The Sunnah Islamic Page

The Call for the Unity of Religions :

A False and Dangerous Call

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We hear nowadays a strange call by organized groups involving some Christians , Jews , and “Muslim” intellectuals calling for wahdatul adyaan . They claim that these three religions stand for the same belief that there is One God and should unite in their call for the implementation of great moral values. Some of those involved call for the establishment of centers containing churches, synagogues, and massaajid side by side, printing the Qur’aan, the Bible, and the Torah in one binding, etc. In the name of defending Islaam against political and media distortions in the West, some organizations are comprimising the basics of the Islaamic creed through what is called “Bridging the Faiths.”[1] This is a very dangerous call because it mixes the truth with falsehood and thus practically implies the elimination of the truth perfected in the deen of Islaam. The Christians and Jews want the Muslims to be like them. That is why they support this deceptive call for “unity”. Allaah I spoke of their attempts and called the Muslims to be aware of them:

{ وَدُّوا لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُوا فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاءً } [النساء، 89].

They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another). [Qur’aan, soorat an-nisaa’ (4:89)].

One of the fundamental beliefs in Islaam is the kufr (unbelief) of the Christians and Jews because they reject the Qur’aan and the message of Muhammad (r) to them. They have also altered their books in such a way that it permits or even enjoins worship of other than Allaah and (or) the association of partners with Him in worship. Any Muslim who doubts their kufr is a kaafir himself.

Some Mulsims who do not understand certain texts from the Qur’aan and (or) authentic sunnah and may be easily deceived by the call for “unity of religions”. It is important to know that if certain texts are not clear to some they are clear to others from those who are firm in the knowledge of the deen .[2] Consequently, nothing stays unclear for those who are seeking the truth and not just following vain desires. For example, some may understand that the following text is evidence that the Jews and Christians are not kuffaar :

{ إنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَادُوا والنَّصَارَى والصَّابِئينَ مَنْ آمنَ باللهِ واليَوْمِ الآخرِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلا خَوْفُُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحزَنُون} [البقرة، 62].

Verily! Those who believe and those Jews and Christians , and Sabians,[3] whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day and does righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Rabb , on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [Qur'aan, Soorat Al-Baqarah (2:62)].

Shaykh-ul-Islaam ibn Taymeeyah said: “The aayah (above) tells about the followers of these four unaltered milal (Paths) before abrogation [by the advent of Prophet Muhammad’ s complete message].”[4] It, therefore, addresses those who believed in tawheed and followed the Path of Allaah as was known to them. Those who continued on this belief and did not alter the Scriptures must follow the Qur’aan and the Message of Islaam as explained by Prophet Muhammad (r). Furthermore, the order of the above aayah, as ibn ‘Abbaas رضي الله عنهما explained, was canceled by aayah 3:85, which states:

{ وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإسْلامِ دِيناً فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ في الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الخَاسِرِين } [آل عمران، 85].

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. [Qur'aan, Soorat Aal-’Imraan (3: 85)].

Following the alterations in their religion, most of the People of the Book turned kuffaar and few remained on the original teachings of the Torah and the Gospel. This is clear in the Qur’anic texts where Allaah, the Most High, says:

{ وَلَو ءامَنَ أهلُ الكتابِ لكان خيراً لهم منهُم المؤمنونَ وأكثَرُهُم الفاسقون} [آل عمران،110].

And had the People of the Scriptures believed,[5] it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith,[6] but most of them are al-Faasiqoon [Disobedient to Allaah and His Messenger, and rebellious against Allaah's Command]. [Qur’aan, Soorat Aal-’Imraan (3:110)].

{ ليسوا سوآءً من أهلِ الكتابِ أمَّةُ قائمةٌ يتلون ءاياتِ اللهِ ءانآءَ الليلِ وهُم يَسْجُدُون* يؤمنونَ باللهِ واليَومِ الآخِرِ ويأمُرُونَ بالمَعْرُوفِ وَينَهَونَ عَنِ المنكَر وَيُسَارِعُونَ في الخيرات وأُولئِكَ مِنَ الصَّالِحِين } [آل عمران: 113، 114]

Not all of them are alike; a party of the People of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the aayaat of Allaah during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. They believe in Allaah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. [Qur’aan, Soorat Aal-’Imraan (3:112-114)].

This party includes those who held to the original Scriptures before they were abrogated by Qur’aan and sunnah . They were on the right religion enjoining tawheed and forbidding shirk , just as Allaah described the believing followers of Mûsa u:

{ وَمِنْ قَوْمِ مُوسَى أمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بالحَقِّ وَبهِ يَعْدِلُون } [الأعراف، 159]

And of the people of Mûsa there is a community who lead [the men] with truth and establish justice [i.e. judge men with truth and justice]. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-A’raaf (7:159)].

Whoever held to these qualities amongst them (i.e. to the true revelations), prior to the advent of Prophet Muhammad (r), was a believer. The believers from the People of the Book who accepted the Prophet's Message of Islaam will receive a double reward:

{ والَّذِينَ يُؤمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَبالآخِرَةِ هُم يُوقِنُون } [البقرة، 4].

And who believe in that which has been sent down [revealed] to you [Muhammad r][7] and in that which was sent down before you [the Torah and the Gospel, etc.] and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Baqarah (2:4)].

{ وإنَّ مِنْ أهلِ الكِتَابِ لَمَنْ يُؤمِنُ باللهِ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ إليَكُم وَمَا أُنزِلَ إلَيْهِم خَاشِعِيَن للهِ لا يَشْتَرُونَ بِئاياتِ اللهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً أُوْلئِكَ لَهُم أَجْرُهُم عِنْدَ رَبِّهِم إنَّ اللهَ سَرِيعُ الحِسَاب } [آل عمران، 199]

And there are, certainly, among the People of the Scripture, those who believe in Allaah

and in that which has been revealed to you, and that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allaah. They do not sell the aayaat of Allaah for a little price, for them is a reward with their Rabb [Allaah]. Surely, Allaah is Swift in account.[8] [Qur’aan, Soorat Aal-’Imraan (3:199)].

{ الَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَاهُمُ الكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ هُم بِه يُؤمِنُون وَإذا يُتلَى عَلَيْهِم قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِهِ إنَّهُ الحَقُّ مِنْ رَبَّنَا إنَّا كُنَّا مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مُسْلِمِين أُولئِكَ يُؤتَوْنَ أجْرَهُم مَرَّتَينِ بِمَا صَبَروا وَيَدْرَءونَ بالحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُم يُنْفِقُون } [القصص، 52-54].

Those to whom We gave the Scripture [i.e. the Torah and the Injeel (Gospel) etc.] before it,—they believe in it [the Qur'aan]. And when it is recited to them, they say: “We believe in it. Verily, it is the truth from our Rabb . Indeed even before it we have been from those who submit themselves to Allaah in Islaam as Muslims [like ‘Abdullaah ibn Saalam and Salmaan Al-Faarisee, etc.].”These will be given their reward twice over, because they are patient, and repel evil with good, and spend [in charity] out of what we have provided for them. [Qur’aan¸ Soorat Al-Qasas (28:52-54)].

"ثلاثة يؤتون أجرهم مرتين: الرجل تكون له الأمَةُ فيُّعلِّمها فيحسن تعليمها، ويؤدبها فيحسن أدبها، ثمَّ يُعتِقُها فَيَتَزَوَّجها فله أجران. ومؤمن أهل الكتاب الذي كان مؤمناً (وفي لفظ مسلم: بنبيه) ثم آمن بالنبي-صلى الله عليه وسلَّم-فله أجران. والعبد الذي يؤدي حق الله وينصح لسيده (ولمسلم: وحق سيده)." [البخاري ومسلم].

“Three persons will get their reward twice [i.e. a double reward]. [One is] a person who has a slave girl and he educates her properly and teaches her good manners properly [without violence] and then manumits and marries her. Such a person will get a double reward. [Another is] a believer from the People of the Scriptures who has been a true believer [in his Prophet],^* and then he believes in the Prophet [Muhammad -r]. Such a person will receive a double reward. [The third is] a slave man who observes Allaah's rights and is sincere to his master [and observes the rights of his master ]*.”[9]

The Qur’aan also mentions the case of believing monks and priests who followed the true teachings of ‘Eessa u and who believe in the revelation to Prophet Muhammad (r) and would love to be from the ummah of Muhammad (r):

{ لَتَجِدَنَّ أشدَّ النَّاسِ عداوةً للذينَ ءامَنُوا اليَهُودَ والَّذِينَ أشْرَكُوا وَلتَجِدَّنَ أقْرَبَهُم مَوَدةً للذِين ءامَنُوا الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إنَّا نَصَارَى ذَلكَ بأنَّ مِنهُم قِسَّيسِينَ وَرُهباناً وأنَّهُم لا يَسْتَكْبِرون* وإذا سَمِعُوا مآ أُنزِلَ إلى الرَّسولِ تَرَى أعْيُنَهُم تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ ممَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الحَقِّ يَقُولون ربَّنا ءامنَّا فاكتُبنا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِين * وَمَا لَنَا لا نَؤمِنُ باللهِ وَمَا جآءَنَا مِنَ الحقَّ وَنَطْمَعُ أن يُدخِلَنا رَبُّنا مع القَوْمِ الصَّالحِين* فأثَابَهُمُ اللهُ بما قَالُوا جَنّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فيها وذلكَ جَزآءُ المُحْسِنين } [المائدة، 82-85].

Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers [Muslims] the Jews and pagans; and you will find the nearest amongst them in love to the believers those who say: “We are Nassara (Christians ).”[10] That is because amongst them there are priests and monks, and they are not proud. And when they [who call themselves Christians] listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger [Muhammad (r)], you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: “Our Rabb ! We believe, so write us down among the witnesses [Muhammad (r) and his nation]. And why should we not believe in Allaah and in that which has come to us of the Truth [tawheed ]? And we wish that our Rabb will admit us [in al-Jannah on the Day of Resurrection] along with the righteous people [Prophet Muhammad (r) and his companions رضي الله عنهم]. So, Allaah rewarded them with Gardens under which rivers flow [in al-Jannah ], they will abide therein forever, because of what they said. Such is the reward of good-doers. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Maa’idah (5: 82)].[11]

The aayaat cited above are some of the qualities of the believing Christians . In our times, any “Christian” who carries similar beliefs and lives in a remote place where he (she) is unable to know about Islaam, are, inshaa’ Allaah, believers. If they know about Islaam, they must declare their acceptance of it unless it will result in their death. They are called to migrate to daarul-Islaam , and Allaah knows best.

Question: Some Muslims say: “But Allaah I had mentioned in the Qur’aan that there are churches, synagogues, and monasteries where the Name of Allaah is mentioned. So, how can we understand this in light of the above explanations about the People of the Book ?”

All praise is due to Allaah. The aayah in the Qur’aan where the above places are mentioned is:

{ وَلوْلا دَفعُ الله النَّاسَ بعضَهُم ببعضٍ لهُدِمَت صَوامِعُ وبيعُ وصَلَواتُُ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذكَرُ فيها اسمُ الله } [الحج، 40].

Had it not been that Allaah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masaajid, wherein the Name of Allaah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. [Qur’aan, Sooarat Al-Hajj (22:40)].

The masaajid are the places where the Name of Allaah was and still being mentioned. When they were on their original faith, the People of the Book mentioned the Name of Allaah in their places of worship. However, because of the alterations in their religions, shirk in worship was introduced, even though some of them may mention the Name of Allaah. Hence, their places of worship cannot be considered as boyoutullaah (Houses of Allaah), because they committed kufr and their places contain a wide range of blasphemous symbols (pictures, crosses, etc.).

Imaam ibnul Qayyim said:[12] “Had it not been for Allaah's checking of one set of people by means of another, these places (mentioned in the aayah ) which were beloved to Allaah before Islaam (i.e. in its final and comprehensive form), would have been pulled down. After Islaam, these places are known to Allaah, but hated. Allaah, for example commanded special treatment to the People of the Book under the Islaamic Rule, including their protection, yet He I hates them. He commanded the defending of their places of worship, yet He hates them because other than Him is being worshipped in such places...”[13] Ibn ‘Atiyyah said: “He (r) checked them when they were on the Truth before the alterations and abrogation [i.e. of their religions].”[14]

In Light of The Above, all the present nations of Jews , Christians , Sabians (if any are left), and those who worshipped Allaah based upon their fitrah ,[15] must come to the Final Message from Allaah, and submit to Him alone in Islaam.

The People of the Book as they exist now, accepted other than Allaah as deities. No doubt that they are kuffaar as Allaah (r) refers to them. When they followed Mûsa and ‘Eessa عليهما السلام, according to the unaltered Torah and the original Gospel, respectively, they were Muslims then. Does a knowledgeable Muslim believe that those who think of ‘Eessa as Savior, a son of God, Three in One, etc. are believers?

{ لَقَد كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إنَّ اللهَ هُوَ المسِيحُ ابن مَرْيَم } [المائدة، 17].

Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allaah is the Messiah, son of Mary! [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Maa’idah (5:17)].

Are those who believe in Trinity believers in tawheed ? Allaah says about them:

{ لقد كَفَر الذين قالوا إنَّ الله ثالثُ ثلاثَة، وما من إلهٍ إلاَّ إلهٌ واحِد } [المائدة، 73]

Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allaah is the third of the three [in a Trinity].” But there is no True God but One God [Allaah]. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Maa’idah (5:73)].

They remain as people of the Book since a Book was revealed to their respective Prophets. Whoever says he is a believer in their Books, even in their altered forms, is from the People of the Book . Any Christian or Jew who dissociates himself from his respective Book and denies it, cannot be considered as being from the People of the Book.

On the other hand, Allaah, the All-Wise and All-Just, legislated certain guidelines that define certain relationships between the Muslims and the People of the Book . Amongst such relations, is marriage to the ‘afeefah (chaste) women of them,[16] eating their lawfully slaughtered meat, etc. Such distinctions do not make them true believers in Allaah.

{ لم يكنِ الَّذِين كَفَرُوا من أهل الكتابِ والمشرِكينَ مُنفَكَّينَ حتَّى تأتيهُم البيِّنة } [البينة، 1]

Those who disbelieve from among the People of the Scripture [Jews and Christians ] and al-Mushrikeen,[17] were not to leave [their disbelief] until there came to them clear evidence. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-bayyinah (98:1)].

{ وَقُل للذِينَ أوتُوا الكِتابَ والأمَّيينَ ءَأسْلَمْتُم فإن أسلَمُوا فَقَد اهتَدَوا } [آل عمران،20].

And say to those who were given the Scriptures [Jews and Christians ] and to those who are illiterates [Arab pagans]: “Do you [also] submit yourselves [to Allaah in Islaam]?” If they do, they are rightly guided,[Qur’aan, Soorat Aal-’Imraan(3:20)],

He said: “And other aayaat like those above address those who exist [i.e. from the Jews , Christians , and mushrikeen]. The Scripture that is referred to is the Book in their hands in which alterations and abrogations were carried out, and does not refer to those who held to the Scriptures before they were altered and abrogated, because they were not kuffaar then. Also, they were not [the ones being addressed] by the Qur’aan as “you People of the Book ,” because they died before the Qur’aan was revealed. So, all those who believe in the existing Books [altered and abrogated], are from the “People of the Book,” and they are kuffaar because they hold to altered and abrogated Books, and they are, like all other kuffaar, in Hell forever,[18] although Allaah, the Exalted, commanded that they pay jizyah [19] and made it permissible to eat their food and marry their women.”[20]

2. Islaam is the last and final message to all mankind (Christians , Jews , Buddhists, Hindus, etc.)

4. The Qur’aan is the true Word of Allaah and it abrogated all of the previously-revealed Scriptures.

5. The Torah and al-Injeel as they exist in the hands of the “People of the Book ” are altered. Even if their original forms are to be found at any time, then they are still abrogated by the Qur’aan.

6. Had their Prophets been alive they would all follow and abide by the teachings of Muhammad (r). This is the Covenant which Allaah took upon all the Prophets.[21]

7. Every believer should firmly believe that the Jews and Christians are kuffaar and enemies of Allaah, His deen , the Prophet Muhammad (r) , and the Believers.

8. The kuffaar who die on kufr will dwell forever in the Hell of Fire. However we don’t judge that a particular kaafir is in Hell except when their is a specification from the Qur’aan and (or) authentic sunnah .[22]

9. The call for “Unity of Religions” sometimes misleadingly called a “Comity of Religions, aims at eliminating everything which distinguishes Islaam from kufr .

10. Calling and supporting the concepts of the “Unity of Religion” is considered riddah (apostasy).[23]

11.The above does not mean that the Muslim abandons calling the kuffaar to Islaam.

We are ordered to call them to the way of Allaah, and this is in the best of their interest and thus da’wah to Allaah is the best advice given to them. One of the great ways of da’wah is to deal with them justly and to call them to Allaah in the best way which is based upon good knowledge.[24] This does not mean that the Muslim compromise the basics of his deen . It also does not mean that Muslims should indulge with the kuffaar in an aimless dialogue such as: “Tell us how you pray and we will tell you how we pray,” as done by some people who engage in such dialogue. The most important thing is: Who deserves to be worshipped Alone?[25] They worship idols, images, men, etc. We worship the true God of all creation. So we call them with the right knowledge to abandon shirk and to submit to Allaah in tawheed . The best methodology (manhaj ) of da’wah is that exemplified by the Prophet (r) when he sent Mu’aath ibn Jabal t to the “People of the Book ” in Yemen. The first thing he (r) commanded him to do is to call them to tawheed and belief in Muhammad (r) as His Messenger.[26] Then he told him, “If they obey you to do so, then inform them that Allaah has enjoined upon them five salawaat [prayers] in every day and night [in twenty-four hours], and if they obey you and do so, then inform them that Allaah has made it obligatory for them to pay sadaqa [zakaat] from their properties and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to poor among them.” [27]

I wrote about this matter several years ago when some Muslim brothers started to engage in “dialogue” with the People of the Book . I cautioned our brothers to establish that the “dialogue” should transform into a way for da’wah and not “negotiations” because we cannot negotiate on shirk . Now with the call for “Unity of Religion,” I urge all the Muslims to advise each other about the dangers of this concept and to direct their respective communities to disassociate from this Path of kufr . May Allaah Who is the Most High, above everything, guide the misguided and preserve and protect our ummah from all afflictions and innovations in deen . Aameen.

13. The believer distinguishes between the natural love he has for his father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter, etc. from the unbelievers and enmity towards them because of their kufr . The natural love is something recognized by Islaam, otherwise Allaah would not have permitted marriage from chaste women of the People of the Book . This natural love of the kinsfolk and the just and good treatment of the thimmi ,[28] non-harbi ,[29]mu’aahad ,[30]and the musta’min ,[31] does not necessitate that we love them the love which obliges friendship and alliance. This kind of love is forbidden by Allaah because they oppose Allaah and His deen . The believer stands in a state of walaa’ (alliance and loyality) and baraa’ (disassociation): alliance with the Believers who are obedient to Allaah and His Messenger, and enmity and disassociation from the unbelievers and those opposing Allaah and His Messenger (r). Allaah I says:

{ لا تجد قوما يؤمنون بالله وباليوم الآخر يوآدُّون من حادَّ الله ورسوله ولو كانوا آباءهم أو أبناءهم أو إخوانهم أو عشيرتهم أؤلئك كتب في قلوبهم الإيمان وأيَّدهم بروح منه ويُدخِلُهُم جنَّاتِ تجري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها رضي الله عنهم ورضوا عنه أولئك حزب الله ألا إنَّ حزب الله هم المفلحون } [المجادلة، 22].

You will not find a people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, loving [by having friendship and alliance] with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger [Muhammad r], even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kinsfolk. For such He has decreed true Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh [proofs, light and true guidance] from Himself. And We will admit them into the gardens of [al-jannah] beneath whose trees rivers flow, and they will dwell therein forever. Allaah is pleased with them and they with him. They are the party of Allaah. Indeed the party of Allaah are the successful. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Mujaadalah (58:22)].

This strengthening mentioned in the aayah applies to everyone who does not love the enemies of the Messengers, even though they may be one’s close relatives. This love is not the same as the natural (jibilli ) love, but it is the love of nusrah which entails giving allegiance to them. Dealing justly with the none-combatant from the unbelievers is commanded by Allaah. Hence:

(b) The enmity towards the unbelievers because of their disbelief and rejection of Allaah is legislated by Allaah.

(c) Dealing justly with the none-combatants from the unbelievers is commanded by Allaah.

then all three matters are within the scope of the believer and they are just and not contradictory:

{ ولو كان من عند غير الله لوجدوا فيه اختلافا كثيرا } [النساء،82].

Had it been from other than Allaah, they would surely have found therein much contradiction. [Qur’aan, Soorat An-Nisaa’ (4:82)].

This is the Path of the prophets. Contemplate about Prophet Nooh u and His son when the just decree of Allaah (the Deluge)[32] came upon the kuffaar from the people of Nooh:

{ ونادى نوح ابنه وكان في معزل يا بني اركب معنا ولا تكن مع الكافرين } [هود، 42].

And Nooh [Noah] called out to his son, who had separated himself [apart], ‘O my son! Embark with us and be not with the unbelievers.’ [Qur’aan, Soorat Hood (11:42)].

His son chose the way of the unbelievers and thought that he will be saved from the water if he takes himself to a mountain. Nooh u invoked Allaah:

{ ونادى نوح ربه فقال رب إن ابني من أهلي وإن وعدك الحق وأنت أحكم الحاكمين } [هود،45].

And Nooh [Noah] called upon his Rabb [Allaah] an said, ‘O my Rabb! Verily my son is of my family! And certainly, Your Promise is true, and You are the Most Just of judges.’ [Qur’aan, Soorat Hood (11:45)].

“Verily my son is of my family!” This is the natural relationship, the jibilli one. Allaah, Most High, reminded Nooh u of His command of Legal disassociation (al-baraa’