Towards Understanding of two Verses of the Quran

The following same verse has been cited in two Surahs of the Quran (Surah Baqarah 2:62 and Surah Mayeeda-5:69):

“Verily those who believe, and those who are Jewish and Christians and Sabians, whoever believes 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”.

Explanations of the above two verses:
Rest assured that whoever from among the Muslims or the Jews or the Christians or the Sabians believes that Allah is one, Allah is eternal, the self-sufficient Master and the day of Resurrection (last day) and performs Good deeds (according to the Quran), they will have their reward from their Creator and Sustainer Allah (swt), and they will have no cause for fear, and neither shall they grieve.

Iman is a set of basic beliefs

The set of basic beliefs are (a) there is no Illah but One Allah (swt.) (b) Al Ghaib (c) His Angels (d) His Messengers and last Messenger Mohammad (pbah) (e) His revealed Books and Scriptures Injil, Towrat, Zabur and Quran (as final revelation) (f) The day of Resurrection (Hereafter) (g) Al Qadar (h) Salah (total submission to Almighty Allah (swt) (i) All Righteous Deeds according to the Quran etc.

Misinterpretation

The above verses are misinterpreted by some scholars. They thought that those who are Jews, Christians, and Sabians and are followers of the “Deen” of respective Messengers shall have their reward from Allah (swt). But it is not true. As Allah (swt) put conditions to several verses in the Quran, that one should have a firm belief in Allah (swt) and hereafter and be righteous deeds according to the spirit of Al-Quran. Allah (swt) called upon deviated Christians, Jews, and Sabians to revert to true Deen (Islam). True believers/followers are not Christians, Jews, and Sabians but they are Muslim.

The oldest nations used to live in Musal (Iraq) and say La Ilaha Illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and used to read Az-Zabur (the Psalms of the Sabians) and they were neither Jews nor Christians.

These Verses 2.62 and 5.69 in the Quran should not be misinterpreted by the readers as mentioned by Ibn Abbas, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh), (Tafsir At-Tabari) as the provision of these Verses were abrogated by another Verse Surah Al- Imran 3:85:

“And whoever seeks a Deen other than Islam, it will never be accepted to Him, and in the Hereafter, he will be one of the losers”.

The above verse (3:85) clearly states that, after the coming of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on earth Allah (swt) has revealed final revelation the “Quran” for mankind (people), no other Deen except Islam, will be accepted from anyone. Only the true followers of Quran and Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) are in the “Siratul Mustaqum” (Straigth way)

The above two verses (2:62 and 5:69) will be more clear when we will go through the following verses:

“Thus have we sent it (the Quran) down (to Muhammad) as clear signs, evidence, and proofs, and surely, Allah guides whom he wills” Surah Hajj 22:16

Verily, those who believe (in Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians, and the Majus (Magians) and those who worship others besides Allah, truly, Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, Allah is over all things a Witness. Surah Hajj 22:17

There is only Deen which is Islam, submission to the will of Allah (swt). The Deen (Islam) was preached by Mohammed (pbuh), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), Abraham, Noah, Adam, and all Prophets/Messengers who came to different nations in different geographic areas at different ages. The final revelation from Allah (swt) of Islam is sent to Mohammed (pbuh) for the whole of mankind.

All Ayats (verses) of the Quran are equal in status/importance. Therefore, when we will analyze any topic/ subject of the Quran we must have a thorough knowledge of the whole context of the message of the Quran. Partial and broken themes should not be considered to understand the Quran. When we study subject-wise, emphasis must be given to the basic concept of the Quran.

For example, there are four Ayas in the Quran on alcohol/ intoxicants. If we study all four ayas related to alcohol/intoxicant then it will be clear that alcohol/ intoxicant is Haram (prohibited) in Islam. Ref: Surah Al Baqarah 2:219, Surah Nisa 4:43 and Surah Maidah 5:90 and 91

The following Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) is very relevant that only Islam is acceptable to Allah (swt) as Deen (way of life):

A Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (R); Allah’s Messenger said,

“By Him (Allah) in whose Mohammad’s soul is, there is none from amongst the Jews and Christians (of there present nations) who hears about me and then dies without believing in the Message with which I have been sent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism), but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire”
Muslim Vol.-1 Hadith No. 240

After the revelation of the final scripture “the Quran” to Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), no other Deen except Islam will be acceptable. So righteous Jewish, Christians and Sabians should believe in Allah (swt), all Messengers and the last Messenger Mohammad (pbuh), the day of Resurrection, and the final scripture, the “Quran” revealed to Mohammad (pbuh).

For more understanding of the verses (2.62) and (5.69) the following verses should be studied where it is clearly stated that believers mean those believing in the Quran.

“And they say: “None shall enter paradise unless he becomes a Jew or a Christian. These are their (vain) desires. Say: “Produce your proof if ye are truthful”. Surah Baqarah-2:111

“Say: “O people of the scripture! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; and that none of us shall take others as, Lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back, say “bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s will)”. Surah Al-i-Imran-3:64

“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was true Muslim and bowed his will to Allah Alone (which is Islam), and he was not Mushrikun. Surah Al-i-Imran-3:67

“Do they seek for other than the Deen of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willingly or unwillingly, bowed to his will (accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.” Surah Al-i-Imran-3:83

The true believers of all past Ummas (Communities/Nations) have faith in “La Ilaha Illalah” (There is no Illah (God) but Allah”), that can be understood from many verses of the Quran.

“Ye who believe! fear Allah as he should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslim with complete submission to Allah)” Surah Al-i-Imran-3:102

“You are the best Ummat (of peoples), involved for mankind, enjoining Al-Ma’ruf (what is right) Al Mun Kar, (forbid what is wrong) and believing in Allah. If only the people of the Book had faith, it was best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah and rebellious against Allah’s Command).”
Surah Al-i-Imran-3:110

It may be concluded from the above verses that those who say Jews, Christians and Sabians are not following the way of Messengers (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Musa, Isa, and others) rather they follow Gods in place of one Allah. They have no proof to produce that they are in the way of truth. So Allah (Himself) asked them to produce proof. It indicates that they have no documents that they are in the right way.

The following verses of the “Quran” mentioned that disbeliefs are from the mankind (people):

“And of mankind, there are some who say; “We believe in Allah and the last Day” “ But they do not (really) believe”.

“They (think to/seek to) deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none but themselves, and they perceive it not”

In their hearts is a disease, and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they are false (to themselves). Surah Al- Baqarah 2:8, 2:9, 2:10

From the above verses Allah (swt) has cleared that, not only those are Jewish, Christians and Sabians and also of the mankind (people), Quaranic terminology is “Wa menan Nas,” there are some who say, “we believe in Allah (swt) and the day of resurrection but they do not really believe”

However, as is always the case with Quaranic allusions to contemporary or historical events, the above verses have a general, timeless import inasmuah as Allah (swt) refer to all mankind (People) who are prone to deceive themselves, in order to evade a commitment for total submission to Allah (swt) and His Deen (way of life) e.i. Islam.
The above verses 2:8, 2:9, 2:10 also 2:62 and 5: 69 are in the same sprit.

Therefore, true believers are those who believe in Allah, last messenger Prophet Mohammad (phuh), final revelation the “Quran”, the day of Resurrection and do Righteous Deeds, exhorting one another to Hoque (truth) and exhorting one another to Sabar (patience). They are real “Muslim” and get reward from Allah (swt).

One Jewish Scholar (Israili Historian) Prof. Moshe Sharon is his 50 years of research on Islam concluded that:

“All Messengers came with Islam. Therefore all Prophets are Muslim.”

Chapter Five: Conclusion

From the above discussions, it is clearly understood that Allah (swt) has chosen Islam as the final “Deen” and is only the comprehensive and entire way of life for mankind before Allah (swt). The final scripture for mankind is the “Quran” which was revealed to the last Messenger Muhammad (pbuh). Those who believe in Allah (swt), all Messengers, and the last Messenger Muhammad (pbuh), the last day (day of resurrection), surrender to Him and live righteously according to Islam will have their reward from Allah (swt).

It is Allah (swt) who bestows success and guides to the Siratul Mustaquim (Straight Path.) O Allah (swt), accept (this article) as Ibadah. Verily, you are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

The writer is a Senior Chartered Accountant. (email: enamhc@gmail.com)