How important is it to study other religions?

**missy** · 11-15-2011

Salaam,

I’m posting on the forum after ages (that’s another story why I did not or rather I couldn’t..), but today I felt it as a necessity, literally! :smile:

So, Alhamdullilah here’s what I gotta say…

About a couple of days back, this thing just struck me that one's religion is the most important thing in life because the God one worships and the religious beliefs that one holds make the center around which one's life revolves. It was like a kind of epiphany that I experienced.
Not just this life but the Hereafter too depends on the deeds that one does in his worldly life.
And it's really difficult to digest the fact that a hundred different religions exist on this earth and followers of each consider themselves to be on the truth. I know it sounds stupid but it's a sincere thought. It seems all fine to people…and yes it could be but what about the Hereafter? Every single soul has to face it. It can't be that each person will be resurrected to his own god, it isn't that there are different Paradises for people of different religions….It just can't be.
Only ONE religion is the TRUTH,….only one true faith,….and only those believing in that one truth will be saved from the Hell-Fire and granted Paradise! What about the rest?! Those millions of people who on earth claim to be on the truth, hoping for Paradise...those who think that their religion is the truth?
It's freakin' creepy!

We need to come to common terms. The Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists and those believing in thousands of other things should stop being ignorant and stubborn and at least for once try to learn and reflect on Islam.
One should have an open mind in order to accept the truth, how much ever bitter it might seem, and it is the truth that only one religion is God's and acceptable in His Sight!

[إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الإِسْلَـمُ]
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam…”
(The Holy Quran 3:19)

So, my honest question to those of you reading this is, taking all what I've pointed out into consideration and your own personal views,
How important do you think is studying religions other than the one you follow?

Any kind of input would be highly appreciated!
May God Almighty Guide us all to the Truth. Ameen.

**Burninglight** · 02-13-2012

Originally Posted by MustafaMc

I don't have a problem discussing religion with adherents of other religions. I have discussed Hindu religion with a co-worker, I have learned about Catholicism from 2 other co-workers and I have discussed Judaism with a Rabbi.

Now that's interesting. I would like to have a discussion with a rabbi. I never did that. Catholicism doesn't interest me. I was born and raised one. I am tired of it. Islam is interesting to me because it is such a great religion and Muhammad was blessed by God through Ishmael and it is part of the Abrahamic faith.

Originally Posted by MustafaMc

I can't say that I disagree with you here. Muslims follow Muhammad (saaws) as an act of obedience to Allah (swt) and I assume that you follow Jesus (as) for the same reason.

Yes, doesn't it say in the Quran or somewhere to obey Muhammad is to obey Allah?

**MustafaMc** · 02-13-2012

Originally Posted by Burninglight

Yes, doesn't it say in the Quran or somewhere to obey Muhammad is to obey Allah?

Hey, it seems you have learned something.

Quran 49:14 The wandering Arabs say: We believe. Say: You believe not, but rather say "We submit," for the faith has not yet entered into your hearts. Yet, if ye obey Allah and His messenger, He will not withhold from you anything of (the reward of) your deeds. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Note that this verse illustrates the difference between a Muslim (one who submits to the will of Allah) and a Mumin (one who has faith in his heart). We obey Muhammad or follow his Sunnah because he was the Messenger of Allah who came to show us how to worship Allah and how to live our lives according to the will of Allah. We love him because of his noble character and because of the hardships he endured to establish Islam as the Straight Way that leads to Paradise.

Quran 3:31 Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

**Burninglight** · 02-13-2012

Originally Posted by MustafaMc

Hey, it seems you have learned something.
Quran 49:14 The wandering Arabs say: We believe. Say: You believe not, but rather say "We submit," for the faith has not yet entered into your hearts. Yet, if ye obey Allah and His messenger, He will not withhold from you anything of (the reward of) your deeds. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Note that this verse illustrates the difference between a Muslim (one who submits to the will of Allah) and a Mumin (one who has faith in his heart). We obey Muhammad or follow his Sunnah because he was the Messenger of Allah who came to show us how to worship Allah and how to live our lives according to the will of Allah. We love him because of his noble character and because of the hardships he endured to establish Islam as the Straight Way that leads to Paradise.

Quran 3:31 Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

"I see" said the blind man to his deaf wife. It is like that for Christians believing Paul and following Paul

**Who Am I?** · 02-13-2012

I'd like to talk to a rabbi myself. I've had discussions with Muslims and Christians, but have never really talked to any Jews. I have read the Bible and the Qur'an, but not the Torah.

One of these days I'd like to complete the Triumvirute of Monotheism...

**Burninglight** · 02-13-2012

Originally Posted by Who Am I?

I'd like to talk to a rabbi myself. I've had discussions with Muslims and Christians, but have never really talked to any Jews. I have read the Bible and the Qur'an, but not the Torah.

One of these days I'd like to complete the Triumvirute of Monotheism...

You really should do that