Noah, Joseph, Ishmael, and Isaac (peace be upon them all) because their lives contain important lessons for humanity (Surah Yunus: 111). Prophets were chosen by Allah to serve as teachers and givers of good tidings, and as role models of virtue and faith. Muslims believe in all of the Prophets and love and respect them, without preferring one over the other. In the verses Allah describes Muslims' belief and obedience to Prophets, as follows:
The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allah , His angels, His Books, and His Messengers [saying: ] "We do not differentiate between any of His Messengers." They say: "We hear and we obey. Forgive us, our Lord. You are our journey's end." (Surat Al-Baqara: 285)
The belief in Prophets is also a principle of faith in Christianity and Judaism. The Torah relates the life stories of many Prophets (e.g., Adam, Noah, Jethro, Jacob, and Joseph [peace be upon them all]), although some of the information given is not accurate. The Gospel, on the other hand, points out the importance of obeying the Prophets: The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent (John, 6: 29). Another passage reveals that people must follow the example set by the Prophets and work to acquire their morality and code of conduct, as follows:
I have set you an example, so that you should do as I have done for you. (John, 13: 15)
Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. (Mathew, 10: 41)
Many People Envy the Prophets
[Their leaders went off asking: ] "Has the Reminder been sent down to him out of all of us?" They are in doubt about My Reminder. They have yet to taste My punishment. (Surah Sad: 8)
Their Prophet said to them: "Allah has appointed Saul to be your king." They asked: "How can he have kingship over us, when we have much more right to kingship than he does? He has not even got much wealth!" He said: "Allah has chosen him over you and favored him greatly in knowledge and physical strength. Allah gives kingship to anyone He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing." (Surat Al-Baqara: 247)
Why was this Qur'an not sent down to one of the great men of the two cities? (Surat Az-Zukhruf: 31)
The Gospel
When the Sabbath came, he [Jesus] began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. (Mark, 6: 2-3)
Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.' (Luka, Bap 11, 49)
The Torah
But they mocked messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people and there was no remedy. (2. Chronicles, 36: 16)
All Prophets Are Accused of Being Possessed
Equally, no Messenger came to those before them without their exclaiming: "A magician or a madman!" Did they bequeath this to each other? Indeed, they are an unbridled people. (Surat Adh-Dhariyat: 52-53)
The Gospel
When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said: "He is out of his mind." And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said: "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons." (Mark, 3: 21-22)
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' (Matthew, 11: 18)
No Prophet Speaks on His Own
Your companion [ Muhammad] is not misguided or misled. Nor does he speak from whim. It is nothing but Revelation revealed, taught to him by one immensely strong. (Surat An-Najm: 2-5)
The Gospel
By myself I [Jesus] can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him Who sent me. (John, 5: 30)
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the Prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man. (2 Peter, 1: 20-21)
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David (as He said through His holy prophets of long ago)(Luke, 1: 69-70)
The Torah
The Lord said to me: "... I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him." (Deuteronomy, 18: 17-18)
Faith in Paradise and Hell
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Prophets have taught people the true religion, announced the good reward of Paradise, and warned them against the punishment of Hell. Those who obey Allah's commands and work to earn His good pleasure will be rewarded with Paradise, and those who were called to Allah's righteous path but declined to follow it will face an eternal and horrific punishment in Hell.
In the Qur'an Allah reveals that believers will find eternal bliss, happiness, and goodness in Paradise. Unbelievers, on the other hand, will face an eternal life of unequalled suffering and sorrow in Hell:
But as for those who believe and do right actions, We will admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing under them, remaining in them timelessly, forever and ever. Allah's promise is true. Whose speech could be truer than Allah's? (Surat An-Nisa: 122)
Those who do not believe will be driven to Hell in companies. When they arrive there and its gates are opened, its custodians will ask them: "Did Messengers from yourselves not come to you, reciting your Lord's Signs to you and warning you of the meeting on this Day of yours?" They will say: "Indeed they did, but the decree of punishment is justly carried out against the unbelievers." (Surat Az-Zumar: 71)
People who abide by Allah's commands and work to earn His good pleasure will be rewarded with the most stunning homes, splendid cloths, beautiful jewelry, tastiest foods and drinks. Moreover, Allah will cause them to live in peace and happiness together with their friends and loved ones. But those who are ungrateful to Allah and rebellious will have committed the gravest sin and therefore will deserve the punishment of Hell.
Allah reveals in the Qur'an that the suffering therein is incomparably horrendous, painful, and devastating. The ceaseless and eternal physical and spiritual suffering is accompanied by confinement, darkness, smoke, revolting foods and drinks, cries, burning heat, metal whips, boiling water, and other types of sufferings. Allah also reveals that its inhabitants will finally admit their guilt; be debased, forsaken, and remorseful; and desire to return to Earth or to be exterminated. They will beg for help but not receive any; they will ask for their sufferings to be eased, but their request will be denied.
The Torah and the Gospel reveal that good people and evil people are not equal in His Presence and that everyone will get what they deserve. The Gospel explains the distinction between good and bad people in the following allegory:
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew, 13: 47-50)
The Gospel reveals that the righteous will find eternal life (Matthew, 25: 46), and that the evil-doers will be cast into the eternal fire together with Satan (Matthew, 25: 41) and experience eternal punishment therein (Matthew, 25: 46). How will you escape being condemned to Hell? (Matthew, 23: 33) and Fear Him Who, after killing the body, has the power to throw you into Hell (Luke, 12: 5) are reminders of this severe punishment. Another Biblical passage describes the suffering, hopelessness, and remorse of those in Hell, as follows:
The time came when the beggar [Lazarus] died... The rich man also died and was buried. So he called… "have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire." But Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." (Luke, 16: 22-26)
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mathew, 10: 28)
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into Hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into Hell. (Mathew 5: 29-30)
The Torah states that those who do good will be rewarded with good and that those who do evil will be punished for their deeds:
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. (Isaiah, 3: 10-11)
... trembling grips the godless: "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil- this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. (Isaiah, 33: 14-16)
... Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel, 12: 2-3)
As heat and drought snatch away the melted snow, so the grave snatches away those who have sinned. (Job, 24: 19)
… Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers. So man will be brought low and mankind humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled. (Isaiah, 5: 14-15)
Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. (Proverbs, 12: 7)
Belief in the Resurrection
Allah will resurrect and then judge all people according to what they did while on Earth. All Prophets have revealed this great truth, for they taught His true religion and warned their people to prepare for this day. All sincere believers conduct themselves in the full awareness of their resurrection and subsequent judgment. As for those who reject the resurrection, in the Qur'an Allah says that they will meet the following fate:
He makes likenesses of Us and forgets his own creation, asking: "Who will give life to bones when they are decayed?" Say: "He Who made them in the first place will bring them back to life. He has total knowledge of each created thing." (Surah Ya-Sin: 78-79)
Mankind! if you are in any doubt about the Rising, know that We created you from dust then from a drop of sperm then from a clot of blood then from a lump of flesh, formed yet unformed, so We may make things clear to you. We make whatever We want stay in the womb until a specified time and then We bring you out as children so that you can reach your full maturity. Some of you die and some of you revert to the lowest form of life so that, after having knowledge, they then know nothing at all. And you see the earth dead and barren; then when We send down water onto it, it quivers and swells and sprouts with luxuriant plants of every kind. That is because Allah is the Real and gives life to the dead and has power over all things (Surat Al-Hajj: 5-6)
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Allah, there is no god but Him. He will gather you to the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. And whose speech could be truer than Allah's? (Surat An-Nisa: 87) |
Allah can resurrect all people with great ease, for He created humanity from nothing and brings life to dry soil when it appears lifeless. Various Biblical passages speak of the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) message to people who did not believe in the resurrection. One of them is as follows:
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice... those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. (John, 5: 28-29)
" and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke, 14: 14)
But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. (1.Corinthians, 15: 35-36)
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; (1. Corinthians, 15: 42)
Some of the passages in the Torah that describes the resurrection are as follows:
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel, 12: 2)
Then you, My people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.' " (Ezekiel, 37: 13-14)
... But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy... the earth will give birth to her dead. (Isaiah, 26: 19)
"As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." (Daniel, 12: 13)
Belief in the Day of Judgment
Belief in the Hereafter and the Day of Judgment are central to
Islam. All people will be resurrected in order to be judged on what
they did in this world. On that day, people will be held personally
accountable and will find no one to help them or shoulder their sins.
Believers who have done good will have an easy Day of Judgment;
evil-doers and unbelievers will find that Day to be very harsh.
Allah reveals the details of this Day. For example, nothing will remain
secret, not even the smallest things, and everyone's good and evil
deeds will be proclaimed and rewarded. Allah reveals that:
We will set up the Just Balance on the Day of Resurrection, and no soul will be wronged in any way. Even if it is no more than the weight of a grain of a mustard seed, We will produce it. We are sufficient as a Reckoner. (Surat Al-Anbiya: 47)
On that day, the unbelievers' ears, eyes, and skin will bear witness against them:
When they reach it [the Fire], their hearing, sight, and skin will testify against them concerning what they did. (Surat Al-Fussilat: 20)
Prophets and other witnesses will give evidence when people account for their deeds on Earth. Allah, Who is infinitely just, will judge each individual:
And Earth will shine with the Pure Light of its Lord, the Book will be put in place, the Prophets and witnesses will be brought, and it will be decided between them with the truth. They will not be wronged. Every soul will be repaid in full for what it did. He knows best what they are doing. (Surat Az-Zumar: 69-70)
The following passages on the Day of Judgment are from the Gospel:
Nothing in all of creation is hidden from the Sight of God'. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account. (Hebrews, 4: 13)
… [It is God] Who will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (Romans, 2: 6-8)
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew, 12: 36)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. (Romans, 3: 19)
if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. (2. Peter, 2: 9-10)
The accounts in the Torah also confirm the existence of this Day and reveal that humanity will be judged by God:
The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. (Obadiah, 1: 15)
.. whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax. (Ezekiel, 21: 29)
The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you. Now is the time of their confusion. (Micah, 7: 4)
" 'whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: .. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. (Ezekiel, 21: 25-26)
The Day of Resurrection
… Asking: "So when is the Day of Resurrection?" But when the eyesight is dazzled, the Moon is eclipsed, and the Sun and Moon are fused together, on that Day humanity will ask: "Where can I run?" No indeed! There will be no safe place. (Surat Al-Qiyama: 6-11)
… when the stars are extinguished, when heaven is split open, when the mountains are pulverized, when the Messengers' time is appointed ... (Surat Al-Mursalat: 8-11)
The Hour is coming. (Surah Ta Ha: 15)
They will ask you about the Hour: When is it due? Say: "Knowledge of it rests with my Lord alone. He alone will reveal it at its proper time. It hangs heavy in the heavens and Earth. It will not come upon you except suddenly." They will ask you, as if you had full knowledge of it. Say: "Knowledge of it rests with Allah alone. But most people do not know that." (Surat Al-A'raf: 187)
On the Day the sky is like molten brass and the mountains like tufts of colored wool. No good friend will ask about his friend. (Surat Al-Ma'arij: 8-10)
When heaven is split apart and goes red like dregs of oil. (Surat Ar-Rahman: 37)
The Gospel
But in those days, following that distress, the Sun will be darkened and the Moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky…. (Mark, 13: 24-25)
No one knows about that day or hour... Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. (Mark, 13: 32-33)
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that Day will close on you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on Earth. (Luke, 21: 34-35)
... The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and Earth and everything in it will be laid bare... That Day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. (2 Peter, 3: 10-12)
The Torah
For the Day of the Lord is near... The Sun and the Moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine… the earth and the sky will tremble … (Joel, 3: 14-16)
Before them the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine… The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? (Joel, 2: 10-11)
... the Day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Because of this, all hands will go limp, every person's heart will melt... pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. See, the Day of the Lord is coming – a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger – to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. (Isaiah, 13: 6-10)
"The great day of the Lord is near-near and coming quickly.. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness… The Lord says: I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord. … Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath. " (Zephaniah, 1: 14-18)
All People Are Tested
He created the heavens and Earth in six days when His Throne was on the water, in order to test which of you has the best actions. (Surah Hud: 7)
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As the above verse reveals, one of the reasons for creating Earth was so that Allah could test humanity. In reality, each person undergoes a life-long trial that will end only with his or her death. After that, he or she will either be rewarded or punished.
The troubles, sorrows, and hardship experienced in this world are a means of testing. Those who are patient and trust in Allah while enduring hardship will have behaved in accord with Allah's will. People are also tried with wealth, children, beauty, health, and other gifts of Allah. Regardless of what gifts they receive, however, they must act in line with Allah's approval instead of their own selfish desires.
As it is stated in one verse, a verbal affirmation of faith and belief is not enough, for:
Do people imagine that they will be left to say: "We believe," and will not be tested? (Surat Al-Ankabut: 2)
Those who are patient are given good tidings in the Qur'an:
We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, life, and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast. (Surat Al-Baqara: 155)
The Gospel reveals that being tested is a positive influence that strengthens one's faith:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James, 1: 2-4)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1. Corinthians, 10: 13)
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. (James, 1: 12)
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (1. Peter, 1: 6)
Some of the passages in the Torah about the fact that Allah tests people in this world are as follows:
If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy, 13: 1-3)
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah, 17: 10)
Sometime later God tested Abraham. (Genesis, 22: 1)
Everything Happens by the Will of Allah
People's plans can only become reality if Allah wills it. Believers are fully aware of this fact, and so their behavior and conversation reflect this reality. Allah reminds believers not to speak in absolute terms about anything, but to state that they intend to do something only if Allah wills it. For example:
Never say about anything: "I am doing that tomorrow," without adding "If Allah wills." (Surat Al-Kahf: 23-24)
The Gospel says something similar:
Now listen, you who say: "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say: "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James, 4: 13-15)
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny[]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of God.(Matthew, 10: 29)
Allah reveals in the Torah the fact that everything always happens by the will of Allah as follows:
