Christians Jews and Muslims in Heaven: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Quran 2-62.png|290px|right|thumb]]
[[File:Quran 2-62.png|290px|right|thumb]]
This article analyzes the claim, commonplace among the [[Ahmadiyya]] in particular,<ref>For example, an article by an American Ahmadi named Dr. Faheem Younus, on his Huffington Post‎ blog, titled "[http://islamo-criticism.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-islam-heaven-is-not-exclusive-oh.html In Islam, Heaven Is Not Exclusive]".</ref> that according to [[Islam]], [[People of the Book|Christians and Jews]] who adhere to their faiths will enter [[Heaven|Paradise]] alongside Muslims. The verse presented as evidence for the claim will be considered alongside other verses discussing the fate of the [[People of the Book|people of the book]] in the Qur'an.
This article analyzes the claim, commonplace among [[Ahmadiyya|Ahmadis]] in particular,<ref>For example, an article by an American Ahmadi named Dr. Faheem Younus, on his Huffington Post‎ blog, titled "[http://islamo-criticism.blogspot.com/2012/04/in-islam-heaven-is-not-exclusive-oh.html In Islam, Heaven Is Not Exclusive]".</ref> that [[People of the Book|Christians and Jews]] who adhere to their faiths will enter [[Heaven|Paradise]] alongside Muslims. The verse presented as evidence for the claim is considered alongside other verses discussing the fate of the [[People of the Book|people of the book]] in the Qur'an.
==Qur'an==
==Qur'an==


===Surah 2:62===
===Surah 2:62===


This verse is often quoted in an effort to prove Islam is tolerant and inclusive of other faiths, as it seems to suggest that Christians, Jews, and Muslims will all be admitted to paradise.
This verse is often cited as evidence that Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike will be accepted in Paradise.


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|62}}|Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|62}}|Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.}}
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====Surah 5:69====
====Surah 5:69====


Another, less cited, but similar verse:  
This is another less cited but similar verse:  


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|69}}|Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians whoever believes in Allah and the last day and does good-- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|69}}|Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabians and the Christians whoever believes in Allah and the last day and does good-- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.}}
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====Muhammad====
====Muhammad====


The [[Qur'an]] makes it an article of faith to believe in [[Allah]] and ''all the messengers''. This includes Prophet [[Muhammad]]. According to the Qur'an, when Moses came with the [[Taurat]], it was necessary to follow him, when [[Jesus]] came with the [[Injil]], it was necessary to leave the laws of Moses and follow him. Finally, when Muhammad came with the Qur'an, it became necessary to leave the teachings of Jesus and follow Islam.
The [[Qur'an]] makes it an article of faith to believe in [[Allah]] and ''all the messengers'', which includes the Prophet [[Muhammad]]. According to the Qur'an, when Moses came with the [[Taurat]], it was necessary to follow him; likewise, when [[Jesus]] came with the [[Injil]], it was necessary to leave the laws of Moses and follow him. Finally, when Muhammad came with the Qur'an, it became necessary to abandon the teachings of Jesus and follow Islam.


{{Quote|{{Quran-range|2|4|5}}|And who believe in '''that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you''' and they are sure of the hereafter. These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that shall be successful.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|2|4|5}}|And who believe in '''that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you''' and they are sure of the hereafter. These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that shall be successful.}}
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{{Quote|{{Quran|4|152}}|And those who believe in Allah '''and His messengers and do not make a distinction between any of them'''-- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|152}}|And those who believe in Allah '''and His messengers and do not make a distinction between any of them'''-- Allah will grant them their rewards; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.}}


Several verses explicitly define "believers" as those who accept the prophethood of Muhammad. "Disbelievers" who do not, are told they are in error and condemned to the "burning fire".
Several verses explicitly define "believers" as those who accept the prophethood of Muhammad. "Disbelievers" who do not are told they are in error and condemned to the "burning fire."


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|285}}|'''The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers'''; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books '''and His messengers'''; We make no difference between any of His messengers; and they say: We hear and obey, our Lord! Thy forgiveness (do we crave), and to Thee is the eventual course.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|285}}|'''The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers'''; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books '''and His messengers'''; We make no difference between any of His messengers; and they say: We hear and obey, our Lord! Thy forgiveness (do we crave), and to Thee is the eventual course.}}
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{{Quote|{{Quran|3|85}}|And whoever desires '''a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him''', and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|3|85}}|And whoever desires '''a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him''', and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.}}


The pluralistic interpretation of 2:62 would seem to plainly contradict other verses in the Qur'an. Some have responded to this apparent contradiction by suggesting it to be an instance of [[Abrogation]] (or Naskh).
The pluralistic interpretation of 2:62 would seem to contradict other verses in the Qur'an. Some have responded to this apparent contradiction by suggesting it is an instance of [[Abrogation]] (or Naskh).


===Commentaries===
===Commentaries===


The following are what the [[Tafsir]] and [[Fiqh]] literature have to say on verse 2:62 and its meaning.
The following analyses from Islamic scholars [[Tafsir]] and [[Fiqh]] explicate verse 2:62.


====Tafsir Ibn Abbas====
====Tafsir Ibn Abbas====
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One might also ask why the verse mentions the Muslims, for if it is an invitation  to Islam, there is no  need to extend the invitation to those who have already accepted Islam. But if we keep in mind the richly concentrated style of the Holy Qur'an,and try to look beyond the literal sense of  the words  into the implications  and suggestions contained in the verse, we would find that the inclusion of  the Muslim factor has added a new dimension to the meaning.  It is es if a king should,in a similar situation,say that his laws are impartially applicable to all his subjects, and that whosoever obeys them shall receive his reward for obedience irrespective of whether he has earlier been a friend or a foe.
One might also ask why the verse mentions the Muslims, for if it is an invitation  to Islam, there is no  need to extend the invitation to those who have already accepted Islam. But if we keep in mind the richly concentrated style of the Holy Qur'an,and try to look beyond the literal sense of  the words  into the implications  and suggestions contained in the verse, we would find that the inclusion of  the Muslim factor has added a new dimension to the meaning.  It is es if a king should,in a similar situation,say that his laws are impartially applicable to all his subjects, and that whosoever obeys them shall receive his reward for obedience irrespective of whether he has earlier been a friend or a foe.


'''We had better dispel another misunderstanding which is likely to arise from the wordings of the present verse -- and, which is actually being promoted by certain 'modernizers'. The verse mentions only two articles of  faith of  the Islamic creed -- faith in Allah and faith in the Day of Judgment.  This should not be taken to mean that in order to attain salvation it is enough to have faith only in Allah and in the Day of Judgment. Fcr, the Holy Qur'an  repeatedly declares that he who does not believe in the prophets, in angels and in the Books of Allah is not a Muslim'''.  Faith in Allah is the first article in the Islamic creed, while faith in the Day of Judgment is the last.  By  mentioning  only these two, the verse  intends to say in a succinct manner  that it is necessary to have faith in all the articles of the creed, from the first to the last.  Moreover, it is through the prophets and the Books of Allah alone that man  can acquire any  knowledge  of  the  essence  and the attributes of Allah and of what is to happen on the Day of Judgment, while  the Books  of  Allah  are revealed to  the  prophets through  an angel.  So, it is not possible to have faith in Allah  and the Day  of Judgment until and unless one has faith in the angels, in the Books of Allah and in the prophets.}}
'''We had better dispel another misunderstanding which is likely to arise from the wordings of the present verse -- and, which is actually being promoted by certain 'modernizers'. The verse mentions only two articles of  faith of  the Islamic creed -- faith in Allah and faith in the Day of Judgment.  This should not be taken to mean that in order to attain salvation it is enough to have faith only in Allah and in the Day of Judgment. Fcr, the Holy Qur'an  repeatedly declares that he who does not believe in the prophets, in angels and in the Books of Allah is not a Muslim'''.  Faith in Allah is the first article in the Islamic creed, while faith in the Day of Judgment is the last.  By  mentioning  only these two, the verse  intends to say in a succinct manner  that it is necessary to have faith in all the articles of the creed, from the first to the last.  Moreover, it is through the prophets and the Books of Allah alone that man  can acquire any  knowledge  of  the  essence  and the attributes of Allah and of what is to happen on the Day of Judgment, while  the Books  of  Allah  are revealed to  the  prophets through  an angel.  So, it is not possible to have faith in Allah  and the Day  of Judgment until and unless one has faith in the angels, in the Books of Allah and in the prophets.}}  
 
Response to "modernizers" in the footnotes to the commentary:


{{Quote|1=[http://islamicstudies.info/maarif/surah2.htm Surah 2 Ayah 62]<BR>Maulana Mufti Mohammad Shafi, trans. Prof. Muhammad Hasan Askari & Prof. Muhammad Shamim|2=23.Contrary to the flaccid fancies of some "modernizers" who are very happy with  themselves  over  their  "liberalism" and  "tolerance", the  present verse does not open the way to salvation for each and every "man of good will" irrespective of  the creed he follows. If one reads the verse in its proper context and along with other relevant verses of the Holy Qur'an, one will easily see that the verse, in fact, promises salvation in the other world only  to those who accept  Islam.  It is  a n  invitation to  Islam extended to the Jews, the Christians, the Sabeans and, as a matter of fact, to the followers of all possible religions, and even to non-believers -- specific names only serve as examples.}}
{{Quote|1=[http://islamicstudies.info/maarif/surah2.htm Surah 2 Ayah 62]<BR>Maulana Mufti Mohammad Shafi, trans. Prof. Muhammad Hasan Askari & Prof. Muhammad Shamim|2=23.Contrary to the flaccid fancies of some "modernizers" who are very happy with  themselves  over  their  "liberalism" and  "tolerance", the  present verse does not open the way to salvation for each and every "man of good will" irrespective of  the creed he follows. If one reads the verse in its proper context and along with other relevant verses of the Holy Qur'an, one will easily see that the verse, in fact, promises salvation in the other world only  to those who accept  Islam.  It is  a n  invitation to  Islam extended to the Jews, the Christians, the Sabeans and, as a matter of fact, to the followers of all possible religions, and even to non-believers -- specific names only serve as examples.}}
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====Belief in Allah alone====
====Belief in Allah alone====


2:62 makes it necessary to believe in Allah. And according to the Qur'an, believing in Allah alone is mandatory. Thus, "associating partners" with Allah is a sin that will not be forgiven.
Verse 2:62 and other Qur'anic verses stipulate that belief in Allah alone is a necessity.


{{Quote|{{Quran|4|48}}|Surely '''Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him''', and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|48}}|Surely '''Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him''', and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.}}


Belief in the Christian Trinity is considered to be "associating partners" with Allah (i.e. polytheism), and the Qur'an specifically condemns the practice as blasphemy that will lead "disbelievers" to hell.
The Qur'an specifically condemns "associat[ing" other entities with Allah (such as Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Christian trinity) as blasphemy that will lead "disbelievers" to hell.


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|72}}|'''Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah, He is the Messiah, son of Marium'''; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Surely '''whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire'''; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|72}}|'''Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah, He is the Messiah, son of Marium'''; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Surely '''whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire'''; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.}}
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{{Quote|{{Quran|5|73}}|'''Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah is the third (person) of the three'''; and there is no god but the one Allah, and if they desist not from what they say, '''a painful chastisement shall befall those among them who disbelieve'''.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|73}}|'''Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah is the third (person) of the three'''; and there is no god but the one Allah, and if they desist not from what they say, '''a painful chastisement shall befall those among them who disbelieve'''.}}


Hadiths further explain what believing in Allah alone means, clarifying that it is "to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah" and that "Muhammad is His Apostle".
Hadiths further clarify that believing in Allah alone is "to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah" and that "Muhammad is His Apostle".


{{Quote|{{Bukhari|||53|darussalam}}| "'''Do you know what is meant by believing in Allah Alone?'''" They replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." Thereupon the Prophet said, "'''It means: 1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle'''. 2. To offer prayers perfectly 3. To pay the Zakat (obligatory charity) 4. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. 5. And to pay Al-Khumus (one fifth of the booty to be given in Allah's Cause).}}
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|||53|darussalam}}| "'''Do you know what is meant by believing in Allah Alone?'''" They replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." Thereupon the Prophet said, "'''It means: 1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle'''. 2. To offer prayers perfectly 3. To pay the Zakat (obligatory charity) 4. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. 5. And to pay Al-Khumus (one fifth of the booty to be given in Allah's Cause).}}
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====Christians and Jews thrown into hell====
====Christians and Jews thrown into hell====


The following narrations are taken from [[Sahih]] Muslim (Chapter 8: "Throwing of non-believers in Hell-fire for believers as divine grace and mercy"). They tell us some Muslims will earn their place in Paradise and be spared [[Hell]]-Fire by Allah on the Day of Resurrection as Christians and Jews take their place in hell.
The following narrations from [[Sahih]] Muslim indicate that some Muslims will earn their place in Paradise and be spared [[Hell]]<nowiki/>fire by Allah on the Day of Resurrection as Christians and Jews take their place in hell.


{{Quote|{{Muslim||2767a|reference}}|Abu Musa' reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your rescue from Hell-Fire.}}
{{Quote|{{Muslim||2767a|reference}}|Abu Musa' reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your rescue from Hell-Fire.}}
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====Non-Muslim women used for sex====
====Non-Muslim women used for sex====


The following is reported in Ibn Majah, Ibn `Adi in the Kamil, and al-Bayhaqi in al-Ba`th wal-Nushur. It explains that some Christian and Jewish women, among others, will make it into Paradise after-all. But only as sex [[Slavery|slaves]] for Muslim men. Al-Suyuti marked its chain as “fair” (hasan) in al-Jami` al-Saghir (7989).<ref>Shaykh Gibril Haddad - [http://www.webcitation.org/64zXNO08I How Many Wives Will The Believers Have In Paradise?] - SunniPath.com, Question ID:4828</ref>
The following is reported in Ibn Majah, Ibn `Adi in the Kamil, and al-Bayhaqi in al-Ba`th wal-Nushur. It explains that some Christian and Jewish women, among others, will make it into Paradise after all, but only as sex [[Slavery|slaves]] for Muslim men. Al-Suyuti marked its chain as “fair” (hasan) in al-Jami` al-Saghir (7989).<ref>Shaykh Gibril Haddad - [http://www.webcitation.org/64zXNO08I How Many Wives Will The Believers Have In Paradise?] - SunniPath.com, Question ID:4828</ref>


{{Quote|1=[http://www.webcitation.org/64zXNO08I  Ibn Majah, Ibn `Adi in the Kamil, and al-Bayhaqi in al-Ba`th wal-Nushur]|2= Abu Umama said, Allah be well-pleased with him: The Messenger of Allah said, upon him blessings and peace:
{{Quote|1=[http://www.webcitation.org/64zXNO08I  Ibn Majah, Ibn `Adi in the Kamil, and al-Bayhaqi in al-Ba`th wal-Nushur]|2= Abu Umama said, Allah be well-pleased with him: The Messenger of Allah said, upon him blessings and peace:
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Everything that we have mentioned above is indisputable in Islam; and, anyone who denies or doubts any of it is deemed a disbeliever. Al-Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh  reported the consensus of scholars on this matter.  
Everything that we have mentioned above is indisputable in Islam; and, anyone who denies or doubts any of it is deemed a disbeliever. Al-Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh  reported the consensus of scholars on this matter.  
Some Hanbali scholars have added that the one who doubts the disbelief of the People of the Book becomes a disbeliever}}
Some Hanbali scholars have added that the one who doubts the disbelief of the People of the Book becomes a disbeliever}}
==Conclusion==
There are many verses in the Qur'an that label Christians and Jews as disbelievers, and numerous more that explicitly condemn them and other disbelievers to Hell. There is scholarly consensus on the fact that Christians and Jews are viewed by Islam as kafirs, because of "the clear nature of the texts about this".
If you read verse 2:62 in context, it is referring only to those Christians, Jews, and Sabiens who believed in the time of their own Prophet/Messenger.
Each [[Revelation|Revelation]] abrogated the previous. Thus, after the advent of Prophet Muhammad and Islam, no individual can make it into Paradise unless they accept Allah as God, Muhammad as his last Prophet and the Qur'an as Allah's final book of guidance.
Therefore, the concept of Heavenly rewards in Islam are now exclusively offered to Muslims. Christians and Jews may believe in a single monotheistic god, but they do not believe in "His Messenger". Thus they are destined for the "burning fire".
Additionally, the non-Muslims who do make it into Paradise will only be used as sex-slaves by believing men, Muslims who themselves will be spared hell-fire by Allah on the Day of Resurrection only as a result of Christians and Jews taking their place in Hell.


==See Also==
==See Also==
Zhothaqquah
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