Does Quran Talk about Few of the World’s Religions Only and Why?
WHO ARE HAADU (هَادُوا)/YAHOOD (الْيَهُودَ); S’AABEA’UNA (وَالصَّابِئُونَ); MAJOOS (وَالْمَجُوسَ) & NAS’AARA (وَالنَّصَارَىٰ)/ANS’AAR (أَنْصَارٍ)? ARE THESE DIFFERENT RELIGIONS OR ROLES AS PER QURAN?
GENERAL MISCONCEPTIONS
As per common misconceptions, the word Haadu & Yahood are mistranslated as Jews; the word Nas’ara & Ans’aar are normally misinterpreted as those who are Christians and the word S’aba’een and S’aabea’un assumed to refer to followers of a certain religion that is not in existence anymore. All of these mistranslations are not backed by Quran. When Quran is for the whole of humanity for all times to come, why would Allah talk only about the followers of certain religions only such as Christianity or Judaism and not every other religion? In fact, this is like distortion of Quranic ayahs and concepts. All these wrong translations have made Quran looks like a story telling book or some sort of a newspaper, whereby Allah is referring to only two religions of Judaism and Christianity- what about others such as Atheists, or Hindus or Buddhists. Is Quran only for these Jews, Christians, Sabayen or Muslims or is it a Hidayah for the ‘Ins’- i.e., the whole of mankind? Is Quran not the Hidayah, the Kitaab for everyone, regardless of whatever religion they are following or the world recognize them with?
Mistranslating these terms as the followers of certain religions is both discriminatory as well as huge generalizations. Allah never discriminate anyone and there is no possibility of any generalization as per Quran. For instance, Allah could never treat all the Jews in the same way; or all the Christians as the same, based on their religion or what the world recognizes them as. As per Quran, the only addressees and discussions are around the acts, behaviors and roles of people, based on their own decisions and freewill and never on the basis of their gender, or race or religion that they chose or the world recognize them to be followers of. Additionally, there is always a possibility that even among Christians or Jews or person following any other religion, there would be Momin, or Hanifan or Muslim as per the definitions and concepts of Quran. Hence, Allah can never generalize or treat all the followers of a certain religion the same way.
By mistranslating and misinterpreting these words like Yahood and Nas’ara as Jews and Christians, we have restricted many Ayahs of Quran, as if they are talking to and about them, others, the followers of other religions ONLY and not us, the addressee of the Quran. And hence we have missed key important divine instructions, that could have reached us, if we would have understood these terminologies better. In the sight of Allah, it’s not what religion one associate themselves with for instance as Atheists, or Hindus or Buddhist or Jews or Christians or Muslims but in specific roles. These key Quranic terminologies, such as Yahood, S’abaeyun and Nas’ara’ do not refer to anyone else, or people following certain religions, but in fact, refer to roles, behaviors and responsibilities of all those around us, that they themselves have taken upon themselves based on their own freewill and freedom of choice; these terminologies have nothing to do with the following of any specific religion at all.
HAADU (هَادُوا) & YAHOOD (الْيَهُودَ):
The basic meanings of this word are to make things clear and bright, to be ahead of others and to lead the way for others. In Quran in the ayah 20:128 “Afalam Yahdelam (then has it not become clear and apparent) for them…” as in visible and obvious. The word therefore has broad meanings of a guidance that leads the way, by being ahead of others- leading others and something that is obvious, clear and visible. Therefore, Hidayah/Hadaa is something that is a guidance, a map, an instruction manual that is clear, obvious and visible in order to lead to the desired destination which is to become a Muttaqi- the highest level of being a Muslim as in ayah 2:02 with the phrase “Hudallil Mutaqueen (Hidayah for the Mutaqueen).
The words like HAADU (هَادُوا) and Yahood (الْيَهُودَ) are normally mistranslated as Jews in ALL of its occurrences in Quran, thereby restricting and limiting these ayahs to the Jews ONLY; these are wrong translations and interpretations. These words share the basic characteristics and the meanings as the words like Haad, Haadi, Yahdi, Hada and Hidayah, which is in terms of guidance and leading the way for others, with these words referring to people such as guide, leader, religious scholars, leaders, preachers who present themselves in front of people to lead the way for others, and especially towards the Hidayah- Allah’s Deen for instance in ayah 13:7 “…for every Quom/people is a Haddin”. The same word is used for Allah as a guide, after talking about the Ahsan al Hadith, the Kitaab, in Ayah 39:23, the phrase is “…that is the Hudaa of Allah, HE Yahdi with it”. In ayah 7:156 w.r.t. Nabi Musa, “And inscribe for us Hasanatun in this world and in the Akhira Hudna to YOU.” Here, the word ‘Hudna’ is used is the same meanings as ‘guide to you’.
Quran gives explicit warnings to us about these people, who present themselves as guide, to lead the way for others towards the Hidayah, such as the religious scholars and preachers in ayahs 4:46-50, when Allah says, “From among those who are Haadu, they distort the Kalima (words of wisdom) from their Muwazihi (context, place, meanings) …” Is a great reflection of how the scholars distort Allah’s kalam by taking phrases and ayahs out of their context, placement and meanings, and thus create entirely opposite meanings than the divine guidance. Similar meanings and context are in ayah 5:41 as well. In Ayah 62:6, when Allah says “Say, ‘Oh you who are Haadu, if you claim that you are Awliya of Allah from excluding the people, then wish for death if you are Saadiquuon/truthful/sincere” is further describing these people who present themselves as scholars, leaders, guide, preachers, by saying that they are the Awliyaa of Allah, which is far from truth. It’s because of this that in Ayah 4:160, Allah tells us about these Haadu who hinder, block and mislead Many (Kas’eer) people from the Sabeel of Allah.
S’AABEA’UNA (وَالصَّابِئُونَ)
The word is normally mistranslated as those following a certain religion which is not in existence anymore. However, if we look at the use of this word in classical and medieval Arabic, the word S’aba’u means aspire to or strive for something. It also refers to a child, a youth, basically a person’s childhood or early periods of life. The word thus, refers to the state of being young, a juvenile, an immature, an apprentice or a young worker. Additionally, the point to note is that the word S’aabea’una or S’aabeyeen appears three times in Quran, with every usage along with the words Haadu/Yahood and Nas’ara. The word Haadu/Yahood refers to such roles of people, all around us, who present themselves to guide the way for others, in terms of religious leaders, scholars, preachers, those who people look up to for Hidayah and guidance. The word Nas’aara refers to those people who play the roles of Nas’eer in our lives in terms of supporting and protecting us, like our parents, our loved ones, our best friends, our supporters etc. as well as those who are Nas’eer of the Sabeel of Allah- in matters of Deen. Therefore, the word S’aabea’una refers to all those people who aspire, and strive to be either of the Yahood or the Nasaara for anyone, but have not reached that status yet, since they are still juveniles, apprentice, young, in terms of being immature and early in those roles.
In Ayah 2:62, “Indeed, those who Amanu and those who Haadu and the Nas’aara and the S’aabeyeen- whoever, Amanu with Allah and with Youm Al Akhira and does Amal-e-Swalehan, then towards them is their Ajar near their Rabb and not they have Khoofa nor they Yahzenun.” In our day-to-day life, we are surrounded by people who play different roles for us, all trying to bring us towards their ways and practices- these differing aspects might be confusing for anyone, hence here Allah is giving a clear criterion, in terms of what matters in the eyes of Allah. It does not matter, whether anyone has Amanu (who calls him/her self as Momin), is Yahood (teachers, guides, those we look up to etc. as well as those presents oneself as guiding the way for others towards the Hidayah); is a Nas’ara (those who are well-wishers, supporters, protectors, friends, family, near and dear ones, as well as those who are Nas’eer w.r.t the Sabeel of Allah) or S’aba’yeen (those who are not yet in either as Amanu, Yahood or Nas’ara but they are currently in the juvenile status in terms of them aspiring to be one of these three)- it does not matter whatever roles people play in your life and whatever they say, you should do in accordance with what Allah is giving a clear criterion which is three folds (1) Amanu with Allah; (2) Amanu with Youm Al Akhira and (3) do Amal-e-Swalehan- don’t get confused, just stay focused on these aspects of the clear criterion. Exactly similar message is there in Ayah 5:69 as well.
In Ayah 22:17, “Indeed, those who Amanu and those who Haadu and the S’abayeen and the Nas’ara and the Majusa and those who Ashraku. Indeed, Allah Yufs’il between them on Youm Al Qayyamate. Indeed, Allah A’ala over everything Shaheed.” Is normally mistranslated as if Allah is talking about all the different religions, whereas in fact these refers to the roles and positions of people all around us, in our day to day lives, that they have taken upon themselves. Thus, Allah is identifying six different categories of people depending upon the roles they have assumed themselves, which include (1) those who Amanu, and (2) those who Haadu- who present themselves as leading the way for others towards the Hidayah, (3) the S’aba’yeen- those who are not yet matured in any of these role, but aspire to, since they are still juvenile and in early stages; and (4) the Nas’ara- those who present themselves as Nas’eer, well-wishers, supporters, protectors, friends, family, near and dear ones, and as Nas’eer w.r.t. Sabeel of Allah; and (5) the Majusa- those who make assumptions and guess rather than basing their actions on facts or factual information; and (6) those who Ashraku- those who do shirk with Allah. After identifying these 6 roles, that people take upon themselves by their own choice and freewill, Allah then says, that it will be on the Youm Al Qayamat, when there would be perfect recompense of their choice and actions, that Allah will then Yufs’il them- judge between them, by segregating and identifying them clearly in their respective roles that they have chosen to play by their own freewill, since Allah is A’ala (height, eminence, peak of) Shaheedan- caretaker of the judgment process inclusive of each and every step and role.
MAJOOS (وَالْمَجُوسَ)
The word is normally mistranslated as those were magicians or those followers of a religion whereby, they used to worship fire. However, these are wrong translations. If we look at the classical medieval Arabic, the word Juus means to peer around, to interfere, to meddle, inquire or snoop around something or someone, with the basic aspect of making assumptions or guessing rather than basing on facts or factual information. Therefore, when Allah says in Ayah 22:17, “Indeed, those who Amanu and those who Haadu and the S’abayeen and the Nas’ara and the Majusa and those who Ashraku. Indeed, Allah Yufs’il between them on Youm Al Qayyamate. Indeed, Allah A’ala over everything Shaheed.” Is normally mistranslated as if Allah is talking about all the different religions, whereas in fact these refers to the roles and positions of people all around us, in our day to day lives, that they have taken upon themselves. Thus, Allah is identifying six different categories of people depending upon the roles they have assumed themselves, which include (1) those who Amanu, and (2) those who Haadu- who present themselves as leading the way for others towards the Hidayah, (3) the S’aba’yeen- those who are not yet matured in any of these role, but aspire to, since they are still juvenile and in early stages; and (4) the Nas’ara- those who present themselves as Nas’eer, well-wishers, supporters, protectors, friends, family, near and dear ones, and as Nas’eer w.r.t. Sabeel of Allah; and (5) the Majusa- those who make assumptions and guess rather than basing their actions on facts or factual information; and (6) those who Ashraku- those who do shirk with Allah. After identifying these 6 roles, that people take upon themselves by their own choice and freewill, Allah then says, that it will be on the Youm Al Qayamat, when there would be perfect recompense of their choice and actions, that Allah will then Yufs’il them- judge between them, by segregating and identifying them clearly in their respective roles that they have chosen to play by their own freewill, since Allah is A’ala (height, eminence, peak of) Shaheedan- caretaker of the judgment process inclusive of each and every step and role.
NAS’AARA (وَالنَّصَارَىٰ) & ANS’AAR (أَنْصَارٍ)
The word Naseer is normally translated as “Helper” but it is used in Quran in much broader meanings. Basic characteristic of the word is like water as a source of life, nourishment, and basic requirement to produce results and S’amaraat. Therefore, without the water, all efforts of farmer are rendered useless. Therefore, it is used for anyone or anything, that is required as a source of life, a source of nourishment, the main catalyst on the basis of which one’s efforts and struggle would produce results. Therefore, when in the ayah 3:111 Allah says “They will not be Yuns’aron” the word here is not only used in terms of they will not be aided or helped, but also in the meanings of their efforts will not produce results, and they will not be protected, from the harmful effects of their choices and will not be taken out of it. It is also used in the meanings of the source of Khair (in all its meanings of the word Khair), gift, bestowment or contribution of any kind. It is also used in the meanings of helper or assistance as in the ayah 47:7. Also used in the meanings to protect/shield and remove harmful impacts for instance in the Ayah 2:250, the word is used in the meanings of assistance, help, protection, catalyst to turn efforts & struggles into results, taking out from a difficult situation etc. In the ayah 3:160 “if Allah yans’urkum, then no one can overcome you, overpower you…”- here the word used in the meanings of victory or success, as in the ayah 3:147 where ever the phrase “…and Ans’urna us over the Kaafireen People…” similarly used in the ayah 2:286. It is used in all of these meanings of asking for Allah’s help and assistance, for success, for victory, to produce results of one’s efforts and struggles, as protector, shield, and as a source of Khair. The word Nas’aara is normally mistranslated as Christians but the word shares the same characteristics as the word Nas’eer, which is used in the meanings of as helpers, who provide help and support, who protect and shield and therefore refers to all such people all around us, who are our helpers, our protectors, such as our parents, loved ones, our friends, etc.
The words such as Ans’aar and Nas’ara are normally mistranslated as Christians but these words also belong to the same set of words with same characteristics of meanings such as being the source of help and assistance, for success, for victory, to produce results of one’s efforts and struggles, as protector, shield, as a source of Khair and of victory, dominance or success, as well as those who present themselves as Nas’eer w.r.t. Sabeel of Allah. Thus, whenever Allah refers to the words Ans’aar or Nas’ara, these are referred to specific people in our lives, who have taken upon themselves to act as Nas’eer for us, could be our employees, our helpers, our supporters, our protectors, our parents, our friends, etc. as well as those who present themselves as helpers and supporters of the Allah’s Deen.
USE OF THESE WORDS AS PER QURAN
In order to understand the divine guidance and warnings associated with the phrase and the use of these words, we need to look and analyze all the Ayahs with the use of these words.
AYAH NO. 2:62
Let’s discuss Ayah 2:62, as follows
[Quran 2:62] “Indeed, those who Amanu and those who Haadu and the Nas’aara and the S’aabeyeen- whoever, Amanu with Allah and with Youm Al Akhira and does Amal-e-Swalehan, then towards them is their Ajar near their Rabb and not they have Khoofa nor they Yahzenun.”
In our day to day life, we are surrounded by people who play different roles for us, all trying to bring us towards their ways and practices- these differing aspects might be confusing for anyone, hence here Allah is giving a clear criterion, in terms of, it does not matter, whether anyone has Amanu (who calls him/her self as Momin), is Yahood (your religious leader, teacher, preacher, or anyone who you look up to for guidance); is a Nas’ara (your well-wishers, supporters, protectors, friends, family, near and dear ones) or S’aba’yeen (those who are not yet in your life as either Yahood or Nas’ara but they aspire to be one of the two, they are still a new comer in your life)- it does not matter whatever roles people play in your life and whatever they say, you should do in accordance with what Allah is giving a clear criterion which is three folds (1) Amanu with Allah; (2) Amanu with Youm Al Akhira and (3) do Amal-e-Swalehan- don’t get confused, just stay focused on these, and also advise all those around you as per these clear directives and criterion.
AYAH NO. 2:111-112
Let’s now discuss Ayahs 2:111-112 as follows
[Quran Ayahs 2:111-112] “They say, ‘None will enter the Jannat unless is a Yahood or Nasaara’. That is your wishful thinking. Say, ‘bring your proof if you are truthful’. Indeed, whoever Aslama his/her Wajahu to Allah, while being Mohsin, then for him/her is a great reward from his/her Rabb.”
Allah is telling us about false claim in the name of Allah by Yahuud- leaders, scholars and Nasaara, their helpers and supporters, about their lies and wishful thinking that “None will enter the Jannat unless is a Yahood or Nasaara.” Allah is giving an argument against their lie that “Bring your proof, if you are truthful”. In Ayah 2:112 Allah is giving us the answer against their lie and wishful thinking and also a very important guidance to us; Allah says “Indeed, whoever Aslama his/her Wajahu to Allah, while being Mohsin” this is a very broad and comprehensive phrase which embodies three important foundations i.e., whoever will do these, will have their reward with Allah and there will be no fear or grieve. These three foundations are 1) Aslama – not only the complete submission to Allah’s Deen but included all the meanings of this word 2) Wajahu Allah, striving to reach the desired destination through complete attention, focus and submission to Allah’s established Laws and Commandments and 3) Mohsin, the one who has Husn Deeds – the one who does Ahsan.
AYAH NO. 2:135-137
Let’s now discuss Ayahs 2:135-137 as follows
[Quran Ayahs 2:135-137] “And they say, “Kunu Yahood and Nas’ara, and you will Tahtadu.” Say, “Rather, the Millat of Ibrahim, the Hanifan, and what kana of the Mushrikeen.” Say, “We Amanu with Allah; and in what was Anzala upon us; and in what was Anzala to Ibrahim and Ismael, and Ishaac, and Yaqub, and the Asbaat’; and in what was given to Musa and Easa; and in what was given to the Nabiyeen—from their Rabb. We make no Faraqna between Ahad of them, and to Allah we’re Muslimoon.” If they Amanu in the same as you Amanu, then they are on they are Ahtadu. But if they Tawalu, then they are in Shiqaqin. Then, Allah is sufficient for you. And Allah is Same’u Aleem (All-knowing.”
These ayahs are extremely important and powerful which bring home the concept of Yahood and Nas’ara to refer to the roles and people all around us rather than talking about followers of Christianity or Judaism. Here in these Ayahs, Allah is not talking about Jews or Christians at all, but the roles and behaviors of all those people all around us, such as Yahood, our teachers, our religious leaders, those we look up to for guidance as well as Nas’ara- our supporters and protectors, such as our parents, our family, our friends, our well-wishers etc.; with each trying to convince us to follow their way through the phrase “And they say, ‘Kunu Yahood and Nas’ara and you will be Tahtadu” could be interpreted as them saying that either follow their ways only if we want to be on Hidayah or be either of the religious leaders or their supporters if we are to be considered on the Hidayah. However, Allah gives the clear direction as to how one can be on Hidayah which is “Rather, the Millat of Ibrahim, the Hanifan; he was not one of the Muskrikeen.” This ayah is basically an instruction to everyone who has this wishful thinking that just being a Yahood- leader, preacher, scholar, teacher or a Nasara- a helper, protector, supporter, no matter what role or behavior we adopt, in our mind, and as our behaviors and accords in terms of work towards Deen, we cannot be termed as the guided ones unless and until we “follow the Millat of Ibrahim, Hanifan, he was not of the Mushrikeen.” As we know Hanifan means to leave the wrong path and take the right path and remain steadfast on the right path by being persistent and perseverant in remaining on the right path. The avoidance of Shirk at all costs is inherent in the meanings of being Hanifan. The next Ayah 2:136, then identifies the basic characteristics of Amanu with Allah’s Nabiyeen as another couple of criteria of being on Hidayah as “We make no Faraqna between Ahad of them and to Allah we Muslimon” means that we have to treat all of Allah’s Nabiyeen on equal footings, treating them as a whole and cannot differentiate, or single out any Nabiy from others. And another criterion is that we need to be Muslimun ONLY to Allah. Had these ayahs refer to people of other religions, what would then it means by the next phrase as “If they Amanu in the same as you Amanu, then they are on they are Ahtadu” meaning that if they, the Yahood and Nas’aar Amanu like you Amanu, after defining the clear criteria of how to Amanu, then they, the Yahood and Nas’ara, are on Hidayah as well. The terms Yahood and Nas’ara refers to clearly defined roles and behaviors of people all around us, as confirmed by the next phrase as well, “But if they Tawalla then they are Shiqaqan.” The word Tawallu basically means to make a U-turn away from one’s Deen, Emaan and Allah as opposed to Touba, which means making a u-turn towards Allah and away from Kufar. Hence these ayahs are clearly talking about Yahood and Nas’ara to refer to people and roles all around us.
AYAH NO. 3:67
Throughout Quran, Allah has given us specific guidance w.r.t. what our role, our behaviors and conducts should be for instance refer to the following another very important Ayahs
[Quran Ayah 3:67, “Ibrahim was neither a Yahood nor a Nasara, but he was a Hanifan Musliman. And he was not of the Mushrekeen”.
The phrase to focus here is that the argument is that Ibrahim was neither a Yahood or a Nasara but he was Hanifan…the word Hanifan was then defined further as Musliman and not of Mushrikeen. Had the words Yahood and Nasara would have referred to the followers of religions such as Jews and Christian’s then the word Hanifan should not have been there. We need to understand the two words Hanifan and Mulsiman and then ask ourselves if there any possibility of anyone from Jews or Christian’s to be of Hanifan or not? The answer is there is always a possibility of anyone to be a Hanifan, no matter to which religion he/she belongs to in the eyes of the world. Allah has referred to the terms such as Hanifan and Musliman in specific definitions and usages. These are the roles and the behaviors and have nothing to do with anyone calling themselves as Jews or Christians or Muslims etc. Therefore, here Allah is not referring to Yahood and Nasara as Christian’s or Jews, as is widely misunderstood, but in terms of roles of Yahood as preachers, scholars and Nas’ara as helpers or protectors. Nabiy Ibrahim is Imam of mankind in his role, conducts and behaviors not as a role of Yahood (those who are preachers or scholars etc.) Neither that of a Nasara (one’s helper or protector) but as the role of Hanifan Musliman. Therefore, in these ayahs, Allah confirms that Ibrahim was neither a Yahood nor a Nasara but he was a Hanifan Musliman, meaning he was one of those who left the wrong path through his own efforts, found and took the right path by himself and remained steadfast on the right path by being persistent and perseverant. Quran Defines the word Hanifan as someone who remain steadfast on the right path by avoid shirk at all costs. Therefore, the avoidance of Shirk at all costs is inherent in the meanings of Hanifa. And also highlighted in the subsequent phrase as “He was not of the Mushrikoon” Since Ibrahim was surrounded by Idols and idol-worshippers growing up, but he found Allah himself through the use of his own faculties and reasoning, therefore the word Hanifan is used in Quran most of the times in reference to Ibrahim and keeping him as a benchmark and also as a word opposite to Shirk. Which is also highlighted in this Ayah through the phrase “..and he was not of the Mushrikeen..” since the clear criteria of being a Hanifan, and of being on Hidayah, is not that we becomes Yahood or Nas’ara but follow the Millat of Ibrahim- Hanifan and not be a Mushrik. That is the meanings of a true Muslim is a Hanifa Lil Allah & Wajha Illal Allah means he/she would follow the laws of Allah as mentioned in Quran, as Allah is the only lawmaker in Deen and there cannot be anyone but Allah when it comes to laws of Deen. Dividing oneself in sects is like following the laws of someone other than Allah and therefore those from the people of the Kitaab, who call themselves, or those who associates themselves with any sects, or groups such as Sunni, Shia, Wahaby, Salafi, etc. are all doing Shirk as per the definitions of the Kitaab.
AYAH NO. 5:69
Let’s discuss Ayah 5:69
[Quran Ayah 5:69] “Indeed, those who Amanu and those who are Haadu and the S’abaeau’na and the Nas’aara—whoever Amanu with Allah and the Youm Al Akhira and does Amal-e-Swalehan, then not Khufa upon them and not they Yahzenuna.”
Here as well, those who Amanu, the Haadu, the S’abaeau’na, and the Nas’aara- refers to the different roles of people all around us, such as those who call themselves as Momin, or as our Haadu- religious leaders or preachers, or guide or teachers; or our Nas’ara- our parents, family, friends or supporters; or S’abaeeun- those who aspire to be any of these roles in our lives, but have not reached there yet. This ayah is basically giving the same message as Ayah 2:62, wherein as well as through this Ayah, Allah gives us the clear criterion of success that is Amanu with Allah and the Youm Al Akhira and Amal-e-Swalehan: The clear criteria, of success in the eyes of Allah, is not in terms of what and how people present themselves as- it does not matter, what they say, and how they want to guide you towards the Hidaya, the clear criteria is three folds, which is (1) Amanu with Allah: that is be at Aman with Allah by using one’s faculties, especially thinking and Aqal, in order to seek knowledge and implement both the Ayaat of Allah, the Kalam of Allah and the Creations of Allah. Be at Aman, in terms of peace, security, harmony and goodwill with others and be upholders of our Meesaq with Allah. (2) Amanu with Youm Al Akhira: Mean be at Aman with Youm- the well-known and confirmed fact and event of Akhira- the concept of perfect recompense, which is going to happen sooner or later. The concept of Amanu with Youm Al Akhira, means being certain of the fact that this Hiyaat-ud-Duniya, is a temporary life here on earth and the Qayyam Akhira is the life hereafter, where we will abide forever. Whether that is heaven or hell is based on the perfect recompense and the scale of justice whereby not even an atom weight of our deeds will be held unaccountable for. (3) Do Amal-e- Swalehan: The deeds of Is’lah – in order to create the balance, to restore peace, law & order, to resume the situation back to its correct place- right and balanced in all aspects by removing all lacks, deficiencies & mistakes. Thus, it really does not matter, what people call themselves as or the roles they assume for themselves, in our lives, what matters in the eyes of Allah are these three clear distinct criteria, as long as we focus on these, then we have no Khoof- concerned, anxious, apprehensive, nervous or worried and nor we would Yahzenun- feel sadness, grief, sorrow or helpless. By communicating these very clear criteria, to those around all of us, would also absolve us of feeling helpless, worries or sorrow since through this clear guidance, we all can be on Hidayah.
AYAH NO. 22:17
Next let’s discuss Ayah 22:17
[Quran Ayah 22:17] “Indeed, those who Amanu and those who Haadu and the S’abayeen and the Nas’ara and the Majusa and those who Ashraku. Indeed, Allah Yufs’il between them on Youm Al Qayyamate. Indeed, Allah A’ala over everything Shaheed.”
Is normally mistranslated as if Allah is talking about all the different religions, whereas in fact these refers to the roles and positions of people all around us, in our day to day lives, that they have taken upon themselves. Thus, Allah is identifying six different categories of people depending upon the roles they have assumed themselves, which include (1) those who Amanu, and (2) those who Haadu- who present themselves as leading the way for others towards the Hidayah, (3) the S’aba’yeen- those who are not yet matured in any of these role, but aspire to, since they are still juvenile and in early stages; and (4) the Nas’ara- those who present themselves as Nas’eer, well-wishers, supporters, protectors, friends, family, near and dear ones, and as Nas’eer w.r.t. Sabeel of Allah; and (5) the Majusa- those who make assumptions and guess rather than basing their actions on facts or factual information; and (6) those who Ashraku- those who do shirk with Allah. After identifying these 6 roles, that people take upon themselves by their own choice and freewill, Allah then says, that it will be on the Youm Al Qayamat, when there would be perfect recompense of their choice and actions, that Allah will then Yufs’il them- judge between them, by segregating and identifying them clearly in their respective roles that they have chosen to play by their own freewill, since Allah is A’ala (height, eminence, peak of) Shaheedan- caretaker of the judgment process inclusive of each and every step and role.
CONCLUSION- HAADU (هَادُوا)/YAHOOD (الْيَهُودَ); S’AABEA’UNA (وَالصَّابِئُونَ); MAJOOS (وَالْمَجُوسَ) & NAS’AARA (وَالنَّصَارَىٰ)/ANS’AAR (أَنْصَارٍ) ARE NOT REFERRED AS DIFFERENT RELIGIONS BUT ROLES & PEOPLE AS PER QURAN
Being Nasara, or S’abbiyun or Majoos or Yahood, are the roles and the behaviors and have nothing to do with anyone associating themselves with any religion or calling themselves as Jews or Christians, etc. Therefore, these refer to the roles and people all around us with Yahood as those who one looks up to, the preachers, scholars, etc.; Majusa- those who make assumptions and guess rather than basing their actions on facts or factual information; Nas’ara- those all around us, who may be our helpers or protectors or facilitators etc. and S’abayeen- those who aspire to reach a certain role or position but are still juveniles, in terms of either being one of Yahood or Nas’aara or those who Amanu, Ashraku or Kafaru. In the sight of Allah, it’s not what religion one associate themselves with for instance as Atheists, or Hindus or Buddhist or Jews or Christians or Muslims but in specific roles. Whoever has Emaan and does Amal-e-Swalehat is one category and all the rest are other than that and termed as Ummat e Wahida by Quran.
